What’s up with RemoteOK's remote jobs? [In-Depth Review]

Because of the pandemic, remote work has become the new norm. As such, many people are now actively investigating opportunities for remote work that allow them to not only work from home, but possibly even to travel the world.

After all, who wouldn't want to experience the digital nomad lifestyle?

I was lucky enough to experience it right before the pandemic hit and I loved it! I was able to work abroad while the world was still open and enjoyed every moment of it because work-life balance was actually possible.

If that sounds great to you, you should definitely consider traveling and working abroad. For all those who are more unfamiliar with remote work, RemoteOK may be the resource you need.

Already a remote worker wanting to figure out where you might be able to work for a few months? We also have a review about NomadList to get started.

Without further delay, let's see if RemoteOK has the resources to help you find the perfect remote job...

What Does It Mean if a Job is Remote?

Let me clarify what a "remote job" clarifies before I move on...

If a job is advertised as remote, this means that there is no mandatory office component to the job. While the remote worker might be employed by an in-person company, they are free to work from wherever they choose.

A remote job gives employees the freedom to work from home, or anywhere in the world, provided they have the approval of their employer to do so.

It’s important to know that getting a remote job does not automatically grant you the right to take your laptop abroad with you. It’s imperative to clear that idea with your employer before hopping on a plane.

Sites like RemoteOK give you access to a database of remote jobs that have been posted explicitly in the hopes of attracting remote workers.

If you accept a remote job, though, be aware that having a remote job does not automatically give you permission to work anywhere in the world. You'll still need to research immigration rules surrounding any particular country before you embark abroad. 

You may also be required to work within certain timezones, even if you're not required to work in a specific area. An example of this is Pilot—we have implemented our fully remote ready work team culture.

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What Is RemoteOK?

RemoteOK is an online job board that focuses exclusively on remote job opportunities. You can search through jobs based on categories like marketing or software development, or filter through tags for specific requirements within a position.

RemoteOK is owned by NomadList so you can use both websites in tandem as they easily link between themselves. Moreover, this gives you the opportunity to look at remote work destinations and job postings almost simultaneously.

You can also sign up for the email subscription list to be alerted of new remote jobs in your inbox. The site is completely free to use, whether as a way to browse roles, or to use it as a way to apply to remote jobs.

There is also a freelancer directory so you can have employers search for you specifically by your skill set. To register, you’ll create a username, and give them your email address both for contact purposes, and for your subscription to the weekly job postings.

You don't need to be subscribed to use the job search function, or to apply to jobs, though. 

Key Features of RemoteOK

There are lots of reasons why RemoteOK is so popular among digital nomads. Some of the key features that allow me to truly enjoy browsing through RemoteOK for new job opportunities include the following:

Broad Job Categories for Diverse Skills

As a digital nomad, I've always loved the versatility of RemoteOK. The platform caters to a wide variety of skill sets with its extensive job categories.

Whether you're an artistic designer, tech-savvy developer, creative writer, or savvy marketer like myself, there's a world of remote job opportunities awaiting you on RemoteOK.

Salary Filters to Match Your Worth

The reality of being a digital nomad is that you still need to pay your bills. RemoteOK gets that.

The platform lets you filter jobs based on the salary, enabling you to quickly identify and apply for the highest paying remote jobs that truly match your worth.

Never Miss Out with Daily Job Alerts

When I traveled the world, I admit that time zones became a bit of a jumble. That's why RemoteOK's daily job alerts have been a game-changer!

No matter where in the world I am, I receive a daily email with the latest jobs that match my selected categories. It means I never miss out on an opportunity and can apply for jobs as soon as they hit the market.

Working With Top Companies, Anywhere

One of the biggest perks of using RemoteOK? The chance to work for some of the most prestigious companies around the world. Beef up your resume while enjoying the freedom and flexibility of the nomadic lifestyle!

A User-Friendly Interface I Love

Navigating through job postings can be a hassle, but not with RemoteOK. The platform's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to sift through job postings, apply filters, and save interesting postings for later—a significant plus when I'm connecting from a cafe in Paris or a beach in Bali.

Freelance or Full-Time? You Choose

As someone who values flexibility, I appreciate that RemoteOK caters to both freelance and full-time job seekers. The platform's diversity ensures that whatever your preference, you can find a job that fits your lifestyle and nomadic needs.

The Limitations

Let's face it—nothing is perfect! There are a few drawbacks that I've noticed while using RemoteOK:

High Competition for Jobs

As RemoteOK becomes increasingly popular among digital nomads and remote workers, the competition for jobs can be intense. At times, I've applied for roles that already had a high number of applicants, which can decrease your chances of securing the position.

Some Limit to Job Categories

While RemoteOK does cater to various job types, there's a noticeable focus on tech and digital-related jobs. If your skills fall outside of these areas, like in the field of healthcare or education, you might find fewer suitable job opportunities.

No Direct Employer Interaction

One of the drawbacks I've experienced is the absence of direct employer interaction on the platform.

The application process directs you offsite, and there is no built-in system for interviews or job offer discussions. This lack of direct communication can sometimes make the job application process feel less personal.

Not All Listings Include Salary Info

While many job listings on RemoteOK include salary information, not all of them do. As a digital nomad with a budget to manage, it would be helpful if it was a requirement to include a salary whenever posting a job.

In the same vein, it'd be nice to know consistently about work hour requirements, salaried vs. hourly, and benefits.

RemoteOK Reviews: What Are Others Saying?

In looking at reviews of RemoteOK’s services, there seem to be several pros and cons to the service.

Its price point is a major pro in that users can get access to listings without having to subscribe or pay. Although it does cost money to post job listings if you are seeking to recruit remote workers.

The weekly added jobs are sizeable, meaning that users get a wide variety of opportunities from which to choose. And the board is constantly updating so you aren’t looking at jobs postings that are months old.

One of the cons of using RemoteOk, based on reviews, is the lack of advanced search functions. While you can put in any keyword you want into the search bar, there is no way to hone searches down finely beyond what you put in there, and a few key filters you can use.

Additionally, the variety of remote work opportunities isn’t massive. Many of the remote jobs posted on RemoteOK are software development jobs. While there are postings for other fields, they are not nearly as prolific as the software development positions are, meaning you might have to do some digging if you’re looking for non software development jobs. 

While RemoteOK does link back to NomadList (given that NomadList owns RemoteOK), there are little other features on the website other than job listings. 

Other Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Remote Companies?

While a remote job is a job that can be done anywhere, a remote company is a company that doesn’t have a physical office presence, meaning every employee works remotely. These companies are more likely to be familiar with remote work practices, and be able to accommodate remote workers in various time zones, and in different countries.

What are the Best Companies to Work for Remotely?

If you're wondering what might be some good remote companies to work for, Forbes has published a list of the best remote companies to work for in 2020! While it’s just a ranked list, it might give you some ideas of what companies you’d like to investigate more for remote work opportunities. RemoteOK also has a list that updates live on their website you can look at of top remote companies hiring within the last 12 months. 

And, not to brag, but we're pretty darn good to work with here at Pilot as well!

Is RemoteOK Worth It?

After using it and researching what others are saying, I can confidently say that it's worth it for digital nomads to add RemoteOK to their list of tools. Although there are some drawbacks, the fact that it's a free option to search more job opportunities means it's worth it to try it out.

RemoteOK gives current or aspiring digital nomads an easy way to browse job listings. There are lots of possible categories to search from and you are able to filter based on salary range—both features that are very useful.

One thing to note is that although it has a lot of job categories, a lot of the jobs are focused on software opportunities. If you work outside of this field, you should definitely also be searching other remote job boards.

My recommendation generally is to add this to your list of sites to search. But don't make this the only job board you look at! It's always better to expand your search to include multiple reliable sites.

My Rating: 3.9/5

Pros:

• Completely free for job searchers
• Jobs added weekly
• Easy-to-navigate user interface
• Lots of job categories
• Filter by price
• Daily job alerts
• Freelance and full-time opportunities

Cons:

• Lack of advanced search options
• High competition on single job postings
• Heavily software-based jobs
• No interactions with employer directly on site
• Some listings missing salary info

Start Planning Your Digital Nomad Life!

If you’re interested in remote working, you are definitely not alone! As it becomes a bigger and bigger thing, more opportunities are presenting themselves every day.

While it can sometimes be hard to gauge how remote a remote job actually is, sites like RemoteOK are here to help you find remote jobs that fit your goals of working remotely.

If you’re trying to find a location to head to while you work remotely, make sure to check out Pilot. This is the trip planner you'll want as your companion so that you can plan your trip from start to finish with less stress!