Things to help you land a remote job position & go surfing.
Perhaps the most frequently asked of all questions in the universe of Work, - how to jump into the remote working ladder? From having almost always worked remotely my entire life, I wonder if it was pure luck, or if the working systems are truly shifting towards a more hybrid/remote approach.
Even though I have worked for 8+ years now online, the fear of slipping off the remote working track and not being able to get back onto it does creep in every other time. Plus, pre-COVID era, there was a noticeable belief that entry-level jobs were less available in remote working formats than higher-level positions, which partially proves that we are fast-moving towards the work-from-your-laptop era, - about time ey!
Work is such a huge umbrella of many sides & subsides, and a lot of what I’m going to say may or may not apply to you depending on where you’re based, your current skills, work pattern preferences, industry interest, speciality & experience, pay etc. To keep things simple, let’s focus on one common perspective to start:
>> Entry-level, no academic background (or unrelated degree), no experience in the field
If this resonates, read on. If you’d like advice tailored to a different situation, drop a comment below and I’ll craft something specific for you.
Pick your fighter right
Look for digitally native, modern companies with fresh perspectives and remote-first mindsets. These tend to be more flexible, sustainability-conscious, and mission-driven. They’re often young, fast-growing, and open to hiring based on potential rather than credentials.
Best Types of Companies:
Sustainability-First & B-Corps: Allbirds, Patagonia, Pela, Ecosia, Too Good To Go
Wellness & Health Startups: Calm, Headspace, Mindbody, Ritual
Ethical Travel Brands: Responsible Travel, Much Better Adventures, Intrepid
Digital Banks & Fintech: Monzo, Wise, N26, Revolut
Outdoor & Adventure Gear: Cotopaxi, Picture Organic, Finisterre
Modern Marketing Agencies: Social Chain, The Good Co., Favoured
TIP TIME
These companies often value enthusiasm and life experience over formal qualifications and tend to be early adopters of flexible work models. They also often have fewer layers of hierarchy, meaning they can take chances on junior talent, and are more likely to value attitude and adaptability over credentials.
Don't forget to follow them on LinkedIn and Instagram — it’s an easy way to stay in the loop on hiring, culture updates, and remote perks.
2. Hunt for Entry-Level friendly areas
If you don’t yet have a technical specialisation, these departments are a great entry point. They often hire based on soft skills and are open to training new talent on the job.
Where to Look:
Customer Support / Success
Sales & Post-Sale Care
Complaints & Issue Resolution
Digital Banking Support
Marketing & Social Media Assistant
Admin & Operations
These roles focus heavily on communication, organisation, and problem-solving — all skills you can build on through everyday experience.
Search Keywords:
>> Coordinator, Assistant, Support, Complaints, Sales, Admin, Junior, Entry-Level, Remote, No Experience
A few places you could start looking into:
Career pages of brands you love
3. Little work, big wins
Most entry-level remote roles come with a structured onboarding process — but you can stand out by getting a head start. Learning the basics of the tools and systems companies already use shows initiative and saves them training time — making you an attractive hire.
Taking even a couple of hours a week to familiarise yourself with key platforms can set you apart from dozens of applicants. Most of these resources are free, beginner-friendly, and made to be completed in just a few sessions.
Focus on Tools Based on the Type of Role You’re Targeting:
Department: Customer Support
Tools: HubSpot, ZenDesk, Intercom
Where to Learn: HubSpot Academy, ZenDesk Guides, Corsera
—
Department: Sales / CRMSalesforce
Tools: Pipedrive, Close CRMSalesforce
Where to Learn: Coursera, Udemy
—
Department: Admin / Operations
Tools: Google Workspace, Notion, Asana, Trello
Where to learn: Notion training hub, Coursera, YouTube
—
Department: Marketing/Socials
Tools: Meta Business Suite, Canva, Buffer, Later
Where to learn: Meta Blueprint, Google Digital Garage, Skillshare
The tools above are a suggestion, but best to do your research on the companies you have in mind and the specifications & requirements of now-closed job positions for the same role. This will provide you with an idea of which tools they use day-to-day and would like to see some experience.
TIP TIME
These tools are often taught on the job, but coming in with basic knowledge lets you ramp up faster and gives hiring managers confidence that you’ll hit the ground running. And even if you're not a tech master mind, showing that you're willing to learn the tools of the trade signals that you’re proactive and coachable — two of the most valued traits in remote teams.
4. Make personal passions work
Hunt wisely within your pool of personal interests and use your personal passions and life experience to bridge the gap. Reach out to companies where your hobbies & interests can be used as a CV-enhancer for that particular role. For instance, let’s say you are big into surfing, skiing and outdoor adventures, and you have some experience in travelling for those types of adventures, wearing & trying related gear, searching for destinations and products. Then, applying for jobs at sustainable travel companies, outdoor clothing brands & products, could be an easy fit in as you can show a real understanding of the audience they serve. That’s a whole load of knowledge, enthusiasm and experience that can’t be trained on day-to-night, you simply have it.
Companies increasingly value alignment over credentials, and your real-life interests can become your secret weapon.
Why This Works:
You’re more likely to speak the brand’s language naturally;
You can show real understanding of the audience they serve;
Your excitement is genuine, which translates into stronger applications and interviews;
You’re easier to onboard and motivate, because the topic already interests you;
“I landed my current job at a sustainable travel brand because of my personal experience with surfing and outdoor adventures. They saw that I genuinely cared about the product and audience — something you can’t fake.”, Ines here!
5. Final Tipss
Be flexible & stay proactive - you might not land your dream "remote-from-anywhere-in-the-world" gig on the first try. And that’s okay.
Types of flexible remote working worth considering:
Remote within your own country
These roles often come with less timezone confusion and may still offer a great deal of autonomy.Hybrid roles (part-time in office)
A few days in the office per week can help you build credibility, and later negotiate more remote time.Remote within specific time zones
This is common for global teams. As long as you’re in the right time zone, your location might not matter.Temporary or seasonal remote work
Short-term contracts, internships, or freelance gigs can help you gain remote experience and references.
These may not be the final destination, but they’re powerful entry points. The key is to get your foot in the door, prove yourself, and build trust. Remote freedom grows with that trust.
TIP TIME: Once you’re in and performing well, there’s room to pitch new ideas:
Suggest a trial month of working while travelling;
Combine annual leave with remote weeks abroad;
Join cross-border company projects;
Speak to HR about future location flexibility.
That’s it for me (now), thanks a bunch for sticking around!
I hope at least something here felt helpful today. We’re all coming from different walks of life, and it’s not one-size-fits-all, but trust me, regardless of your previous professional background, it has never been easier to join the remote working gang.
Tune in every Monday for more Surf + Remote Work Series. Consider subscribing to our mailing list and following us on Instagram @surfbirdscollective.
Bisoux bisoux & go surfing!
Ines
