If we’ve learned anything from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s that the Internet provides quite a bit of freedom for so many of us to consider remote work. As a result of quarantine restrictions earlier last year, there’s been a tremendous increase in remote work in Singapore. Virtual meetings on Zoom and Google Hangouts, as well as the rapid evolution of collaborative workspaces makes it more convenient than ever for people to work online.
Even before the pandemic confined much of the world to quarantine, tech-friendly Singapore has been a favorite destination for digital nomads, and that trend is likely to continue. Remote work positions offer the flexibility for employees to travel, work on their own schedule (within reasonable limits), and the ability to have much more input on their work-life balance. These top 20 remote work positions will barely begin to scratch the surface of the available remote jobs.
90% of Singaporean citizens would prefer to continue to work-from-home after all restrictions have been lifted because of the liberty that remote work provides. With many virtual options, a lengthy commute no longer looks attractive. Parents enjoy the chance to connect and spend more time with their children instead.
There are still plenty of challenges to working remotely. Fortunately, most of them can be resolved with some straightforward communication surrounding your work expectations and commitment. This post will highlight some of the ways to prepare yourself for this new and exciting experience and inform you of some of the best jobs for remote work in Singapore.
These positions run the gamut from tech jobs working with computers, IT, and security to training, digital media, marketing, data analysts, or web design. Companies are open to hiring people from all over the world in a genuinely global job market for the first time. Hopefully, you’ll find something on this list that you’d like to pursue.
What are the pros and cons of remote work?
Ultimately, it may take some effort, at least initially, to settle comfortably into remote work. The better you understand how to work productively and what you can contribute to each role, the better you will fit into your new job. Here are some of the most frequently listed pros and cons of remote work:
Pros
1. Flexibility
Remote work means that you can often work from anywhere, as long as you can access the internet to fulfill your responsibilities. Even if you don’t decide to travel and choose to simply work from the comfort of your own home, you have the ability to have full control of your space. What’s more comfortable than taking a lunch break in your own kitchen or taking your dog for a quick walk between conference calls?
After managing the initial move to remote work and figuring out how to deal with the changing dynamics of work-from-home positions, many parents report that they enjoy the additional time they get to spend with their families. Parents, especially with young children, seem to find that the trade-off between dealing with the challenges of working from home are worth it when you get to actively watch your children grow up.
Depending on the position, you may enjoy the freedom to work on your own schedule. If that’s the case, you can set your own hours and plan how you work. If your goal is to transition towards even more freedom by freelancing, you can arrange your schedule to accommodate that.
2. Personal Discipline
If you don’t do the work required of you, then you won’t stay at your remote work job for long. Consequently, it’ll require that you develop a new type of self-discipline that will benefit you in other areas, too. So no, you can’t constantly succumb to binging the latest Netflix series, even though your couch may be close by.
You’ll learn how to make decisions independently, avoid distractions, and find proactive solutions to all types of problems. Coincidentally, these are all types of leadership skills that many admire in successful entrepreneurs. More than 90% of employers recently surveyed report that remote workers are more productive, regularly submitting some of their best, most inspired work while working outside of the office.
3. Saves Money
Put the money that you’d spend commuting to the office or going to lunch with your coworkers back into your pocket when you work-from-home. There’s no need to buy an expensive wardrobe either since you won’t be heading to the office around the same group of coworkers.
Apart from the expense of furnishing and maintaining your workspace, remote work tends to be more affordable for many. Even better, remote work saves time if you manage your time effectively and stay productive. You can do more of what you want to if you’re walking to your home office instead of spending hours in traffic going back and forth from the office.
Cons
1. More difficulties with communication
Many companies resisted remote work before the pandemic because it can be difficult to keep everyone on the same page. While many remote positions are asynchronous (you can work on your own time), some require that you collaborate in real-time. If you are in a different time zone from your teammates, you might need to make some changes to your schedule. Most employees and employers report that it may take a little bit to adjust to new remote settings but that it’s an enjoyable experience after you settle in.
Thankfully, tremendous advances in collaborative tools can make this transition more manageable, and there are more than enough ways to instantly stay in touch and work together. As long as you, your boss, and your coworkers are clear about your expectations, you’ll be able to overcome the challenges associated with not being physically present in the same workspace. Just prepare to be patient and understanding with each other as you start working together.
2. Social Isolation
The major drawback of leaving the office is that you miss out on potential social interactions with your coworkers. Water cooler talk builds camaraderie, and over time, your social interactions can become an essential part of working together. Many people report that working remotely can compound feelings of isolation. Unfortunately, this lack of in-person connection can also yield fewer professional social connections. This may make it difficult to network, especially if you plan to look for other opportunities in the future.
Humans are social creatures, so plan to incorporate other social opportunities to avoid feeling socially isolated. Without the social interaction of the office, you might find yourself under additional, unnecessary stress. Some suggestions include joining a gym or finding a group of hobbyists that you enjoy associating with. It’s important to prioritize activities that you enjoy so you don’t get burnt out.
3. Additional Responsibilities
You may have to do more to support your remote work than you would in a conveniently curated office setup. Of course, you can decorate your space to your own tastes to optimize your comfort and productivity.
The other side of complete control of your working environment is that working on the internet may require you to independently step up your internet security. Acquiring a VPN, for example, may be something that you have to organize. Also, if you work for a company in a different country, there may be legal hurdles that you need to deal with. Still, the right role makes figuring out these initial challenges worth it in the long run.
What are the best jobs for remote work in Singapore?
There’s a wide range of remote careers available to citizens of Singapore with a pretty expansive range of offerings. Here are 20 top positions that are currently in high demand. They would each make excellent remote work opportunities for Singapore citizens:
- Web developers or web designers are prime candidates for remote work. Designing and optimizing websites is of increasing importance as online activities continue to boom due to the pandemic, and related tasks can be completed at any time and anywhere. These individuals are responsible for taking a client’s vision and turning it into a website.
Anticipated Salary: S$35,000-S$71,000 per year
Browse Web Developer Jobs & Web Designer Jobs on GrabJobs - Software Developers can work very well remotely since the main requirement to build software is a secure, stable internet connection. These positions continue to enjoy hiring surges as companies move online and new software needs and requirements arise.
Anticipated Salary: S$50,000-S$96,0000 per year Browse Software Development Jobs on GrabJobs - Software engineers are also in high demand. They can work-from-anywhere to engineer creative design solutions in this robust field. Since they are more concerned with the overall, big picture of the design rather than the specific ways that it functions, these positions tend to command a high salary.
Anticipated Salary: S$106,000 per year Browse Software Engineer Jobs on GrabJobs - Virtual Assistants are needed continuously to manage a variety of spaces. Personal virtual assistants can help keep an executive’s schedule and routinely handle tasks that smooth the workflow. To fulfill these positions, expect that you’ll need to be organized and good at multi-tasking.
Anticipated Salary: S$25,000 Browse Virtual Assistant Jobs on GrabJobs - E-commerce Specialists are the real heroes of this pandemic as online shopping reaches record heights due to stay-at-home orders worldwide. Outside of handling the physical product, there are several remote opportunities. Marketing managers, who organize content and develop an online marketing strategy, in particular, are in demand.
Anticipated Salary: S$31,000-S$144,000 per year Browse E-commerce Specialist Jobs on GrabJobs - Copywriters work well remotely and often have a great deal of control over their schedules. They regularly produce blog content or product descriptions for online companies. With a quiet space to write and an internet connection to submit their work, copywriters can work from anywhere with ease.
Anticipated Salary: S$25,000-S$63,000 per year Browse Copywriting Jobs on GrabJobs - Editors are responsible for overseeing a variety of creative endeavors. Thankfully, they can structure written or visual work and adhere to stylistic guides from anywhere to work remotely.
Anticipated Salary: S$60,000 per year Browse Editor Jobs on GrabJobs - Cybersecurity specialists are now needed more than ever as so many activities have gone digital. These computer scientists aren’t tied to a physical workspace as long as they can participate virtually. The pandemic has led to a rise in cyber-attacks and an increased number of hackers. As companies make plans to remain virtual indefinitely, these positions will need to be filled.
Anticipated Salary: up to S$113,000 Browse Cybersecurity Specialist Jobs on GrabJobs - Artificial Intelligence (AI) specialists are among some of the most sought-after technological consultants as they continue to make companies more efficient and save them money. They can efficiently work remotely online.
Anticipated Salary: S$54,000-S$173,000 per year Browse AI Specialist Jobs on GrabJobs - Digital marketers work to optimize SEO and facilitate community engagement in online forums and communities. Since their work is entirely online, this translates easily into remote possibilities.
Anticipated Salary: S$44,000 per year or more Browse Digital Marketer Jobs on GrabJobs - Customer service or customer support representatives communicate with clients or customers over the phone or via email, so they are ideal remote positions.
Anticipated Salary: S$33,000-S$61,000 Browse Customer Service Jobs on GrabJobs - Sales representatives are responsible for selling products or services and relating to their customers. These roles have transitioned seamlessly online, with sales and negotiations easily moving into virtual territory.
Anticipated Salary: S$55,000 per year Browse Sales Jobs on GrabJobs - Transcribers are needed in many fields, from medical transcription to legal transcription. As long as you are good at typing, you can transcribe with a bit of training from any location.
Anticipated Salary: S$50,000 per year Browse Transcribing Jobs on GrabJobs - Translators are required to keep information flowing smoothly as companies expand beyond traditional borders and embrace a global workforce. Added competencies, like a medical or technical background, will earn higher wages.
Anticipated Salary: S$70,000 per year Browse Translating Jobs on GrabJobs - Tutors to support online learning around the world are essential. With a video camera and an internet connection, you can do this job anywhere. ESL tutors are always in high demand, but as students continue to virtually attend school, so are tutors in several other disciplines.
Anticipated Salary: S$25,000 to S$40,000 per year Browse Tutoring Jobs on GrabJobs - Graphic designers can work independently, which is the perfect remote opportunity. Take on independent design projects or join collaborative teams that ensure you work consistently with the same companies. Though it requires creativity and can be high-pressure, graphic designers can perform their duties anywhere.
Anticipated Salary: S$50,000 per year Browse Graphic Designer Jobs on GrabJobs - Social Media consultants have excellent marketing skills and a deep understanding of how social media operates. Depending on the job requirements, you may be able to take on more than one client while working remotely. Social media consultants manage posts, moderate comments, and engage with followers on various platforms so they can work-from-anywhere.
Anticipated Salary: S$26,000 per year Browse Social Media Jobs on GrabJobs - Data analysts and statisticians easily work from home to compile and analyze data for different sectors.
Anticipated Salary: S$85,000 per year Browse Data Analyst Jobs on GrabJobs - Accountants are always necessary. They can work-from-anywhere maintaining financial records, preparing tax forms, and producing essential reports. To this, they just require an internet connection and secure access to the appropriate software.
Anticipated Salary: S$70,000 per year Browse Accounting Jobs on GrabJobs
Browse - Management consultants, also called management analysts, used to do much of their work interviewing personnel and observing business functions in person. Thanks to the shift to virtual conferencing, that work can now take place remotely.
Anticipated salary: S$85,000 per year Browse Management Consultant Jobs on GrabJobs
What are the top remote-first companies hiring now?
Here are the top 10 remote-first companies that are hiring employees from around the world. While some of these firms are newer, others have long embraced this trend. That extensive remote experience can make them very easy to work for.
- GitLab is a collaborative, open-source platform that helps users rapidly leap from an idea to a fully-functioning product. Their primary purpose is to consolidate the entire process of software development.
- Aha works specifically with product and project management and development strategy. They are billed as a complete product management suite, perfect for building products that their customers love.
- Greenback Expat Tax Services work to provide tax services for US citizens who live and work abroad. They work to unravel complex international tax structures.
- Zapier connects web apps and automates tedious tasks to create more efficient processes. Their work is in high demand due to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
- Toptal is an intermediary company that essentially functions as a labor marketplace to match freelancers with startup organizations. Many of the opportunities for Toptal are for Silicon Valley companies.
- Ulatus provides translation services in English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Indian, Korean, Portuguese, and more than 50 other languages. Their goal is to promote globalization by operating in more than 125 countries.
- Percona is a computer software development company that provides training, support, and consulting services in addition to streamlining open-source database efficiencies.
- Coalition Technologies works with web design and digital marketing to service their online clients remotely.
- Clevertech works to facilitate successful product launches, including apps that run on iOS and Android, the web, and blockchain enterprise applications.
- Automattic primarily focuses on web design, including WordPress functions and more. They are routinely hiring new designers and developers to accommodate the high demand for their services.xt
How can I find remote work in Singapore?
There are tons of ways to find remote work in Singapore. Here are some of the most popular ways to find these opportunities:
Online Job Boards
Local Job Sites
Freelance Websites
Freelance work is also an appealing way to begin working remotely. Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, The Chat Shop, Freelance Zone, Freelancer.com, and PeoplePerHour, are a great way to build your own client base.
Though entrepreneurship is daunting to some, the freelance approach gives you lots of freedom in where and how you work. Moving to remote work gives you a taste of the freedom and flexibility you can enjoy working on your own. You can often accommodate freelance work on the side if you manage your time well. Remote work can even facilitate the transition to working for yourself by working on the leadership skills that successful entrepreneurs must employ to start their own businesses.
Conclusion
The pandemic was an efficient experiment that pushed the world to embrace remote work in a way that many people never even thought possible. Thankfully, employers found that employees thrived when given the time and space to make decisions about their work. They overwhelmingly reported that productivity increased as workers shifted to work-from-home environments despite previous apprehensions.
Before the coronavirus, adventurous people embraced remote work on a limited scale. Digital nomads traveled freely, submitting work virtually, as they were, thanks to the internet’s reach, able to work-from-anywhere. Still, there are several challenges with remote work that you should take into account as you begin looking for a remote job.
The main challenge is integrating into your collaborative space. Asynchronous spaces give you quite a bit of control of how and when you complete your tasks. Still, if you need to work in tandem with your team members, you might find yourself working at odd times to account for time zone differences. As you find your new role’s rhythm, expect that you will need to communicate clearly with your managers and team members. Learning about the expectations and responsibilities of your role is critical for you to settle into your new work environment.
Regardless of the role you choose, there are several job openings for remote work, especially for highly-skilled and technology-oriented positions. If any of the job descriptions listed above will suit your skillset, many firms, including those listed here, now work almost entirely remotely. Given the current economic environment, they will continue to experience exponential growth and the hiring surges that come with it.
