You don’t need to have 3-5 years of work experience or have a tech degree before you can land remote jobs. The work landscape has completely changed and there are so many legitimate opportunities out there that pay well and don’t require experience. But here’s the best part, even with the most basic computer skills you can get a job and work remotely. A lot of people working in tech today didn’t start with fancy degrees or insider connections, they just figured out what skills they had as little as it was and found where those skills were needed.
1) Customer Support
Businesses need those who’ll be the front line between them and their customers. Responding to emails, handling customer inquiries, resolving basic product issues, and sometimes doing cold calls. So, you might be responsible for walking someone through resetting a password, explaining features, or escalating tougher problems to a technical team. This job role is usually in high demand.
Skills Required (Even as a Beginner)
- Clear communication skill
- Patience (some days you’ll deal with cranky people)
- Basic computer skills: Navigating emails, Google Sheets, ticketing tools (Zendesk, Freshdesk, etc.)
- Empathy and listening (know when someone is frustrated and how to calm them)
- Problem solving: “If this didn’t work, what next?”
- Reliability and consistency (showing up on time, meeting quotas)
You don’t need years of experience, just proof that you can talk to people, stay calm under pressure, and pick up new tools quickly.
Pay Range
The pay ranges around $15 to $25 per hour or equivalent depending on location. Some postings show more modest base rates for entry roles, but many offer bonuses or raises after training. There are websites to help you land remote jobs quickly.
2) Social Media Manager
You’re probably already doing this for free, scrolling, liking, posting, and maybe even running your own page. But this time, you get paid to do it for businesses. As a Social Media Manager, you’ll help brands grow online by posting content, responding to comments, tracking engagement, and building a loyal audience. This is one of the most lucrative jobs you Can get with zero experience. Why? Small businesses, startups, and creators need people who understand how to use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create brand awareness and drive sales.
Skills Required (Even as a Beginner)
- Understanding how social platforms work (posting, timing, trends)
- Basic design using free tools like Canva
- Content planning and scheduling (tools like Buffer, Later, or Meta Business Suite)
- Copywriting: writing catchy captions that get attention
- Community engagement (replying to comments and DMs)
- Analytics (checking what worked and tweaking what didn’t)
Pay Range
Social media manager roles with no formal experience list pay between $20 to $30 per hour, and sometimes higher depending on the scope.
3) Virtual Assistant
Wondering why you should become a Virtual Assistant? Easy. Because it is one of the most flexible remote roles out there and quite an easy role to delve into. As a Virtual Assistant, you’ll support entrepreneurs, content creators, or small businesses by helping with day-to-day tasks, scheduling meetings, managing emails, handling basic research, updating spreadsheets, booking appointments, and sometimes even managing social media. You’re basically the organized person behind the scenes keeping everything from falling apart.
RELATED: How to Become a Remote Virtual Assistant as a Nigerian
Skills Required (Even as a Beginner)
- Good communication (clear writing for emails and updates)
- Organization (keeping track of multiple tasks or calendars)
- Familiarity with tools like Google Workspace, Zoom, Trello, or Notion
- Time management (you may juggle several clients)
- Problem-solving and resourcefulness
- Discretion and professionalism (you’ll be trusted with private info)
Pay Range
On Indeed and other platforms, beginner virtual assistant roles typically pay between $15 to $25/hour, but experienced VAs can charge up to $50/hour. In Nigeria, virtual assistant gigs usually start from ₦70,000 to ₦200,000/month for part-time work, depending on the scope. On freelancing sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer, VAs earn between $5 and $30/hour, especially if they work with international clients.
4) Data Entry Specialist
Your job is to take information (from forms, spreadsheets, emails, or databases) and input it accurately into a system. Think of it like being the behind-the-scenes person making sure everything is in the right place. Businesses need clean data to function, and they don’t have time to do it themselves. That’s where you come in.
Skills Required
- Fast and accurate typing
- Familiarity with tools like Excel or Google Sheets
- Attention to detail (catching small mistakes before they snowball)
- Basic knowledge of data organization or formatting
- Ability to follow instructions carefully
- Time management (many of these are deadline-based)
Pay Range
Entry-level remote data entry roles typically pay between $15 and $25 per hour in the U.S.
How to Stand Out with Zero Experience
- What you need is proof that you’re willing to put in the work and drive results. The easiest way to do that is to build proficiency in areas where you’re lacking. Take free YouTube tutorials or short online courses on tools like Zendesk, Airtable, Asana, or Google Sheets.
- Create simple practice projects to show what you can do. For instance, organize mock data in a spreadsheet, set up a basic content calendar, or record yourself solving a common customer problem. These mini-projects act as your first “portfolio,” even before you land your first job.
- Build a professional front online. Show what you can clearly do. Illustrate with strategy how you can help organizations achieve certain results when they hire you. Use keywords from job descriptions and highlight transferable skills; communication, organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving. If you’re applying for support roles, emphasize your typing speed and ability to multitask calmly; if it’s data entry, mention your accuracy and consistency; if it’s HR or VA work, highlight confidentiality and coordination skills.
Next Steps You Can Take Today
- Pick one job from this list and start learning the basic tools. You don’t need to enroll in an expensive course, YouTube University is still free last time I checked.
- Create one mini project to prove what you’ve learned. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just done.
- Clean up your LinkedIn bio. Write something that says what you do (or are learning to do). The goal isn’t to sound fancy; it’s to sound human and capable.
- Apply for one role today. Even if you think you’re not qualified. The worst they can say is no, which is still better than the “nothing” you get from not applying.
- Keep showing up. The tech world rewards persistence more than perfection.
Conclusion
Companies are willing to train the right candidate. Remote work demands reliability, not perfection. So, show initiative, keep learning, and position yourself like someone who’s already part of the tech world. That’s how you get noticed even with zero experience.
