Pro tip: If you can't land a job at one of those "high perferformers" try freelancing.
Freelancer are even accepted as remote workers in non-remote companies, after all, you're just another "external" company they are working with.
The barrier to get hired on a project are lower than getting hired on a permanent position, because the companies take less risk.
If you living somewhat frugal, the money you get from 3-6 months project work can be enough to pay for the whole year. So you only need 1-2 "yes" on your applications a year to get along.
As someone who has been struggling while freelancing remotely for about three years now, I'm having many of the same problems getting noticed. I've only been able to land two long-term clients, and the one that's left is starting to fizzle out on me. With 13 years of professional experience, I don't think it's a lack of skill, but just for whatever reason I'll get to the interview stage maybe once for every 50 applications or proposals I send out there, and then almost never get anywhere past that. I can only imagine that even with my qualifications, the sheer number of applicants these listings get (perhaps combined with my unwillingness to work for a rate that's too much below market value) is working against me.
Freelancer are even accepted as remote workers in non-remote companies, after all, you're just another "external" company they are working with.
The barrier to get hired on a project are lower than getting hired on a permanent position, because the companies take less risk.
If you living somewhat frugal, the money you get from 3-6 months project work can be enough to pay for the whole year. So you only need 1-2 "yes" on your applications a year to get along.