I’m often asked how I landed a career in Tech where I can not only do what I love but do it without the confines of an office and from anywhere in the world (with a strong WiFi signal, of course). Honestly, it took some trial and error, identifying the career path I wanted to take, loads of networking, and a lot of courage to make the leap. Eventually, I joined a program through Remote Year, and now I’m living and working as a UI/UX Designer in Hong Kong.

I’ve got to break it to you. The transition to a remote job in Tech is not a straightforward one. It takes time, planning, and dedication. However, once you land a role where you can work from Lisbon one week and Copenhagen the next, it’s totally worth it.

Lisbon by Night.

Now, where to start? Even though you can transition to remote work a number of ways, a few ideas on how to get started can certainly help. I’ve laid out my thoughts below based on industry research and my experience working in Tech over the past several years. But before I jump in, I want to acknowledge that our current global health crisis may create some setbacks in your travel plans depending on where you’re located. However, now more than ever companies of all shapes and sizes are testing the remote waters. While we can’t travel with the same ease as prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a perfect time to buckle down and begin setting yourself up to make the transition once life returns to normal.

Remote work means you can work anywhere you can find WiFi. 

Remote Career Paths

Luckily, there are a plethora of ways to work remotely in the Tech sector. Depending on your skills and interests you can find your way into a variety of unique roles. You just need to zero in on what makes you tick and then take it from there. Below are a handful of suggested pathways into Tech that easily lend themselves to a remote lifestyle:

If you’re the analytic type…

• Back-End Developer
• Front-End Developer
• Full-Stack Developer

If you’ve got an eye for design…

• UI Designer
• UX Designer
• UX Researcher
• UI/UX hybrid
• Web designer

If you love the business side…

• Product Management

If you’re deadline-driven…

• Project Coordinator
• Project Manager

If you enjoy selling a product or a service…

• Copywriter
• Digital Marketing
• Social Media Manager
• SEO

Whichever path you decide to pursue you can make yourself even more appealing by picking a platform niche. This can help you stand out in an increasingly competitive job market. Some possible options include iOS, Android, web, web app, software, wearables, IoT devices, emails, etc.

How to Get There

Now you may be thinking, “All of this info is great! But how on earth do I make this transition?”. It all depends on where you are in your career. If you’re making the switch to Tech, a Bootcamp or Online Course may be your best first step. Companies like General Assembly, Skillcrush, Fullstack Academy, Galvanize offer classes in a variety of flexible formats.

Getting to work by the beach in Phu Quoc, a small island off the south coast of Vietnam.

However, if you’re a seasoned professional who has already dialed in their specialty you’ll want to start by building a digital presence. I’d suggest first and foremost that you put together a stellar portfolio of your most current work and host it on platforms like SquareSpace or WordPress. Or if you’re a Developer, showcasing your work on GitHub is another great way to maintain a digital presence. Utilize LinkedIn in order to build and maintain your network. Additionally, you can also create a subject-specific blog, Instagram, Twitter, or all of the above and use those to add a creative layer to your personal brand.

After you’ve zeroed in on the role you want, undergone training, and built your digital presence, you’ll want to start applying to remote roles. Here is a shortlist of websites where you can find and apply to remote jobs:

GitHub Jobs
NODESK.co
We Work Remotely
Remoteok.io

One more thing! You may not need to quit your current job and land a new one in order to go remote. Start by asking your employer about transitioning your role away from the office to remote. You never know, they may be willing to work with you. It’s always worth the ask!

Some Things to Keep in Mind

Once you’ve made the exciting transition to a remote lifestyle you’ll need to recalibrate your workflow in order to get the most out of your day-to-day. Here are a few suggestions that have helped me achieve success as a remote worker:

Be Easily Accessible for Your Employer or Clients:

• Always answer emails as promptly as possible.
• Set up regular check-ins once to a few times a week depending on your project, employer or client, the communication style of your team, etc.
• Be upfront with your schedule and time constraints, especially if you are working from a different timezone from your team or employer.

Keep Your Digital Presence Consistent

• Update your digital portfolio with new work and then market it across social media channels.
• Ensure that your contact info is the same in your email signature, on your social media platform(s), and portfolio site(s).

Don’t Forget the Human Element

• When you can, put a face to your name i.e. set up meetings on video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Google Hangouts.
• If possible, make visits to your Headquarters a few times a year in order to get hands-on collaboration time with the team.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

The beautiful thing about the remote community is that it’s full of people who are willing to help one another since the lifestyle is unique and can sometimes prove tricky to navigate. If you’re confused about housing or want to know where the best coworking spots are, don’t be afraid to connect with the local digital community wherever you find yourself. To get started, search for Expat communities, Meetups, LinkedIn, and Facebook groups. Get out and attend networking events, set up coffee meetings. Once you’re connected, you will settle into your new location with more ease and (hopefully) a great community.

One of my favorite co-working spaces, Dojo Bali. Image from coworker.com

Even though the transition to a remote life may seem a daunting undertaking, trust me, it’s one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. By having the freedom to make your office wherever you choose no two days will ever feel the same. Now get out there and start living the life you want.

Here’s to you and your future remote life endeavors.