Lorraine Otieno is a holder of an accounting degree and a remote worker based in Kenya. For her, it took three years to realize that accounting was not her thing. By this time, she had completed her CPA to level 3.
After Lorraine graduated as an accountant, she enrolled for a Master’s in Human Resources (HR) and secured her first job at Mabati Rolling Mills. After working for 6 months, she started looking for another job. One chilling evening, as she was scrolling through her TikTok, she came across a remote job vlog and applied. In three days, they got back to her.
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“I worked for Mabati Dumuzaz Company for six years from July 2015 as HR. I started applying for other jobs. One great evening, as I was scrolling through TikTok, I learned about remote jobs from a foreign vlogger’s post, and I applied. Three days later, they responded to my request.”
Lorraine went through five rounds of interviews before she could be offered a position. Her first company was Superside for the position of Senior Care People Specialist, which is equivalent to a human resources post in Kenya. Being a novice in the game, she was a bit skeptical about tendering her resignation at Mabati Company, but a workmate calmed her fears.
“The interview was intense, five rounds of research, presenting, and doing projects. It was a lot of work, but I finally landed the job. I was a bit skeptical about resigning from my permanent and pensionable job, but a workmate eased my tension and fears,” she says.
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Lorraine notes that remote jobs pay well in dollars through PayPal, although she warns those who wish to work remotely to avoid companies that promise stocks in return for their services. “Remote jobs offer good money; what they pay is above the Kenya market rate. I went from earning Ksh160,000 per month to $3000 (over Ksh300,000) net income. But those who opt for remote work should avoid any other form of reward for their services apart from money.”
Lorraine, a successful remote worker, adds that there are red flags in the remote job market, and one should avoid applying for jobs meant for specific regions. When hired on the spot or asked to send money, that’s another red flag.
“Just like in Kenya, jobs are very competitive. Before you get a job, the interview process is rigorous. If you are hired on the spot or asked for training money, it’s a red flag.”
Lorraine, in an interview, encourages Kenyans to apply for remote jobs due to their flexibility and recommends websites like her BeyondTheSavannah.co.ke, WeWorkRemotely, WorkingNomads.com, JustRemote.com, and Remote.co for those who wish to try their luck at remote work.
“There is opportunity,” she says, “16 percent of companies globally are fully remote, meaning they have no headquarters or permanent structures. From form four leavers to those with tech backgrounds, anyone can do remote jobs, and they pay well.”
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