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Ask HN: Tips for getting your first remote gig?

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Ask HN: Tips for getting your first remote gig?

#1
I've been applying to remote gigs since August of last year, and I have yet to get very far. My fear is the applicant pool is simply too large, so I will need to find something to set me apart. Still, it seems like most companies don't want to talk unless I have remote experience.

Do you have suggestions on how best to present yourself to remote companies when you have no experience with remote?

Re: Ask HN: Tips for getting your first remote gig?

#5
I talk about this a bit in my book (https://codewithoutrules.com/saneworkweek/).

Basically, you want to demonstrate:

1. You can work independently.

2. Good communication skills.

Easiest way is, as dyeje says, get that first remote position at current job.

Lacking that, you can highlight both ability to work independently and communication skills in your resume and cover letter in a variety of ways. Previous remote work is easiest way, but there others. For example, "I contributed to open source project", "I worked with distributed team at work", "I taught this class", "I designed this project end-to-end", "I helped customers debug problems remotely", etc..

Make sure to call these things out explicitly near the top: readers won't necessarily see them if they're buried in third paragraph of second page.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for getting your first remote gig?

#6
As someone who manages a number of remote employees currently and dozens over the years. Hiring someone with no remote experience can be painful and a gamble. A lot of applicants on their first go or two, think its a ticket to screw around all day and work in coffeeshops and other such "4-hour work week", "digital nomad" type fairy tales. Most don't realize its just like going to an office, you have to be available, communicate well and get shit done. Frankly, I expect more from my remotes then I do my in-house because they have fewer distractions and no commute.

Yea, its hard to find a position, and if someone takes the gamble on you... try to take it seriously. Blowing it off makes it harder for those that will come after you.

good luck with the search.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for getting your first remote gig?

#8
Employers want to be sure you're not out surfing on their dime.

The top things I look for in a remote resource is a person who can solve a tough problem in a concise fashion and an ability to show their work in a team setting.

Inexperienced workers may not have cultivated the discipline required for remote work and don't receive the benefit of the doubt.

If you really want to work remotely, mention your willingness and desire to embrace those ways of working - namely ways of holding you accountable; Hangouts/Zoom/Skype/Bluejeans what have you.

Even better, if I were trying to get started I'd get on Twitch and start building a community around what I know or interests me; live-coding, group problem solving (for the fun of it), and talking that up on social media.

One or two successful "conferences" with a few notable attendees should make a name for yourself.

Re: Ask HN: Tips for getting your first remote gig?

#9
post #6

As someone who manages a number of remote employees currently and dozens over the years. Hiring someone with no remote experience can be painful and a gamble. A lot of applicants on their first go or two, think its a ticket to screw around all day and work in coffeeshops and other such "4-hour work week", "digital nomad" type fairy tales. Most don't realize its just like going to an office, you have to be available,…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Tips for getting your first remote gig?

#10
post #6

As someone who manages a number of remote employees currently and dozens over the years. Hiring someone with no remote experience can be painful and a gamble. A lot of applicants on their first go or two, think its a ticket to screw around all day and work in coffeeshops and other such "4-hour work week", "digital nomad" type fairy tales. Most don't realize its just like going to an office, you have to be available,…

> I expect more from my remotes then I do my in-house because they have fewer distractions and no commute.

You are a shitty manager and person to expect this.

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