One thing has become crystal clear: remote work isn’t going anywhere. Major companies like Google, Facebook, Sony, and Shopify represent just a small fraction of employers committed to remote work infrastructure for years to come.
Not every employer has embraced this shift, but opportunities to land a job that lets you skip the commute and work from home have never been more abundant.
FlexJobs launched back in 2007 when remote work was still in its early stages. Founder Sara Sutton, widely recognized as the queen of remote work, experienced the same frustrations you might face today when hunting for the right telecommuting position.
Her solution was a telecommuting-focused job board that now connects applicants with over 25,000 jobs from 5,000+ companies.
The catch? You’ll need to pay for access. Jobseeker pricing begins at $14.95 monthly. But is the investment worthwhile? And should FlexJobs earn your time and energy when countless free job sites exist? This comprehensive FlexJobs review covers everything you need to know.
What Is FlexJobs?
FlexJobs operates as a web-based job board connecting companies of all sizes with applicants seeking remote and flexible work opportunities.
Unlike platforms such as Freelancer.com, Upwork, and Fiverr, FlexJobs doesn’t focus primarily on freelance work (though some positions are listed). Instead, it connects jobseekers with formal part-time and full-time roles that often include salaries, benefits, or guaranteed minimum weekly hours.
Here’s a key difference: those freelancing platforms charge commissions on completed work. Upwork, for instance, takes fees ranging from 20% to 5% depending on earnings. FlexJobs only requires a monthly subscription for accessing listings.
You might wonder why FlexJobs charges fees when platforms like Monster, Indeed, and LinkedIn remain free for job seekers. The answer lies in quality control—FlexJobs charges both job seekers and companies to ensure all listings are legitimate rather than fake or misleading postings.
Their mission centers on helping you find the right match, backed by a satisfaction guarantee. If FlexJobs doesn’t meet your expectations for any reason, you can cancel your subscription and request a refund.
Setting Up A FlexJobs Account
FlexJobs doesn’t provide a free membership or trial period. However, they offer a 1-week plan for just $6.95, plus regular promotions and discounts.
Registration is straightforward. Once you’ve selected and paid for your subscription plan, you can build your profile or dive straight into browsing job boards.
Still hesitant about paying for FlexJobs? You can preview job listings without a subscription. While contact and company details remain hidden, you’ll get a solid sense of what FlexJobs offers in your area of interest.
FlexJobs Pricing
FlexJobs offers one comprehensive plan with pricing that varies by subscription length. Longer commitments unlock bigger discounts.
Every subscription includes these core features:
- Unlimited job board access
- Free skills testing to enhance your marketability to employers
- Expert tips, resources, and job alerts delivered via email
- Simple profile setup to help employers discover you
- Email notifications for new job postings
- Personalized portfolios for uploading resumes and supporting materials
Additional member benefits include discounted career coaching sessions with professionals, savings on productivity tools and services, plus exclusive access to webinars, virtual job fairs, and other events.
Who Should Use FlexJobs?
You might assume FlexJobs caters perfectly to digital nomads hopping between Barbados and Germany. That’s not necessarily accurate. Since many positions offer more structure than typical freelancing gigs, employers often expect availability during specific hours.
While this doesn’t rule out nomadic work entirely, it requires careful attention to job requirements. FlexJobs works best for people seeking work-from-home opportunities or greater flexibility than traditional office roles, making it ideal for:
- Professionals seeking more stability than freelance work provides
- Skilled workers ready to ditch the office commute
- Stay-at-home parents
- People with mobility challenges or chronic health conditions
- Workers transitioning from full-time to part-time schedules
Is FlexJobs Worth It?
The million-dollar question that every FlexJobs visitor asks. Honestly, you can find most of these features on free job boards that cost applicants nothing.
FlexJobs naturally showcases glowing testimonials like these across their site:
Predictably, you’ll also discover less favorable reviews online.
Who’s correct? Both perspectives have merit. This highlights the challenge of evaluating any job board, freelancing site, or similar platform.
Success depends on countless variables—from your industry and qualifications to resume presentation and timing.
A frequent complaint among frustrated users involves credentialing requirements. Many discover that employers prioritize degrees over practical, in-field experience.
Consider Steve, a former engineer turned full-time writer. Despite publications in American and English magazines plus a moderately successful blog, he struggled to find writing opportunities on the platform due to perceived employer bias against his background.
This isn’t FlexJobs’ fault, but it’s worth considering before committing to a longer subscription.
That said, $14.95 monthly is relatively modest if it helps you secure that perfect remote position you’ve been pursuing.
Pros
- Verified job listings
- Reasonable subscription cost
- Leading companies post positions here
- Membership includes diverse additional features
- Member discounts and savings
- Advertisement-free experience
- Money-back guarantee
- Specializes in quality remote opportunities
Cons
- Requires paid subscription
- Many positions appear on free job boards
- Salary information often missing (hourly rates sometimes shown)
- Employers tend to favor candidates with specific credentials
- Payment doesn’t guarantee job placement success
FlexJobs Alternatives
FlexJobs’ strongest advantage lies in vetting all positions, ensuring you’re applying for legitimate opportunities rather than scams.
However, most people can now easily identify fraudulent listings, and free job boards have improved their screening processes significantly.
FlexJobs occupies a unique niche. Few premium services exist at this price point—you’ll either pay considerably more or work with recruiters who charge substantial fees to you or your future employer.
Alternatively, you can explore free options. Regardless of your choice, LinkedIn should definitely be part of your strategy.
LinkedIn Job Search
LinkedIn has significantly enhanced its job search capabilities in recent years. The platform offers free access plus job alerts, flexible search filters, and Easy Apply functionality using your LinkedIn profile.
Additionally, you can leverage your network and identify connections who work at target companies or share your educational background.
Premium subscriptions cost $30 monthly and include featured applicant status, insights into competing applicants, and salary potential data.
LinkedIn’s main drawback is intense competition. Popular positions often attract dozens or hundreds of applicants due to the platform’s massive user base. With strategic timing, though, you might discover your ideal opportunity.
Tips To Make FlexJobs (or any job board) Work For You
Whether you choose FlexJobs, stick with LinkedIn or Indeed, or explore traditional options like Craigslist, these strategies will boost your success rate.
- Approach your job search with full-time dedication. Waiting for employers to find you won’t work. With everyone wanting remote work, opportunities exist alongside fierce competition. Start early and apply consistently.
- Maintain resilience. Some candidates apply to 100+ positions before receiving responses. Don’t take rejections personally—keep pushing forward.
- Customize your resume. Many roles share overlapping requirements and responsibilities. Tailor your resume for each application by creating several targeted versions. SEO consultants, for example, might have separate resumes for different client industries.
- Explore alternative connection methods. Applications through job portals often get lost in massive piles. Use personal and professional connections to access insider opportunities whenever possible.
- Skip cover letters. The cover letter is becoming obsolete. Few recruiters and HR managers read them anymore. Focus your energy on perfecting your resume and portfolio instead.
FlexJobs: The Bottom Line
Today’s job seekers enjoy more options than ever before. FlexJobs stands out by specifically targeting remote positions, making it particularly valuable for telecommuting aspirations.
While the subscription fee is required, the cost remains reasonable and provides access to higher-quality job listings. If Monster, Indeed, or LinkedIn haven’t delivered results, FlexJobs might be worth the investment—it could be exactly what you need to land that perfect remote role!
