⚡ Landing Remote Work in 2025

Hello there 😎 

At daycare, I was explaining to a dad my foolproof-very-awesome system for waking up on time.

My friend nodded.

“Makes sense…

“But why not just go to bed on time so you get up on time?”

I stared at him like he was dummy.

“Well, that’d be too easy.”

But it was a good reminder: Schmancy tactics are fun. But the basics? Those drive results.

Here's what you'll learn today:

• 8 proven strategies to make your remote job applications stand out from thousands of other candidates

• A simple daily routine that helped one job seeker land their dream role in just 6 weeks

• How to avoid common remote job search pitfalls that waste time and energy

…and more!

Before we get into that, here are some open roles:

🔑 Here’s Your Reminder: Do Basic Sh*t

My ridiculous alarm clock setup* is a perfect example of how we choose complicated solutions over simple ones.

We think there’s a hack or shortcut we’re missing (probably AI-related) when really, the basics work just fine.

If you look around, you’ll see this pattern everywhere:

• Health: Food, sleep, and exercise make up 99% of the battle. I don't want to hear about your red light therapy.

• Personal finance: Following “buy gold” schemes versus index funds

• Fitness: Obsessing over the perfect workout split when you’re not even eating properly.

• Learning: Being a “course-addict” but never implementing anything you learn.

• Productivity: Shelling out $$$ for expensive planners and apps when a to-do list on paper works just as well.

My colleague from Noom, Aswath Krishnan, has a great post on this. He calls it doing "the basic shit."

✈️ How Jonathan Used “Basics” To Land Remote Work While Traveling The World

When it comes to the remote job search, my friend Jonathan is my favorite example of doing the basic shit.

Jonathan was a PM at Noom and Vidyard. Then he started looking for his next role…

While traveling through Mexico, Argentina, and the Balkans.

Jonathan didn’t have a secret hack or complex strategy.

Instead, he focused on three key areas:

1️⃣ Smart automation of his job search

First, he set up targeted job alerts on LinkedIn with specific filters (remote, full-time, date posted)

Then, he used multiple platforms strategically:

• LinkedIn for early-stage startups (Series A-C)

• Glassdoor for established companies (finding unique roles at Amazon, Google, Apple)

• Otta for customized job matching based on preferences

2️⃣ Structured daily routine

• Morning: Started each day with meditation and breakfast at 8 AM

• Mid-morning: Reviewed job alerts and applied to promising positions

• Afternoon: Made time for gym and continued applications

• Evening: Maintained work-life balance with social activities and reading

3️⃣ Maintained a consistent process

• Skimmed job descriptions for key requirements and location restrictions

• Used Easy Apply when available but didn't neglect traditional applications

• Kept track of application status and follow-ups

The result? He landed his role in just 6 weeks.

Notice what's missing here: no complex systems, no fancy tools.

Just consistent execution of the basics.

💻 8 Basic Steps To Land A Remote Role in 2025

It feels like landing a remote job today is getting harder and harder.

• First, the job listings are confusing. Many positions advertised as "remote" are actually limited to specific regions or are US-only roles.

• Second, applying through a portal feels like a black hole. You never hear back. You don't get feedback. So you have no idea what you did well or poorly.

• Third, competition is fierce. A single remote position can attract thousands of applications, which means standing out is harder than ever.

Here's the kicker: while everyone talks about complex strategies and "hacks," no one's actually explaining the fundamental things you need to get right (remember that basic shit we talked about?).

So let's dig in. Here are 8 basic steps to land your next remote role:

1/ Start With Companies, Not Open Roles

Most people start by searching job boards for open positions. I think that’s backward.

Here’s why:

• Most companies don’t always post roles publicly—many hires come from internal referrals.

• Applying to every open role leads to scattered, generic applications that don’t stand out.

• The companies hiring today might not be the best long-term fit for the career you actually want.

Instead of applying to whatever is available, choose 5-10 remote-first companies that align with your interests and career goals.

These are the companies you’ll study, network with, and position yourself for.

2/ Get the Job Title Right

Job titles are inconsistent across companies. They’re also fungible. You can change them!

This matters because:

• You might be missing jobs because you’re searching for the wrong title.

• Recruiters won’t find your profile if your LinkedIn doesn’t match what they’re looking for.

One client had struggled for nearly a year to land her next role. We changed her title from “digital operations” to “content manager”. Three months later, she landed a hybrid role at a major research and advisory firm.

3/ Double-Check The Role Is Actually Remote

Not every “remote” job is actually remote. Many JDs bury their location restrictions, hybrid expectations, or future return-to-office plans.

I’ve seen people get burned because they went through three rounds of interviews only to find out they weren’t eligible due to location.

Here are two other tips:

First, verify the remote work policy with current employees. You can message someone on LinkedIn and ask:

Second, follow Michelle Coulson on LinkedIn. She does a great job of calling these out when she sees them.

4/ Set Boundaries to Avoid Job Search Burnout

This game is tough. It feels like it’s never been harder to land your next role.

Endless applications, ghosted emails, and rejection after rejection… it can break someone’s morale.

I’ve seen friends and clients burn out, take a break, and come back more prepared and successful than before. Why? Because they gave themselves space to reset.

If you’re running on fumes, you won’t perform well in interviews, and you’ll make poor decisions out of desperation.

Be focused. Do the work.

But don’t forget to give yourself some grace, too.

5/ Reverse-Engineer Job Posts

You don’t need to guess what hiring managers want.

It’s all written in job descriptions—if you know how to read between the lines.

Most people skim a JD and think, “Yep, I can do this.”

That’s not enough. You need to break it down like a blueprint.

Meeting requirements is no longer enough.

To stand out, you need to mirror the company values and speak directly to their pain points.

6/ Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile With The 80/20 Rule

Most people overthink it, filling out every section instead of focusing on what actually matters:

The Headline: Clear and specific is key

The Summary: Show your impact and include your title

The Experience: Use metrics to quantify results

When recruiters scan your profile, they need to see instant proof of the impact you can bring to your next company.

7/ People Help You Find Jobs

Job boards don’t get you hired. People do.

Most job seekers only network when they’re desperate. Start early.

A single conversation can lead to:

• Insider info on the hiring process

• A strong referral that moves you to the top of the list

• Feedback on your resume or positioning

8/ Make It About Them

Hiring managers care about solving company problems. They want to fill the role with the person they believe can best do that.

Everything about your process starts with first understanding what that problem is so that you can demonstrate how you’ll solve it.

💫 The Bottom Line

Remote job hunting isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things.

What’s been your most effective strategy for landing a remote role? Just hit reply and let me know, I’d love to hear it.

I love meeting new people. Say hi on LinkedIn 👋

That’s a wrap. See you next week 👋