Welcome to Remote Real Talk, our monthly Q&A series where we share honest, thoughtful conversations with members of the Remotive community who are building meaningful careers in remote work.
This time, I had the chance to speak with Andrew Gobran, Senior People Business Partner at Doist and a longtime member of the Remotive community.
Andrew’s thoughtful approach to people-first practices, intentional career choices, and remote hiring gave me a lot to think about, and I hope it will for you, too.
Below are six highlights from our conversation, lightly edited for clarity and readability.
🧭 What made you want to join Doist?
I have many reasons! I wanted to work for a company that was mission-driven, valued people, and saw success as more than just financial metrics. I also wanted to be in a smaller company where I could wear many hats, learn as I go, and see my impact tangibly.
Doist checked all those boxes—and as a longtime Todoist user, I was already a believer in the product. Ironically, I wasn’t specifically looking for a remote job when I was applying in 2017, but it turned out to be a happy accident that I landed in the world of remote work.
🔍 What’s a common mistake remote job seekers make when applying for roles?
A common mistake remote job seekers make is overemphasizing their desire for remote work rather than focusing on their fit for the actual role. While flexibility is a major perk, companies are hiring for skills and impact, not just a preference for remote work.
Candidates who lead with why they want to work remotely instead of why they’re the best fit for the role risk presenting a weaker case for their qualifications. My advice is to approach it as a job that happens to be remote, rather than a remote job. Focus on demonstrating how your skills, experience, and working style align with the role and company culture.
✨ What’s the best way to stand out in a remote job application process?
The best way to stand out is to be clear on what you’re looking for, demonstrate the impact you’ve had in previous roles and can have in the role you’re applying for, and demonstrate your alignment with the company’s mission, values, and culture.
🧠 If you were job-seeking today, what would be your top three non-negotiables for a remote role?
Assuming I already identify with the mission and values of the company, my top three non-negotiables would be:
- A culture of honest, transparent communication—especially from leadership. I look for teams where it’s safe to speak openly, where people acknowledge when things aren’t working, and where the “why” behind decisions is consistently shared.
- Productivity measured by outcomes, not hours. I’m most motivated in environments that value impact over presence.
- An asynchronous-first culture that supports flexibility and deep work.
🌀 How has a service mindset shaped your career decisions?
I’ve always been someone who needs intrinsic motivation to stay engaged. While external motivators like money or status can play a role, I’ve found they don’t sustain me long-term.
Service, on the other hand, is a value that was instilled in me from a young age, so it’s shaped how I approach work and life. Framing my career through the lens of service has helped me find purpose in what I do. It’s pushed me to be intentional about the kinds of opportunities I pursue—specifically seeking out roles where the mission and values are core to the work, not just lip service.
On a more practical level, being service-oriented helps bring meaning to even the most mundane or challenging tasks. Focusing on who I’m supporting shifts my mindset and helps me stay grounded in the bigger picture.
🔎 What’s your advice for job seekers trying to find a fully remote job today? Any key strategies that worked in the past but don’t work as well now?
The best advice I can offer is to be intentional about the kind of remote work you’re looking for so you can work smarter, not harder, in your job search.
Many candidates approach their search by applying to any remote job they find, without considering that remote can mean very different things depending on the company.
For example, one company may expect employees to work set hours within a specific time zone, while another may offer full flexibility with an asynchronous work culture. Both are technically remote, but the day-to-day experience will be vastly different.
A key strategy is to research a company’s remote work culture before applying. Look for details in the job description, company website, or employee reviews that indicate how work is structured—things like core working hours, communication norms, and expectations around availability.
This will help you target roles that truly align with your ideal way of working, making your applications stronger and increasing your chances of success.
🌍 Why This Resonated
Andrew’s responses are a great reminder that remote work isn’t just about location: it’s about how and why we work. His clarity around values, mission, and culture is something I think many job seekers— and companies — can learn from.
You can connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.
This conversation originally appeared in the Remotive Slack community. To join us and get future Q&As early, check out Remotive Accelerator and become part of our growing community of remote job seekers, builders, and believers.