How to Start Working Remotely with No Experience

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Are you looking to start working remotely with no experience?

I get it.

The idea of working remotely sounds amazing, right?

You can wake up, there is no need to get dressed or get ready or deal with traffic.

You’re free to work from anywhere: your bed, a cozy coffee shop, or even a beach.

It’s the dream for so many people, but what if you’ve never worked remotely before?

But where do you even start if you don’t have experience?

I’ve been working remotely for four years now, and trust me when I say that it’s possible to start from scratch, even if you’ve never done remote work before.

In fact, I started with no prior remote experience, but by learning along the way and applying the right strategies, I’ve built a successful remote career.

If you’re in the same boat, I was, feeling uncertain, don’t worry.

There are things we can do to help.

1. Identify Your Transferable Skills

The first step to getting into remote work is recognizing what skills you already have. It’s easy to feel discouraged because you think you need to learn a whole new set of skills, but the truth is, you probably already have a lot of the right skills, even if you don’t realize it.

Here’s what I did: I took a step back and looked at all the work I’d done in the past, my previous jobs, volunteer roles, and even side projects I’d worked on.

What skills had I used? What had I accomplished?

I found that many of the skills that were important in traditional office jobs could be applied to remote work, and I bet you have these, too.

You should have Technical Skills, these are the specific skills you’ve learned that might be related to particular tools or software.

For example, I have experience with Google Docs, spreadsheets, and email communication, to name a few.

These basic tools are often used in remote jobs, and companies want employees who are familiar with them.

In fact, being tech-savvy is a huge plus, even if it’s just basic knowledge.

You should also have Soft Skills.

Think about your communication abilities. Can you write clearly? Are you good at explaining things to others? These skills are highly transferable.

Working remotely requires lots of written communication, whether it’s emails, Slack messages, or project updates.

I quickly realized that I had to be good at expressing myself and collaborating with others.

Lastly, you should have Management Skills.

Even if you’ve never been in a managerial role, things like time management, organizing projects, and setting priorities are all incredibly useful in remote work.

When you’re working from home, there’s no boss hovering over you, so you need to be organized and self-disciplined.

2. Build a Strong Online Presence

Okay, now that you’ve identified your skills, it’s time to let the world (and potential employers) know about them. And by “the world,” I mean the internet. Your online presence is important if you are trying to break into a new market.

If you are not already on LinkedIn, then you are already behind. This is where most professionals are, so make sure your profile is updated!

I updated my profile with my skills and experience. You can also start sharing articles or insights that demonstrate your knowledge.

Your LinkedIn profile is extremely important!

You can Create a Portfolio or Personal Website.

If you have any work samples, now’s the time to show them off! I created a simple website that shows my offerings and some testimonials from previous and current clients.

If you’re in a creative field, having a portfolio is a must.

But even if you’re in something like customer service or marketing, you can still have a personal website with testimonials, a bio, and an overview of what you do.

An active and updated Social Media presence.

Using social media professionally can be super valuable. Instagram or Pinterest can also work for certain professions, especially if you’re a designer, marketer, or content creator.

My Pinterest has over 2.6 million impressions! It is so important.

The point is to make sure your profiles are polished and professional.

Employers want to see that you take your online presence seriously.

3. Network with Remote Workers

I cannot stress this enough: networking is everything. The biggest lesson I’ve learned in my remote career is that it’s not always about what you know but who you know.

When I started working remotely, I didn’t have any direct connections in the remote work world, but I changed that by being proactive.

Here’s what I did:

One of the best ways I prepared for remote work was by joining online communities.

Facebook groups, YouTube comments or forums can provide so much insight.

These groups introduced me to people already working remotely, giving me insight into their experiences.

Another great strategy is attending webinars or online conferences.

Many remote-first companies host these, offering a chance to learn and network.

Finally, reaching out to people on LinkedIn made a big difference. You can send polite, genuine connection requests to those working in remote roles, not to ask for jobs but to learn from their experiences.

These conversations helped me build relationships, gain insight, and occasionally led to job leads.

It’s all about building trust and showing a genuine interest in contributing to the remote work community.

4. Gain Experience Through Freelancing or Internships

If you don’t have remote experience yet, freelancing or internships can help you get started. This was one of the best decisions I made when I began my remote work journey.

Freelancing lets you build skills, gain experience, and create a portfolio you can show to future employers. Over time, you can raise your rates and land better projects.

Internships are also a smart way to get your foot in the door. Even though I wanted a full-time remote job, taking on a remote internship gave me the chance to learn, make mistakes, and grow in a lower-pressure environment. Many internships can even lead to full-time offers after you’ve proven yourself.

5. Develop Strong Communication Skills

Remote work relies heavily on communication, it needs to be clear, effective, and timely communication.

Even though you are used to having face-to-face conversations, when you work remotely, there’s a lot more written communication.

That means you have to be clear in your emails, messages, and even in video meetings.

Here’s what I did to improve my communication skills:

• I started sending clear updates on my work, even if no one asked for them. It’s better to over-communicate than to leave people wondering what you’re working on.
• I made an effort to really listen to what my team members were saying during meetings. Remote communication can be more challenging because you don’t have visual cues, so it’s important to pay extra attention and ask clarifying questions if needed.
• I learned that when communicating remotely, it’s best to get to the point. People are busy, and everyone appreciates a message that’s short, sweet, and clear.

6. Showcase Your Remote Work Readiness

Once I felt like I had the skills and experience to back up my remote work journey, I made sure to show employers I was ready. In interviews or on my resume, I highlighted:

• My ability to work independently: I gave examples of projects I’d worked on without much supervision.
• My time management skills: Remote work means managing your own schedule, and I made sure to explain how I prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with remote tools: I talked about my experience using Slack, Zoom, Google Drive, Trello, and other common remote work tools. The more familiar you are with the tools companies use, the better.

Employers want to know you can thrive in a remote environment, so show them that you have the skills to succeed.

Conclusion

Starting out in remote work with no experience is definitely intimidating, but trust me, you can do it.

By identifying your transferable skills, building an online presence, networking, gaining hands-on experience, developing communication skills, and showcasing your readiness, you’ll be well on your way to landing a remote job.

I started just like you, and now, I’m doing what I love every day from the comfort of my home. You can do it too!