Are you looking for ways to find remote work or make a living as a digital nomad? It can be challenging to know where to start, but one effective strategy is to identify companies that are known for hiring remote workers or offering online job opportunities. In this article, we’ll share our best practices for finding lists of companies that may be a good fit for your skills and goals, so you can start your remote work journey with confidence.
Before you begin your search for online work, it’s important to have a clear idea of what type of work you want to do and in which industry or field. Take some time to reflect on your skills, interests, and past job experiences. Make a list of the types of industries you might be interested in working in, even if you’re not sure your background is a perfect fit. Don’t be afraid to explore new areas — you may have transferable skills that you haven’t even considered yet. Once you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for, you’ll be ready to start your search with confidence and focus.
Finding Remote Work Through Professional Conferences
While job boards and professional networking sites like LinkedIn can be great resources for finding online work, they’re not the only option. If you’re looking to build a long list of potential companies in your desired industry, consider searching for conferences in that field.
Conferences can be a great way to discover new opportunities, as well as connect with industry professionals and learn about the latest trends and developments. In fact, you might be surprised by how many conferences — both local and international — are held in even the most niche industries. As an added bonus, attending conferences can also be a valuable way to build your professional network and showcase your skills and expertise.
A case study in action –
I’m a former police detective with years of experience in law enforcement. While I enjoyed my time as a detective, I’m now interested in exploring career options outside of policing.
To find a long list of companies in my desired industry, I looked for keywords in online conference program guides like ‘vendors,’ ‘sponsors,’ and ‘exhibitors.’ These sections typically list the names of companies that are participating in the conference and can be a great source of potential job leads.
Once I had a list of companies, I visited their websites to learn more about their products or services and see if they had any job openings or were looking for contractors. I also checked out LinkedIn to see if the company had a presence there and to review employee profiles to get a sense of the types of roles and responsibilities within the company.
Next, I reached out to the companies on my list to inquire about potential job opportunities or contract work. Even if there wasn’t an open position listed on their website, I still sent an introductory email to introduce myself and express my interest in working with them. Here’s an example of an email I might send:
Hi [Company Name],
My name is [Name] and I’m a former [Former Career Path] with experience in [list relevant skills or experience]. I noticed your company is listed as a sponsor for the [Conference Name] conference and I’m very interested in learning more about opportunities to work with your team. Do you have any open positions or upcoming projects that I might be a good fit for? I’m particularly interested in [specific role or area of focus].
Thank you for considering my inquiry. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
[Name]
By sending an email like this, I was able to make a personal connection and inquire about potential job opportunities or projects that I might be able to work on. Even if the company didn’t have any open positions or projects at the time, I still made a connection that could lead to future opportunities.
Following these steps led me to a Security Analyst position with a company that specializes in personal security app development; which let me break free from the office and travel full-time. I continue to use Exhibitor, Sponsor, and Vendor lists from several conference programs to identify potential clients and identify new job leads. This is an effective way to get a long list of companies in my field and then do my research to see what they have to offer.
This process is just one example of how you can use conference information to find leads on potential remote or online jobs and contract work. Remember, it’s a numbers game — don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a response from every company you reach out to. Keep searching for new leads and networking with professionals in your field, and you’ll eventually find the right fit for your skills and goals.
Good luck on your remote work journey!