Since digital nomads are becoming more commonplace, more types and subtypes of location-independent work are springing up. And one such type is the corporate nomad. Many blogs and op-eds believe that this type of nomadism might even become the dominant form of digital nomadism one day. But what is it exactly and how hard is it to become one?
What is a corporate nomad?
To put it simply, corporate nomads are location-independent workers employed full-time or part-time by corporate entities. The major difference between a corporate nomad and a classic digital nomad is that nomadism used to be focused primarily on freelancers and entrepreneurs. But after the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns, many companies have realized there is no reason why they shouldn’t offer full-time positions to location-independent workers.
Part-time workers are also sometimes included in the definition since there are some part-time jobs, especially in richer countries, that might result in a salary comparable to many second and third-world countries. In a sense, it is the fact that a nomad is tied to a single company that is the major difference.
How to get a job as a corporate nomad?
With the rise in remote working across the world, there really has never been a better time to be a corporate nomad than now. Many job listings already offer their positions as either hybrid or fully remote, especially in the fields of IT, teaching, writing, visual design, audio and video editing, and so on. Basically, it no longer matters so much if you work on the computer at home or in an office.
If you apply for a job opening that lists remote work as one of its perks, make sure to ask about it at the interview as well. While many companies will boast fully-remote work, it is common to find out they still retain rights to ask you to go to the office twice a month, attend important meetings, or they actually mean hybrid work which entails several days a week in the office. So being upfront about your location independence is key.
Focus on your skills
Like in any interview process, you need to be able to show your future employer that you are able to do quality work on time without in-person supervision. If you have done any freelance work, say so. If you haven’t, explain to the interviewer how you managed work during the lockdowns. Experience is always a good sign that you know what such a type of work entails.
Similarly, show your employer that you know the benefits but also the pitfalls of remote work. Discuss online management tools and communication channels openly, tell them how you plan on resolving difficult situations, and talk about how you want to communicate with your colleagues on a daily basis. When your employer sees that you know the possible difficulties of remote work and that you are ready to meet them, they will be more likely to hire you as a corporate worker.
