How to find work if you’re a digital nomad or just want to be free from an office and a fixed schedule. Here are the main websites for finding remote jobs that allow you to earn from anywhere in the world.
Apart from traveling and blogging, I’ve long been interested in everything related to remote work. I’ve been working remotely for over 10 years, traveling around the world, and earning more than office employees at leading global companies. In my next post, I’ll share what I’ve done at different times and how much you can earn remotely.
One of my activities is visa consulting, which I run as a business and manage an online agency for U.S. visas. Thanks to this, I communicate daily with interesting people who work remotely and continuously expand my own knowledge on the subject.
Two Approaches to Remote Work
I have used both of these approaches at different times. Each has its pros and cons.
- Freelancing: You set your own work schedule and rates, working with various clients. Your income heavily depends on the orders you manage to attract.
- Working for a company: You can work remotely for a specific company, either full-time or part-time, earning a fixed salary. The advantage is that you know exactly what you need to accomplish each month and how much you will be paid.
Both approaches are good in their own way, and neither ties you to a place or country. They are suitable for digital nomads as well as those who simply prefer to avoid the office and work from any location with an internet connection.
Websites for Finding Freelance Work
If you’ve decided to become a freelancer, know which services you’re ready to offer, and want to set your own rates and schedule, here are a few platforms for you:
Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest job boards for freelancers of all professions. Clients post job openings, and you can submit proposals for tasks or services that interest you.
The more experience you have and the better your profile is optimized, the higher your chances of finding clients. Experienced freelancers often get offers directly from clients.
Key points about using Upwork:
- You’ll need to purchase “connects” to apply for jobs. They cost a few cents and can be deducted from your taxable income.
- Upwork takes a commission from your earnings. Initially, it’s 20% until you earn $500 with a client, after which the fee drops to 10%.
Fiverr
On Fiverr, you can create specific service offers, describing your service and price. Unlike Upwork, where you search for jobs, Fiverr allows clients to find you.
Key points about Fiverr:
- The platform is highly competitive, so you’ll need a unique and well-optimized profile to stand out.
- Fiverr takes 20% of your earnings, regardless of the contract size.
Other Websites for Remote Work
If freelancing isn’t for you and you’d rather work part-time or full-time for a company, here are several websites where you can find remote jobs for digital nomads.
Working Nomads
Working Nomads is specifically designed for digital nomads. The site has a wide variety of vacancies and is easy to navigate.
We Work Remotely
If you’re an IT specialist—developer, web designer, or technical expert—this site We Work Remotly specializes in such professions.
Skip the Drive
Skip the Drive has convenient navigation and makes it easy to track job applications. There’s also a section for micro-tasks, which are one-time jobs that provide quick income.
Remote Tech Jobs
Remote Tech Jobs is a site for tech professionals. If you’re a WordPress developer or programmer, for example, this site is for you. You can subscribe to job alerts via email, and apply directly on the site.
Indeed
Indeed is a very popular job search site. The benefit of this platform is that you upload your resume, and recruiters find you, increasing your chances of landing a good remote job.
How Much Does a Digital Nomad or Remote Worker Earn?
Based on my experience and that of my friends, remote workers or freelancers typically earn between $2000 and $8000 per month. Income is also an important factor for obtaining a digital nomad visa. In most countries, a monthly income of $2000 to $4000 is sufficient to meet visa requirements.
Is It Hard to Find Remote Work?
From my own experience and that of my friends, I can say that finding remote work isn’t particularly hard, but it does require some effort. You need to decide what you want to do or what you can do, and then start searching for jobs on online platforms.
The key is to take the first step and clearly understand the kind of lifestyle you want to lead and what you want to earn.
It took me a couple of years to reach a good level of income. But 10 years ago, there weren’t as many opportunities, and I didn’t really know how to find work. Persistence and a bit of luck will get you there.
