In this post, I’ll show you the exact steps I’d use today to land a remote job, using LinkedIn.
In July 2022, remote jobs made up 16% of job postings on LinkedIn.
Yet attracted 53% of the applications.
Competition is fierce. You need a consistent way to stand out.
Most people think you do this with a word-perfect resume or crafting a beautiful, bespoke cover letter.
They’re wrong.
In the last decade, I’ve landed 5 remote jobs.
Here’s how you can do the same.
1/ Pick the perfect filters
Go to this URL: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/
Select “All filters”.
Your keyword is “remote”.
For location, start at the country level (e.g. US, Ireland, Portugal, etc.). You want a wide net here to start. The broader, the better.
Then use these filters:
The two most critical filters are “job function” and “In your network.”
2/ Find connections and alumni
Now you’ve got a list of remote jobs.
You also know people in your network who work at these companies.
Click on interesting roles and companies. Read through the job description and requirements carefully.
Don’t worry if it’s not the perfect role.
You’re won’t apply for these roles. You’re just learning about the company and position.
Next, look for the following CTAs:
- “X connections work here”
- “Y alumni work here”
- “Z company alumni work here”
Click these CTAs. Learn about the background and experience of your connections. Look for common interests, skills, or experience.
You’ll need this later.
3/ Build a database of warm contacts
Track interesting roles in a database. Use Google Sheets, Notion, or any other tool that works for you.
Record a row for each connection you have in the company. This means you might have multiple rows for the same company and role. That’s fine.
Include the name of the company, the job posting URL, the name and job title of the relevant connections or alumni, and your notes on the company, position, or connection.
The goal: keep you organized and focused on your job search. Especially as you build relationships with your contacts over time.
4/ Perform deep research
You have your database created. Time to enrich it with deep research.
For your connections:
- Read posts and articles
- Review social media accounts
- Explore their connections & network
For the companies:
- Read news articles and PRs
- Employee reviews on Glassdoor
- Explore company mission to identify repeated phrases (e.g. data-driven, customer-centric, etc.)
5/ Send a warm message
Next, pick a contact and reach out with a warm message.
Keep it friendly, personalized, and short.
Here’s the structure:
- Introduce yourself
- Explain how you found their profile
- Share a common connection or something you noticed about them
- Explain why you’re reaching out
- Make your ask
Here’s the structure in practice:
6/ Ask for the referral
Timing is critical.
Build an actual relationship first.
People are intuitive. They recognize transactional behavior when they see it.
Rule of thumb: touch base every 4-6 weeks.
When a position opens up in the company you’d be perfect for, make your ask.
Here’s the structure:
- Link to the role
- Explain why you’re a good fit
- Ask if they’d be willing to refer you
Here’s an example:
Want more advice on building authentic relationships? Read my guide on networking here.
Conclusion
This system helps you build relationships at a number of remote companies. Now when the perfect role opens up, you already have the door open to you.
Why does this work? Because:
- Referred job candidates are 85% more likely to be hired than those who apply through other sources
- Only 7% of applicants are via employees but this accounts for 40% of all new hire hires
Source: Jobvite, “The State of Recruiting,” 2017
