RFW Beginner's Roadmap
Hey there! If I could go back 10 years and restart my remote work journey from scratch, I’d do a lot of things differently – and smarter. That’s exactly what I want to share with you here in the RFW Beginners Roadmap.
This roadmap is designed to point you to the write guides that answer the most common beginner questions, like:
- “Where do I start?”
- “What skills do I need?”
- “How do I find my first job?”
If you’re just starting out, here’s one piece of advice right away: take it one step at a time. Every small action, every small win will bring you closer to your goals.
Table of Contents
RFW Beginners Roadmap: The 4-Step Plan for Beginners
When I started my remote work journey, I jumped in without a clear goal. If I could do it all over again, I’d first ask myself: What do I really want from this?
- Need extra income? Look into flexible gigs like data entry or writing.
- Want a stable career? Focus on learning in-demand skills like design, copywriting, or coding that let you grow over time.
Your goal shapes your path. If you know what you want, you’ll make smarter choices and avoid wasting time on things that don’t fit your plan.
Take a moment now to think: Do I want quick cash or a long-term career?
Got it? Great! Let’s move on to the next step.
Once you’ve set your goal, explore online job platforms to see what remote work suits your interests. Take your time to browse and understand the options, instead of jumping on the first job you find. Most people start by browsing on Onlinejobs.ph or LinkedIn, but there are plenty of alternatives.
Here are some guides for browsing remote work, but take it slowly so you don’t get overwhelmed.
So, upon browsing the available online jobs, you’ll quickly realize that not every job will fit you. That’s why it’s crucial to assess your skills next. Take a moment to reflect on what you’re good at and what you might need to learn. Ask yourself:
- “What tasks do I find myself doing effortlessly while others struggle?”
- “What’s something I’ve been naturally good at that others seek my help with?”
- “Which skills do I enjoy using the most, even in my free time?”
Here’s the hard truth I wish I’d known early on: you’re going to fail a lot at first. You’ll apply for jobs, get rejected (or get no answer), and probably feel like you’re not cut out for remote work.
One thing I learned the hard way is that showing what you can actually do is very very important to online clients. This means, customizing your resume and portfolio based on the job requirements. Yes, I know it’s a hassle but you can do it faster using AI.
Now, here’s the second hard truth: waiting to get experience and build skills after landing a job is a surefire way to set yourself up for failure.
I’m sure you’ve heard about upskilling. But no one ever says how to do that exactly.
Here’s how I upskill: I start targeting specific jobs and learning the skills needed for them. It might feel pointless at first if it doesn’t seem to bring you closer to the job, but here’s what I do: I create samples of my work and send them directly to potential clients. If they hire me, great! If not, at least my skills are improving.
The key is to keep practicing and putting yourself out there – eventually, you’ll land that job.
If you’d like to know more about my process, you can watch this video:
And that’s pretty much it. Just keep repeating steps 3 and 4 until you eventually land that job. Good luck!
Online Job Ideas for Your Profession
So, I see this question a lot. “What’s a good job for a student? Nurse? Engineer?”
Well, we all have different backgrounds so not every online job will fit our current skills, experiences, and situations. If you need ideas for what online job is possible for you, check out our collection of guides below.
Popular: Guides for Virtual Assistants in the Philippines
Virtual assistants (VAs) are a popular career choice for Filipinos starting their online careers. As a beginner, you can choose to join a virtual assistant agency for training, or you can go the independent route and find clients on your own by showcasing your skills and portfolio. The guides below will help you get started, no matter which path you choose.
