Remote work opportunities have grown exponentially in recent years. Due to the current state of the world, many companies began to operate online and found that a surprising number of their job positions could be performed remotely. However, some people are hesitant to search for online job positions. Many feel unqualified compared to those with telecommuting experience.
However, there is no need to worry. That’s because there are plenty of remote jobs available that don’t need prior experience working remotely.
Syda Productions / ShutterstockTips on Landing a Remote Job with No Remote Experience
Identify the Skills You Have and the Skills You Need
A crucial step before applying to remote jobs is identifying which skills you possess and which skills you don’t. Many jobs have long lists of required skills for new hires to possess. However, not many people actually fulfill all these requirements. Instead, look for jobs where you possess the most important and applicable skills required for candidates.
Get Comfortable with Remote Tools
One of the best ways to become competitive in the virtual marketplace is to become familiar with remote tools. The majority of jobs that provide fully remote positions rely heavily on both communication apps and virtual project management tools. Many businesses even specify that they are only hiring employees with experience using applications like Slack, Zoom, and Trello.
As such, it isn’t a bad idea to familiarize yourself with some of the most popular remote tools. Once you get familiar with these tools, make sure to specify this newfound experience on your resume.
Emphasize Your Strengths
One last tip to remember is to emphasize your experience in that job role, not your lack of experience with remote work.
Having previous remote experience is not extremely impressive. While it is certainly a bonus, employers care more about how proficient you are at the job.
As such, it is important to highlight past workplace successes. For example, if you were previously a project manager, don’t simply say that you managed a team. Instead, bring objective facts to the table and describe your work with a statement like “Oversaw a team of sales professionals leading to a 37 percent increase in sales.”1
Best Remote Jobs Currently Available
Remote Developer
If you have experience in programming and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like computer science, becoming a remote developer should be relatively easy. There is high demand for individuals capable of coding, troubleshooting problems with applications, and other tech needs.
For those that have never done programming work before, one of the best ways to get experience is through freelance gigs on sites like Fiverr and Upwork. Once you’ve got some experience, you can look for long term positions through platforms like ZipRecuriter or by checking other job board sites.
Due to this high demand, remote developers are paid extremely well. On average, remote developers make $121,262 per year. There is also substantial opportunity for upward mobility. Senior remote developers are normally paid close to $176,000 per year.2
Remote Project Manager
Project managers are experts in planning and executing important projects. The need for remote project managers has expanded greatly in recent years as a lot of work has become virtual. A recent report from Hubstaff found that 39 percent of companies use some sort of remote project management solution to complete important tasks.3
If you think you’d be a good project manager but have never worked as one before, there are some skills to first acquire to make your application competitive. Project management tools like Trello, Slack, Asana, and Basecamp are a must for any manager to understand in the virtual world. Also, showing proficiency in new digital managing styles can provide a big boost to your application.
Due to the skilled nature of the position, remote project managers can expect to make a substantial salary. ZipRecuriter found that remote project manager wages currently range between $59,500 and $125,000. This position also has substantial room for career growth with the average pay range for remote project managers varying as much as $26,500.4
Remote Content Writer
Remote content writing is a profession many individuals have recently picked up. Becoming a freelance writer is easier now than ever. Platforms like UpWork and Fiverr allow users to advertise their freelance skills to a large pool of clients.
Individuals with writing skills, a bachelor’s degree in humanities, or marketing experience can easily dive into remote writing work. Entry level remote content writers can expect to make $50,000 to $70,000 each year. More experienced writers and hardworking freelancers can expect to make an even larger sum, with the top earners surpassing $100,000.5
Remote Virtual Assistant/Remote Office Manager
If you have experience with as an assistant or office manager in-person, you most likely have the skills required to do the job remotely. Much of the duties — such as arranging travel, managing appointments, handling correspondence — are the same. However, you can now do all this from the comfort of your home.
One great way to become a remote virtual assistant is to create a website and social media presence to advertise your service. Virtual assistants are seen as communication experts, so your online presence should be treated much like a resume. With a polished website in hand, you can email businesses or individuals from just about every industry. If you don’t have a significant amount of experience, you can always bolster your resume by taking jobs on Fiverr, UpWork, and FlexJobs.
Salaries for remote assistants and office managers vary radically depending on the organization you work for and the amount of responsibility you shoulder. For entry level positions, the role usually pays $26,000 and $39,000. While this may seem low to some, the national average for the profession is much higher at $63,501.6
Remote Customer Support Specialist
If you are a people person but don’t want to be stuck in a cubicle, a job as a remote customer support specialist may be ideal for you. Plus, a ton of businesses — such as Amazon, Allstate, Staples, and Humana — are actively seeking customer support specialists.7
The average salary for customer support specialists hovers around $45,000 and can go up to $62,000. The role of remote customer support specialist can also be great for individuals looking for part-time work. Entry level or part-time workers can start at around $23,000.8
