Do you have a better chance of spotting a unicorn than you do finding a remote job when you don’t have experience?
The short answer is no. You can work from home as a freelancer, gig worker, or contract employee for various employers. We’re going to show you how!
While having remote work experience on your resume was relatively uncommon 10 years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic saw a burst of opportunities. Working from home steadily became more commonplace and made way for more hybrid roles too.
It’s estimated that up to 32.6 million Americans will work remotely by 2025, according to a June 2023 Forbes article. Furthermore, a March 2023 paper published by the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) shows that six of the top 10 cities in the world that have seen an increase in remote jobs are U.S. cities: Washington, DC; San Francisco; Chicago; Atlanta; Phoenix; and New York.
So, how can you get one of these highly desired remote jobs when you don’t have experience? Read on to find out!
How Can a Beginner Start Working From Home?
‘But what about my lack of work experience?’, you might wonder. Don’t you need a lot of relevant experience to land work-from-home jobs?
Again, the answer is no. There are many diverse work-from-home jobs available for those who may not have an extensive background in their target role. Job opportunities can be found in education, marketing, customer service, administration, computer programming (you will probably need a degree or certification for this one!), sales, and editing.
Some of the top skills that you should possess to be considered for at-home jobs include basic IT skills, organizational skills, time management, communication, self-motivation, and teamwork skills.
You should also have the ability to work with little to no supervision and an understanding of basic computer systems, as nearly any remote job will require an internet connection and specific computer software. Many of these skills can be learned when you are a student, serving in volunteer positions, or through paid or unpaid internships.
What is the easiest work-from-home job to get? Let’s explore the type of work you might find when searching for at-home jobs with no experience and how and where you can find these types of jobs.
Launch Your Remote Career: 10 Entry-Level Work-From-Home Jobs
From data entry clerk to writer, you’ll find that there are more than a few legitimate remote jobs that require little to no experience on offer by many companies across the country.
1. Data Entry Clerk
Perhaps among the top entry-level remote jobs with no need for experience is that of data entry clerk. Candidates for these positions typically need only a high school diploma, strong typing skills, and above-average attention to detail.
According to O*NET Online, Data Entry Keyers need to locate data errors and report them to supervisors, compile and check data accuracy, and know how to store their materials securely.
They also need basic IT skills to use the software for data entry, such as Office suites or databases.
You can find job postings on websites such as FlexJobs, Fiverr, Upwork, and Virtual Vocations. Take care when looking at job listings though. If any of them require you to buy software or pay to do training, it may be a scam. Luckily, many of the trustworthy platforms are getting better at filtering out these listings.
2. Administrative or Virtual Assistant
Administrative or virtual assistants are another group of professionals who can conduct their job duties online. In many cases, a high school diploma will suffice though some employers might prefer a college degree.
Candidates should demonstrate strong organizational skills, excellent communication, as well as multitasking skills while being detail-oriented. It is also vital to be knowledgeable about basic computer programs, such as word processors and spreadsheets.
Duties include answering and redirecting calls, managing schedules and calendars, checking and organizing email accounts, filing and organizing documents, and writing or maintaining records.
Sometimes you might need to update social media profiles which can give you experience for finding work later as a Social Media Specialist.
You can search for these kinds of roles on sites such as BELAY, Great Assistant, Ajilon, and Boldly.
3. Call Center or Customer Service Representative
Remote call center positions are also among the best for those seeking work-from-home jobs without having experience. Customer Service Representatives or Customer Support Representatives need strong communication skills but often do not need to meet any specific education or experience requirements to assume these positions.
While there has been some concern that AI will make these jobs obsolete, it actually helps streamline processes for agents. Hubspot’s State of AI Survey (2023) found that AI can have a positive impact on service jobs. 35% of customer support specialists said that AI helps them “spend less time on manual tasks (data entry, scheduling meetings, etc.)”.
This means you might need some basic AI skills or experience working with AI technology as an assistant.
4. Writer
If you have a way with words and creative flair, writing website content such as blogs and web articles is among the jobs you can do from home. You might in some cases be asked to show an online writing portfolio. Remember, this could include writing you did for a volunteer role, during an internship, or for a college newspaper.
Other potential employers may ask you to complete a trial written piece, and if you display the writing skills being sought with your samples, you just might land the job without having an extensive working background in this area.
Additional remote writing job titles include content writer, copywriter, SEO copywriter, technical writer, and newsletter writer.
Set up a profile on Fiverr or Upwork and network on Linkedin to find opportunities that suit you and any specialist knowledge you have.
5. Online Tutor or EFL Teacher
If you have some background in working with students, such as at a summer camp or through a community program, you might explore tutoring opportunities for work-from-home positions. You can also tutor adults through adult learning programs or teaching English as a foreign language.
Candidates for Online Tutor jobs should have strong knowledge of the subject matter they will be teaching and familiarity with educational technology, including specific online tutoring platforms.
You can investigate remote tutoring positions on sites such as Varsity Tutors or Chegg. If you want to teach English as a foreign language, you should aim to get the CELTA or TEFL certifications in order to find the best roles. You can find online resources to help you on the Cambridge English site.
6. Proofreader
If you are detail-oriented, have a strong understanding of grammatical rules, and are knowledgeable about various style guides, such as AP and The Chicago Manual of Style, you just might be a candidate for an online proofreader job.
Consider getting certified in the field such as this option from NYU. Having an official accreditation badge or listing on your LinkedIn profile and resume might make you stand out from the competition.
In many cases, only a high school diploma is required, though some employers might prefer a college degree. You might also need to be familiar with terminology in a specific field, such as proofreading medical or legal documents.
Have a look at this post from Make Use Of which lists sites where you can find good positions as a proofreader.
7. Sales Representative
If you have a way with people, you might consider looking for work as an online sales representative. You would need to use your outstanding verbal communication, customer service, and persuasive skills to sell products or services.
Entry-level remote sales roles do not typically require any background in sales as long as you possess the already-mentioned skills and a passion for sales.
An outgoing personality, the ability to form relationships, and being energetic are huge pluses if you decide to pursue this type of work. You may need to travel occasionally, depending on the role, or need to attend face-to-face client meetings.
Check LinkedIn and Glassdoor for these kinds of remote roles, or research the companies you might want to work for and reach out to prospective employers via LinkedIn.
8. Social Media Coordinator
With companies constantly seeking to increase their online presence to reach out to wider audiences, online social media coordinator jobs continue to increase. You need to be creative, understand your audience, have strong data analysis skills, be able to plan content strategies and have excellent time management skills.
You must also be familiar with digital marketing strategies and various social media platforms. It’s a bonus if you are an active user of TikTok, Instagram, or X, and know what works well on each platform for each kind of audience persona. A degree in marketing might be necessary to advance in this field.
You can find this role posted on most online job search sites, but you might need to filter results for remote roles.
9. Graphic Designer
Looking to bring your creative, technical, and collaborative skills to an online position? Remote graphic design jobs might be for you. While employers may require a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts, or a similar area, many will accept candidates with no formal background in this field.
You need to have full knowledge of design and layout software such as AutoCAD, Adobe Illustrator/Creative Cloud, or Trimble Sketchup Pro. You should have a portfolio to show employers, and this can include work from college, volunteer work, or personal projects as well as any freelance work.
Don’t forget you will need to be a good online communicator, as you have to understand project briefs without talking to the client in person. You may need to learn to receive feedback via email only, or via video call, or rethink how to pitch ideas to your clients online.
You can check sites such as Dribbble, The Design Kids, and AIGA Design Jobs for this sector.
10. Software Engineer
While you will likely need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a similar area, you might be able to secure an entry-level Software Engineer position that allows you to work from home without any/much work experience.
Employers generally seek candidates with strong communication skills, collaborative, and problem-solving skills. If you intend to pursue a work-from-home software engineer job, you should be prepared to spend some of your time learning how to program on your own, through coding bootcamps, or formal software engineering courses if you lack experience.
Many remote software engineer employers require that candidates have full knowledge of at least one specific programming language.
Where to Find Remote Jobs With No Experience Required
While there are, unfortunately, more fraudulent job postings these days that make it seem as if remote jobs are the stuff of fairy tales. However, many legitimate at-home jobs don’t require experience, pay well, and offer steady work.
💡top tip
Do your homework when it comes to applying for online jobs with no experience; major job sites such as Indeed and LinkedIn are increasingly getting hit with fake job scams. Check the company website to see if the job is also listed there, or reach out to their HR department if in doubt about a job listing’s legitimacy.
For remote-specific jobs, it’s suggested to use sites that are reputable when it comes to these types of job listings. As well as the specific industry-related examples mentioned throughout this article, you might consider checking these sites:
- Remote.co
- FlexJobs
- JustRemote
- We Work Remotely
- Remote Work Hub
These sites not only list remote jobs with no experience needed, but they also include work-from-home blogs, Q&As, work-from-home trends, and lists of the highest-paying remote jobs out there.
You might need help putting together or updating your resume for these roles. We can help!
Check out our online resume examples to help guide you through the resume writing process for various types of jobs, including Graphic Designer, Software Engineer, and Sales Representative.
Make a Start by Freelancing
One way you can start working remotely is through freelancing or gig work.
With freelance and gig work, you can build a portfolio that shows potential employers you possess the skills and discipline it takes to work independently in remote positions.
Freelance work also provides the opportunity to develop and strengthen organizational, motivational, and collaborative skills. You can build up a list of your achievements from these projects, adding strength to your resume for later job applications.
Luckily, several top sites list job opportunities for freelancers, many of which we have listed previously in this article. These include Upwork, Freelancer, Truelancer, Fiverr, and Guru.
💡top tip
Don’t expect to pursue freelance work long-term if you need a steady income, desire paid time off, or wish to have healthcare and other benefits. Freelancing is a great way to get some experience and build a portfolio, but it may not provide the stability many are looking for.
Find Your Perfect Work-From-Home Fit
With some research, you should be able to find jobs you can do from home with no experience. Remember our key advice from this article to help you on your way to finding the remote position you are looking for.
- Be vigilant for job posting scams.
- Try to use job sites that focus exclusively on remote online positions or which specialize in your niche.
- Consider freelancing or gig work to build a portfolio and show employers you can work remotely.
- Understand that you’ll give up a steady schedule, benefits, and other perks when freelancing or taking on gig work.
- Research the company offering the remote job you’re applying for and check if the listing exists on their jobs board, or by contacting an HR representative.
Finally, consider making a digital resume when applying for these roles, as well as assembling a portfolio if necessary. The chances are the HR team and managers are also working remotely and it’s almost standard process now to apply via email with digital formats, which can include links or interactive elements.

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