Working remotely has become increasingly popular in recent years. With the rise of freelancing, the gig economy, and remote work opportunities, it’s easier than ever to find a job you can do from home. However, landing those first remote gigs can be tricky, especially if you don’t have much experience.
The good news is that there are plenty of entry-level remote jobs out there for people just starting out. You just need to know where to look and how to make yourself an attractive candidate. Here are some tips on how to get a remote job with no experience.
Look for remote internships and apprenticeships
A great way to gain experience in the remote working world is to find a remote internship or apprenticeship. Many companies are now offering these opportunities completely virtually. They allow you to learn the ropes of a particular job or industry without needing prior professional experience.
Remote internships and apprenticeships are ideal because they provide training and onboarding for new remote workers. You’ll get hands-on experience using communication and collaboration platforms. And you’ll have mentors to teach you best practices. Here are some places to search for entry-level remote programs:
- Online job boards like FlexJobs, Remote.co and We Work Remotely.
- Professional associations related to your field of interest.
- Directly on company websites for businesses offering remote work.
Leverage your transferable skills
Even without direct professional experience, you likely have transferable skills from other areas of life. The key is identifying those applicable skills and highlighting them to potential employers. Soft skills like communication, time management, problem-solving and ability to learn are valued in remote roles just like any other job.
Think about other experiences where you’ve developed relevant abilities:
- College classes and coursework
- Sports teams or musical groups
- Volunteer work or community organizations
- Caring for children or elderly relatives
- Previous informal jobs like babysitting, dog walking or lawn mowing
Look at the skills required for the remote jobs you want and find ways to match them to your own abilities. With the right framing, you can show you have what it takes to succeed.
Highlight technical abilities
Many remote entry-level jobs involve working knowledge of certain software, platforms and computer skills. You’ll be a more attractive candidate if you can showcase technical abilities relevant to the role. Some examples include:
- Proficiency with communication/productivity tools like Slack, Trello, Asana or Basecamp.
- Knowledge of CRM software like Salesforce, HubSpot or Zoho.
- Experience with marketing and email platforms like MailChimp, Constant Contact or Pardot.
- Skills with creative tools like Photoshop, InDesign, Canva or video editing software.
- Familiarity with web development and coding languages.
- Data analysis skills using Excel, Google Sheets or other programs.
Spend time getting comfortable with tech and tools commonly used in remote positions. Then highlight these on your resume, LinkedIn and in interviews. Hands-on experience can compensate for lack of a professional background.
Get certified in high-demand skills
Another way to boost your technical abilities is getting certified in skills that are highly sought after for remote jobs. Professional certifications can give you specific training and credentials often needed in fields like IT, marketing, business, and design.
Here are some examples of popular certifications for remote work:
| Field | Certification Programs |
|---|---|
| Digital Marketing | Google Analytics, Google Ads, HubSpot |
| Graphic Design | Adobe Certified Associate |
| IT/Technical Support | CompTIA A+, Cisco CCNA, Microsoft |
| Project Management | PMP, CAPM, Agile |
| Bookkeeping/Accounting | Quickbooks, Xero Certification |
Completing a certification shows you have specialized expertise even if you don’t have direct work experience. Online course platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare, and LinkedIn Learning offer many cert prep classes at reasonable costs.
Build an online portfolio
For remote work in creative and multimedia fields, developing an online portfolio can help demonstrate your skills. A portfolio allows you to showcase examples of projects, designs, writing, photography or other work samples.
Some tips for creating an effective portfolio:
- Organize your best work and create a consistent presentation style.
- Make sure portfolios are easy to navigate and view on any device.
- Include descriptions of your role and contributions for any group/client projects.
- Explain the context and purpose of the work to show understanding.
- Update frequently and continue adding new projects.
- Link to the live site if possible so viewers can interact with it.
Having a polished online portfolio makes it easy for potential employers to review your capabilities. Utilize free portfolio building tools from sites like Wix, Squarespace, Cargo or Behance.
Expand your network
Networking can help expose you to more remote job possibilities and give you contacts at companies hiring. Consider joining industry-specific Slack or Facebook groups related to your work interests. Follow prominent professionals, thought leaders and influencers in your desired field on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Attending virtual conferences and online events is another great networking opportunity. Keep an eye out for ones hosted by professional groups or associations in your industry.
You can also look for a remote mentor who’s established in your profession to learn from. Building relationships with those already working in remote roles can help provide insider tips and advice.
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with recruiters
LinkedIn has become a top sourcing tool for remote work. Recruiters often search it to find qualified candidates for roles.
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and portrays relevant skills and experience. Review remote job postings and look for any contacts you might have at those companies. Reach out and express your interest in opportunities.
You can also follow remote job listings and companies so recruiters take note of your profile. Providing recommendations for colleagues also strengthens your credibility.
With some persistence, connecting with recruiters on LinkedIn can help surface remote roles not publicly advertised yet.
Look for remote volunteering or freelancing opportunities
Volunteering and freelancing are great ways to demonstrate skills and get experience when first starting out. Many nonprofits need help with tasks like communications, graphic design, web development, and marketing. Reach out to ones aligned with your values to see if they have remote projects you can take on.
Freelancing sites like Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer let you bid on quick remote gigs to build initial reviews. Completing small freelance jobs can help develop your abilities and portfolio. As you get more reviews, you can apply for higher-paying assignments.
While unpaid at first, volunteer and freelance work provide valuable experience. They show you can successfully handle remote work responsibilities.
Take online courses to gain hard and soft skills
Self-paced online courses allow you to build both hard and soft skills needed for remote roles. Sites like Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and Coursera offer thousands of on-demand courses to choose from.
Subjects like effective business writing, data analysis, project management and effective virtual communication can improve abilities. Technical skills courses are also available for platforms like Salesforce, Shopify, and Tableau.
Completing relevant online courses demonstrates self-motivation to continue developing. Add them to your resume and LinkedIn profile to showcase your dedication to learning.
Practice with remote work tools
Learning to use popular remote work tools on your own can get you comfortable with them quicklty. Sign up for free trials or plans of tools like:
- Slack – Team communication and collaboration hub.
- Trello – Project management boards and lists.
- Zoom – Video conferencing platform.
- Asana – Task and workflow management.
- Calendly – Online calendar and scheduler.
- MindMeister – Collaborative mind mapping.
- Milanote – Visual collaboration whiteboards.
Practice collaborating and communicating virtually using these tools. Being able to quickly adapt to new technology is key for remote work success.
Take advantage of remote internship platforms
Websites like Remote Internships and Virtual Internships allow you to search many remote internship listings in one place. You can browse opportunities based on field, location (for timezone purposes) and availability.
Post your profile detailing your skills and interests so companies can reach out about potential fits. These platforms also provide tips and training for breaking into the remote internship space.
Paid remote internships offer great work experience. But unpaid ones can also provide valuable learning opportunities if you have the flexibility.
Conclusion
With some strategic planning, you can develop the skills and experience needed to land entry-level remote work. Starting with remote internships, volunteering, freelancing and online courses can provide a foundation. Building relationships and leveraging sites like LinkedIn and specialized remote job boards also helps uncover prospects. With persistence and dedication, you can successfully launch your remote career, even as a beginner.