Tips for Finding a Remote Job Before You Get to Costa Rica

If you apply for temporary residency in Costa Rica, you can't work right away. You need to wait until you're a permanent resident before you can apply for local jobs, and those jobs don't pay well. For this reason, a remote job is often the best way for non-retired folk to relocate here. Learn a few tips and tricks for finding remote work so you can make your dream of relocating to Costa Rica a reality.

Start with Your Skills

Before you begin to look for a job, think about your skill set. There are plenty of remote jobs that don't require experience or degrees. But they do require certain skills, and it's best to find a job where you can excel.

Make a list of all your skills and pleasures. For instance, you might enjoy organizing things. In that case, a remote job doing data entry might be perfect for you. If you love to write, you should consider being a content writer (and that's actually pretty easy to get into). Someone who's good with people would excel at sales. Fortunately, there are tons of online sales jobs available online.

If you're not sure what types of remote jobs there are that might interest you, do a quick Google search. The list should give you some ideas of jobs that are available. If all else fails, you could consider being an entrepreneur. Start up an online business doing something you love. If this is something that interests you, spend time researching the costs, time requirements, and demands in your industry.

Look on Indeed (Or Your Favorite Job Search Engine)

Almost every job search engine has remote jobs available. When you do your search, type "remote" into the location field. There are a few websites geared to only remote work, but Indeed has a huge selection of legitimate online jobs.

Make sure you're basing your job search in the US. If you're in Costa Rica already, use a VPN to help with your search. Most employers don't ask or don't care where you're working. A lot of jobs will show up in your search, so use the keywords of jobs you want and narrow your search.

Check Out These Websites

For more ideas on legitimate work from home jobs, check out the following websites:

https://ratracerebellion.com/

https://www.skipthedrive.com/

There are other websites out there, but many of them have pyramid schemes and scams. For the best results, check out as many sites as possible but be on the lookout for red flags.

The Freelancing Option

If all else fails, there's always freelancing! It's what I've been doing for over ten years. You can use a site like Upwork.com to find a gig (they're all remote) and you can take on multiple clients. On the site, you can find all of the following types of gigs and more:

• Social media posting

• Content writing

• Data entry

• Virtual assisting

• Sales calls

The platform takes a percentage of your commission, so you may not stay on it forever. Also, it takes some time to build up a reputation and you may need to settle for lower pay at first. Eventually, though, you can get better pay and even move off the platform. It's a great starting point for those who want to work remotely.

There are other freelancing platforms, but this one was always my go-to. Fiverr.com also has remote options that cater towards freelancers.

Work From Home Job Red Flags

One of the biggest challenges of finding online jobs are the scams. For every great job, there's a scam. As you look for work, keep an eye out for the following red flags:

• MLMs or pyramid schemes

• Travel agent jobs (these are not jobs but are side hustles, and usually require a lot of money to get started)

• No interview process

• Large zoom introductory meetings

• No company information available online

• Tons of negative company reviews

• Requirement to pay money up front for equipment

When you find a job, take the time to research the company. You can also try searching for "XYZ company MLM" or "XYZ company scam." If you can find complaints or a reddit thread on the company, spend a few minutes reading reviews. In the event that the company isn't a scam, your research might turn up some information that could help you during an interview.

During your job search, be wary about giving out your personal information until you vet the company. With that said, do be aware that you'll need to be willing to give out some personal details if you receive a job offer.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

By getting a remote job, you can truly set yourself up for life in Costa Rica. Because there's a lower cost of living here, it's possible to survive on a low salary. You also may be eligible for more residency and visa options with a remote position. If you have any questions or want advice on finding remote work, reach out to us at Rainbow Refuge!