Changing Careers Without Relevant Experience: 9 Easy, Entry-level Jobs

When I left my career of fourteen years, I learned two life-altering skills that spun me around and smacked me in the face.

First, I learned how to combat the out-of-control doubt that would ricochet around my mind day in and day out. It’s incredible how much someone’s own mind can shred a goal apart within seconds.

Second, I realized that I didn’t need to have answers to all of those questions initially to move forward with choosing a new career.

Sometimes, you just need a stop-gap to give yourself time and space to make the next big leap.

Is it okay to not know every detail of a new career plan?  Yes!

Can it be uncomfortable not knowing where your career path is headed? Absolutely!

The reality is exploring anything new with limited to no experience is bound to let in some uncertainties. However, a new endeavor also invites more room for potential success.

New Beginnings

If you have ever considered (even for a second) switching careers, you are not alone!

Thanks to the tech world and COVID, more and more people are looking for opportunities they can do from home with no prior experience.

Research shows that 53% of adults who quit their jobs in 2021 switched to a brand new-to-them career field, according to CNBC’s report from Pew Research.

If that isn’t inspiring, I don’t know what is!

When I started researching new careers, I realized that there are other, less conventional ways to support my family without the commitment a full-fledged traditional career typically entails.

And now, I’m proof that changing careers is not only possible, it’s profitable.

Before we go any further, be sure to consider the following criteria when evaluating a potential change:

• Income needs
• Schedule
• Interests
• Work environment

Without further ado, here’s my list of 8 promising & profitable no experience-required jobs you could start almost immediately.

Proofreader

Can you find errors in punctuation and spelling easily?

If so, you may want to consider proofreading.  You can potentially earn a salary in the range of $36k-$60k per year.

The large demand for content and marketing online has propelled the need for proofreaders substantially. 

This is a great position for someone who needs a flexible schedule and a work from home setting.  In addition to freelancing or starting your own business, you may also find part-time or full-time options for proofreaders with large multi-national companies such as Apple and Amazon.

Some companies to start your proofreading adventure include:

• Upwork
• Quality Proofreading
• Lionbridge
• Clickworker
• Proofreading Pal
• Cactus Communications
• Words R U
• Polished Paper
• Scribbr
• Edit 911

I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is yes. Being that friend who corrects people’s grammar actually has its advantages!

What you’ll need: a keen eye for detail, the ability to offer suggestions with possible scrutiny, and a computer.

Submit Surveys

Here’s an option for those looking for an extra money gig in-between major job changes: surveys.

Companies around the world are constantly looking for what customers like you prefer to see in their products.

Survey jobs may help you fill some of those income gaps you have from leaving a previous career.  You could make anywhere between $100-$250 a month.

This is a great position for someone who needs a flexible schedule and is willing to share opinions about different products or services, but isn’t necessarily looking for job-replacement level earnings.

Here are some sites to check out:

• Swagbucks
• Inbox Dollars
• Survey Junkie
• Survey Rewardz
• E-poll
• Digital Voice
• Opinion Outpost
• Pinecone Research

Who knew voicing opinions could bring in the green stuff!

What you’ll need: 10-20 minute blocks of time to complete each survey (on average), an opinion, and a computer.

Virtual Assistant

Are you good at booking appointments, organizing information, or responding to emails in a timely manner?

You could be a virtual assistant (VA, for short)!

Companies are in need of people to support them with basic tasks such as: blogging, social media development, content production, bookkeeping. Name pretty much any ‘mundane’ task, there’s probably a VA job for it. 

Nowadays, many companies would much prefer a virtual assistant as opposed to someone coming into an office to do the same tasks.

Even if you have no experience being an assistant, from those booting up a computer for the first time to a Gen Z tech whiz – companies are looking for dependable, ambitious individuals willing to learn. Start on the right foot by creating a portfolio on social media that displays what you could do for potential clients.

A VA could make a full-time salary with the potential for much more. Some companies start off at around $25 an hour, and $3,000-$5,000 a month is attainable once you build a bit of experience.

Reliable virtual assistants are notoriously hard to come by, so smart companies invest quite a bit in quality VA salaries.

Place to search for VA positions:

• Flexjobs
• Fiverr
• Upwork
• Indeed
• PeoplePerHour

The more assistance you provide your company or business, the more assistance your bank account receives!

What you’ll need: organizational and communication skills, taking initiative, availability Monday-Friday, a phone, and a computer.

Freelance Writer

Have you ever dreamed of being a writer?

Freelance writing is a great place to build some experience while also making a flexible income. A freelance writer can choose contract work that fits within their writing experience along with their time commitment.

Companies look for someone to write content for anything from magazine articles, blog posts, websites, books. You name it, it’s out there!

Building a portfolio with part-time freelance work is a great way to springboard into long-term contract work

Check out Fiverr and Upwork for a plethora of opportunities. A freelancer can determine how much they charge per project.

Writing is a blank page waiting for the next big idea!

What you’ll need: writing samples, willingness to adapt to different writing needs, and a computer with Microsoft Word.

Blogger

Do you have a flair for writing about topics that interest you?

Blogging provides freedom to research your own niche while also providing: articles, how-to’s, tips, e-books, or even the possibility to write your own online course.

It’s a great place to start if you’re interested in having flexible hours with a (possibly) passive income. How much a blogger puts into their blog in terms of time, energy, and willingness to learn can be highly correlated to how much they may gain financially.

Eventually, bloggers could make a full-time income with the right strategy and dedication. However, when you’re first starting out, blogging requires a lot of learning and patience.

Not sure where to start? Don’t fret, there’s a surplus of bloggers who have all the tips and tricks you’ll need – often for free.

People everywhere are looking for help with something, you could be pinning and winning!

What you’ll need: creativity, a willingness to learn about online marketing (SEO, social media), and a computer.

Customer Service & Support

Do you enjoy helping others?

Customer support services help customers with transactions, purchasing problems, facilitating returns and complaints, along with other tasks.

Companies are in search of supportive individuals who can handle talking with customers or managing client’s needs online. These entry level jobs are great for fleshing out a work schedule if you’re in between careers.

Some places to search for a customer service position include:

• Indeed
• Simply Hired
• CareerBuilder
• Flex Jobs
• Working Nomads

You could be the final piece to a puzzle a business (and their customers) is missing.

What you’ll need: communication skills, a phone, and yes – a computer.

Transcriber

How many words per minute can you type? Be honest!

If you are a quick keyboardist and enjoy a flexible work schedule, transcribing may be a great fit for you!

This is a great typing job for anyone who has attention to detail when listening to lengthy speeches, interviews, and other audio clips. 

You could do this work at any time day or night and submit your work for an entry-level income. 

Companies that look for transcribers include:

• TranscribeMe
• GMR Transcription
• Rev
• AccuTran Global
• Tigerfish

Wouldn’t it be great to be working from home, or better yet, somewhere tropical while also getting paid to transcribe?

What you’ll need: precision to detail, software from the company or organization may need to be installed, or just the use of a personal computer.

Blockchain Consultant

Transitioning to a blockchain consultant is an accessible career change, especially for those with a background in IT, finance, or business analysis. Blockchain consultants help organizations understand and implement blockchain technology to enhance efficiency and security. With a growing demand in various industries, this role offers lucrative opportunities and requires skills in blockchain platforms, smart contracts, and cryptocurrency. Free online courses and certifications can provide the necessary knowledge, making this a viable option for a career pivot.

Book Reviewer

Did you know you could make money reading books?

Publishing companies hire readers to write book reviews. This is a wonderful hobby to turn into a part-time gig.

Book reviewers need to be proficient writers in order to capture the essence of the book. As long as reviewers can be concise, objective, and avoid giving away the whole story, companies would love to hear your insights. 

To embark on this type of work, plan on displaying book reviews as samples of your work in a portfolio or a website. It may take a little time to build your reviews into a substantial income, but everyone has to start somewhere!

Some publishers include: 

• U.S. Review of Books
• Kirkus Media
• Book Browse
• Publisher’s Weekly (BookLife)
• Booklist Online
• Online Book Club

Open a book and grow your bank account by anywhere up to $300.

What you’ll need: A computer & the capability of summarizing an overall idea of a book.

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.”

Meister Eckhart