When I started Remote Work Prep in 2018, there was plenty of advice on getting a remote job, but very little on succeeding in one. That's why I've focused on helping people thrive after they're hired. However, I've been getting this question non-stop lately, so I thought I'd quickly address it.

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Getting a remote job is not the same as an in-person role. The biggest mistake I see people make is approaching a remote job search the same way they would a traditional role. They focus on job boards like LinkedIn, craft the perfect resume, and practice the standard interview questions.

This approach forgets one of the key remote work differences: judgment.

When it comes to judgment, the difference is between external measures vs. quality of work. In the office, you probably heard advice like "dress for the job you want" or "be the first in the office and the last to leave". These are external measures. Even though they really have no relevance to how well you did the work, they were the metrics used in the office to judge.

This is why acing interview questions that had nothing to do with your day-to-day and having impressive names on your resume got you in the door.

When working from home, colleagues can't see what you're wearing most (if not all) of the time. This, plus the difference in presence, means you can no longer use external measures to judge the work. Instead, it becomes all about the quality of work.

Are you meeting expectations? Are you communicating progress? These are the things that now matter in how your work is being judged.

Remote companies that recognize this change update their hiring practices to focus on proof of work and replicate the job they're hiring for through written interviews, paid hiring tests, trial hiring, and more. So, instead of the usual search, try this:

Build Your "Proof of Work" Portfolio

In the remote world, proof of work wins over fancy resumes. Traditional resumes list skills, but remote hiring managers often need more tangible examples. This is awesome for people who didn't attend fancy schools or haven't been employed by top-name companies, but it takes some upfront effort.

To stand out, create a portfolio showcasing your work to highlight what you can achieve. This portfolio could include:

• Case studies of your best projects/results
• Blog posts in your field of expertise
• Side projects that show initiative and skill

This also opens the door to virtual serendipity. You never know who will come across your proof of work portfolio. Instead of having to go after remote opportunities yourself, the remote opportunities might start coming to you.

This has been my experience with Remote Work Prep. I started sharing my approach to managing remote teams, and startups, agencies, and creator teams started coming to me to help them run their teams.

Use Vetted Job Boards

Everyone recommends the same job boards for remote roles (FlexJobs, Remote OK, etc). However, these boards have two problems:

1. You're competing with literally everyone all over the world
2. The jobs aren't vetted, so you have to sift through spam, companies with bad culture, and companies with an RTO risk

Instead, I recommend looking for roles in places that do the vetting for you.

• ​People-First Jobs has long been one of my favorite remote job boards. It was originally created by the Wildbit team (one of the OG remote companies I've always admired). When Wildbit sold, some former team members took the reins to continue the mission of sharing opportunities at companies with a flexible and balanced approach to work.
• ​We are Distributed is another favorite. Check out their awesome manifesto. They're dedicated to sharing location-agnostic jobs at employee-centric companies around the world. Humans verify all their listed employers and roles. They also offer services like a coaching program to support your job search.

Check out my list of 50+ async-first remote companies if you'd like to apply directly to vetted companies with great cultures and no RTO risk.

Join Niche Virtual Communities

Remote companies often hire within niche communities and trusted networks. I highly recommend getting involved in industry forums and virtual communities in your field (like People Geeks for HR professionals or Rands Leadership for tech management roles).

This allows you to connect directly with team leads and may even expose you to roles before they're publicly posted. Generic job boards like LinkedIn will leave me flooded with unfit applications. I've hired my best people from niche communities like the ones mentioned above.

Final Tips:

Customize your application. Make sure to personalize your cover letter and application answers for each position. This is your opportunity to stand out. Quality wins over quantity.

Research what's important to the company and bring it into your application material. Demonstrate how your skills align with their unique needs. Mention your experience with remote collaboration tools and async communication.

Leverage your network. It's much easier to trust and hire someone you've worked with before. Don't be shy in asking for referrals or introductions. Continue building connections and strengthening your portfolio.

And lastly, please be kind to yourself. Demand far exceeds supply when it comes to remote opportunities. The job search process is brutal in a normal market (and this is not that). Please lean on support systems, check out resources like Never Search Alone, and prioritize your mental health. I'm rooting for you.

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TLDR

Looking for a remote job? It’s not about traditional resumes anymore. Here’s how to stand out:

1. Build a “proof of work” portfolio (case studies, projects, blogs)
2. Use niche boards like People-First Jobs & We Are Distributed
3. Network in virtual communities (many roles are filled here before they’re posted)
4. Personalize each application and focus on quality

Landing a remote role takes time and persistence, but with the right approach, you can find a great opportunity.

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​How I took advantage of 3 arbitrage strategies​
I love reading about how people optimize for their newfound autonomy in remote roles. Dexter Zhuang took advantage of 3 arbitrage strategies in his remote working journey across the US, Singapore, and Mexico. Check out this article to see how he leveraged geography, time, and skills arbitrage to boost his savings and earnings.

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In Case You Missed It

​Communication Best Practices for Global Teams​
Last week, I shared why I'm not a fan of scheduled messages and alternative approaches for effectively communicating with a distributed team

Work Forward Society Want to meet others who do work differently? Join us in making 2025 your year of less meetings and more real work! Join The Work Forward Society → ​

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What did you think of this issue? What do you hope to see in the next one? Hit reply and let me know. I read every response. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read this. Hope you have a lovely day! Marissa ​Founder, Remote Work Prep​ P.S. Did you enjoy this issue? Share the article with a friend. Struggling with a remote work problem? Book a coaching call. If you liked this, consider supporting this free newsletter by leaving a testimonial. ​

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