Remote Job Search Guide: Paid Media Positions

Looking to land a remote paid media job? Here's what you need to know:

Common roles: Paid Search/Social Manager, Programmatic Specialist, Ad Ops Specialist, Digital Media Buyer
Salaries range from $62,000 to $145,000 depending on the position
Key skills: Platform expertise, data analysis, strategic thinking, remote work proficiency
Must-have job materials: Tailored resume, portfolio with case studies, proof of remote work abilities
Where to find jobs: Specialized job boards, company websites, freelance platforms
Interview prep: Set up a professional space, showcase your skills, be ready to discuss salary

To boost your chances:

Highlight remote work experience and certifications
Use numbers to quantify your achievements
Create a website portfolio with 3-5 top campaigns
Master remote work tools like Zoom and Asana
Track your applications and follow up professionally
Evaluate job offers carefully, considering more than just salary

Ready to start your search? Polish your materials, target remote-friendly job boards, and stay up-to-date with industry trends. With the right approach, you can score a great remote paid media position from anywhere.

Getting Your Job Materials Ready

Let's talk about prepping your job application for remote paid media positions. You need three things: a killer resume, a portfolio that pops, and proof you can rock the remote work life.

Writing Your Resume

Your resume is your foot in the door. For remote paid media jobs, you want to show off your digital ad skills and any remote work you've done.

Keep it short and sweet. One page is ideal, two max if you've got tons of experience. Use bullet points to make it easy to scan.

If you've worked remotely before, flaunt it. Put "Remote" right under your job title:

Digital Sales Manager | Jan 2020 - PresentABC International, Remote

Numbers talk. Use them to show what you've achieved:

Boosted client campaign ROI by 35% through smart budget moves
Managed $500,000 monthly ad spend on Google and Facebook, slashing cost per acquisition by 25%

Got certifications? Show 'em off. Google Ads, Facebook Blueprint, HubSpot Content Marketing - they all prove you know your stuff.

For skills, focus on what matters for remote work:

Digital ad platforms (Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, DSPs)
Data analysis and reporting
Project management tools (Asana, Trello)
Virtual communication (Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Teams)

Creating Your Portfolio

A solid portfolio can make you stand out. Here's how to make yours shine:

Build a website. Use something like Wix or Squarespace - they're easy to use and look great.

Pick your best work. Show 3-5 case studies of your top campaigns. For each one, explain:

What the client wanted
Your game plan
What you did
What happened (with real numbers)

Here's an example:

Case Study: E-commerce Client XYZ

Goal: Boost online sales by 30% in Q4 2022 Plan: Multi-channel approach with Google Shopping, Facebook Dynamic Ads, and programmatic display Result: 42% sales increase, 22% lower cost per acquisition

Show different types of campaigns:

Paid search
Social media ads
Programmatic display
Video ads

If you worked in a team, make it clear what you did.

Add some love from happy clients or coworkers:

"Sarah's strategy for our paid media campaigns brought in 50% more qualified leads in just three months." - John Doe, Marketing Director at Tech Startup Inc.

Remote Work Abilities

Show them you've got what it takes to work from anywhere:

List the tools you know:

Video calls: Zoom, Google Meet
Project management: Asana, Trello, Monday.com
Team chat: Slack, Microsoft Teams
Time tracking: RescueTime, Toggl

Don't forget soft skills:

Self-motivation
Great communication (writing and talking)
Time management
Adaptability and problem-solving

If you can, throw in examples of remote projects you've nailed.

Where to Find Remote Jobs

Looking for remote paid media jobs? Here's where to start your search.

Paid Media Job Websites

Specialized job boards are your best bet. Check out Paid Media Jobs (paidmediajobs.com). It's all about paid search, social, and programmatic advertising.

What's cool about Paid Media Jobs?

It's remote-focused
You can set up job alerts
Employers can feature job posts
There's a resume database for employers

FlexJobs is another great option. They've got over 100,000 work-from-home listings across 50+ categories. Plus, they pre-screen jobs to save you time and headaches.

Finding the Right Companies

When job hunting, look at both agencies and in-house roles. Here are some top companies known for remote paid media jobs:

Horizon Media: Adweek and AdAge's U.S. Media Agency of the Year. Media buyers there make about $68,109 on average.
GroupM: These guys manage over $63B in annual media investment. Big player.
UM Worldwide: They've got 130+ offices worldwide. Media buyers there average $88,717.

Want the big bucks? Keep an eye on:

Bloomberg: Media buyers there make around $102,997 (median).
Yahoo: Similar roles there pay about $94,004 (median).

Freelance Options

Interested in freelancing? Try these platforms:

1. Upwork

It's a top spot for connecting businesses with freelancers worldwide.

2. We Work Remotely

They've been around for over a decade. You'll find various remote job categories, including marketing and paid media.

3. Working Nomads

You can subscribe to email updates for new job postings in your field. Pretty handy.

Getting Ready for Remote Interviews

Remote interviews are now the go-to in digital advertising. With 82% of employers using them and 93% planning to keep it up, you need to nail your virtual interview game. Here's how to crush your next paid media position interview from your home office.

Setting Up Your Space

First impressions count, even online. Make your backdrop look pro:

Pick a quiet spot
Face a window or use a lamp in front of you
Test your tech 10 minutes before the call

Anastasia Pshegodskaya from Remote says: "On Zoom, you're juggling your answers and potential tech hiccups."

Pro tip: Use a laptop, not your phone. It looks better and keeps things steady.

Showing Your Skills

In paid media, you need to prove you can crunch numbers and craft killer strategies. Here's how:

Have 2-3 case studies ready with real numbers
Be ready to show off your ad platform skills
Know the latest industry buzz

Scott Entwistle from Remote adds: "I love when candidates come with questions. It shows me how they think."

Talking Money

Salary talk can be awkward, especially online. Here's how to handle it:

Know the going rates for remote paid media jobs
Show how you'll boost ROI
Ask about perks like flexible hours or home office budgets

When you talk pay, be confident but open. Remember, you're building a relationship, not just haggling over numbers.

Organizing Your Job Search

Looking for remote paid media jobs can feel like a full-time job itself. But don't worry - with a smart strategy, you can keep your search on track and boost your odds of landing that perfect role.

Tracking Your Applications

First things first: keep tabs on where you've applied. A simple spreadsheet can work wonders. Include these key details:

Company name
Job title
Application date
Status
Follow-up dates
Contact person
Notes

This way, you won't lose sight of any opportunities.

Sarah, a paid search specialist, used this method to apply to 50 jobs in a month. She scored interviews with 10 companies and landed a gig at a top digital agency.

Pro tip: Use Google Sheets. It's free, accessible anywhere, and easy to update on the go.

Following Up

Don't let your application vanish into the void. A well-timed follow-up shows you're serious and keeps you on the employer's radar.

Here's a solid game plan:

Wait 1-2 weeks after applying
Send a short, professional email reiterating your interest
If no response, follow up once more after another week

Here's a template to get you started:

Subject: Following up on [Job Title] ApplicationDear [Hiring Manager's Name],I hope this email finds you well. I'm writing to follow up on my application for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], which I submitted on [Date].I'm excited about the opportunity to bring my skills in [relevant skills] to your team. I'd love to discuss how my experience aligns with your needs.Please let me know if you need any additional information from me.Thank you for your time and consideration.Best regards,[Your Name]

Emily Crowley, a Career Advisor, suggests: "Avoid following up on Mondays and Fridays, as these are often the busiest days of the week."

Reviewing Job Offers

When that offer finally lands in your inbox, take a breath and evaluate it carefully. Consider these factors:

Compensation: How does the salary stack up? Use sites like Glassdoor to compare.
Benefits: Look beyond the paycheck. Remote work perks, health insurance, and professional development can add serious value.
Growth potential: Can you see yourself moving up in this role?
Company culture: Does it match your values? For remote roles, how do they keep the team connected?
Work-life balance: What are the expectations for availability and working hours?

Jim Clifton, Gallup CEO, says: "The single biggest decision you make in your job – bigger than all the rest – is who you name manager." So, pay attention to your potential boss during the interview process.

Don't be shy about negotiating. At the offer stage, you've got the most leverage. If something doesn't quite fit, speak up professionally. Remember, many aspects of a job offer are on the table, not just salary.

Next Steps

Now that you've got the basics down, it's time to kick off your remote paid media job hunt. Here's what to do:

Polish Your Materials

Give your resume and portfolio a makeover. Show off your remote work chops and your knack for digital ad platforms. Got a win under your belt, like boosting a client's ROI by 35%? Put that front and center.

Target Your Search

Zero in on remote-friendly job boards like FlexJobs. Keep an eye out for telltale phrases like "virtual job", "work from home", or "distributed workforce." These are your golden tickets to truly remote gigs.

Ace Virtual Interviews

Set the stage with a pro-looking backdrop and double-check your tech. Remember, you're juggling your answers and potential tech hiccups on Zoom. Be ready to talk about your skills and experiences with confidence.

Follow Up (But Don't Pester)

After applying or interviewing, give it a week or two before you ping them. A quick, professional email to reiterate your interest is all you need. Don't go overboard - you want to show interest, not desperation.

Stay in the Loop

Keep your finger on the pulse of industry trends and platform updates. This knowledge will give you an edge in interviews and on the job. Follow some paid media gurus on LinkedIn or sign up for industry newsletters to stay sharp.