The number 1 question I’ve been asked this year is –
How do I find a remote job that lets me travel and live anywhere?
The fact that remote work is growing exponentially as globalization and technology massively overhaul the way we work is incredibly exciting for those of us seeking to live a professional international lifestyle.
But, at this very moment, remote work may not be the best answer to living abroad.
Why?
Well, the vast majority of remote work is not yet location independent.
In fact, according to a survey by FlexJobs, 88% of companies do not allow their employees to work remotely full-time. And only 24% of companies allow part-time remote flexibility.
Even more so, working remotely may only be allowed from one location.
Check out this scale, created by the CEO of Buffer, which reviews the 5 Points on the Scale of Remote Working.
My research has indicated that the vast, vast majority of available remote positions options are actually
Office Based with a Work From Home Policy or Remote from a Single Location.
While remote working options are increasing, there just aren’t enough companies with a 100% distributed workforce right now. And because of this, the competition for those location independent remote roles remains fierce.
If you want to find a remote job so you can live and travel abroad, the problem isn’t going to be finding a remote position, the problem is going to be finding a remote position that gives you the flexibility you desire.
This is the biggest con working against finding a remote job in order to live out your international dreams.
There just aren’t enough fully remote companies or positions yet, especially for those of us with non-technical skill sets. (They might need 50 engineers, but only 1 HR person, for example).
Furthermore, it’s good to consider if having a 100% remote role provides the international experience you are looking for as there are pros and cons to nomadic remote work.
Pros:
You will have the ability to decide where you want to travel and for how long
You won’t need to come into an office every day and can skip your commute
You will have a steady income coming in each and every month
You have access to company benefits like health insurance and wifi coverage
Cons:
Your passport predicts where you can go and for how long (you can only stay as long as a tourist most of the time) so it’s hard to put down roots
You will likely not have global health insurance coverage
Nomadic travel can be lonely and hard to truly integrate into the local culture
You will have to adjust your working hours to meet the needs of the company
It can be expensive to travel from country to country on your own
With all of that said, it’s good to know that you have options to live and work abroad, and remote work is just one of them.
I’ve seen way too many people lately put their international dream in the hands of finding the perfect remote role when there were more obvious options available such as:
Creating adequate flexibility within their current role
Securing a position abroad within their existing organization
Finding a great international job abroad
All three are additional avenues that should be explored alongside remote work if you’re serious about having the opportunity to live and work abroad.
And finally, consider reframing your question from how do I find a remote job that lets me travel and live anywhere, to what are my best options to do great quality work in an environment that provides the flexibility I’m looking for.
When you open up your mind to new possibilities, you will increase your chances of living the global life you’ve been dreaming about.
Want to learn more about working abroad? Join me for a workshop where I present the 5 Steps Savvy Professionals Use to Gain Flexibility & Secure Work Abroad.
All the adventures,
