Wondering how to transition from an office-based career to an online job?
So did I. Here’s how I did it.
Initially, I graduated with an accountancy degree and passed the CPA board exam. However, after working an office-based job, I realized that it wasn’t the lifestyle I wanted.
Not that there’s anything wrong with being an accountant. It’s still a highly respectable profession, with great opportunities if you do well.
I just wasn’t keen on the lifestyle.
Commuting to work in the Philippines is terrible. I hated Mondays. I often felt so drained that I couldn’t do anything else after a workday.
I wanted to escape.
The Turning Point
It’s easy to complain about your circumstances. However, not a lot of people do anything about them.
So what was my turning point? What made me decide to finally pursue a home-based job in the Philippines?
It started when I read the book The 4-hour Workweek by Tim Ferris. One of the key concepts in the book is “location-independent sources of income.”
Apparently, some people earn their income regardless of where they are. It can be in another country, across a beautiful beach, or just as simple as working from home.
I want that lifestyle, but didn’t think it was possible in the Philippines.
Mind you, this was during a time when remote work wasn’t widely acceptable as a legitimate source of income. Remote work was seen more like short-term “rackets” (some are even considered scams).
So I didn’t act on the concept immediately.
Life as a Digital Nomad
Two years later, I left a finance job and wanted to try new things.
One day, I got to meet with a friend to catch up.
After an afternoon powwow, she asked one life-changing question before we parted ways.
She said, “We have an opening for a content writer online job position. Would you like to try applying?”
Well, I said yes and the rest was history.
Now, I can travel the world while working through my laptop. I became a full-fledged digital nomad writer.
It even opened doors for me as a content creator in the travel niche.
It’s far from the CPA job I had before, but I can say that it’s really worth it.
So how do you transition from a traditional career to an online job?
It’s quite scary and challenging at first. So here are some tips on how I did it.
Find Your Why
First, why do you want to have an online job?
Do you want more time for your family? Or maybe, you want to travel the world? Better yet, how about starting a business in your free time after working hours?
It can even be as simple as not wanting to deal with traffic in Manila anymore.
Your “why” serves as a compass, helping you stay focused on what truly matters to you.
This way, your career decisions match your values and aspirations, making your remote work journey more fulfilling and purposeful.
Find a Marketable Skill Online
Next, you should find an online skill you can market.
Back then, most accounting jobs were office-based. So for me, my gateway to remote work was writing.
What’s good about remote work is, even if I didn’t have a writing degree, most clients don’t care.
It’s all about the results you bring to their business.
So find a skill in your arsenal that can help you give clients what they want.
For example, you might have a knack for art or drawing. Why not try a graphic design online job?
Invest in Learning
What if you don’t have skills in any online field?
First of all, that’s hard to believe. Some online jobs (like virtual assistant roles) can be done by almost anyone who’s ever worked in an office.
Second, in the slim chance that you’re really starting from scratch, the skills you need for most online jobs can be learned.
So invest some time in acquiring the skills in your chosen field. You can start by checking these reliable websites for learning remote working skills.
Start Building a Portfolio
Next, you have to build a portfolio.
Hang on, what if you don’t have any experience in online work?
You might need to create samples, even if you’re not paid for these.
Make sure these samples showcase your skills and potential to prospective clients or employers.
In my experience, I wrote some articles to provide samples before I was hired.
Try Applying for Remote Working Jobs – Even When You Don’t Feel Ready
Now that you’re equipped with the skills and a portfolio, it’s time to apply for remote working jobs.
Muster up the confidence to pitch to clients.
It might seem daunting at first, but if you’re willing to go through the numbers, you might just get the dream online job you’re looking for.
However, if you’re still looking for remote working opportunities, you can sign up with Remote Staff for the best online jobs for Filipinos.
Unlike other platforms, Remote Staff vets its clients to make sure they’re legitimate. So you don’t have to worry about getting scammed – even if you’re a beginner.
Register today!
