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I have an Associate's Degree from a Community College, but no prior professional work experience. Where should I start? I wish to work fully remote.

I have no prior professional work experience but I've been working 4 years as a self-employed caregiver and childcare provider. I'm interested in either becoming a virtual tutor, virtual assistant, or freelance software developer/tester.

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TRAVIS’s Answer

You do have professional experience. Build two types of resumes. A one pager and a long 3-4 page one. Include in the long one, school projects or classes you are proud of in the education section. Include a portfolio link if you have one to show projects websites or other digital projects you have worked on. Include volunteer, free lance or other types of work that you have done. If you are pending completion of a course or certification include that with the estimated completion date. Include alot of detail on your resume. Technologies used and any type of performance metric that would be helpful. Make sure you anonymize your social media if there is anything that someone might find objectionable. Make sure all these details are also on your linkedin profile. Talk to your recent professors about job opportunities. They will know recent graduate who can help you get on somewhere. The college will usually offer careers services to recent graduates as well. Practice the STAR interview method. There are youtube videos about it. Great method for answering interview questions. Search for jobs that offer remote and make sure your long resume includes your preference for remote. Post the long resume on indeed, monster, careerbuilder and dice.
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Nadia’s Answer

I recommend applying for well-paid internships and co-ops (similar to an internship but instead of 3 months lasts longer, like 6 months). These are some of the best ways to get your foot in the door and possibly be hired full-time, even if you don't have a 4 year degree (I only have my AA and this happened to me). Be sure to highlight any work or management experience you've had, even if it's all unpaid, that shows you can effectively put together a resume and promote yourself to others. Make a LinkedIn profile highlighting your strengths.

Before this, it may be worthwhile to identify which companies require you to be a junior or senior in a 4-year degree program in order to apply for their internships. There are companies that may say that is required, but may be open to considering you based on your current educational experience, unpaid work experience and how you interview.

You can always ask chat-gpt for some best interviewing practices and which companies don't necessarily require a 4-year degree or would be flexible. It's important to find that out early on, so you don't spend time applying and realize that you're not checking the 4-year degree box they need to move forward.

Try software companies!
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Jerome’s Answer

I’ve found that there are numerous non-profits who will happily accept volunteers and in some case they will help train you to do some of the work. That could let you get some hands on experience with software developer/testing whole potentially earning a recommendation and giving you something active for your resume/LinkedIn.
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Bruce’s Answer

Hi - You just have to jump-in! 1.) Build a resume' based on your work and college history. Make sure to look at job postings you are targeting and pay attention to terminology and wording they are using....find ways to map that back to what you have been doing and implement similar terms and wording on your resume'. 2.) Post that resume' everywhere...Indeed, CareerBuilder, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor....etc. 3.) Leverage the College that you attended and contact them to see if they have leads for hiring companies. 4.) Contact Staffing Agencies (Randstad, The Adecco Group, ManpowerGroup Inc., Allegis Group, Insight Global, Robert Half International Inc., Kelly Services Inc.....etc.) directly...let them know you are ready to work and this will give you good experience as these jobs are typically contract based allowing you to work for a company 6 months/1yr. and then get placed with a different company for the next contract.
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Michael’s Answer

Looking into customer services roles for companies can be an easier foot in the door as those roles tend to be entry level. There are also companies that hire for seasonal role in customer service so it can give you a taste for it without too much commitment on your end. An example would be a company like liftopia.com where they hire heavily in the fall for these roles.
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