About the author

Darren Cronian, the author of this guide, has spent nine years securing remote jobs and building a successful freelancing business. His goal is to help people find remote work. Read more >
Last Updated: 15 October 2024

Finding a legitimate remote job shouldn’t feel like a chore, but it often does. There are many job boards, and it is difficult to identify fake or scam listings created to steal your personal information.

If you’re tired of sifting through job listings and wondering if they’re authentic, you’re in the right place.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best places to find actual, honest remote jobs. I’ll also throw in a few tips for recognizing scams and networking your way into opportunities that aren’t plastered all over the web.

Let’s dig in and get you closer to finding your perfect remote job.

How Can I Find Legitimate Remote Job Opportunities?
How Can I Find Legitimate Remote Job Opportunities?
Best Remote Job Boards You Need to Bookmark

The first step to finding legitimate remote jobs is knowing where to look. Not all job boards are created equal; some are much better for remote work than others. Five job boards have consistently proven trustworthy, active, and full of remote opportunities.

1. We Work Remotely

One of the largest and most well-known remote job boards, We Work Remotely, features design, development, marketing, and customer support jobs. With a clean interface and new jobs added daily, it’s a great starting point for any remote job search.

2. Remote OK

Remote OK is another popular website in the remote job space. You can filter listings by categories like development, graphic design, or non-tech jobs, and it even shows how many people have applied for the job. That’s a nice touch to help you gauge competition.

3. FlexJobs

FlexJobs isn’t free, but it’s worth it if you want access to carefully vetted remote and flexible jobs. The site reviews every job listing, which reduces the risk of running into a scam. Jobs range from entry-level to executive positions across many industries.

You can read our impartial FlexJob review guide.

4. Remotive

Remotive is community-driven, and its focus on transparency is a big plus. The company posts jobs primarily in the technology industry, but you can also find marketing, customer service, and other roles. They pride themselves on sharing only legitimate, high-quality job postings.

5. Remote.co

Founded by the same people behind FlexJobs, Remote.co offers a carefully curated selection of remote job opportunities. It’s an excellent website to avoid scams, as the listings are hand-screened and come from reputable companies.

Other Ways to Find Legitimate Remote Jobs

While job boards are a great starting point, they’re far from the only way to land a remote job. Many remote jobs never get posted on job boards at all. Here’s how you can tap into those hidden opportunities.

Leverage Your Network

It’s not what you know; it’s who you know—especially for remote work. Let people in your network know you’re looking for a remote job. Reach out to former colleagues, clients, or mentors, and tell them what you seek. You’d be surprised how often job leads come from word of mouth.

Use Social Media

Social media platforms, mainly LinkedIn and X, can be goldmines for remote job opportunities. Follow remote-friendly companies, engage with their posts, and join LinkedIn groups focused on remote work.

Don’t be afraid to make it clear on your profile that you’re open to remote opportunities—recruiters do notice.

Remote-Specific Communities and Networks

Joining online communities focused explicitly on remote work can open up job leads that aren’t widely advertised. These communities often share exclusive opportunities and advice from experienced remote workers. Here are a few places to check out:

Remote Work Facebook Groups: Several groups are dedicated to remote job seekers, where members share job postings and networking events and even offer résumé feedback.
Slack or Discord Channels: Some remote work or digital nomad-focused channels host active job boards and give users direct access to potential employers.
Subreddits: Subreddits like r/RemoteWork often have daily job postings and advice.

Pitch Directly to Companies

If you’ve got your eye on a specific company but don’t see a remote job listed, consider pitching yourself directly. Many companies are open to remote workers even if they don’t advertise them.

Send an eye-catching email explaining why you’d be a great fit and how you can add value—this approach can open doors that job boards can’t.

Avoiding Remote Job Scams: What to Look Out For

Unfortunately, remote job scams are all too common and tricky to spot. Here are some red flags that should send you running:

Vague Job Descriptions: If the remote job listing is complete with buzzwords but lacks details about the role, it’s probably not legit.
Upfront Payments: Any “job” that asks you to pay upfront for training or supplies is almost always a scam.
Too-Good-To-Be-True Salaries: If the salary seems high for the work involved, or the company promises you’ll get rich quickly, it’s a major red flag, and you should avoid it.
No Web Presence: Do some research on the company. If it has no online presence, isn’t active on LinkedIn, or has negative reviews, steer clear; this is a big red flag.

Are there any examples of remote job scams that I should be aware of?

1. Payment Scams: These scams may involve requests for upfront payments for training or equipment, promising reimbursement once you start working. Legitimate employers typically do not require you to pay to begin working.

2. Fake Job Postings: Scammers may use fake job postings to gather personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account details. Be cautious when providing sensitive information to unfamiliar sources.

3. Pyramid Schemes: Some remote job offers may be pyramid schemes requiring you to recruit others to earn money. Be wary of job offers that seem too good to be true or require you to recruit new participants to earn income.

It’s essential to thoroughly research any potential employer and carefully review the job details before committing to any remote job opportunity.

Please take a moment to read our in-depth guide on discovering scam jobs and avoiding sharing your personal information with individuals who want to take your hard-earned money. Research is vital.

Finding a legitimate remote job doesn’t have to be a never-ending slog through questionable listings.

By focusing on trusted remote job boards and engaging with your network, you’ll be well on your way to landing a role that gives you the necessary flexibility.

Did this help answer the question of how I can find legitimate remote job opportunities? If not, please reach out.

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