How to Kickstart a Career as a Digital Nomad


More people are working remotely than ever before. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to government restrictions on peoples’ movements, the number of employees working from home had rapidly increased in recent years. According to research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), approximately 1.7 million people in the UK spend most of their time working from home, and 8.7 million people were home-based for some of their working weeks. 

Remote working is more common in some industries and job roles than others, but the outbreak of COVID-19 has led to a widespread change in working practices with 40% of employees still home-based nine months after the first confirmed cases of the virus in the UK. Both employers and employees are beginning to appreciate the benefits of a remote working system — reduced overheads, no commuting, increased productivity — and they’re keen for these new arrangements to last. 

For employees, remote working opens up new possibilities, from travelling the world to spending more time with the family. If you’ve had your first taste of flexible working from home and are eager to learn how to kickstart a career as a digital nomad, read on for our top tips.

Review Your Skills and Experience

Technologies and working practices are advancing and making it increasingly possible to work from anywhere with a solid internet connection. However, you need the right skills and experience to set yourself up for a successful career as a digital nomad.

Are you confident using a range of technologies and adapting to new platforms? Freelancers often have to use the software chosen by their client, so they need to be quick at getting to grips with new systems. Does your preferred career lend itself to remote working? The coronavirus pandemic has forced many industries to develop new ways of working that allow face-to-face services to be delivered online. For example, exercise instructors and teachers now routinely provide classes via the internet. But some roles just won’t work on an entirely remote basis because of the need to interact directly with people (such as social work) or to inspect and quality check products (such as health and safety inspectors). Take a look at job sites dedicated to remote working vacancies for an idea of what’s possible. 

Assess Your Finances

Many people dream of becoming a digital nomad so that they can travel the world while earning an income. If this is your goal, it’s a good idea to build a contingency fund before jetting off. You’ll need a decent savings pot to fund travel costs and cover gaps in employment — if you’re just starting as a freelancer, it can take time to build a regular stream of income. If you’re lucky enough to have bagged a full-time contracted role with a remote company, it still makes sense to have a financial back-up plan in place. If your job situation changes and you’re in a country where you don’t speak the language or where unemployment levels are high, getting a new job will take time. 

For those that are committed to a career as a digital nomad long-term, building a nest egg can be a relatively quick process. Selling any assets or possessions that tie you to a conventional life will give you the financial and psychological freedom to start your new adventure. For most people, the largest chunk of their savings is tied up in property. A cash house buyer can complete the sale of your home in as little as seven days, leaving you free to set off into the sunset! 

Start an Online Business

If your current employer won’t entertain the possibility of a fully remote role or your job is not suited to flexible working, start an online business and you can set all the rules! It’s unlikely you’ll start making a full-time income immediately, but you can build the business gradually while continuing in your full-time role. 

Consider your skills and experience, check out successful online businesses, and identify any gaps in the market or consumer needs you can fulfil. There are plenty of free courses and videos that will help equip you with the necessary online business and marketing skills for success. Set clear objectives and milestones to help you achieve your digital nomad ambition in a timescale that suits you. 

If starting a business from scratch is too intimidating or time-consuming, consider buying an existing online business or moving yours online. 

This is an exciting time for wannabe digital nomads. Never before has the business world been so technologically advanced and willing to embrace new ways of working. With a little planning and preparation, anybody can be successful while working remotely. It may take a little time to upskill, establish a business or save the funds you need to break away from your current role, but in the long-term, a career as a digital nomad could offer you that elusive work-life balance we all crave.