Remote jobs sound like the dream, no commute, flexible schedule, and the freedom to work from anywhere. But if you’re just starting out, getting hired remotely can feel nearly impossible.
Here’s the hard truth: only about 3 to 5% of remote job listings are open to junior profiles. The competition is global, and most companies prioritize candidates who can hit the ground running with minimal guidance.
Remote-first companies look for autonomy, accountability, and tool fluency. That usually means at least 2 years of experience working in fast-paced environments with asynchronous communication.
So what can you do if you’re just getting started?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you break into remote work, even without experience.
1. Don’t start remote if you don’t have to
The best way to grow early in your career is by being surrounded by others. In-person or hybrid roles offer real-time feedback, spontaneous coaching, mentoring, and cultural learning. These things are hard to replicate remotely.
You’ll learn faster just by overhearing conversations, joining informal meetings, or asking a quick question in the moment. These micro-interactions are powerful accelerators at the beginning of your career.
Tip: Focus first on roles where you can learn directly from others, even if it means going into the office. Learn fast, build habits, and move toward remote once you’ve built confidence and clarity in your role.
2. Get experience
You don’t need a full-time job to prove yourself. Freelance, intern, volunteer, or contribute to open-source projects. Remote companies care more about what you’ve done than where you did it.
Run social media for a local non-profit, design a mock portfolio for fake clients, write LinkedIn posts about your learning journey, every bit helps you stand out.
Tip: Pick 1-2 areas (writing, design, marketing, coding, support) and build small real-world projects. Document the process and results. Showcase them clearly on your profile or personal website.
3. Build remote habits early
Even if you're working in-person, start acting like a remote worker: write clearly, manage your time, track your progress, and use async tools like Notion, Trello, or Loom.
Practice documenting your work, sharing weekly updates, and summarizing decisions in writing. These habits make you more independent, and more attractive to remote-first employers.
Tip: Treat your early roles as a training ground for remote. Set personal goals, document your work, and get used to being self-managed. Bonus: your manager will notice too.
4. Optimize your online presence
Remote-first companies hire globally. That means they check your online footprint. Your LinkedIn, portfolio, and public work matter more than your resume.
Use your profile to tell a story: what are you good at, what have you built, and what kind of remote role are you looking for?
Tip: Make sure your LinkedIn shows your top skills, not just your titles. Add project links, volunteer work, and a short summary that highlights your ability to work independently and communicate clearly.
5. Start with hybrid or remote-friendly companies
Most people don’t jump into fully remote work. They start in hybrid roles, with flexibility to work from home a few days a week. These jobs give you a chance to prove you can thrive with less supervision.
Hybrid setups offer the best of both worlds: support when you need it, and space to practice remote habits.
Tip: Look for companies with flexible policies and distributed teams, even if the job isn’t 100% remote. Ask during the interview how many people work remotely today and what the future policy looks like.
6. Upskill with intention
Remote roles often require stronger written communication, digital collaboration, and time management. These are all trainable skills, and you don’t need a degree to prove them.
Learn the tools remote teams use: Slack, Notion, ClickUp, Zoom, Loom, Google Docs. Then practice using them in your daily workflow.
Tip: Take short, practical courses (Maven, Domestika, Coursera). Apply the skills in real projects and highlight what you’ve learned with examples in your portfolio or LinkedIn.
7. Be honest in interviews
If you're new to remote, don’t fake it. Show your hunger to learn, your systems for staying organized, and your willingness to ask for feedback. Companies value honesty and coachability more than perfection.
Talk about how you’ve practiced remote habits already, even in on-site or part-time roles.
Tip: Say this: "I’ve built habits for remote work even while working in-office. I track my tasks, communicate async, and work transparently. I’m looking for a team that will help me grow remotely."
Final thoughts
Breaking into remote work without experience is hard—and that’s normal.
Start where you can learn, not where it looks cool. Build habits, stack real-world projects, and move step-by-step.
Remote work isn’t a shortcut. But it’s absolutely possible with the right foundation.
And when you're ready? Platforms like Jobgether will match you with the right remote roles for your profile, and guide you through every step.