Thanks to the government hiring freeze more Foreign Service (EFM) or military spouses are exploring remote work options. And I get it, I began building my own remote career during the hiring freeze of 2017. Despite being scary at first, the process of designing my portable career has been liberating. I’ve taken my career with me through four (soon to be five) posts around the world. I’ve developed professionally, made a real impact in my work, and received promotions to reflect my growth.

But finding the right remote opportunity or starting a remote career from scratch can be challenging. How do you get started?

That is what Marcelle Yeager, Founder and President of Career Valet, and I recently discussed. We talked about remote work trends, how your work style affects your remote workspace, and strategies for creating a portable career that moves when you do.

Take the First Steps Toward Working Remotely

Remote work can feel like a big leap if you’ve never done it before, but it often starts with small, manageable steps. Marcelle’s journey began with a question: "What service can I provide that I can take with me around the world, something that’s portable?" 

Marcelle’s answer resulted in her founding Career Valet. However, Marcelle acknowledges that this path isn’t right for everyone. “You have to love it,” Marcelle shared. “You can't just be good at something to want to do it as your business because it's going to be hard.”

Do people consistently ask you for help with a specific topic or skill that you are also passionate about? This might be a great place to start. Explore how you could be a consultant or specialist that businesses can hire remotely, and take steps to advertise your services on job forums and on LinkedIn. Marcelle suggests leveraging relationships with your former colleagues or clients to start, and build your network from there. “If somebody trusts you and likes you, that can carry you for years.”

Your foray into remote work may not need to be an entrepreneurial one. If you have a job now that cannot move with you, work with your company to transform the position into a portable one. This may mean changing the scope of your work or the category (from W-2 to 1099), but it may be worth the change if you get to keep your job.

Create a Productive Work Space Tailored to You

Remote work requires you to be disciplined. One way to stay focused and productive is to treat your workspace like a real office.

“You really have to have a space where you work every day,” Marcelle shared. This defined “work zone” helps you mentally separate work from your personal life and creates a boundary that is crucial for staying productive. This doesn’t mean setting up your laptop on your dining room table; rather, designate a spot in your house conducive to working.

Equally important is avoiding the temptation to mix work with household tasks. Marcelle finds it helpful to "stick to that working boundary" by saving chores like laundry and cleaning for after-work hours. It’s easy to get sidetracked or to convince yourself that you are multitasking, but resist that urge to keep your focus where it belongs—on your work.

Finally, take steps to minimize distractions. Turn off phone notifications and remove anything that takes your attention away from the task at hand. Close the door if you can and set timers for focused work sprints (but don’t forget to schedule short breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout).

All of this matters because you only have so much time in the day. The better you can separate work and non-work time when working from home, the more likely you will succeed and enjoy working remotely.

Understand Your Personal Boundaries and Best Path Forward

Building a portable career isn't about following a one-size-fits-all approach—it’s about identifying what works best for you based on your unique strengths, preferences, and working style. 

“Everyone is different, and it’s crucial to understand what works best for you,” Marcelle shared. “You have to think about who you are as a person, and how you work best.” 

Answering these questions could help you identify the type of work you are looking for and what that environment should look like:

• Do you get the most focused work done at home, in co-working spaces, with virtual collaborations, or in an office?
• When during the day are you most productive? What hours can you protect as your work hours?
• What distracts you and how can you eliminate them during your work hours?
• Do you have a dedicated work setup (technology, space, apps, hardware)? If not, what do you need to get and when can you be set up?
• How will you practice self-care and prevent burnout each week?

Ultimately, your portable career path is yours. By understanding what you need and creating a work environment that supports it, you’ll set yourself up to thrive, no matter where your career takes you.

Remote Work May Not Be Right For You

Before you apply for remote roles or jump in completely, assess what work environment makes the most sense for you at this stage in your life. For many, jobs on the local market or in the Mission are exactly what they need.

Expand your considerations if you are unsure what you want your next career move to be. “If you find yourself overseas or in a new city and struggle to secure employment, volunteering can be a valuable step,” said Marcelle. It’s a way to build connections and potentially uncover opportunities that lead to building a fulfilling career.

Remote work is not for everyone. It’s great to step outside of your comfort zone for growth and career progression, but it’s more important that you respect your limitations and preferences.

Resources to Get Started with Remote Work

Success is a deeply personal journey, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. As Marcelle emphasizes, the key is to understand yourself—your strengths, preferences, and work style—and align your career path accordingly. By tailoring your work to your style and setting clear boundaries, you can thrive even in challenging or uncertain situations.

To explore collaboration opportunities with Marcelle and her team at Career Valet, we invite you to visit their website at www.careervalet.com, where you can also discover top remote work job sites on their Top Remote Work Job Sites page. For expert assistance in staff augmentation, strategic planning, and consulting, we encourage you to reach out to LVL-Up Strategies to schedule your complimentary discovery call.