How Can You Know If a Job Can Be Done Remotely?
Want to know the trick on how can you know if a job can be done remotely? Let’s uncover the secrets to remote job compatibility and find you the perfect remote opportunity!
When you hear the term "remote job," the first thing that comes to mind is the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. Whether you're in the middle of an urban jungle, hiding in a forest, or lounging on a sun-soaked beach, all you need is your trusty laptop and the idyllic sounds of nature to keep you company.
Well, it’s time to hit the pause button on that image. The reality of remote jobs is not always as flexible or unrestricted as it might initially appear. As much as we'd like to believe that remote work means complete freedom and work from anywhere, this is not always the case.
A Closer Look at 'Remote' Jobs
One of the most common misunderstandings about remote work is that it is universally available, no matter where you live. Job listings may advertise a position as "remote," stirring up thoughts of a digital nomadic life, accessible from any corner of the globe.
However, this is not the reality for many remote jobs. They often have geographical restrictions in place. That is, they may require that the employee resides in the same country or region as the company, despite the work being completed online.
The "remote" label on job roles can be quite misleading for many candidates. They end up spending hours applying for jobs they'll never get due to the restrictions. You could blame the employers for not being transparent enough, but even if the information is mentioned in the job description, it doesn't stop many applicants from applying.
Also, LinkedIn and other job boards still fail to properly indicate if a role is remote or only remote for specific countries. Even if the role is remote only in Germany, it'll be displayed as "Germany and Remote" to indicate its location. These job boards are causing confusion and falsely presenting some roles as fully remote from anywhere. Will they fix it? Nope, because more applications mean more money for them.
Why the Geographic Limitations?
You might be wondering, why on earth do companies put these restrictions on their remote workers? Well, the thing is, these restrictions usually come about because of legal, tax, and logistical obstacles.
Let's take a closer look at these factors:
Labor Laws
Labor laws can greatly vary from one country to another, influencing how a company hires. Some laws might even prohibit a company from employing someone outside their country. Complying with the labor laws of multiple countries can be a complex and time-consuming process for a company.
And let's not forget about how much money the company has to shell out for external advisors. So, hiring someone on the other side of the world could really hit the wallet hard.
Payroll Regulations
Similarly, there are variations in payroll regulations worldwide, making it difficult for companies to handle payments for employees in different countries. This involves more than just currency conversions; companies must also navigate diverse wage laws, employee rights, and other employment protections.
When it comes to factors like the local inflation rate, benefits, and other considerations, these things can significantly impact the decision to hire a single person or even a small team in another country.
Tax Laws
Companies need to adhere to tax laws where their employees are based. In an international context, tax laws can become incredibly complex and may require significant resources to manage appropriately. Therefore, it's often simpler and more cost-effective for companies to restrict their hiring to the regions they are familiar with.
Logistics
Logistics can pose a unique challenge when it comes to ensuring timely delivery of IT equipment to employees, especially when shipping internationally. If the company needs to send equipment like laptops to another country, it may potentially face delays due to customs procedures, which can result in equipment being stuck for weeks. These logistical hurdles not only make it difficult to meet the desired timelines but can also lead to additional costs.
An Important Note
There are actually quite a few companies that use services like Remote, Papaya, and Deal. These services make it much easier for companies to hire people from outside their own countries. A lot of companies aren't opting for this approach because it can be costly to hire someone from a different part of the world. They'd rather find someone local and save money on those fees.
Yes, some companies offer fully remote roles that have no geographical restrictions, while others offer region-specific roles. But even with fully remote roles, there can be some impact from local laws. For instance, if you work in one country and then decide to work for half a year in another country, the company might have to comply with local labor laws. This could mean paying you the local salary typical for that country or even paying taxes in that country. So, there are always certain limitations in place.
Even if you're in the US and come across a remote job listing from a US company, you might be surprised to find out that certain remote roles can't be done in specific states. This is because of different laws or decisions made by the company leadership.
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How to find out that the job is really remote before applying for it?
Here's a recommendation that applies to everyone: when you come across a remote role, like one from a US company, it's important to keep in mind that it might only be remote if you're based in the USA. The same goes for remote roles in France - the chances of it being fully remote from anywhere, even other EU countries, are pretty slim.
Now let me share a couple of things you can do to figure out if a role is fully remote and can be done from anywhere. For my paid subscribers, I'll throw in a few top tips and an email and inMail templates that I usually share with my clients, so they can easily reach out to company representatives.
1. Carefully Read the Job Description
The first and foremost way to ensure a job is genuinely remote is by meticulously reading the job description. Companies often specify whether a role is fully remote, partially remote, or on-site. Be cautious of terms like "flexible location" or "telecommute option," as they may imply that some in-person presence is required.
Usually, they mention this info either at the start of the job description or towards the end.
2. Check the Company's Location
If a job description doesn't provide clear information, you can often infer something about the company's remote work policy by looking at their headquarters or office location(s).
If they only have one or two locations in a specific country, but they're advertising globally, it's a good hint that the job might be genuinely remote.
3. Look at Other Job Postings
Another way to gauge how remote a job is, is by taking a look at the company's other job postings. If you spot some remote positions among them, that's a pretty good indication that the role you're eyeing is truly fully remote.
4. Use Remote Job Boards
Numerous online platforms specifically cater to remote job postings. These include FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, and Remote.co, to name a few. These platforms typically vet the positions to ensure they are truly remote before posting them, providing an added layer of confidence.
5. Explore Company's Website and Culture
Often, you can glean much about a company's stance on remote work from its website and the kind of culture it promotes. If the company highlights values like flexibility, work-life balance, and global inclusivity, it may be more likely that they offer genuinely remote positions. They may also have a section on their website dedicated to their work policy where they detail their remote work setup.
Top 3 Tips for Finding out if a Remote Job is Remote
Discovering if a role is genuinely remote is crucial, so you're not wasting time with companies that won't hire you. Here are three top-notch strategies, along with email and inMail templates, that I highly recommend to help you in your search.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to find the perfect remote role: