The number of digital nomads is consistently growing every day, and it is estimated that there are over 15.5 million digital nomads in 2021, according to Statistica Research Department. If you are a remote worker or freelancer intending to travel abroad with your job, belongings, and laptop, you belong to this expanding community of digital nomads.
If you’re searching for the top jobs for digital nomads in 2023, you’re in good fortune. We will discuss the definition of a digital nomad job, popular digital nomad jobs, and where to begin your job search. Continue reading to embark on your path to becoming a digital nomad.
What is a digital nomad job?
To do digital nomad jobs anywhere globally, all you need is a reliable internet connection! This typically involves working from coffee shops and coworking spaces, with many digital nomads choosing sunny destinations such as Bali and Chiang Mai to both work and live.
These jobs allow you to work from any location, whether you are traveling, at an airport, or enjoying the beach.
How to find digital nomad jobs abroad
Digital nomad jobs can be found in various locations. Examples of such places include freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, where one can find opportunities as a social media manager, writer, or virtual assistant.
Job boards such as Remote OK and We Work Remotely have numerous job listings for remote positions across various fields, including marketing, design, and customer service.
In addition to the mentioned methods, there exist alternative ways to discover employment as a digital nomad. A notable example is utilizing LinkedIn, which serves as a valuable platform for networking and job searching. Facebook groups present an opportunity to establish connections with fellow digital nomads. Startup job sites such as AngelList and Crunchbase often advertise remote positions in technology companies. Freelance writing positions are frequently listed on blogging job boards. Additionally, one can attempt to contact specific companies through cold emailing to inquire about job opportunities. Digital nomad conferences, events, and meetups are also viable options to consider.
Our picks
Cybersecurity
Over the past few years, cybersecurity has become a major concern in the business world. The occurrence of cyber crime and cyber threats is increasing, as evidenced by events like the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack. This particular incident compelled numerous individuals on the East Coast to hurriedly visit gas stations to fill up their gas tanks before the weekend, highlighting the devastating impact cyber crime can have on various industries.
The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a 600% surge in cyber crime due to the significant rise in the number of individuals working remotely using unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
The increase in cybersecurity threats can be attributed to the rise of remote work caused by pandemic lockdowns. Between February and May 2020, a Deloitte study identified over 500,000 cases of data theft associated with videoconferencing.
According to a survey conducted among IT professionals, the confidence level of companies regarding their IT budget’s capability to address the escalated cybersecurity risks arising from remote work was only 45%.
Due to all these factors, it can be concluded that there will be high demand for expertise in cybersecurity across various fields, leading to an increase in cybersecurity-related job opportunities in the foreseeable future.
As remote work persists, it is highly probable that we will witness an increase in remote job opportunities for IT and cybersecurity professionals.
Digital marketing
Remote jobs with growth potential in 2021, particularly in marketing, especially digital marketing, are highlighted in a FlexJobs report.
It should not be unexpected that we are spending more time online these days, given that we are all doing remote meetings and working from home. However, data indicates that we also have an increased focus on our smartphones.
In 2019, the average American devoted three hours daily to their phones. In 2020, this amount rose to four hours per day. This translates to an additional 365 hours of phone usage per year, which is equivalent to over nine normal work weeks!
The reason why the marketing and PR industry is giving more attention to digital marketing as a key strategy is because it suggests that there will be an increase in remote job opportunities for digital marketers.
Based on LinkedIn data, digital marketing was included in the top 15 jobs that are increasing in demand in 2021. If you have experience in this field or are interested in transitioning, exploring the possibilities within digital marketing is highly recommended.
Customer service
The pandemic further contributed to the growth of the E-Commerce sector, which was already experiencing significant expansion.
Due to being confined to their homes, numerous Americans relied solely on online retailers for obtaining consumer goods. Additionally, some individuals chose to forgo their vacations and reduce their spending on dining, resulting in surplus discretionary income. Collectively, these factors contributed to a 44% increase in E-Commerce sales in the United States.
Due to the significant surge in online spending and the resulting extended delivery times, there was a sharp rise in demand for remote customer service representatives.
If you’re seeking an entry-level remote job that offers potential for growth into management roles, starting off in a customer service job is an ideal choice. Particularly within the startup industry, customer service jobs serve as excellent stepping stones towards more lucrative positions.
Tutors and education professionals
Not only did the pandemic change our perspective on remote options in the world of work, but it also altered our perception of the potential of remote learning and education.
There was a 20% increase in hiring for jobs in the education sectors from 2019 to 2020.
The growth in many sectors of education careers has been strong due to the rise of homeschooling, schools exploring online models, and the need for support as education professionals adapt to the “new normal” of online education.
These are a few of the highly sought-after skills for professionals working in the education sector:
- Education consultants
- Lesson planning/curriculum design
- Education platform development, engineering and design
- Teaching assistants
For individuals with an educational focus, tutoring is a great option to work remotely. One can anticipate an increase of $153 billion in the online tutoring industry from 2021 to 2025, which will undoubtedly create more opportunities for remote work in this field.
If you want to explore careers in online and remote learning education, you can refer to FlexJobs list of the top 10 companies that are hiring for remote jobs in the education field.
Experts in workplace diversity
In the midst of the numerous changes in 2020, there has been a notable shift towards addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. The protests during the summer of 2020 highlighted the urgent need to correct institutional bias and discrimination across all aspects of our society, particularly within the workplace.
With an increasing number of companies aiming to tackle prejudice and confront bias within their own organizations, the demand for skilled consultants with expertise in DEI-related matters will continue to rise.
Since 2019, there has been a 90% increase in hiring for DEI roles, which is why consultant positions specializing in DEI have consistently been ranked as the most sought-after remote jobs in 2021.
