20 Top Work from Home Companies and 5 Tips on How to Land a Remote Job
My wife and I are huge advocates for working from home. We both started working remotely in 2020 and for the first time in our careers, we actually were able to spend time together during the day. It wasn’t until about a year into working from home that we finally decided to buy a second desk (I’m a bit energetic on calls). I can’t imagine going back into an office on a regular basis. Instead of all of the prep work for office life (commuting, packing lunches, and ironing a bunch of dress clothes), I spend that time serving my wife and daughter daily. I also have more time to write articles such as this one. The naysayers to remote work will argue that there’s less work getting done at home or that remote workers are slacking off. While you can always find examples, the vast majority are grinding just as hard at home. My responsibility has expanded exponentially since becoming a remote worker and I’ve been promoted several times along the way.
I’m happy to report that remote work is still on the rise as many employers and employees embrace the freedom and flexibility of remote work. Employers which support remote work have been able to save on expenses such as office space and utilities by having employees at home.
A recent article by Forbes confirmed three very encouraging statistics about remote work:
There are millions of opportunities to work from home and there is still so much room for growth. The opportunities will continue to rise for the next several years, especially as companies embrace technology advancements such as AI. While I believe that the majority of the population will work more traditional in-person jobs for the foreseeable future, the shift will continue to move towards remote work.
WHO IS REMOTE WORK FOR?
THE CHALLENGE
Remote work is for anyone who is willing and able to put in the work. You need to have self-discipline to stay productive — there’s no one sitting over your shoulder reminding you of deadlines. There are a ton of non-work related distractions at home, everything from chores, your kids, and your couch. Having a dedicated work space is extremely helpful as it separates you from your after-work life. My wife and I share an office in our home. We keep it clean of distractions (aka our daughter’s toys) and close the door at the end of each work day. One other thing to keep in mind is the lack of in-person interaction. Granted, you’ll likely be on zoom half the day, but it’s not the same. I’m an extrovert by nature, so this is where I struggled at first. I loved being able to have random side chats all day! I quickly adapted and still have the side chats, just not in person. Building and maintaining relationships take a bit more work but it’s well worth it.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Outside of the above, working remotely is absolutely amazing. You’re free to live anywhere you want, your day has more flexibility to get your work done on your terms, and you save a ton of time not having to prepare for and commute to and from an office. Whether you’re looking for full time, part time, or freelance opportunities, there’s something for everyone. You can also start a business or purchase an existing one and serve as an absentee owner. Depending on your personal situation, there are also opportunities to work remotely for companies based in other countries. This option gets a bit more complicated but it’s possible.
20 TOP WORK FROM HOME COMPANIES
Keeping in mind that you can find work from home jobs in just about any industry, there are a seven categories to keep a close watch. According to FlexJobs, the top seven are:
If you’re currently working in any of the above areas, a quick online search will confirm page after page of remote opportunities. I believe FlexJobs nailed their selection. I can personally attest to a few of these as I work remotely as a marketer, my best friend and in-laws work remotely in accounting, and I’ve met several recruiters over the past few years who all work from home.
Below is my list of the top companies to work from home this year. I’ve focused my research on large enterprise companies which offer competitive salaries, benefits, and a range of remote positions. The last thing you want to do is to join a toxic work culture, even if it is a remote position. My final filter was employee happiness. Each of the below companies have a 3.5 star rating or higher on Glassdoor (as of the date of this writing), which pull in anonymous reviews from current and past employees.
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FIVE TIPS ON HOW TO LAND A REMOTE JOB
Keeping in mind that every remote job is different, there are a few things that you can do to give yourself a leg up over your competition (aka every other person applying for the same roles). Here’s my top five tips on how to land a remote job this year.
1. SELF REFLECT BEFORE STARTING YOUR SEARCH
Before I start any job search, I take a minute to self-reflect on why I want to start looking. Do I truly want a new challenge or opportunity, or am I simply trying to avoid something with my current employer? Life is full of opportunity costs, especially with time. For every minute I spend job searching, I take away from other areas such as spending time with family, writing, learning something new, or sleeping. I recommend taking stock of your situation and noting the pros and cons before starting your job search. If you love your job but are required to report into an office, talk to your employer before looking for something new. You’d be surprised, many companies make exceptions all the time and may allow you to work remotely, especially if you’re a top performer that is adding value to your team and business.
2. FINDING THE RIGHT JOB
Once I’m sure I want to find something new, the next step I take is to start researching open positions and making a list of my top companies and roles. I’d recommend starting your search before you feel burned out in your current role. Entering the job search with a clear head allows you more time to wait for the best role for you. I always start with the employer — focusing on companies which are open to remote work and focus on cultivating a positive culture for their employees. Hence the list above. I highly recommend hitting up the job boards as well. My favorite to find remote jobs is FlexJobs. They offer a robust job board and a ton of helpful articles around remote work. I also keep an eye on platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. If you’re looking for part-time or full-time freelance opportunities, look no further than Upwork and Fiverr. Both platforms are top tier and excel at connecting freelancers with job opportunities globally.
3. OPTIMIZE YOUR RESUME
It should go without saying, but keep your resume up to date and free of grammatical errors before submitting applications. Recruiters only spend a few seconds on average per resume. Start with your most important details first for each position. Keep it action oriented and measurable — especially if you can tie in a monetary impact. I would also showcase the impact to customer experience, as all great companies focus on adding value for their customers. For example, instead of saying “exceeded sales goals consistently by providing great customer service,” consider “generated $X per month in sales (+x% above goal) by exceeding customer expectations.” Using dollars and percentages will help the recruiter and hiring manager see your impact. This is especially important for remote roles as employers are searching for teammates who can add value regardless of where they are working.
4. NETWORK UNTIL IT HURTS
Networking is critical in the job search and it’s no longer strictly in-person. I’d argue that networking is happening much more virtually, especially through platforms such as LinkedIn. LinkedIn makes it easy to find new connections. I’d recommend reaching out to new connections who are connected to people you know and can make an introduction, your alma mater, and individuals in similar roles at your target companies. It takes a bit of time and effort, but can make a huge difference in your job search, especially if you can land a referral. Referrals are still one of the best ways to land a new job. As you network, try to give back to those around you. Everyone’s time is precious, so if you’re asking for an hour of time from someone else along with a potential referral, it doesn’t hurt to buy them a coffee or offer to assist them with something in return. For example, if you’re good at proofreading, offer to proofread a blog article or resume in exchange for their time. It goes a long way and will help your outreach — especially if you’re contacting someone you haven’t met before.
5. INTERVIEW LIKE A HUMAN
It’s no easy feat to land an interview — each one should be celebrated even if you don’t end with an offer. I keep two things in mind every time I login to an interview and would advise you to do the same. First, use the STAR method for all responses. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Results. When responding to a question, set up what happened (situation), explain what your role was (task), what were the actions that you took (action), and most importantly, what happened in result of your actions (results). Keep it action-oriented and positive. Be honest and show how you added value and learned something new. Second, you’re meeting with other humans. They’re also dealing with crazy schedules, competing priorities, and a some nerves. They are excited to meet you because they’re looking for someone to help reduce the workload and add value to their team. Be yourself and showcase what you’re passionate about — both at and outside of work. It’s okay to share about your family, side hustles, or how you make bird houses on the weekend. It rounds you out as a candidate. It’s especially important in virtual interviews, as it can be a bit harder to get to know you.
GET STARTED TODAY
I realize working from home isn’t for everyone, but if I’m going to be stuck on zoom calls all day, I may as well have easy access to snacks and get to wear shorts. If you are interested, there’s no better time like the present. Remote work opportunities are opening up globally every day across all sizes of companies. If you’re unsure, I’d recommend just trying it. Worst case, it’s not for you and you return to an in-office or hybrid role. Either way, I wish you good luck on your journey.
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Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only, it should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a financial professional before making any major financial decisions.
Licensed Practical Nurse
1yI really would like to have a remote job. I have been a lpn for 19 years and have worked as a pediatric home health nurse for 16 yrs. Traveling up and down the road is tiring and I just ready for change. I would love some input on how I can make this happen.
Experienced Brand Builder | Strategic Marketing & Communications | Digital Transformation Leader | Cross-Functional Leadership | Creative Powerhouse | INFJ-A
1yGreat article, as always!