Navigating Career Changes in a Remote Job Market

Let’s stop guilting people because remote work and a flexible career are top priority. It’s called work-life balance. I see too often people being told they're "not serious about their career" when they prioritize remote work. The subtext is clear: "Real professionals go to offices. Remote is for people who aren't ambitious." Isn’t this an outdated perspective? When a client tells me remote work is their top priority, I don't see someone avoiding hard work. I see someone making a rational decision about their quality of life, productivity, and well-being. Here's the career change roadmap I share with anyone looking to transition to remote work: ✅ 1. Reframe your "why" Stop apologizing for wanting remote work. Your reasons are valid: 📌 Eliminating commute time 📌 Creating a distraction-free environment 📌 Having control over your workspace 📌 Preserving energy for actual work instead of office politics ✅ 2. Audit your transferable skills through a remote lens The skills that make someone exceptional in remote work aren't the same as in-office environments. Written communication, self-direction, problem-solving without immediate support, and digital collaboration are premium skills in remote environments. ✅ 3. Build a remote-first network, not just a job search Most remote opportunities are never publicly posted. They're filled through referrals from people who can vouch for your ability to deliver without supervision. ✅ 4. Create visible proof of remote capability Companies need evidence you can deliver without someone watching over your shoulder. This means building a portfolio of work, contributing to open-source projects, publishing articles, or completing relevant certifications - anything that demonstrates your ability to execute independently. ✅ 5. Target companies, not just roles Not all remote work is created equal. Some companies have thoughtfully built remote-first cultures. Target companies that proudly embrace remote work as part of their identity, not as a reluctant concession. — Remote work isn't a perk or a lifestyle choice - it's a legitimate workplace strategy that benefits both employees and employers. The future belongs to people who can deliver results from anywhere. There's nothing unprofessional about optimizing your environment to do your best work. 📌 Question: What's your top challenge in transitioning into a remote role?

I just spoke with a former colleague who’s trying to break into remote work—and I found myself wishing I had more to offer than the usual “check job boards and apply.” The truth is... remote work is highly competitive right now. Everyone wants it. But what’s harder to talk about is how tough it really is to land one. Especially when you’re applying online and never hearing back. It can be discouraging. I was recently hiring for a remote position and received HUNDREDS of applications. Hiring managers are overwhelmed with the amount of applicants. It can take time.... Here’s what I’ve learned—and what I shared during our chat: 🟢 Stand out, early. Apply fast—remote roles fill quickly. Use keywords from the job description and tailor your resume for each role. Sites like Jobscan.co can help. 🟢 Highlight your remote-ready skills. Emphasize time management, self-motivation, communication across time zones, and tools like Zoom, Slack, or Trello. If you’ve ever worked independently, say so—loudly. 🟢 Know where to look. Don’t limit yourself to the big job boards. Some great places to find legit remote roles: We Work Remotely FlexJobs (membership-based but vetted) VirtForce (great for military spouses) Remote OK, Remotive, Jobspresso LinkedIn – use the “Remote” filter! Company websites – many post remote roles directly 🟢 Beware of scams. Sadly, remote job scams are everywhere—if someone asks for money, promises huge pay with no experience, or emails from a sketchy address, walk away. 🟢 Network, network, network. Most remote jobs aren’t filled by random applicants—they’re filled through connections. It's all about who you know. Reach out. Follow up. Attend virtual events. Once you apply online try and find the hiring manager on Linkedin or someone who works at the organization - let them know you applied. 🟢 Know the landscape – Not all remote jobs are equal. “Fully remote,” “hybrid,” and “work-from-anywhere” all mean different things. Read carefully. Remember "remote" is a location not a job title. 🟢 It’s going to take time. The market is tough. My husband was unemployed for a number of months before he found his dream job through a connection he had on Twitter (X ) This isn’t easy. The job market is noisy, and remote hiring often moves slower than expected. But you will find your lane. Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep connecting. If you’re a veteran or military spouse job seeker, I highly recommend registering for Hire Heroes USA's Free services at www.hireheroesusa.org #remotejobs #veterans #militaryspouses #hireheroesusa

"What am I doing wrong?" he asked. Nothing. The remote job landscape has fundamentally changed. A client with 10+ years in engineering leadership came to me last month after 200+ applications and zero callbacks. He asked what he was doing wrong. Nothing, I said. And everything. The traditional application process is broken for remote roles. When a company posts a remote position: 🫠 They receive 5-10x more applications than on-site roles. 🫠 They're flooded with qualified candidates from every time zone. 🫠 They're overwhelmed by the volume of similar-looking resumes. Your competition isn't just local talent. It's global talent. This calls for a completely different approach. After helping dozens of professionals land remote positions in the past year, I've found a few things that have actually worked: 1️⃣ Become known before you're needed. Cultivate relationships with decision-makers before there's an opening. The best remote opportunities are often filled before they're posted. 2️⃣ Solve problems publicly. Create case studies of challenges you've solved. Write detailed breakdowns of your approach. This demonstrates your thought process, not just your skills. 3️⃣ Build your own validation. Don't wait for companies to validate your expertise. Build a portfolio that proves your capabilities without needing their permission. 4️⃣ Target companies with remote-first cultures. Companies that reluctantly offer remote options will always favor on-site candidates. Focus on organizations that have embraced distributed teams as their core identity. In today's market, traditional job search tactics are a recipe for frustration. The path to remote work isn't through application portals. It's through becoming the obvious solution to a company's problems. Stop applying anonymously. Start solving problems visibly.