The Truth About Landing Remote Work – Her Expat Life

Michelle speaks Her Expat Life, about the cold hard truth about finding remote work.

In This Interview

In this insightful interview with Her Expat Life, Michelle, a seasoned HR professional with a wealth of experience in remote hiring, pulls back the curtain on the realities of securing remote work. Having reviewed thousands of CVs and interviewed hundreds of candidates across the globe, Michelle offers invaluable advice on how to stand out in a highly competitive market.

Key Takeaways from the Interview:

1. Remote-First Companies Value More Than Just Skills: While technical skills are undoubtedly important, remote-first companies seek individuals who possess a unique blend of qualities. They look for candidates who are self-motivated, excellent communicators, and able to thrive in a remote work environment. Soft skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and time management are often equally, if not more, valued than hard skills.

2. The Power of a Strong Online Presence: In today's digital age, your online presence can significantly impact your job search. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile, an active personal website, or a strong GitHub portfolio can showcase your skills and experiences to potential employers. By actively engaging in professional communities and sharing your knowledge, you can establish yourself as an industry expert and attract the attention of recruiters.

3. The Importance of Networking: Networking is a powerful tool for landing remote work. Building relationships with other professionals in your field can open doors to new opportunities. Attend virtual conferences, join online forums, and participate in professional groups to connect with like-minded individuals. By leveraging your network, you can gain valuable insights, receive referrals, and increase your chances of landing a remote job.

4. Tailoring Your Application to the Specific Role: Generic cover letters and resumes are unlikely to impress hiring managers. To stand out, take the time to tailor your application to each specific job posting. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role and explain how you can contribute to the company's success. By demonstrating a genuine interest in the position and the company, you can increase your chances of landing an interview.

5. The Art of the Remote Interview: Remote interviews present unique challenges, but with the right preparation, you can ace them. Ensure you have a reliable internet connection, a quiet workspace, and professional attire. Practice your video conferencing skills and be mindful of your body language. By being confident, articulate, and engaged, you can make a positive impression on the interviewer.

By understanding the nuances of remote work and following Michelle's advice, you can increase your chances of landing your dream remote job. Remember, persistence, preparation, and a positive attitude are key to success in today's competitive job market.

“Remote work isn’t the future. It’s the present.” – Darren Murph, Head of Remote at GitLab.

And yet, landing a remote job can feel like trying to break into a secret club where everyone’s speaking in Slack threads and async memos.

You’ve got the skills. The experience. The Wi-Fi. So why does it feel like your applications are going into a black hole?

Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: remote hiring follows a completely different rulebook. It’s not just “apply and pray.” It’s strategy. Positioning. Presentation. And yes—some patience.

In this post, I’m going to break it all down for you. I’ll show you what actually matters to remote-first companies, how to stand out in a sea of resumes, and where most people go wrong (even the smart ones).

No fluff. No recycled LinkedIn tips. Just straight-up, battle-tested advice from someone who’s been in the trenches.

Let’s make your remote work dream less “dream” and more “signed offer letter.”

Understanding What Remote-First Companies Are Really Looking For

Remote-first companies operate differently than traditional offices. They aren’t just hiring for skills—they’re hiring for mindset. These companies want to see that you can thrive without constant supervision. That means they prioritize traits like self-direction, excellent written communication, time management, and the ability to work asynchronously across time zones.

Before applying, ask yourself: Can I manage my own deadlines? Do I know how to ask for help when I need it—without waiting for a weekly meeting? Do I communicate clearly and proactively?

Highlighting these qualities in your application can give you an edge in the remote hiring process.

Build a Remote-Ready Online Presence

When hiring remotely, companies often Google candidates. Your online presence is part of your application, whether you realize it or not.

Start with LinkedIn. Make sure your profile clearly reflects remote-friendly skills: independent work, project ownership, and clear communication. Consider creating a simple portfolio website—even if you’re not a designer or developer. A one-page site that outlines your experience, values, and remote work philosophy shows initiative and professionalism.

You should also contribute to relevant online communities, like industry-specific Slack groups, LinkedIn groups, or Subreddits. Being seen as an active, engaged professional online increases your visibility and credibility with remote employers.

Remote Networking Is Different—Here’s How to Do It Right

Traditional networking is out. In the world of remote work, digital networking is everything.

Join remote-focused job communities like We Work Remotely, Remote OK, and Indie Hackers. Attend virtual conferences, Twitter Spaces, or LinkedIn Live sessions in your field. Introduce yourself. Ask thoughtful questions. Follow up with a short message.

Most importantly: give before you ask. Share resources, offer advice, or introduce people to each other. Building real relationships online often leads to remote job referrals—many of which never get posted publicly.

Tailor Every Application to Remote Hiring Standards

Remote hiring managers can spot a copy-paste application a mile away. To stand out, you need to tailor your resume and cover letter specifically for the remote role.

Emphasize your experience with remote collaboration tools like Slack, Notion, Zoom, Trello, or Asana. Even better—give examples. Instead of saying “worked remotely,” write “led a distributed team across four time zones using Slack and Loom to manage daily communication.”

In your cover letter, speak directly to the company’s values. If they mention autonomy or async culture in their careers page, reflect those back with examples from your past work. The more alignment they see, the more likely you are to get that interview.

How to Nail the Remote Interview Process

Remote interviews aren’t just about your answers—they’re also a test of your remote-readiness.

First, set the scene. Find a quiet space with good lighting and a professional background. Make sure your tech setup is solid: camera, mic, internet connection. Have a backup plan ready in case something fails.

Practice answering questions about remote scenarios:

• How do you manage your time when no one’s watching?

• How do you handle miscommunication in Slack?

• What’s your approach to balancing work and life when your office is your home?

Remote interviews often involve asynchronous steps too, like video recordings or written assignments. Treat these with the same care as a live interview—they’re often the deciding factor.

Conclusion

Here’s the truth: remote hiring isn’t harder—it’s just different.

It rewards clarity over charisma. Independence over micromanagement. And trust? That’s everything. You have to earn it before you even shake hands on Zoom.

So stop sending the same resume to 50 listings. Stop waiting for the “perfect” remote job to magically find you. Start thinking like a remote-first company. Start showing up the way they’d want you to: clear, competent, and one step ahead.

Your next opportunity might not be in your city. Or your time zone. Or even your hemisphere.

But it’s out there—and now, you’re actually ready for it.

Just don’t forget to put pants on before the video interview. That part’s still non-negotiable.

FAQ

• How to make $25 dollars an hour online?

  You can earn $25/hour online by freelancing in fields like writing, graphic design, web development, virtual assistance, or tutoring. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Preply offer remote gigs at that rate or higher.

• What does “remote hire” mean?

  A “remote hire” is an employee who is hired to work entirely outside of a traditional office. They perform their job duties from a remote location, such as home, using digital tools to stay connected.

• What is the best remote job search site?

  We Work Remotely is one of the best remote job search sites. It features high-quality, vetted remote jobs across tech, marketing, design, and customer support. Other top platforms include Remote.co and FlexJobs.

• How much does Amazon pay to work from home?

  Amazon’s work-from-home jobs typically pay between $16 and $35 per hour, depending on the role and experience level. Customer service and support roles often start around $19/hour.