The rise of remote work coupled with a turbulent job market has prompted many young job seekers to rethink traditional career paths. Instead of settling for unsatisfying jobs that chain them to cramped cubicles, a bold new generation desires the freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment that entry-level remote jobs can offer.
But how does one navigate this landscape fraught with intense competition and uncertainty? As a small business owner who has built a fully-remote team from the ground up, I‘m here to guide you through the process step-by-step. In this handbook, we‘ll explore the most promising entry-level remote jobs primed for beginners along with insider tips to help you land your dream role.
Why Entry-Level Workers Should Consider Remote Jobs
- Untethered Lifestyle: With remote work, you can set your own schedule and work from wherever you please—whether splitting time between a small city apartment and your favorite coffee shop or running your calendar from a van traveling across the country. The choice is yours.
- Transferable Skills: Early-career remote roles build valuable skills like self-motivation, communication, time management, and accountability—carry these strengths forward as your career advances.
- Expanded Opportunities: You‘re no longer limited to jobs located within driving distance. Apply anywhere your skills match an opening for maximum choice. Widen horizons and work for inspiring companies usually concentrated in major hubs.
- Career Acceleration: Stand out by gaining cross-functional knowledge, owning projects start-to-finish, and building spheres of influence across decentralized teams. These prime conditions allow high-potential junior team members to take on leadership earlier in their careers.
Below we identify the most promising entry-level remote jobs on the market right now across a range of functions.
Top Entry-Level Remote Jobs for 2024
Virtual Assistant
As modern executive‘s right-hand man or woman, virtual assistants keep busy professionals organized and operations running smoothly. Common responsibilities include scheduling meetings, managing inboxes, coordinating travel, handling expenses, project management, research, and overall administration.
To succeed in this fast-paced role, razor-sharp organizational abilities, relentless attention to detail, comfort with technology, and grace under pressure are essential. Entry-level US-based VAs earn $30,000 – $45,000 on average annually.
Key Skills
- Administration
- Time Management
- Written + Verbal Communication
- Research
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Email Management
Customer Support Representative
Occupying the frontlines between companies and their customers, customer support representatives aim to deliver helpful, empathetic service and resolve issues promptly.
As a remote CSR, you‘ll field customer inquiries via phone, email, chat, social media and troubleshoot problems referring to knowledge bases and support tools. Patience, courtesy, analytical thinking and documentation skills are key. Entry-level customer support reps earn approximately $35,000 per year on average.
Key Skills
- Patience + Empathy
- Verbal + Written Communication
- Problem Solving
- Product Knowledge
- Data Analysis
- Documentation
Chatbot Designer
Chatbots have exploded onto the scene, providing quick, convenient interactions for customers. As a chatbot designer, you‘ll build conversational interfaces to handle common customer requests, questions, complaints and more so human agents can focus on high-value complex issues.
To create effective bots, you‘ll need a mixed skillset combining technical prowess, conversational UI design abilities, some coding languages like JavaScript or Python, and analytical thinking to optimize ongoing performance. Entry-level chatbot designers earn approximately $55,000 annually on average.
Key Skills
- Technical Aptitude
- UI/UX Design
- Coding Languages
- Analytics + Optimization
- Conversation Design
- Testing + Debugging
Junior Web Developer
With triumphant trumpet blasts, web developers march onto our list. These builders of the internet craft beautiful websites and complex applications that provide utility and drive business results.
As a junior web developer, you‘ll assist senior developers throughout project lifecycles—gathering requirements, architecting information flows, coding pages and programs, calibrating designs, and identifying issues. Must-have skills include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React and version control systems like Git. Entry-level web developers start around $67,000 per year on average.
Key Skills
- HTML/CSS
- JavaScript
- React
- Git
- Debugging
- Scope + Timeline Management
Freelance Writer
In the boundless world of the web filled with millions of blogs, articles, social posts and more, scrappy freelance writers use the power of the pen to carved out fulfilling and lucrative remote writing careers.
As a freelance writer, you‘ll research targeted topics and craft compelling copy that informs, entertains and resonates with readers. To succeed, creativity, curiosity, adaptability and time management skills are vital. Entry-level freelance bloggers and marketing writers average 10 to 20 cents per word.
Key Skills
- Creativity
- Research
- Time Management
- Adaptability
- Editing
- Topic Versatility
Graphic Designer
Beyond written content, visually appealing graphics and media compositions grab online audiences‘ attention. That‘s where talented graphic designers come in.
In an entry-level remote design role, you‘ll support senior designers throughout ideation, creation and execution of graphics for websites, product illustrations, infographics, social media content and more. Crucial skills include Photoshop, InDesign, color theory, typography, layout and the fundamentals of sharp aesthetic vision. Beginner graphic designers earn $35,000 on average per year.
Key Skills
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Typography
- Layout Composition
- Color Theory
- Illustration
- Photo Editing
Insider Tips to Land Your First Remote Gig
Fierce competition awaits in the remote job market—hundreds if not thousands of applicants gun for each compelling opening. How can beginners standout? Take the following steps:
😀 Highlight transferable skills – School projects, internships, campus leadership provide relevant experiences. Draw clear parallels.
💼 Build online presence – Craft LinkedIn profile, Twitter, online portfolio to exhibit abilities, interests and personality.
📚 Develop niche expertise – Take online courses and certifications to demonstrate specialized knowledge. Ex. JavaScript bootcamp for aspiring web devs.
✍️ Perfect your resume – Quantify accomplishments. Emphasize communication abilities, self-motivation and accountability.
💬 Ace the video interview – Hone your on-camera presence through practice interviews. Simulate eye contact by looking directly into camera.
🚀 Ask about growth – Inquire about mentorship opportunities, training programs and promotion paths during interviews.
🙌 Use your network – Leverage personal connections for introductions and referrals at target companies.
📈 Highlight data – Share statistics on productivity improvements, program enrollments or other metrics boosted by your contributions.
🤝 Follow-up promptly – Send thank you notes to recruiters and interviewers quickly after interactions.
😤 Persist – Remote job searches may take months. Continue improving while applying; the right fit awaits.
The Future is Bright for Next-Gen Remote Workers
While the road ahead poses challenges, the landscape is also ripe with opportunity for scrappy, motivated junior professionals who recognize the unique offerings of remote work.
- 72% of hiring managers report access to more diverse global talent pools with remote hiring according to Mercer.
- 54% of workers say greater work location flexibility would increase loyalty to their employers per Statista.
- Entry-level remote job postings on sites like LinkedIn have surged 196% YoY demonstrating skyrocketing demand.
The data shows clear momentum. As modern work sheds outdated location-based constraints, junior professionals stand to claim expanded opportunities, accelerated leadership journeys and purpose-driven freedom. Chart your course thoughtfully, craft a compelling application and manifest that ideal remote role. Your limitless future awaits!
