Introduction:

Hello there! My name is Juliana Rabbi. I can proudly say I have been working remotely since 2014, way before the pandemic started when most people still didn't understand "how I could work from outside of an office."

I am a recruiter-turned-career coach with over 15 years experience in HR in multinational companies and + 8 years working remotely.

I help professionals make better career choices and create the lifestyle they want. I am also a Digital Nomad who has been to 52 countries, one who can't resist playing with dogs. I try different animal poses in yoga and enjoy acting in comedy improv. I left my full-time remote job to travel more, and I am very happy with my lifestyle now!

Where can we follow you on the Internet?

Instagram, LinkedIn

Tell us a little bit about your background & how did you get started with remote work?

I am a Psychologist with +15 years of experience as a Recruiter. I have a Master's in HR and worked in different multinational companies, recruiting candidates from all over the world.

I didn't choose to work remotely. There were some internal changes in my company, and from one day to the other, I could not go to the office anymore and had to work from home.

That was back in 2014, and I shortly realized that I was not only capable of working remotely, but I was also very productive and feeling very happy doing that. So, long story short, in +8 years, I went from "working from home" to "working location independent as a digital nomad from anywhere in the world."

Take us through your typical weekday?

I usually work from Monday to Thursday. On Mondays, I use the day to reply to emails, do administrative tasks, create content, and plan. After that, I can go to a coffee shop, a coworking space, or even both, whatever I feel like!

I schedule my coaching calls with clients from Monday to Thursday, so I usually work from home those days to make sure I have a quiet and private ambiance.

Most Fridays, I take the day off to do things not directly related to work - such as meeting friends for brunch, going to the supermarket, reading, exploring, doing a longer morning routine, and whatever fun stuff I feel like.

I like to go for a yoga class, walk around my neighborhood, have dinner with friends, or go to the theater during the weekday nights.

What's your workspace setup like?

I am very minimalist in my workplace. I always have my laptop MacBook Air with me, and it has standard foldable support stuck to it - so I can make the laptop more ergonomic to use without adding an extra piece of stuff to my backpack.

I also carry two pairs of headphones - a wireless Airpod and a regular one, if one of them doesn't work. I always have my water bottle with me - drinking water is essential, right? -, post-its and a pen to capture my ideas.

Workstation

What apps, gadgets, or tools can't you live without?

Gadgets: My laptop (MacBook Air 13 inches), mobile phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 10+), ebook reader (Kindle), and my smart band (Mi band 4). Apps: Snapseed (for easy photo edition), Get Croissant (to book coworking space all over the world), Evernote (to write down everything!),

Easy Currency (to convert money from one currency to another during my travels), different taxi apps, CamScanner (to scan documents), different online bank apps, Skype (for phone calls to land numbers), Stitcher, Airbnb, Skyscanner (to check airline ticket prices), Slack/WhatsApp/Telegram (for communication), Balance (for meditation) and several others.

Aside: Find out more about common remote tools and gears used by remote workers in 2021.

How do you recharge or take a break?

I have the morning routine that I do almost daily (journaling and meditation). I also like to do yoga a few times per week, walk by the beach, play with dogs or meet friends.

How do you stay focused on your tasks?

I block my agenda in advance with the time I estimate I will need for each task. Also,I keep my mobile phone at a distance that I can't reach with my hands - so I am less tempted to unnecessarily checking it.

Once I finish a task, I like to stand up from the chair, move my body, drink water, or do some quick physical activity (like washing the dishes, for example) to rest my brain and body.

Then, I start it all over again. I also try to concentrate on the most important activities - and the ones that require more concentration or creativity - during the mornings because this is my most productive time of the day.

Aside: Learn more tips on how to work from home like a boss.

What working remotely really means to you?

The possibility to create life on my own terms! I love to be able to choose, every day, where I want to work from. I enjoy working in pajamas if I feel like it and still deliver great results. I feel blessed to join in-person events and stay in the city for as long as I want. I enjoy meeting people from all over the world and meeting them in different places. Oh, I could go on and on with my list.

Advice for someone who is looking to switch to a remote job?

Don't quit immediately if you are working in an office job now. Instead, take the time to design a plan for your job search. Get clarity about your personal and career goals, and align that with your next job.

Once you have a roadmap, reflect the best version on your resume and LinkedIn profile. Next, dedicate time to networking, attend events promoted to remote job companies and talk to people that already work remotely - they can eventually refer you for positions in their companies.

Aside: Learn why the future of work is remote.

How should one go about finding and getting a remote job?

The easiest way is to search for a remote job related to the job you are doing now or something you have done in the past - so you can use all your experience, background, and studies to qualify you for the remote job.

Another option is to take a new course or learn a new skill first, and after, search for a remote job - but this is a longer path, so it should never be the first option. Understanding the reality of the job market is also extremely important. Stop assuming things and go check. How to do that?

Read carefully the job descriptions of the positions you would like to apply for to understand the real requirements. Then, create a list of your "dream companies" and focus your networking with people working there.

Attend job fairs, seminars, and events related to remote jobs. Let your friends know you are open to remote jobs and make it clear also on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Last but not least: forget the "spray and pray" technique - applying for ten job offers per day and waiting for the companies to contact you is no anymore an effective way to land a remote job.

What qualities would you recommend are a must-have for a person seeking a remote job?

Improving your communication, time management, motivation, teamwork, and proactivity will be extremely helpful for anyone working remotely. Make sure you have real and powerful examples to share that demonstrate that you have those skills - it's not only about "saying" you have them.

Apart from that, each remote job might require specific skills listed in the job description and highlight during the recruitment process. The job seeker should identify those skills and do the same I mentioned above (have real and powerful examples to demonstrate that he has those skills).

Aside: Learn how to find a remote job?

What is the most challenging aspect of working from home?

The biggest challenge is getting things done.

The flexibility of working from a place that your boss is not around, and you are in charge of organizing your time as you won't come with a lot of temptations too:

  • Staying longer in bed.
  • Working from the couch.
  • Watching Netflix.
  • Doing any non-work-related stuff can consume our time and lead to low results.

It requires discipline to get rid of the distractions and concentrate at work when nobody is close to you, in person, telling you to do that.


Want to work remotely like Juliana? We recommend going over the list of top remote companies allowing work from home. Facing issues searching for a remote job and not knowing where to look?

We have the latest remote jobs posted in various categories to help you. Also, learn how to write the perfect resume and cover letter for a remote job. Finally, join like-minded people in our LinkedIn and Facebook community.