11 Reasons You’re Struggling to Get Remote Work (And How to Fix It!)
So you want to work remotely and live abroad, but for some reason, it just isn’t happening. You keep applying, searching, and hoping, but no dice.
Maybe you’ve even convinced yourself that it’s impossible—or that it’s only for influencers or tech bros.
Spoiler alert: It’s not.
The truth? A lot of people make some very fixable mistakes when trying to go remote so they can travel more and live in another country. So let’s break down the biggest ones and what you can actually do about them.
Table of Contents
- 1. You’re Searching for a Unicorn Job
- 2. You’re Stuck on the Idea of a Full-Time Job
- 3. You Think You Need a Special Visa
- 4. You Think You Have to Make the Same Amount You Do Now
- 5. You’re Ignoring Remote-Friendly Jobs
- 6. You’re Only Looking at Big Corporations
- 7. You Expect Instant Success
- 8. You’re Not Open to Learning New Skills
- 9. You Think Remote = High Pay from the Start
- 10. You’re Only Looking for Jobs Instead of Clients
- 11. You Keep Saying ‘I Don’t Have Experience’
- Final Thoughts
1. You’re Searching for a Unicorn Job
You want a job that pays exactly what you made back home, in the same field, with the same responsibilities, plus the bonus perk of letting you travel the world. Hate to say it, but you’re making this way harder than it needs to be.
Instead of waiting for the perfect gig to appear, consider a stepping stone job. Maybe it’s in a related industry, or it pays a little less but gives you the flexibility to live abroad.
Your remote job doesn’t have to be your dream job—it just has to get you out the door.
RELATED: 26 Digital Nomad Jobs: Best Remote Jobs for Travelers!
2. You’re Stuck on the Idea of a Full-Time Job
If you’re only looking for one full-time remote job, you’re cutting off a ton of potential opportunities.
What about two part-time gigs that add up to a full-time income?
What about a mix of part-time work and freelance clients? Plenty of nomads piece their income together instead of relying on a single employer.
Plus, companies are often more open to hiring part-time remote workers because it’s less of a commitment on their end. If you’re struggling to land full-time work, consider expanding your search to contract or part-time positions.
3. You Think You Need a Special Visa
A lot of people assume they need a specific remote work visa to become a digital nomad, but that’s not true at all.
Yes, digital nomad visas exist, and they’re great if you want to stay in one country for a year or more.
But plenty of people work remotely while hopping around on tourist visas (which is legal in many places as long as you’re working for a foreign company).
Your passport might already allow you to stay 3 to 6 months in a country without any extra paperwork. No visa stress required!
RELATED: 21 Visas to Help Americans Move Abroad (That You Haven’t Heard of)
4. You Think You Have to Make the Same Amount You Do Now
This is a big one. A lot of people get stuck thinking they need to replace their exact salary from back home. But living abroad changes the math.
If you move to a country where your cost of living is half (or even less) than what it is now, you don’t need the same paycheck. Plus:
- You’ll likely spend way less on rent, food, and transportation.
- You’ll likely ditch big expenses like car payments or expensive health insurance.
- You gain the added value of flexibility and freedom (which is huge).
Would you rather make $60K a year and be stuck in an office in the US or $40K a year while living near the beach in Ecuador? That’s the real question.
5. You’re Ignoring Remote-Friendly Jobs
Not every job can be done remotely, and if you’re searching for your exact role in a remote version, you might be hitting a wall.
Instead, check out industries that are already remote-friendly, like:
- Writing & Content Creation
- Social Media Management
- Customer Support
- Virtual Assistance
- Software Development
- Project Management
- Marketing & SEO
Even if your current field doesn’t have remote options, you can learn a new skill and transition into a remote job. Tons of people do this, and you don’t need a fancy degree to make it happen.
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No BS, no scams, just remote jobs you can do from anywhere!
SEARCH DIGITAL NOMAD JOBS
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6. You’re Only Looking at Big Corporations
If you’re only applying to major companies with remote job listings, you’re competing against thousands of applicants.
Instead, try small businesses, startups, or solo entrepreneurs who need remote help but aren’t advertising on job boards.
Try looking for jobs on:
Small businesses often offer more flexibility and faster hiring processes than giant corporations.
7. You Expect Instant Success
Finding remote work takes time. If you applied to five jobs and gave up, that’s the problem.
Most people apply to dozens before landing something. If you aren’t getting responses, tweak your resume, write better cover letters, or apply to more roles. This is a numbers game.
8. You’re Not Open to Learning New Skills
Some remote jobs require basic tech or marketing skills. If you don’t have them, you can learn them fast.
- Want to be a social media manager? Take a cheap online course.
- Want to freelance? Set up a simple website or Upwork profile and get some samples up.
- Want to write? Start pitching small gigs and build a portfolio.
You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to know enough to get hired.
9. You Think Remote = High Pay from the Start
Some remote jobs pay really well, but many start lower. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck at that rate forever.
Many nomads take a lower-paying remote job at first and work their way up. The goal isn’t to find the perfect job immediately—it’s to get your foot in the door.
These also help your ratings and give you some samples for your portfolio. Start at a lower pay to hook some easy gigs and increase after!
👉GET A DIGITAL NOMAD JOB👩💻
No BS, no scams, just remote jobs you can do from anywhere!
SEARCH DIGITAL NOMAD JOBS
Want to Move Abroad?
But are totally helpless and don’t know where to start? Can’t figure out a clear path? Need to talk to someone who gets it? I’m here! Let’s chat and figure out your next steps…
10. You’re Only Looking for Jobs Instead of Clients
If you have a skill—writing, editing, coding, admin work—you don’t necessarily need a job… you need clients.
Freelancing can be a great way to:
- Make money faster than a traditional job hunt.
- Set your own rates.
- Work on projects that interest you.
Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour can help you get started. The next level would be to start your own site and market yourself.
RELATED: 53 LEGIT Remote Work Websites So You Can Work and Travel!
11. You Keep Saying ‘I Don’t Have Experience’
Everyone starts somewhere. If you don’t have experience, get some.
- Offer to work for a lower rate for your first few clients.
- Take on a few small projects to build your portfolio.
- Do volunteer work or internships remotely to get real-world experience.
Nobody was born a remote worker. The only way to get experience is to start.
Final Thoughts
Working remotely isn’t impossible. It just requires a little flexibility, patience, and creativity. If you’ve been struggling, take a step back, reassess your approach, and open more doors instead of closing them.
Read more about living and working abroad:
- 26 Digital Nomad Jobs: Best Remote Jobs for Travelers!
- 10 BEST Digital Nomad Jobs For Beginners
- 73 Travel Jobs—How to Make Money While Traveling!
- 56 Work From Home Websites—Earn Money Outside the Office!
- 20 Online Jobs With No Experience Needed!
- How to Start Freelancing for Beginners—Work Online & Travel!
- All Articles About Living and Working Abroad
READY TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY — JUST NOT SURE WHERE TO?
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