Advance your Digital Career: How to Become a Digital Nomad

Tempted by the idea of working from anywhere?

We know that when you've built a career based on office jobs with regular hours, you might be looking for a little bit more freedom and flexibility.

Luckily, it's now a brilliant time to transition into a digital nomad lifestyle. This could mean following your own schedule, arranging your own projects, and reporting only to yourself as boss. If you're ready to change your life, you've only got to make a few changes.

1.   Understand the digital nomad lifestyle

Being a digital nomad means travelling the world while working remotely. You won't be tied down to a single location or have a fixed place of work, so there's no need for a commute or even a permanent home address.

For many, becoming a digital nomad means realizing dreams of freedom. From sandy beaches to capital cities, you can experience the buzz of your bucket-list destinations while earning a living too.

With the right skills and legal framework, professionals can work remotely from almost anywhere—and at any age too. Dubai has recently been named as a top destination for senior digital nomads, notably thanks to its high quality of life and modern infrastructure. 

2.   Gather some core skills

If you're just looking at job profiles, remote roles might seem like those advertised in offices. While many of the skills and key concepts are transferable, particularly within the same industry, there's a lot to learn if you're starting remote work for the first time.

To experience long-term success as a digital nomad, you'll need to be:

·        Self-motivated: If you're self-employed you'll receive no instruction or direction from a manager or team leader. You need to organize your schedule and fuel your own productivity.

·        Disciplined: Motivation and discipline are not the same. You can easily have the desire to achieve, but you need consistency and accountability too.

·        Digitally literate: Being a digital nomad means managing your finances on the move. You should be familiar with basic bookkeeping, including budgeting, sending invoices and reporting. 

·        A good communicator: Working from a new country means you'll be navigating a different culture. Along with potentially overcoming a language barrier, you'll need to learn local etiquette and professional customs to boost your chances of success.

3.   Find remote working opportunities

Once you've found accommodation, it's time to seek work. You can use online job boards like FlexJobs to submit applications online. Before networking in person, it's worth browsing company websites and starting conversations on LinkedIn.

You might need to start earning money before you seek a more permanent role. If the legal framework within your chosen country allows, trading could make a viable choice. For example, choosing funded trading programs could help you to generate income remotely without risking personal savings.

Don't forget to capitalize on your existing professional network. Keep an eye out for relocation opportunities and don't be afraid to put yourself out there.

Keeping connected abroad

Don't forget to maintain your personal connections when you're working from another country. With reliable technology and refined skills, you can advance your career and gain remarkable life experience too.