Hi, I’m Carlos Silva, Senior Content Writer at Semrush and LinkedIn Top Voice for remote work. I’m a content marketer with over 10 years of experience spanning both in-house and agency roles. My expertise encompasses content strategy, SEO, and content creation.
Describe how you work in 10 words or less.
I live for non-linear workdays.
Tell us a little bit about your background & how you got started with remote work.
It was unintentional, really. Before the pandemic and before I even knew “remote work” was a thing. I had been laid off due to downsizing and desperately needed a job. My thought was “I can also work in English,” so I started looking for jobs in the US and Canada. That’s how I landed my first gig at a Canadian SEO agency.
Take us through your typical weekday.
I’m a dad of three, so priorities for me are school drop off and pick up. I usually get up really early to try and get some work done. Then, as kids start waking up I’ll “switch off” and get into dad mode.
After drop off I’ll do some deep work. Get a midday workout in. And then pick up and park after school. Then, I’ll likely do some more light work at night after kids are asleep.
What’s your workspace setup like?
Nothing crazy. Like I said, dad of three, crowded house. Sometimes it’s laptop in the living room, other times coffee shop, other times a two-screen setup for deep work and meetings.
What apps, gadgets, or tools can’t you live without?
My phone and my computer. Apps probably Google Suite and Slack.
Aside: Find out more about common remote tools and gears used by remote workers.
How do you stay focused on your tasks?
It isn’t easy for me. I swear I have undiagnosed ADD. But I’m really self-aware so I’ve realized my best hours are in the morning. The earlier the better. So I’ll prioritize work around that. If I’m finding it really hard, I’ll set times for 30-45 minutes of work and take frequent breaks.
How do you keep track of what you need to prioritize?
Nothing crazy. To-do list on my Google Calendar most likely.
How do you recharge or take a break?
Like I said. I try to take frequent breaks. The mid-day workout is great for this. And sometimes I’ll just take a walk and go get some specialty coffee. That always helps.
Advice for someone who is looking to switch to a remote job?
Get your priorities straight. Niche down. Ask for help. Network (not DMs but make meaningful connections through comments)
Aside: Learn the skills required to land a remote job
What working remotely really means to you?
Freedom.
How should one go about finding and getting a remote job?
Follow leaders in the space who share helpful/useful posts. But also don’t go crazy. There’s a lot of mixed advice out there. Give your current advice a shot (and give it time) before trying other things out.
What qualities would you recommend are a must-have for a person seeking a remote job?
A lot of self-awareness, good communication skills, and independence.
What is the most challenging aspect of working from home?
This is very different for everyone. For me it’s finding a workspace where I can fully concentrate. If I’m finding it hard at home I’ll go to a coworking space or a coffee shop. And that helps get me out of the funk.
What, according to you, are the pros and cons of remote work?
Few cons, really. But probably home distractions, isolation, maybe communication issues.
Pros: freedom, flexibility, life-work balance, increased productivity.
Want to work remotely like Carlos? If you are searching for a remote job, go through these common questions remote workers usually ask.
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