Landing overseas remote jobs as a Bangladeshi
Remote jobs are getting popular in Bangladesh among the youth digital workforce due to their flexibility and attractive pay
During the Covid-19 lockdown, when many of Tauhid's peers were busy doomscrolling TikTok videos, he chose to learn web development instead. After gaining a working knowledge of the programming languages, he started to work as a freelance web developer in online marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr.
Over time, he aspired to secure a permanent position, as freelancing often meant constantly searching for new projects. Luckily, a CEO of a US-based healthcare service provider, whom he had previously worked with on Upwork, offered him a full-time remote role.
Remote jobs like the one Tauhid does are getting popular in Bangladesh among the young digital workforce.
The range of tasks that can be done remotely are diverse — web development, graphic design, 3D design, product design, UI/UX design, writing, video editing, virtual assistantship, and many more.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Clients from Western countries hire a large number of freelancers worldwide to gain a competitive edge, as the labour cost is relatively lower in low-income countries.
On the flipside, the skilled professionals from low-income countries also benefit from opting for a remote job for an overseas country, as the pay is much higher than what the local companies offer.
Advantages of remote jobs
The biggest advantage of a remote job is the flexibility it comes with. Since you are working from home, you can work within your own comfort zone. There is no need to deal with the stress of commuting, traffic jams, or even dressing up in formal attire.
A large number of remote jobs allow you to work at your convenience — as long as the task is completed, it does not matter whether you do it in the morning or at night.
"Everyone has their own time of the day when they are at peak productivity. For some, it is the early morning, and for some, it is the afternoon," said Syed Sadman Sabbir, another programmer, working for a UK-based company. "With a remote job that provides that flexibility, you can work at the time when you are most productive."
The luxury of spending more time with your family members serves as the cherry on top. Since you do not need to commute, you not only have more time to spend with your family, but this also saves you money on transportation costs.
Additionally, remote jobs open up a world of opportunities, allowing you to work for companies globally, even if you live in a rural area or a small town on the other side of the world.
"Remote jobs often offer higher pay compared to local companies," said Sadman, highlighting another advantage.
Tauhid added that the ability to create a personalised workspace is another perk of remote work. "Having a workspace tailored to your comfort can significantly boost your productivity and efficiency — something that traditional office workers often miss out on," he explained.
Wait, there are cons too
With a remote job, you are essentially missing the experience of the collaborative office environment, the communication and chit-chats with colleagues, whether you like it or not.
"The communication between colleagues helps to improve your skill, and sometimes, it is also beneficial for idea generation," said Sadman.
Another disadvantage is that a remote job holder often has to work for a company of which the time zone is vastly different from Bangladesh. For instance, there is almost half a day of difference in the time zone of Bangladesh and the US. The time zone difference with Europe is a bit lower than that of North America.
Then there is competitiveness. "When you are opting for the local market, you compete with only the local job seekers. On the flipside, when you go for the international market, your competitors are from all over the world," said Sadman.
Explaining the competitive nature of the international market, he emphasised on learning new skills and staying updated.
What skills do you need?
"First of all, find something that you are passionate about and can be done online. Be it graphic design, writing, or software development — learn that skill, build a portfolio of your works," said Tauhid.
"Do not focus on the money, rather focus on what you are passionate about. Remember, it is a long ride and keeping the passion alive is essential. Before diving into any new skill just because it seems high-paying, take the time to do some basic research to ensure it aligns with your interests."
Sadman emphasised on being active on LinkedIn as much as possible, saying, "The job description will give you a good idea on what skills you need to acquire, as well as the current trends of the industry." He mentioned that the platform is a good place to build a network with professionals from similar fields.
Communication is another soft skill that needs to be nailed. "You have to communicate with the employer and other team members. Sometimes you might sit for hour-long zoom meetings as well," added Tauhid. "Employers value strong written and verbal communication skills in potential candidates."
Sadman also emphasised the value of having a good command over communicative English. "You will miss a lot of opportunities if you do not have the ability to communicate properly in English."
Where to find remote jobs?
Creating a well-organised portfolio, accompanied by a CV and a cover letter, is the first essential step in the process.
"Go to freelance marketplaces, gain some experience, and you might potentially get hired for a permanent position by one of your clients — just the way I did," said Tauhid.
"Or you can be active on sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and We Work Remotely — there are many options to find remote jobs," he noted.
Opting for an internship which often pays less than a full time job is also a great way to start, as Tauhid suggests. "It allows you to gain professional experience, and give some time to build a portfolio," he added.
Look before you leap
Tauhid's life took a dramatic turn after landing the job. He treated himself to some gifts that he once could not have imagined affording just a couple of years ago. He supported his family with a generous amount and spent a sizable amount for his treatment of a critical illness — all from his own earnings.
His story may seem like a smooth sail, for the most part, and it is tempting enough for many to pursue online jobs. But as he offered a word of caution, "Before jumping into the online marketplaces, make sure to master the necessary skills first."
Some coaching centres and online platforms advertise with lucrative titles like 'Earn thousands of dollars in just 3 months' or 'One course is enough'. Sadman suggested avoiding these fishy advertisements.
"Do not focus on the money, rather focus on what you are passionate about. You should go for a specific skill only if you find that skill interesting enough," he said.
"Remember, it is a long ride and keeping the passion alive is essential. Before diving into any new skill just because it seems high-paying, take the time to do some basic research to ensure it aligns with your interests," he concluded.
