???? A 7-Step, No-BS Framework to Land Your Next Remote Role
Hello! ?? Welcome to Remote Work Tips!
In this newsletter, you will find strategies and tips for landing your next remote role and using remote work to create a life on your own terms. I'm sharing insights from my experience of landing over 5 remote jobs in 11 years and assisting clients in their remote work journey.
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My first remote job was as a Hollywood assistant.
I wanted to work for this writer so bad…
I spent three months(!) researching him.
Was this obsessive research the best strategy to land a remote job?
Not even close. In fact, it was probably overkill.
But there’s a sweet spot in landing a remote role, and it sits somewhere between:
1/ Obsessive research (my extreme approach)
and
2/ Mass-applying to remote jobs without strategy or focus (most people)
That’s what we’re going to dig into in this newsletter.
Here's what you'll learn today:
…and more!
But first, let’s talk about some open roles...
Open roles I’m excited about
?? Get in early! I've curated these remote opportunities on Tuesday 2/4 at 5:40 AM ET. Apply now to beat the competition and increase your chances of landing that dream role.
Wanna see 20+ more roles? Read to the bottom ??
?? A Job Search Process That Actually Works
Now that you know my slightly over-enthusiastic approach to research isn't the answer, let me share a more balanced process I'd use to find a remote job today.
I teach my clients three different strategies:
Today, we'll focus on the Strategy 1: Hand-picked companies.
This strategy relies on targeting specific companies and crafting high-impact applications that actually get noticed.
What do I mean by “get noticed?”
?? Your 7-Step Remote Job Blueprint
Unfortunately, most job seekers make the same two critical mistakes:
Want to know if your applications could use a bit more focus? Here are common patterns to look out for:
Instead, here’s my 7-step framework to make every application laser-focused on what employers actually care about: their needs, challenges, and goals. It’s the exact process I use (and teach to my clients).
Let's dive in.
1/ Get laser-focused with the 2-4-8 Framework
Before diving into applications, you need to get crystal clear on your target companies and roles. This is your chance to be strategic rather than scattered.
Start by reflecting on two key questions:
How can you use your strengths?
What do you want to change from your last role?
Take the time to review where your career has been, and what you want to do next.
This isn't about applying to every remote job you see - it's about finding the right fit.
When you're ready, follow the 2-4-8 Framework to narrow in on your search:
?? 2 industries. What two industries are you interested in? (e.g., Tech and Healthcare)
???? 4 roles. What four roles (max) will you target? (e.g., Product Manager, Operations Manager, Program Manager)
?? 8 companies. What eight companies do you want to work for? (e.g., Google, Oscar Health, Microsoft, Mayo Clinic, Apple, Kaiser Permanente, Amazon, Cleveland Clinic)
2/ Do deep research
Do your homework on your eight companies:
Here’s what you need to define:
Here’s a quick gut-check on your answers:?are they unique to you?
Or can anyone with a pulse parrot the same thing (e.g. “hard-working, create problem solver, I’m determined”.)
?? Example: If I were to apply for an Operations Manager role at Oscar Health, I’d want to be able to say something like:
"I've spent 5 years streamlining healthcare operations at regional clinics, reducing patient wait times by 32% through process optimization. I could help bridge the gap between Oscar’s tech and day-to-day operations at a clinic.”
3/ Leverage Your Network
2-4-8 Framework: ?
Research: ?
Now let's talk about getting your foot in the door.
Head to LinkedIn and look up each company. Pay attention to these crucial connections:
Here's the key: A strong personal connection dramatically increases your chances of landing the role, far more than any resume alone.
Your goal? Somehow, someway, find ways to connect with the person who'll be making the hiring decision. For now, don't worry if they're 2 or 3 connections away—write them down anyway.
LinkedIn is your map to navigate these connections.
Beyond LinkedIn, tap into every relevant relationship: professional contacts, former classmates, industry peers - anyone who might help bridge the gap.
But what if your network is still growing?
Two things:
First, start building those connections today. Yes, it takes time, but a strong network is a career-long asset.
Second, don't worry - we'll explore how to tackle this in Strategy 2: Broad search.
领英推荐
4/ Create Your Network Database
Start tracking people working at those companies you can reach out to.
Use Google Sheets, Notion, or whatever tool feels most natural to you. The key is choosing something you'll actually use consistently.
For each company, create separate entries for every single connection you have there. Yes, even that person you briefly met at a conference two years ago - they could be your gateway to your dream role.
Your database should track these essential details:
Think of this as your remote job CRM - it's not just about organizing contacts, it's about nurturing relationships that could shape your career.
This database will become one of your most valuable professional assets. The connections you cultivate today could open doors months or even years down the line.
5/ Start your outreach
Now comes the part that makes many job seekers nervous—actually reaching out.
But here's the secret: genuine, thoughtful messages get responses.
Make your message warm, personalized, and short. Nobody wants to read a novel in their LinkedIn messages.
Here's your blueprint for a message that gets results:
Here's what this looks like in practice:
?? Script: Hi [Name],
Hope you’re well. I read about your recent product launch. Terrific write-up.
I hope it’s OK I reach out today. I saw you had a ton of experience doing SEO at Noom and Airbnb.
Would you be available for a quick 15-min chat? I’d love to hear more about your career (and specifically about your time at Noom). I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks,
So what kind of response rate should you expect?
When you're starting out, aim for a 10% response rate - that's one reply for every ten messages sent. Don't get discouraged if you're below this at first.
Remember: Outreach is a skill you'll develop over time. Through trial and error, you'll learn what resonates. I started at that 10% mark, but now my messages get responses about 40% of the time.
The key is staying genuine and learning from each interaction.
6/ Make every connection count with informational interviews
Once you've secured that meeting, it's time to make the most of it. Use an informational interview to:
How do you accomplish ALL of this in a 15-30 minute conversation?
By asking great questions.
Thoughtful, strategic questions show you’ve done deep research (see step 2) and spark meaningful conversations.
Here are some questions that consistently lead to insightful conversations:
?? Pro tip: Copy these word-for-word questions that tech leaders ask in interviews to stand out. I use these and they work gang-busters.
7/ Land referrals
40% of new hires come through employee referrals. But there's an art to securing one.
The golden rule?
Never lead with asking for a referral.
People can spot transactional networking from a mile away. Instead, focus on building genuine professional relationships. When someone sees your potential and believes you'd be a great fit, they'll often volunteer to refer you.
If that doesn't happen naturally, take the long journey:
Here’s my relationship-building blueprint:
Stay in touch every 4-6 weeks. Always bring something of value to the conversation. You can share industry insights, offer helpful connections, or engage with their work.
When you spot an ideal role opening up, you'll have built enough rapport to make your request.
Here’s how I structure the ask.
Here's what this looks like in practice:
Script: Hi [Name],
Just saw this role open up at [Company] that I’m the perfect fit for [link to role].
If it’s not too much trouble, could you refer me for the role? It’d be a massive help.
Thanks so much.
???The Bottom Line
Landing your next remote role isn't about perfecting your resume for the 47th time.
It's about doing the real work: deeply understanding potential employers and building authentic relationships that lead to referrals.
This relationship-building approach represents 80% of what actually gets results in your job search. It's not quick or easy, but it's what works.
You'll get far better results from one solid connection than from the over-optimization hell of tweaking bullet points on your resume.
What I recommend: Block off your most productive morning hours for this strategic work. When your mind is fresh, focus on researching companies, building meaningful connections, and nurturing your professional relationships.
In the next newsletter, we’ll look at Strategy 2: Broad search.
???Looking For A Remote Job?
?? Early bird gets it. I hand-picked fresh remote roles hot off the press Tuesday 2/4 at 5:40 AM ET--before the application flood begins. Get exclusive early access to these opportunities while they're still under the radar.
?? Product Roles
?? Marketing Roles
?? Customer Success Roles
?? Remote Company Spotlight
?? Pro tip: Instead of casting a wide net, zero in on top remote-first companies that match your values. Here's one that should be on your radar:
Ashby
Chris’s Notes: Ashby has maintained strong growth while staying true to their engineering-driven culture. Their commitment to building best-in-class recruiting software shows in their impressive client roster (Snowflake, Reddit, Notion) and stellar employee reviews (4.7/5 on Glassdoor). What stands out is their focus on building for scale - both in their product and their team culture. They've grown headcount by 70% in the past year while maintaining 100% CEO approval, which speaks volumes about their leadership and execution.
Ashby helps scaling companies achieve their ambitious growth targets. With Ashby, teams of all sizes can run a fast and efficient hiring process. Trusted by companies such as Snowflake, Reddit, Notion, Deel, and Modern Treasury
?? At a glance:
That’s a wrap! See you next week ??
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