The good news? Getting started with remote work is now easier and more accessible than ever. The not-so-good news? Competition is at historical levels and information overload can be overwhelming if you’re just starting out.

If you’ve dreamed of working from anywhere but don’t have the experience to break into remote work, don’t worry. May successful digital nomads start from where you are now.

This article is a simple guide to everything you need to know about being a greenhorn digital nomad — with practical tips on how to turbocharge your early-stage remote career.

Start with the right mindset

To start, you don’t need a ton of experience or fancy qualifications — pure motivation, patience, curiosity, and the willingness to learn will do. 

When I first started working remotely, I had no idea what I was doing. I felt like I was behind everyone else. There were so many industry buzzwords and showboating that it was easy to get overwhelmed. But here’s the thing: working remotely doesn’t require years of experience or specific degrees. If you don’t take anything from this article, take this: learning and figuring things out as you go will be your superpower.

Treat your lack of experience as a clean slate

You have no control over your level of experience at this time, but what you can do is treat your lack of experience as a clean slate, a chance to learn new skills and discover what you like and all the things you’re good at doing. 

Learn the fundamentals and build your skills 

Many things remote companies are looking for aren’t hard to learn — at least the fundamentals. You don’t need to be a tech expert to get started, but building a few key skills will help you stand out. Think about all your previous real-life experiences and how you can translate them to online experiences.

Learn the basics

There are a few tools and skills that every remote worker should be familiar with. Luckily, they’re easy to pick up, and many of them are free to learn:

• Video calls and messaging: Get comfortable with Zoom, Slack, or Microsoft Teams. These are the lifeblood of remote work communication.
• Time management: Popular task management and collaboration tools like Notion, Airtable, Trello and Asana can help you stay organised. They’re easy to learn and can boost your productivity.
• Social media and essentials of online marketing: Many remote jobs involve digital marketing or managing social media accounts. If you’ve ever posted on Facebook or Instagram, you’re already halfway there.
• Customer support: If you’ve ever personally dealt with customers in person, that experience can translate into remote customer support roles.

If any of these tools sound unfamiliar, don’t panic. You can find free tutorials on YouTube or websites like Coursera or Udemy to get you up to speed.

Use what you already know

You likely have some valuable skills even if you don’t have formal remote work experience. Your previous jobs and volunteering skills can be brought online:

• Did you ever help customers? That’s customer service.
• Did you work on a group project? That’s collaboration and teamwork.
• Have you ever planned events or schedules? That’s organisation and project management.

Look at your past experiences through the lens of remote work. You might be surprised at how much you may already have to bring to the table.

Create your portfolio

No experience? No problem! You can create your own. When I was starting out, I had nothing official to show potential employers, either. So, I volunteered to help a small business here, a non-profit project, or an online contest, and I made my portfolio by working on small projects and documenting what I learned. You can do the same.

Get hands-on

The only way to grow is by doing. I’ve listed a few easy ways to start building your portfolio, even if no one is paying you (yet):

• Start a blog: Write about topics you enjoy or learning. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it shows employers that you’re proactive and serious about improving your skills. Also, if it takes off, you can start building a loyal audience early on. 
• Help out friends or small businesses: Offer to manage a friend’s social media or help a small business with their website. Even if you do it for free initially, it gives you something to show on your portfolio.
• Document your learning journey: If you’re learning something new, like graphic design or coding, post your progress on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn or even Behance or Pinterest. Your online footprint can demonstrate to potential employers or colleagues that you’re constantly improving.

You don’t need paid work to prove your skills. As you complete projects, you can add them to your portfolio.

Make your resume remote-friendly

Your resume is often the first impression you’ll make with a remote employer, so you gotta make it count. Even if you don’t have direct remote work experience, here are a few tips to help you impress employers.

Highlight the right skills

So you’ve never worked a remote job, but you’ve likely gaines some useful life skills that’ll help you succeed in a remote environment. Focus on:

• Communication: It's useful if you’ve ever had to send regular updates or keep a team in the loop. Highlight that.
• Organisation: Any experience managing your time or handling projects alone is a big plus.
• Tech savviness: If you’re comfortable using basic tech software or learning new ones quickly, mention it!

Address the lack of experience in your cover letter

Your cover letter is the place to address the fact that you’re new to remote work. But don’t apologise for it — use it to show your excitement and willingness to learn. You never know which employer is looking for a vibrant self-starter whom they will bet on. Talk about the skills you’ve picked up and how you’re eager to start working remotely. Employers love candidates who are proactive and passionate.

Find beginner-friendly remote jobs

You don’t need to aim for the top-tier remote jobs right out of the gate. Many companies hire for entry-level positions that don’t require much experience. A few types of jobs that are perfect for beginners are:

1. Customer service: Many companies need remote customer service reps. You’ll answer questions, solve problems, and make customers happy from your laptop in your little corner of the world.
2. Virtual assistant: As a virtual assistant, you’ll help people with tasks like scheduling, responding to emails, and managing social media. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door without much experience.
3. Content writing: If you enjoy writing, there are plenty of businesses looking for blog writers, social media copywriters, and more. You can start small and work your way up even if you're not a pro.
4. Social media management: If you know how to engage with people on platforms like Instagram or Twitter, you can help small businesses build their online presence, rise through the ranks and transition to larger organisations.
5. Online tutoring: You can tutor students online if you know a niche subject. Many companies offer flexible tutoring jobs; you don’t need to be a certified teacher.

Tap into remote work communities

One of the best ways to find remote work is to connect with people who are already doing it. Online communities are full of remote workers and digital nomads who share advice, job leads, and support. I’ve found some of my best job opportunities through networking with people in these groups.

Join online communities

There are tons of online spaces where remote workers hang out. Some of the best ones to check out are:

• The Grey Area community: What’s better than one digital nomad? A community of them! The Grey Area is Grey’s exclusive global hub for freelancers, creators, remote workers, and digital nomads. Our mission is to connect, empower, and help shape the future of residents of the digital world.
• LinkedIn: Join groups or follow people who are already working remotely. Engage with discussions, ask for advice, and connect with people in industries of your interest.
• The Freelance Coalition for Developing Countries: FCDC provides learning resources and mentorship for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) freelancers who need help upskilling and learning the business side of freelancing.
• Facebook groups and Reddit: There are countless groups and subreddits where remote workers share job leads and tips. These are also great places to ask questions or get help when you’re just starting.
• Job boards: Websites like We Work Remotely, Remote.co, and FlexJobs specialise in remote job listings. Many of these platforms also have communities where you can connect with other job seekers.

Start freelancing to get your foot in the door

If you’re not finding full-time remote work right away, don’t stress. A great way to start is by picking up freelance work. This allows you to get some experience, build your portfolio, and learn what kind of work you enjoy.

Sign up for freelance platforms

Plenty of websites allow you to find freelance gigs, even as a beginner. In addition to getting gigs on social media communities, some of the most popular freelancing gig websites include:

• Upwork: You can find everything from writing gigs to graphic design and customer service work.
• Fiverr: Start by offering small tasks or services, and you can slowly build up your portfolio.
• Freelancer: Another platform where you can bid on projects and start building up experience.

Freelancing allows you to try different types of work, figure out what you like, and gain valuable experience that you can later put on your resume.

Explore digital nomad-friendly places

You might be ready to start travelling once you’ve got a remote job or a steady stream of freelance work. In another article, my colleague listed some of the most underrated digital nomad destinations in the world. 

Final thoughts: Take small steps and stay persistent

Breaking into remote work, especially without experience, can feel intimidating. But remember: no one starts off as an expert. May your honest dreams come true. 

I’m rooting for you!

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