Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
You don’t always need a bachelor’s degree to find a great career that’s also flexible.
A growing number of companies accept skills and experience in place of a traditional degree for a variety of jobs across many career categories.
To help job seekers without a bachelor’s degree find professional positions, we’ve identified remote jobs that generally don’t require a four-year college degree.
(Also be sure to view our listings for entry-level remote jobs as well as jobs listings without a degree requirement specified.)
The following remote jobs include a range of industries and can be contract or employee roles that require no more than a high school diploma or equivalent years of experience.
1. Accounting Clerk
Accounting clerks typically require at least a year of experience to process accounts payable and receivable, compile reports, and reconcile bank deposits.
Those who succeed in this role are often detail-oriented with great customer service skills. Employers generally require a high school diploma or GED, and some may prefer prior work experience.
2. Bookkeeper
Bookkeepers handle an organization’s general ledger by recording transactions, producing financial statements, and checking financial records for accuracy.
Employers often want bookkeepers to have some postsecondary education, but also will provide on-the-job training, and bookkeepers can pursue various professional certifications.
3. Client Services
Client services positions combine sales management and customer service skills. Tasks include helping clients with complex issues and identifying other areas of opportunity to help keep their business.
Being a client services professional means being able to work as a liaison between the company and the client to ensure that projects run smoothly and on schedule.
4. Customer Service
Many types of companies employ customer service workers to serve as the direct point of contact for customers, providing them with an adequate level of service or help with their questions or concerns.
Customer service representatives interact with customers to provide information and support in response to inquiries about products or services and to handle and resolve complaints.
They may communicate with customers by telephone, email, chat, or mail.
5. Data Entry
Data entry professionals enter data into a computer system or into some type of secure file system and may perform other types of clerical activities.
Data entry clerks generally must be able to read and have a fast typing speed. Data entry jobs are very remote-friendly as they can often be done from a home computer.
6. Executive Assistant
Executive administrative assistants are necessary in most industries, and the skills are often transferable.
Duties can include managing executives’ schedules, arranging travel, handling social media, managing events, and dealing with clients and customers on the employer’s behalf.
Most roles require relatively high technological and computer proficiency, along with great organizational, multitasking, communication, and people skills.
7. Graphic Designer
Graphic designers produce visual solutions for the communications needs of their clients through a variety of creative skills.
Graphic designers are creative people who have a flair for what is appealing to consumers, are aware of upcoming trends, and can convert their ideas into visually pleasing images.
Experience with graphic design software, such as Photoshop or InDesign, is usually required.
8. Inside Sales Representative
Inside sales reps work on generating new business by cold calling and fielding incoming inquiries.
They also connect with existing customers in order to ensure their satisfaction and to introduce them to additional products and services of interest.
This role requires strong interpersonal and persuasion skills to pitch goods and services to prospects.
9. IT Project Coordinator
IT project coordinators monitor project progress, provide IT support, and collaborate with technology teams. They also help roll out new products and features and keep track of bugs.
A technology project coordinator needs to have some technical background to help them understand how new products and features fit in with existing technology.
10. Mortgage Underwriter
With the housing market experiencing a boom, underwriters are in high demand.
Underwriters typically analyze and evaluate all aspects of a borrower’s credit, underwrite mortgage loans, and process customer information.
11. Online Tutor
Tutors provide one-on-one learning support for students of all ages, from K-12 to adult learning environments.
Tutors help reinforce the subject material that the student may be having trouble comprehending.
Generally experts in one or more subject areas, tutors can share their insights and different ways of looking at a subject to help students learn more effectively.
12. Project Manager
Project managers develop requirements, budgets, and schedules for a company’s projects.
They coordinate such projects from development through implementation, working with internal and external clients, vendors, consultants, and computer specialists.
13. Property Claims Adjuster
Insurance companies and related organizations hire claims adjusters to evaluate insurance claims, including onsite and virtual inspection of damages and documentation of claims.
A diploma and experience can qualify applicants for this type of role, and most companies hiring claims adjusters also offer extensive training on an ongoing basis.
14. Social Media Coordinator
Social media coordinators utilize social networking websites and communities to introduce topics or promote products and ideas online.
They engage people in lively conversation and provide interesting links to articles, videos, and other media to attract website visitors to their home page or company.
15. Tech Support Specialist
An aptitude for computers and networking are important skills for a tech support role. Tech support specialists consult with other employees to identify problems and propose or collaborate on solutions.
Duties often include troubleshooting, creating work orders, and updating computers.
16. Transcriptionist
Transcriptionists are part of the growing need for information processing professionals as organizations need to process large amounts of information.
By converting audio files created by legal, medical, and business professionals into written text for use in secure files and records, transcribers help organizations keep up with the rapid changes in today’s Information Age.
17. Translator
Bilingual or multilingual translators translate information from one language to another. Fast typing skills and editing skills are often requirements for translation positions.
18. Travel Agent
Many companies hire travel agents to consult with customers, plan itineraries, and book airfare, hotels, cruises, and other travel packages.
19. Virtual Assistant
Virtual admins provide administrative support to companies, agencies, or even individuals, either on a freelance contract basis or as a remote employee role.
Virtual assistants can perform many of the traditional back-office administrative roles that office managers, customer service managers, or sales support staff can provide.
20. Writer
Writers produce a wide variety of written materials delivered to an audience in a number of ways. Writers develop content using several multimedia formats for readers, listeners, or viewers.
Most writing professionals have at least a basic familiarity with technology, such as personal computers and the internet.
Companies That Offer Entry-Level Remote Jobs
The following list is merely a sample of companies that offer remote jobs for entry-level applicants without a college degree. Many more companies offering entry-level remote jobs can be found in the FlexJobs database, but these companies are a great launching point for your job search.
- Anomaly Squared
- Firstsource
- ICF
- Invisible Technologies
- LHH – Lee Hecht Harrison
- Omni Interactions
- Ryder
- Sutter Health
- TELUS
- UnitedHealth Group
How to Apply to Online Jobs Without a Degree
Job descriptions may state that candidates must have a certain degree, which can be frustrating for job seekers who know they have the skills and experience to do the job.
The FlexJobs career experts offer several tips for applying for remote jobs without a degree:
- If the job description mentions a general “bachelor’s degree” or “college degree,” go ahead and apply if you have the relevant experience.
- In the “Education” section of your resume, add a line stating something like “5+ years of experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree” to ensure that the applicant tracking system (ATS) sees the “bachelor’s degree” keyword.
- In your cover letter, thoroughly explain how you meet many of the other requirements.
Experience Matters
Fortunately, not having a four-year degree is no longer a barrier to having a successful, fulfilling, and rewarding professional career.
With relevant experience and a stable of transferable skills that employers want, you’re well on your way to job search success.
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