I Graduated in 2018 and Never Had a Real Job – How Do I Start Working Remotely?

Dear Yvonne,

My name is Joy. I’m 25 years old and completed my undergraduate degree in 2018. Truthfully, I have never had a real job where I could learn, explore, and improve myself. I run a business, but it hasn't been easy with the current state of Nigeria’s economy.

Recently, I’ve been researching skills I can learn to work remotely and how to go about it.

I would appreciate any tips, advice, or a guideline on choosing a high-demand skill and securing a good job online. Thank you.

Yvonne says,

Hi Joy, it’s great that you are considering learning new skills and developing yourself. Remote work opportunities are amazing and you’re right, it takes some level of skill development and professional branding to position yourself for one. You can start by researching high-demand skills and some options are: digital marketing, content writing, virtual assistance, and project management.

Also, consider your interests and strengths; what do you enjoy doing? do you prefer technical or soft skills? what past experiences can you leverage? Then consider taking online courses or enrolling in bootcamps to upskill yourself followed by gathering evidence for your development through a portfolio.

Personal branding is also a great way to build a career and land opportunities; start tailoring your profile to align with your areas of interests and the skills you’re building, and contribute to meaningful conversations online and attend relevant events as well.

Finally, stay persistent, and resilient. Have a set of positive affirmations you repeat to yourself daily as these will come in handy when you start experiencing the stress of job search and career development. I hope these help.