Surely the sight of "entry-level" in a job posting would indicate that the role requires no experience, right?
Ironically, this is not the case.
It appears as though there are increasing numbers of entry-level job adverts requiring three or more years of experience, which seems to defeat the very notion of what entry-level is supposed to be: suitable for professionals with little to no experience whatsoever, who are at the brinks of their careers.
For example, according to a 2021 LinkedIn analysis of job postings, 60% of entry-level jobs within the computer and IT industry require three or more years of experience; the share of entry-level jobs demanding this figure for years of experience within the manufacturing, design, education, and finance industries stood at 50%, 47%, 45%, and 44% respectively.
Additionally, even in countries such as the UK, more than 50% of entry-level job listings required 2.7 years of experience, with the greatest proportion of listings being within the IT industry as well, according to a 2024 report by StandOut CV.
This makes it harder for you to get your foot in the door and launch a successful career, because it goes into an endless, pointless cycle: you need experience to get work, but to get the experience you need to get work in the first place.
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Thankfully, not all entry-level jobs are created equal. Not only are there some roles which are truly "entry-level" in every sense of the word, but there are also employers who have systems and programs in place to ensure that the entry-level remote jobs they are hiring, are suitable for those who have recently graduated or completed their training.
How To Find Entry-Level Remote Jobs That Require No Experience
Locating an entry-level job that is remote can be tricky. Securing one that does not require years of experience is even harder. Here are a few tips to make the process easier as you're launching (or re-launching) your career this summer:
First, seek out employers who have robust career development programs in place. Look out for indications of this on the career page of their website, such as apprenticeships, paid trainee programs, and graduate programs.
Sometimes they may not have these programs available, but you can easily identify from the wording of their entry-level job listing that they do not require someone with years of experience.
For example they may say, "We are looking for someone with the right attitude," or "Adhering to our values and being willing to learn is what's most important to us."
Another important way you can find entry-level remote jobs with no experience required, is to leverage your network and networking skills, especially on professional platforms such as LinkedIn.
Connect with experienced professionals, especially decision-makers such as managers and directors, and talent acquisition specialists in your desired company (those who are most likely to hire) on LinkedIn. Engage with them, share valuable, unique perspectives and content on your profile, and join industry bowls and groups on LinkedIn and Glassdoor. You can also follow subreddits for industry and job tips and advice.
When you consistently and proactively engage in networking, you will be top of mind for these decision-makers when it's time to recruit their next entry-level hire, and you may find yourself gaining access to roles even before they are publicly advertized, due to word-of-mouth.
Additionally, gaining hands-on expertise through positioning yourself as a freelancer, working pro bono and doing volunteer work, completing internships, and viewing every opportunity strategically, can position you for success as you prepare to launch your career, lending you years of experience before you "officially" start working in the industry.
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Finally, many employers are adopting and moving towards skills-based hiring, so it's key to highlight a balanced, relevant combination of your soft skills (also known as power skills) and technical skills, throughout your resume, application questions, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio.
10 Entry-Level Remote Jobs That Require No Experience
Now that you know how to land an entry-level remote job, even with less than three years of experience, here are some entry-level remote roles that you can typically expect to find without needing years of experience. These roles will typically only require you to gain relevant training, a certification, or complete a degree.
(This is either due to the fact that employers within these categories tend to be more open to providing you with on-the-job training, or because these roles can be taken on a freelance basis, providing you with the experience you need to enter into more senior jobs.)
- Online tutor
- Teacher for English as foreign language
- Customer service representative
- Sales representative
- Social media coordinator
- Freelance writer
- Remote IT support specialist
- Freelance photographer
- Talent acquisition associate
- Recruiting coordinator
Securing your first role out of college, or your first role in a new industry as you make a career pivot, can seem overwhelming due to not having the pre-requisite years of experience needed. But through being strategic about your career plan, leveraging your skills and network, and sourcing employers who are enthusiastic about nurturing fresh talent, you can find yourself in your ideal entry-level remote job sooner than you expected.
