How to Find Stay-at-Home Jobs After the Pandemic
The pandemic changed everything about the way we work. What started as a temporary shift to working from home has now turned into a long-term trend, and let’s be honest, many of us have fallen in love with it! The freedom, flexibility, and work-life balance remote work offers just can’t be beat. There are more stay-at-home jobs than ever before, but the key is knowing where to look and how to stand out. In this guide, you’ll learn straightforward strategies that can help you land that perfect work-from-home gig.
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Build Your Personal Brand (and Attract Recruiters!)
Before you even start scrolling through job boards, let’s talk about personal branding. I know it sounds like a buzzword, and you might picture someone holding a selfie stick, but it's more than that. Your personal brand is your professional reputation online. And the best part? A strong personal brand can attract recruiters to YOU instead of tirelessly “begging” to be chosen for remote roles.
How to Build Your Personal Brand for Remote Jobs:
Know your strengths: What sets you apart? Are you a pro at managing remote projects or crushing it in digital marketing? Whatever it is, get clear on it. Knowing your strengths is the foundation of your brand.
Keep your messaging clear and focused: Rather than trying to showcase every skill you have, focus on one primary area of expertise. Picking a niche or focusing on a particular role makes it easier for employers to understand your value and see you as the go-to expert in that space.
Focus on your value, not just what you do: When describing your skills and experience, emphasize the impact you can have. Instead of just listing tasks, focus on the results you drive and the unique value you bring to a team.
Identify what makes you unique: Is there a personal story behind your remote work journey? Do you have a unique method or approach to your work? Sharing these elements helps differentiate you from others and makes your brand memorable.
Create a killer LinkedIn profile: LinkedIn can be one of the first places recruiters and hiring managers go to source candidates for remote jobs. Make sure your profile reflects your expertise and how you can be of value to an organization. Be sure to showcase your key achievements and use keywords related to your desired role and remote work.
Consider a personal website: If you want to stand out, a personal website or blog can showcase your work or expertise. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just a space where you can control the narrative of how you and your skills are perceived and let people see how you can be of value.
Engage online: Building your brand isn’t just about what you post; it’s also about how you engage with others. Comment on LinkedIn posts, share industry-related articles, and join in on conversations. Show your knowledge and enthusiasm!
By consistently putting yourself out there and engaging, you make it easier for recruiters to notice you. The more visible you are, the more you can attract opportunities.
Make the Most of Remote Job Boards and Platforms
While building your brand is important, you’ll still want to be active in your job search. Fortunately, there are tons of remote job boards designed specifically for people looking for stay-at-home roles.
Best Job Boards for Remote Work
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the top remote job boards for remote work:
LinkedIn (be sure to use the advanced filter and select ‘remote’ for location)
These platforms are great for finding remote jobs, but here’s a little tip: Tailor your applications! Trust me, sending out a one-size-fits-all resume isn’t going to cut it (especially with so much competition out there!). Take the time to customize your resume and cover letter for each role. If you’ve got remote work experience, highlight it. And if not, no worries—just emphasize your adaptability, time management, communication, and any skills that show you’re ready to thrive in a remote environment. It’s those personal touches that can make all the difference.
Need help with your resume? Download the Free Resume Revamp Checklist.
Network with People in the Remote Work Space
I know networking might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of remote work, but trust me, it’s a game-changer. Even though working from home can feel a bit isolating, building connections is just as important as it is in a traditional office setting, if not more so. LinkedIn is an incredible tool for building relationships in the remote work space! Building connections in the remote work space is invaluable - it can
Help you discover insider knowledge about remote companies
Discover hidden remote job opportunities
Get referrals for remote roles! And Referrals are 7x more likely to be hired than job board candidates (Source: Pinpoint) so it’s not something to be underestimated.
Start with informational interviews
Consider asking for informational interviews. If you find someone working in a remote role you’re interested in, reach out for a short chat to learn more about their job, how they got started in remote work, and any tips they might have. Most people are happy to share their experiences, and these conversations can lead to unexpected insights—or even job leads.
Pro Tip: It’s important to do your own research about a role before reaching out to people for informational interviews. You don’t want to ask questions, you can Google, or your approach can come off as lazy or inconsiderate. Show you’re keen, that you’ve done your work, and you’re now ready to fill the gaps that Google can’t answer and only someone versed in the role would know.
Attend virtual events and remote work conferences
Another great way you can network is by attending virtual events. Webinars, workshops, and industry-specific conferences are all going online these days, making it easier than ever to join in from anywhere. These events are not only fantastic learning opportunities but also great places to meet people in your field. Don’t be shy—after the event, connect with speakers or attendees on LinkedIn and keep the conversation going.
Join in-person digital nomad communities and coworking spaces
In-person remote work communities are also invaluable for networking. Events like the Running Remote Conference bring together remote companies, leaders, and employees, creating a unique space to connect face-to-face with others in the remote work world.
If you’re interested in combining travel with networking, remote work travel groups like Hackers Paradise and Remote Year allow you to explore new locations while building connections with other remote professionals.
And don’t forget about coworking spaces! These spaces are filled with like-minded people working remotely, and often host social gatherings, networking events or workshops. Making them ideal places to expand your network and find new collaborators!
Remember, don’t lead with “Can you help me get a remote job?”. It’s off-putting, especially when you first connect with someone. Instead, focus on getting curious about learning more about someone first and adding value to them.
You can also check out Communities like Remotive or Remote Work Hub. They are great places to start making connections. Also, to familiarize yourself with the space online communities for remote workers like a Facebook group, a Slack channel (like this nomads Slack channel), or a forum, are full of advice, support, and, yes, sometimes potential job leads.
You may also want to check out The Ultimate Guide to Finding Digital Nomad Communities Around the World
Stay Updated on Remote Work Trends
Remote work is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on what’s happening. Some companies are still figuring out their remote work policies, so by keeping up with the latest trends, you’ll be able to position yourself as a top candidate.
Here’s how to stay updated:
Keep up with the remote work experts: There are some great thought leaders out there who live and breathe remote work (hi—I’m one of them). Follow them on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X to stay in the loop! They share tons of valuable insights about the future of remote work and what companies are looking for. You can also sign up for the Nomad News weekly newsletter where I share all the latest news and trends in remote work, plus a roundup of all the latest remote job postings.
Stay on top of remote work reports: Every year, companies like Buffer and Owl Labs release reports on remote work. These reports break down what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next. Keeping up with these insights will help you spot opportunities and understand where the remote job market is headed.
There are currently 11 major differences I’m noticing in regards to how the remote job search process has changed.Know your tools: One of the things that makes remote workers stand out is knowing the right tools. Make sure you’re comfortable with platforms like Slack, Zoom, Trello, or Asana. Mention these on your resume to show employers that you’re ready to hit the ground running without extra training. It’s a small step that makes a big difference!
Be Open to Change
It’s clear that remote work isn’t going anywhere, but the way companies approach it might shift. From how they communicate, the tools they use. The key is to stay flexible. It not only makes you more marketable but also shows employers that you can adapt, which is a must-have skill in today’s ever-changing job market. Adaptability will keep you ahead of the game!
Looking to Land a Remote Job? If you’re ready to make the move, the Free Remote Career Playbook will guide you through the exact 6-step process to secure your ideal remote job.
Finding Stay-at-Home Jobs After the Pandemic
While I’m somewhat biased as someone who has been working remotely since well before the pandemic, the truth is that remote work offers so much freedom and flexibility (and the opportunities are endless). By focusing on your personal brand, tailoring your job search, building connections, and staying updated on industry trends, you’re already on the right track. And remember, it’s important to be flexible as companies continue to figure out their remote work strategies. Keep showing up, keep learning, and don’t get discouraged. The right remote job is out there, and with a little patience and persistence, I know you’ll find the one that’s a perfect fit for you!
Ready to level up your remote career? Whether you need 1:1 Remote Career Coaching or want to join my Remote Career Accelerator, I’m here to help you succeed. Check out client success stories for inspiration, and let’s turn your remote career goals into reality!
