Now that you understand what types of remote roles are available throughout the world, it’s time to identify which one is right for you. Follow the steps below to explore options, identify your goals, and measure compatibility for various work options. Note that “work” can mean a job as a virtual employee at a distributed company, it can mean occasionally accepting temporary contracts as a freelancer, or it might mean you start your own business as an entrepreneur.
STEP 1 - FIND YOUR PREFERRED INDUSTRY
What career field do you want to pursue, and what types of work would you like to perform? Ask yourself the following questions.
- What previous work experience do you have?
- What tasks and responsibilities did you most enjoy in previous roles?
- What roles do you currently qualify for that will put you on a path toward your ideal career?
- Are you able to do your current work remotely? (If you’re unsure, start with this: is your primary tool a computer?)
- For inspiration:
- Read Which Remote Career is Right for You?
- Take a free Career Assessment, such as O-Net Interest Profiler
Step One Critical Questions:
- In what industry will you be looking for a role?
- Do you know anyone that currently works in this industry?
- Are there any industry groups, associations, or events that you could attend for networking opportunities?
STEP 2 - IDENTIFY YOUR JOB TITLE
Explore your industry to identify roles that are compatible with remote work.
- Browse the ROI 100 Remote Careers list (for easy searching, sort by industry or experience level)
- Learn more about popular roles in these ROI Job Fact Sheets
- Google “Virtual Jobs in (Your Industry),” “Remote Jobs in (Your Industry),” or “Work from Home Jobs in (Your Industry)”
- Hear real remote work stories from other ROI graduates by listening to our Interview Library (Coming Soon!)
Step Two Critical Questions:
- What is the job title of the ideal role you are seeking?
- Are there any variations of the job title? (i.e. Social Media Manager, Social Media Marketer, Social Media Coordinator, etc.)
- Are there terms included in the title that specify the level of expertise you are seeking? (assistant, manager, team leader, etc.)
STEP 3 - EVALUATE COMPATIBILITY
Using the resources in the Virtual Career Center from Step 2, investigate the requirements, hiring market, earning potential, and examples of employers for the role that you want. Then, compare your current qualifications to what employers are seeking.
- Search for your job title in remote job boards and read through the job descriptions
- Google the phrase “(Job Title) Jobs” (ex: Social Media Manager Jobs) with the location set to “work from home”
- Review the Jobs Posting channel in Slack for current job postings.
- Contact an ideal employer to interview a professional currently working in your target role.
- The resources listed below can help you obtain supplemental training that could set you apart from other job applicants.
- Skillshare - Thousands of creative, career development, and business management courses.
- Pluralsight - Thousands of technical training courses in subjects like web development, networking, coding, and software development.
- Utah Public Colleges & Universities or Technical Colleges - Individual courses available from post-secondary institutions in Utah.
- Flexjobs - Access hand-screened remote, freelance, and flexible job postings.
Step Three Critical Questions:
- Are there educational requirements or industry credentials needed in your role that you don’t have?
- Are there any terms or tools used in the role that you’re not familiar with?
- What is your proposed course of action to close any knowledge gaps?
- If you feel you are overqualified for a position, are there promotion opportunities available?
STEP 4 - SPECIFY WORK SCHEDULE AND TYPE
In what capacity will you be working in your new role? Will you be offering your skills to a variety of clients as a freelancer? Or would you prefer to work as a member of a virtual team as an employee at a remote-friendly company? Think about the schedule, benefits, and consistency that will match the needs of your life.
- If you’re interested in freelancing, ROI offers a partnership with Samaschool to help you build your new business as an independent contractor.
- Training includes: profile design, proposal writing, recruiting clients, and choosing freelance platforms.
- If you’re interested in employment, ROI offers a partnership with FlexJobs to help you find and apply for virtual employment opportunities.
- Membership includes: career coaching, interview practice, resume enhancement, and job post recommendations.
Step Four Critical Questions:
- Are you looking for part-time or full-time work?
- Are you interested in working as an employee or a freelancer?
- Do the schedules and requirements that you saw in job posts during Step 3 match what you are looking for?
STEP 5 - SOURCE YOUR JOB
In order to acquire the remote job you want, are you going to apply to a new position, convert your existing role, or create a new role?
- Apply:
- Convert:
- Create:
Step Five Critical Questions:
- Do you foresee any barriers that will prevent your success in sourcing your job?
- This guide has included links to job search resources like networking, job boards, and training platforms. Which ones will you be using to find job opportunities?
STEP 6 - PREPARE A CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL AND AGENDA
To ensure you are on the right track to get you to your ideal virtual career, the next step of the Rural Online Initiative program will be to have a 1-on-1 career planning meeting with your Program Coordinator. This will be scheduled directly with your Program Coordinator during your last workshop. Using the information generated in this Career Center, you will bring a proposal to the meeting of how to find and obtain your ideal remote job. Your Program Coordinator will approve the proposal and/or suggest additional resources to help you.
- Video of Career Planning Meeting Samples (Coming soon!)
- Samples of Proposals/Agendas
Step Six Critical Questions:
- Do you have any questions for your Program Coordinator to add to your career planning meeting agenda?
- Are there any resources that you need to make your job search easier?
- Would you prefer your career planning meeting to be virtual or on-site?