My journey to working remotely

When I first started my search for a remote job, it was out of desperation.

I needed to find a new job (for reasons mentioned in this blog post). I applied to so many jobs. Full-time and part-time. In Michigan and outside of the state.

I just wanted something.

Anything.

I had phone interviews galore, but all of them turned into rejection.

I felt like a ticking time bomb was planted in my office. Within a month, the bomb would explode and my office would no longer be my office. My coworkers would be fine. But me? I wasn’t sure.

So my husband suggested I look for remote jobs. I thought he was ridiculous.

Then my sister-in-law championed this idea and started researching for me. I was hesitant, as I naturally am, but tried it. I applied for remote positions posted on Indeed and other job sites. My husband supported the effort, and we paid for a three-month membership on FlexJobs. Why not? Typical avenues weren’t working out for me and that bomb kept ticking. I created a profile on FlexJobs and doctored it up with all of my writer skills. I applied to even more jobs on this new site with their suggestions.

I learned that many writing jobs in the education world require PhDs. Other companies said they might respond within a month.

Instead of rejection, I heard silence.

It was agonizing.

It was worse than the rejections. At least with rejections I could request feedback and learn why they chose another applicant over me.

Then something amazing happened. A company approached me via email. A phone interview and a trial period in, I started a digital communications specialist position full-time. And now I’m doing something I love. I’m using my writing experience and marketing knowledge to market small businesses across North America, all from the comfort of my home.

It’s not perfect, working from home with dogs as my coworkers, but that’s okay. Most of my friends don’t understand what I do or what digital marketing is, but that doesn’t matter.

I’m learning and growing while using my gifts and talents to make a difference.

The crazy thing? I would have never had the courage to do this if 1) one of my jobs hadn’t ended my contract and 2) if my husband and his sister didn’t have faith in me. Their belief in my abilities showed me that I do have a lot of skills. It just took me awhile to find the best place to use them.

And the best place is everywhere.

Challenge: If you’re applying for jobs and have been for a while, don’t give up. It takes a lot of time in our industry. Try another avenue. Consider working remotely.

If you liked this blog post, please buy me a cup of coffee.

P.S. For more on my FlexJobs journey specifically, visit this link.