Ask HN: Creative ways to find an online, remote job?

#1

Post by dturnbull » Wed, Dec 24, 2014, 11:48 AM UTC

My girlfriend is a native Japanese speaker (and fluent in English), and I told her that it wouldn't be tricky to find some sort of online customer support gig, but then it's turned out to be a lot more difficult than I expected to simply find appropriate jobs.

Aside from checking job boards and checking the "Careers" pages of companies you think might have an opening, what are some creative ways to find a job online?

I'm tempted to attempt banner advertising, for instance, so the jobs come to her, although I'm sure there are cleverer approaches I haven't considered.

Re: Ask HN: Creative ways to find an online, remote job?

#2

Post by rickboerebach » Wed, Dec 24, 2014, 1:16 PM UTC

Maybe this could be of any use? https://work-opportunities-without-a-diploma.zeef.com/robin....

Re: Ask HN: Creative ways to find an online, remote job?

#3

Post by chrisked » Wed, Dec 24, 2014, 1:23 PM UTC

You can try marketplaces like Elance, odesk for the beginning. However, I suggest building your own brand so that potential customers can find you. Does your girlfriend have a website, blog online? I believe it is important to have some sort of online presence of you try to work remotely.

Re: Ask HN: Creative ways to find an online, remote job?

#4

Post by percept » Wed, Dec 24, 2014, 1:25 PM UTC

How about identifying likely customers (why not make it a business?) and reaching out to them via email with a brief proposal?

"Careers" usually means HR, and unless there's a job already listed they're of no use.

Re: Ask HN: Creative ways to find an online, remote job?

#5

Post by kolyaflash » Thu, Dec 25, 2014, 12:39 AM UTC

I created a slightly-unusual-CV (www.hireme.link) for that purpose, posted a link on a few resources and sent to dozen companies. I may say, that the effect is almost absent. Of course that's up to your person, but that's my case.

Re: Ask HN: Creative ways to find an online, remote job?

#6

Post by phantom_oracle » Thu, Dec 25, 2014, 3:17 AM UTC

The problem is one of supply.

Any post that says "Remote" and is prominent on "Who is Hiring" or "weworkremotely" is getting 100s of applicants per posting.

If you're someone that knows someone that knows... that is the better way at getting a remote position for your girlfriend.

Lastly, you shouldn't treat online customer support as a "by-the-way" type of job. I have found that customer support is sometimes the only interaction companies have with clients and this can become a major lifeline/lead-feed if managed well.

Re: Ask HN: Creative ways to find an online, remote job?

#7

Post by wallflower » Thu, Dec 25, 2014, 6:03 AM UTC

From a while back, Jamie Varon created http://twittershouldhireme.com.

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/03/23/how-to-use-soc...