With the rise of remote work over the past few years, there are more opportunities than ever for entry-level candidates to find remote jobs. Many companies have embraced remote work and are hiring for roles that can be done from anywhere. This opens up possibilities for those just starting their careers to land great remote jobs without needing to relocate or commute to an office every day.
However, the remote job market can still be competitive even for entry-level roles. It requires being proactive in your search and marketing yourself effectively to stand out from other applicants. Here are some tips on how to find entry-level remote jobs:
Leverage job search engines and boards
There are many job search platforms that allow you to specifically look for remote opportunities. Sites like FlexJobs, Remote.co, and We Work Remotely only post remote and flexible jobs, making your search much more targeted. You can search for entry-level or junior roles on these sites across different industries and locations.
Major job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter also have filters to search for remote jobs. Make sure to select “remote” under location or use keywords like “virtual” or “telecommute” to narrow your search results to remote-friendly postings. Look under entry-level or junior categorizations as well.
Look for remote-first and virtual companies
Many startups and technology companies are built as remote-first from inception. This means they embrace remote work as part of their culture and hire people from all over. Some examples of remote-first companies that often hire entry-level remote workers are GitLab, InVision, and Automattic (the company behind WordPress).
Search for “remote-first companies” lists online and go directly to their careers page to see if they’re hiring for any junior roles. You can also look up “virtual companies” that are fully distributed without physical offices and hire remotely across all levels and functions.
Apply to hybrid/flexible job postings
Some companies have flexibility but aren’t fully remote. They may allow certain roles or teams to work from home a few days a week or on specific projects. Look for job postings that mention hybrid, flexible location, or remote options – even if it’s not listed as a pure virtual role, you may be able to negotiate remote work.
For example, if a job says “remote work 2-3 days per week” or “occasional remote work required”, you can express your interest in full-time remote work in your application. Having some on-site requirements gives you a better chance than applying to roles marked as “in-office only.”
Leverage your network
Networking and connections can be invaluable when trying to find a remote job as an entry-level candidate with limited experience. Ask friends, classmates, professors, family members, and other contacts if their companies hire remote workers. See if they can refer you to any relevant openings.
Join industry groups and associations for your field on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to expand your network. Follow companies you’re interested in and engage with their posts to get on their radar. Attend virtual events and conferences to connect with other remote workers who can share job leads or put you in touch with hiring managers.
Highlight relevant skills and qualities
When applying to entry-level remote jobs, your resume and cover letter need to convey key skills and qualities sought after in remote workers. Emphasize skills like:
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Time management and self-motivation
- Comfort with technology and online tools
- Ability to work independently and proactively
- Organizational and productivity skills
Show that you can be productive and succeed in a remote setting without constant in-person supervision. Mention any experience you have working remotely, using virtual collaboration tools, managing remote teams, or showing initiative and self-direction.
Get remote work experience
If you don’t have full-time remote work experience yet, there are other ways to demonstrate ability and interest:
- Take on freelance remote gigs such as tutoring, writing, design etc.
- Complete remote internships – many companies have virtual programs now
- Work remotely for a semester or summer if your college allows flexibility
- Join remote volunteer initiatives – you can contribute virtually to great causes
- Take online courses and certifications related to your field
Any evidence that you’ve worked successfully in a remote setting makes you a stronger candidate when applying to entry-level remote jobs.
Be open-minded about roles and companies
Entry-level remote jobs span many different industries and functions. Don’t limit yourself to just the obvious work-from-home types of roles. With today’s changing workplace, even customer service, HR, finance, sales and other corporate roles are hiring remotely.
Research different companies and positions with remote options. Be open to roles that you may not have initially considered but could be a good fit for your long-term goals and entry into a remote career.
Cast a wide geographic net
One of the main advantages of remote work is that you can apply to jobs anywhere in the country (or world!). Don’t just search within your current city or state. Look nationwide, especially in large metropolitan areas and tech hubs where more companies tend to embrace remote work.
Widening your geographic search allows you to access many more opportunities and find openings that may be less competitive than your local market.
Be prepared for video interviews and assessments
Landing an entry level remote job often requires standing out in virtual interviews and assessments. Here are some tips to help prepare:
- Practice answering common interview questions aloud over video calls to get comfortable expressing yourself remotely. Prepare stories and examples that showcase relevant skills.
- Set up a professional looking home office or backdrop for video calls.
- Test and get familiar with platforms like Zoom, Skype, Google Meet etc. used for remote interviews.
- For recorded video interviews, practice until you deliver smooth, articulate responses.
- If required to complete remote work simulations or skills assessments, review materials and practice examples beforehand.
With remote hiring, the interview process may be your only chance to make an impression in-person. Be ready to put your best foot forward on camera or through pre-recorded videos.
Highlight passion for remote work
In your application materials and interviews, convey genuine enthusiasm for remote work. Share why the remote lifestyle appeals to you long term, beyond just the ability to work from home temporarily.
Show that you’ve given serious thought to the pros and cons and how remote work aligns with your skills, personality, and career goals. This helps demonstrate commitment and fit for remote roles versus just casual interest.
Have a schedule and dedicated workspace
To show you can be productive working independently, talk about your typical daily routine and habits you’d maintain as a remote worker. Mention wake-up and start times, break times, tool you use to stay organized, and methods for minimizing distractions.
Discuss your remote workspace setup. Whether it’s your home office, shared workspace location, or just a tidy corner in your bedroom, show that you have (or will have) an ergonomic and professional environment dedicated to focus work.
Be patient and persistent in your search
It may take more time and effort to find the right entry level remote position. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get immediate responses or interviews. Persistently apply to openings that interest you and follow up with hiring managers.
Set up job alerts so you get notified when new remote openings are posted. Follow your target companies on social media for job updates. Join professional Slack/Discord channels or Facebook groups to access leads. Sign up for Google Alerts on relevant keywords like “remote entry level developer jobs”.
Finding an entry-level remote job requires diligence and patience, but it’s absolutely possible with the right search strategies and preparation.
Conclusion
The rise of remote work has opened up new career possibilities for entry-level job seekers who want to start their professional journeys working from home. While the remote job market is highly competitive, using targeted search methods, highlighting relevant skills, gaining remote experience, and persisting in your search can help land exciting entry-level remote roles across many fields.
Remember to cast a wide geographic net, leverage your networks, prepare thoroughly for remote interviews and assessments, and showcase your passion for the location-independent lifestyle. With the right approach, you can find amazing remote work opportunities at the start of your career.
Tactic | Description |
---|---|
Use job search engines | Search on sites dedicated to remote work like FlexJobs and Remote.co. |
Target remote-first companies | Look for startups and technology companies built as remote from the start. |
Apply to hybrid/flex jobs | Roles with some remote work options can be a starting point. |
Leverage your network | Ask contacts if their companies hire entry-level remote workers. |
Highlight relevant skills | Communication, time management, and comfort with technology. |
Get remote experience | Freelance gigs, virtual internships, remote coursework etc. |
Consider different roles | Look beyond the typical remote-friendly fields. |
Search nationally | Apply to openings in metro areas beyond just your location. |
Ace remote interviews | Practice and prepare thoroughly for video and pre-recorded interviews. |