Digital Nomad Careers

The thing I've found most helpful in contract negotiation meetings came from my first job ever - telefundraising. As an introvert, cold calling was a nightmare. But it was tolerable because they'd give us a little folder with scripts that we could use whenever we faced objections.   In case it helps, here are some of the scripts that I use to deal with common situations in negotiation meetings:   1️⃣ It's not clear what the other party's true concerns are "Let's step away from the drafting for a second. Are there any specific concerns that you have? If so, we can try and address those issues." 2️⃣ The discussion is getting sidetracked by ancillary issues "These are good points but I'm just mindful of the time we have for this meeting. Can we get through the core issues first and come back to these afterwards?" 3️⃣ When I don't have an immediate answer "That's a good question. I don't have the answer right now so let me take this one away and I'll get back to you after the meeting." 4️⃣ There's a deadlock on a point "I don't think we're making much progress on this in isolation. If we are able to get closer to your position on this, would you be willing to move closer to us on [another point]?" 5️⃣ The other party makes an unreasonable demand "I understand where you're coming from, but that particular solution doesn't work for us. Can we run through some alternatives that we think might work for both of us?" 6️⃣ The other party seems to be wrong about a point "There might be some misunderstanding on this. Could you please show us how you think this mechanism works and then we'll explain how we see it working?" 7️⃣ Something in the contract doesn't seem like it'd work in real life "I'm not sure the drafting is right in this clause. Can we please walk through how you picture this process working in practice?" What's your approach to contract negotiations? Do you have any scripts that you use? ------------ Btw, if you're a junior lawyer looking for practical career advice - check out the free how-to guides on my website. You can also stay updated by sending a connection / follow. #lawyers #contractnegotiation #lawstudents #legalprofession

When I started drafting contracts for international clients, I made a checklist that I still rely on today. Sharing it with you because it truly saves time, errors, and embarrassment: 1️⃣ Title Make it clear, industry-recognized, and aligned with the relationship. 2️⃣ Recitals This is the story behind the contract. When written well, it removes 80% of future confusion. 3️⃣ Definitions Your in-house glossary. One well-defined term can prevent an entire dispute. 4️⃣ Scope of Work (SOW) Who will do what, how, when, and with what deliverables. If something goes wrong, this is the first clause everyone opens. 5️⃣ Term & Termination Start date, end date, renewal, and exit routes—because no contract should trap either party. 6️⃣ Payment Terms Amount, timeline, taxes, milestones, late fees. Include everything. 7️⃣ Confidentiality Protect what must not be shared. Especially in founder–freelancer or startup–consultant relationships. 8️⃣ IP Rights Don’t assume ownership. Write it. Highlight it. Reconfirm it. 9️⃣ Liability & Indemnity Your risk-management heartbeat. Saves clients from unnecessary surprises. 🔟 Governing Law & Dispute Resolution Because knowing where a fight will happen is half the battle. If not structured properly, you might end up losing more in travel than in litigation fees. I hope this helps you draft with more confidence and fewer mistakes. I am attaching a more detailed document with this post that is downloadable. Happy learning! --------------------------- Hi, I'm Arshita, your legal mentor and compliance partner. I guide law students and legal professionals through mentorship and practical training, and I work with founders and startups to simplify contracts, compliance, and legal issues. If you are a law student or legal professional who needs guidance with internships, jobs, freelancing, or legal consultation, you can book a consultation call here: topmate.io/arshita_anand

Leaders think that global #diversity, #equity, and #inclusion work means imposing the same one-size-fits-all programs onto everyone and calling that progress. This couldn't be more wrong. Global work done right means ensuring the same HIGH STANDARDS for everyone, achieved by uniquely understanding the contexts different audiences operate in. Your workers in Mumbai should feel just as much a sense of fairness at work as your workers in Stockholm, Austin, and Lisbon do, even though their contexts couldn't be more different. Your workers in Perth should feel the same high level of respect at work as your workers in Istanbul, Osaka, and São Paulo do, even though their contexts couldn't be more different. How can any global organization achieve this? The answer is certainly not what most do at present, where "global DEI work" most often takes the form of a single centrally-produced event or program, often recorded in the US or occasionally the UK or EU, that later gets shared with other regions after the fact with subtitles in the corresponding language (if that). As if a US-based speaker talking about US issues could remove the unique barriers to equity and inclusion in a Latin American context, or offer guidance that meshes with East Asian workplace norms. Global organizations that do DEI work right set their goals from the top, then push decision making down into each region to solve their unique challenges in their unique contexts. The barriers to fairness in Mumbai are not the same barriers to fairness in Stockholm, Austin, and Lisbon. The barriers to respect in Perth are not the same barriers to respect in Istanbul, Osaka, and São Paulo. To remove those barriers and achieve high standards of thriving, success, and wellbeing, global companies MUST place the power and autonomy into leaders with expertise and skill creating change in their respective contexts, and embolden them to solve problems — even if their solutions may not appear to make sense at first glance to an outsider. The role of global leaders is not to prescribe solutions, but to articulate shared goals, craft a shared narrative for their importance to the business, and coordinate regional leadership to ensure that even as solutions might diverge, the focus on achieving high standards, and doing so according to the organization's values, does not waver. As it turns out, the most critical talent when it comes to global DEI work is NOT a brilliant global leader who understands a little bit about DEI work in every region, but instead many, many brilliant local leaders who understand everything there is to know about DEI work in their specific context. With the proper resourcing and support, it's these local leaders who will solve problems and reimagine workplaces in ways global executives could never imagine. The odds that your global organization has recognized this are low, and that needs to change.

If you're only using Indeed and LinkedIn, you're missing half the jobs out there. Here's where to look, organized by what actually works. THE BIG BOARDS (START HERE) INDEED - Still the biggest. Set up daily alerts. Apply directly on company sites when possible. LINKEDIN JOBS - Use filters and alerts. Easy Apply works well here. GLASSDOOR - Same jobs as Indeed but with salary data and reviews. Great for research. ZIPRECRUITER - Aggregates from multiple sources. One-click apply is convenient. AGGREGATORS GOOGLE JOBS - Search "jobs near me" or "[job title] jobs" and Google pulls from everywhere. Underrated. ADZUNA - Searches across boards and has a salary estimator tool. NICHE BOARDS BY INDUSTRY Tech: AngelList, Dice, Stack Overflow Jobs, We Work Remotely Creative: Behance, Mediabistro, Krop Remote: FlexJobs, Remote.co, Working Nomads, RemoteOK Nonprofits: Idealist, Work for Good Government: USAJobs, your state/city site Healthcare: Health eCareers, Nurse.com Education: HigherEdJobs, Chronicle, K12JobSpot Finance: eFinancialCareers, WallStreetOasis Niche boards often have positions that never make it to Indeed. COMPANY CAREER PAGES This is huge. Make a list of 20-30 companies you want to work for. Bookmark their career pages. Check weekly. Many post internally first. Set up Google Alerts for "[company name] careers" to get notified of new postings. RECRUITING AGENCIES (FREE) Robert Half, Aerotek, Kelly Services, Randstad, Insight Global. Google "[your industry] recruiters [your city]" for local ones. Send your resume but don't rely on them exclusively. LESSER-KNOWN TOOLS Jobot - Automated matching system CareerBuilder - Good for mid-level corporate roles Snagajob - Hourly work while you search Craigslist - Small businesses and startups Facebook Jobs - Local businesses use it YOUR DAILY SYSTEM Daily (15-20 min): Check Indeed and LinkedIn alerts Check top 5 company career pages Weekly (30-45 min): Browse 2-3 niche boards Check Google Jobs Reach out to one connection Monthly (1-2 hours): Update target company list Attend one networking event ACTION PLAN Set up alerts on Indeed and LinkedIn today Make your list of 20-30 target companies Find 2-3 niche boards for your industry Contact one recruiting agency Join one professional group Don't check 50 sites daily. That's exhausting. Use this system instead. A coach would charge you for this exact advice. I just saved you the fee. What job board has worked best for you?

📘Digital Nomads: Possibilities for a Regulatory Initiative I’m pleased to share a recent article I co-authored with Eleni De Becker and Evelien Timbermont, in which we explore the legal implications of the digital nomad lifestyle. Our contribution offers a cross-disciplinary analysis from the perspective of tax law, labour law, and social security law. 💡 Our research identifies three critical areas where further policy development and academic inquiry are needed: ➡️ Data gap: There is currently a lack of reliable data on digital nomads in or from Belgium—despite their potential impact on taxation and social security systems. Better data is essential for sound regulatory responses. ➡️Regulatory silence: To date, no specific legislative or policy measures have been adopted in Belgium to address the unique situation of digital nomads. In the absence of tailored provisions, only the general legal rules apply. This raises the question whether these are sufficiently equipped to deal with the complexities of mobile, cross-border work. ➡️Fragmentation across legal domains: The connecting factors used to determine jurisdiction vary across tax, labour, and social security law, resulting in legal uncertainty. 🌍 As digital nomadism continues to grow, Belgium—like many other jurisdictions—faces the question of whether and how to adapt its legal framework. We hope this article contributes to an informed and future-oriented discussion. 📘 Full citation: Eleni De Becker, Evelien Timbermont & Jean-Philippe Van West, “Digitale nomaden. Mogelijkheden voor een regelgevend initiatief”, NjW 2025, afl. 518, 194–209. #digitalnomads #taxlaw #labourlaw #socialsecuritylaw #vub #legalresearch #futureofwork

**🚀TO EVERYONE OUT THERE TRYING TO BUILD AN INTERNATIONAL CAREER: HERE ARE THE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF A 27 YEAR OLD AND A 72 YEAR OLD WOMEN IN TECH🚀** Conceição Zagalo was the first woman in the board of IBM where she spent 37 years of her career between Portugal, Vietnam, Mozambique and Cape Verde and last week we sat down with an audience of +400 people to discuss our international experiences. Conceição is one of my role models. She was the first woman in the board of IBM but she also served in the public sector apart from leading several NGOs. I know usually we don't disclose information like someone else's age but Conceição is proud to say she is 72 years old (having finished her MBA in Japan last year!). Which takes me to today's point: international careers have the power to expose us to people and challenges that shape us profoundly. I have been living abroad for the past 6 years but above all I have been exposed to international teams for the past 5 years and that has been shaping me profoundly. From having managers from different countries (France, Ireland, UK, Sweden, US), working in different geographies and markets to partnering with customers sitting all over - I have learned about the world without even visiting all those places. At the same time, facing challenges and many times solving problems at a global scale makes us more empathetic and has the power to accelerate our learning curve and eventually, growth and career. So this post was written thinking about everyone out there trying to build an international career (including 3 lessons learned I would love to know if I was about to started my international career - also, aren't we always just getting started?): #1 International careers have different shapes. After Covid it became possible to build an international career without having to relocate. I have many friends who stayed in Portugal and are building impressive European but also worldwide careers. If that is your choice I would start by making a list of companies where you would like to work & ask the people working there if that is a possibility. I am a huge advocate of trying (at least once in your life) to move to another country but if that is not your choice that is TOTALLY OK. #2 Kill your imposter syndrome (as Conceição says) and don't limit yourself. I mentor a lot people in the beginning of their careers and many times they tell me "I don't think I will make it". But let me tell you that interviews are not rocket science. The "secret" is: PREPARATION, PREPARATION, PREPARATION. The majority of resources are available online, you can use AI to help you prepare for interviews and even rehearsal it and people are one LinkedIn message away. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. #3 A "no" is not a "never". Do not give up if you receive a "no". Sometimes in life we need to get many "no's" until we get a "yes". If there is something I have learned with Conceição is that careers are a long term game - you have time.

As a founder travel is often a necessity, not a luxury. Whether it’s meeting investors, expanding into new markets or sourcing the best suppliers, being on the go is part of building a global brand. But here’s the challenge—how do you stay effective when your schedule, environment, and even time zones keep changing? Over the years, I’ve learned that working while traveling isn’t just about staying productive—it’s about staying strategic! Here’s how to make sure travel accelerates your success rather than disrupting it: 1️⃣ Prioritize High-Value Work Over Busyness When you’re traveling, your time is even more limited so you have to focus on what truly moves the needle. Instead of getting caught up in endless emails or daily operations, use travel as a chance to step back and work on the business. 2️⃣ Make Travel a Networking & Expansion Opportunity Every trip is a chance to grow your network. Instead of just attending scheduled events, I always reach out to local entrepreneurs, potential partners and industry leaders in the region I’m visiting. Some of my biggest business opportunities have come from spontaneous chats in a new city! 3️⃣ Protect Your Energy & Mental Clarity The most valuable asset is clarity. Constant travel can drain your decision-making capacity if you’re not careful. I’ve learned to be ruthless about protecting my energy whether that means scheduling in downtime, staying in locations that support my focus or ensuring my travel aligns with my personal rhythm. Success isn’t just about doing more, it’s about doing the right things, in the right state of mind. The ability to run a company while traveling isn’t just about productivity, it’s about using travel to sharpen your vision, make better connections and move your business forward. If you’re a founder who travels often, how do you make sure it works for you rather than against you? Would love to hear your thoughts! 💫 #Entrepreneurship

It’s 10AM on a Tuesday. You haven’t even started work yet, but already drained after being stuck in traffic. You’re sitting in your cube, thinking about all the moments with your kids you’re missing. There is a different option, where you can have a little more freedom (picture is not a flex, it is an invite)! I’ve picked up some tips after years in the remote game. Sharing them with anyone who wants to start paving their own path to working from anywhere. And no, you don’t need to be in the US or Europe to land remote jobs: 1. Optimise your LinkedIn to make it remote-friendly; these 5-minute fixes can make an immediate difference. You might get a message from a remote recruiter the day after 👉 https://lnkd.in/gGHSUNYV 2. Follow remote job boards (Working Nomads, Remote, RemoteOK, We Work Remotely, Wellfound,...) and remote work influencers who post real, quality jobs. I found these accounts super helpful: Rowena (Ro) Hennigan Michelle Coulson Jeff Baker 3. Understand your rights as a remote worker: EOR, AOR, contractors, contingent, CXC has a great glossary. You need to know your terms (and how remote companies function) before working with a company across borders. https://lnkd.in/gdp5-7Cr 4. If you’re a digital nomad, prep for the global lifestyle: international insurance, time zones, and remote routines. We used SafetyWing for insurance, and it was a breeze. World Time Buddy stopped our brains from melting over time zones. 5. Your background is your brand. You need to look hirable and ready to start the next day. Bad lighting and a blurry camera are red flags. I use Razer Inc. and HyperX, and they have not been failing me ever since. 6. Thinking of going independent? Great! Remote companies love working with fractional consultants and contractors who get things done without the administrative mess. Portfolio Careers in Asia is a great place to look into. 7. Other than that, take care of your remote wellbeing, our friends at The Able Mind FITTR, and The Confidance are just great resources in different areas. Am I missing something? Please share your resource too!

In the past 3 years, I’ve clocked 200+ flights and over 100,000 kilometers by road- all part of the hustle to grow our entertainment empire. At first, this on-the-go lifestyle nearly broke my routine. My work and health suffered, and I missed key family events while rushing to endless meetings. After months of struggle, I realized I needed to stop treating travel as an exception and start seeing it as my new normal. Here are the simple habits that now keep me grounded across cities, flights, and constant movement: → Protected deep-work hours: Whether it's from a hotel lobby or the backseat of a car, I carve out 3-4 uninterrupted hours of deep work to focus, because scaling parks and launching a global brand in India needs clarity, not constant motion. → Familiar habits in unfamiliar places: No matter the city, I anchor my day with small rituals, a go-to playlist, morning coffee, or a fixed hour to check performance numbers. These constants help me stay sharp even in shifting environments. → My approach to meals: I don't try to eat perfectly while traveling. I choose simple, energy-giving foods that help me stay sharp during long days of meetings. → My recovery strategy: After days of back-to-back travel, I take a full day to rest to prepare for what's next. → My digital boundaries: I've learned when to put my phone away between cities, making room to think clearly about new ideas for our parks. By following this approach in the last 3 years, our entertainment business has expanded to new cities. And personally, I now finish important work while traveling that once took me days at my desk. Most importantly, the constant change of scenery has sparked many of our best park concepts and marketing strategies over the years. The travel I once fought against has become my office, my school, and my edge in business. How often do you travel for your work? #Worklifebalance #Productivity #Entrepreneurship

Your "safe" international contract is a lie. Why 90% of Indian IT firms still lose $100,000+ on ghosted clients. When I started my legal firm, most of my first clients weren’t from India. They were from North America, Europe, and Asia. This opened up a whole new world for me. New people, new markets, and a deep understanding of global legal systems. But it was good. Because a lot of contract drafting or review work was outsourced to us But, outsourcing is not just common in my field. The most common field where work gets outsourced is IT. Companies from North America and Europe hire developers or companies in India. And obviously, a contract gets signed for such projects. Now, international clients are quite good, but you still have to be careful. Especially if you are agreeing to the local laws of your international clients And no, signing a contract in no way guarantees your safety. Because even when you sign a contract • The client disappears. • Payments don’t come through. And legal action? Too expensive to be worth it. I’ve heard this story too many times. Especially from MSMEs working with international clients. They do the work. They deliver. But when it’s time to get paid, they’re left chasing invoices. And there are a couple of reasons it happens. 1) A contract doesn’t guarantee payment. If enforcing it is impractical, it’s just words on paper. 2) Legal action isn’t always the best move. If the costs outweigh the amount owed, it’s a losing battle. 3) Not all clients are reliable. Vetting international clients is important to avoid bad deals. So how do you protect yourself? Well, I suggest a few steps. -> Due diligence Research the client’s reputation, financial health, and past behavior with contracts. You can also check online reviews to spot potential red flags like unpaid invoices. -> Clear contracts Contracts are still important, so specify scope, payment terms, deliverables, and dispute resolution methods (e.g., arbitration). Add protective clauses, like escrow requirements or penalties for late payment. -> Payment protection For larger projects, you can leverage escrow services to hold funds until milestones are met. For smaller projects, you can secure partial upfront payments to minimize financial risk. -> Documentation Log all correspondence - emails, calls, and progress updates - for evidence in disputes. -> Smart decisions Compare the project’s value to the potential cost of legal action before proceeding. For low-value contracts, you can negotiate directly with clients to resolve issues without legal escalation. Remember, working with international clients can pose risks for your company. But there's nothing in life that can't be managed with the right approach. Ultimately, preparation and smart strategies will only help you thrive in the market --- ✍ Question: Have you ever had a client disappear on payments? How did you handle it?