I didn’t leave my 9–5 overnight. I started part-time, writing content in the evenings after a long day at the office. My first client? A referral from a former colleague who believed in me. That one opportunity opened my eyes to what remote work could offer — freedom, flexibility, and the kind of work-life balance I didn’t know I needed.
If you’ve ever searched “how to start working from home Philippines” or wondered if remote work is possible without experience — you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to feel stuck, curious, and unsure of where to begin. That’s why I’m sharing my story — to show you that it’s absolutely possible to begin even while you’re still in a corporate job.
Start With Your WHY Before anything else, pause and ask yourself: Why do I really want to work from home?
Your motivation — your why — will ground you through the transition. For me, it was wanting more control over my time, a creative outlet beyond my day job, and the hope of eventually having a career that matched my ideal lifestyle.
Whether you’re seeking peace, time freedom, or the ability to work anywhere, get clear on what’s driving your interest in remote work. That clarity will help shape your decisions and keep you steady when things feel overwhelming.
Short-term goals: Build savings, gain part-time clients, create a side hustle
Long-term goals: Transition from corporate to freelance, work while traveling, start your own business
Your Current Skills Are More Valuable Than You Think Once you’re clear on your “why,” the next step is to realize that you don’t need to start from scratch.
Many of the skills you’re using in your corporate job — managing tasks, writing emails, attending meetings, solving problems — are exactly the same skills that clients look for online. The only difference is the platform.
Remote work for corporate employees often begins with a simple mindset shift: You already have experience. You just need to learn how to present it in a way that fits the freelance or remote setting.
This is one of my go-to Filipino freelancer tips: Stop downplaying what you’ve already done. You’re more equipped than you think.
How I Got My First Remote Job That first writing gig? It didn’t come from a job board. It came from a person.
A former officemate knew I was good at writing and connected me with someone looking for blog content. No big application, no long interview — just a chance, and a simple “Can you do this?”
I said yes, did the work after office hours, and realized this could be the start of something bigger.
Golden Nugget: Opportunities often come through people, not platforms. Referrals matter. Let people know you’re looking.
Pro Tip: Update your LinkedIn, join Facebook groups, or post a status saying you’re open to part-time online jobs for beginners. You never know who’s watching — or who might recommend you.
Where to Find Beginner-Friendly Online Jobs After that first gig, I wanted more. I started exploring legit online jobs for beginners and found that there’s actually a wide variety — especially for Filipinos just starting out.
Here are roles that are flexible and beginner-friendly:
- Virtual Assistant
- Content Writer
- Data Entry
- ESL Tutor
- Customer Support
- Social Media Assistant
And here are some reliable remote job platforms for beginners:
- OnlineJobs.ph
- Upwork
- We Work Remotely
- Freelancer.com
- Facebook groups (search: “Work From Home Philippines”)
These platforms became my go-to spaces when I wanted to build a steady part-time income on top of my 9–5.
Tools I Used as a Beginner Of course, switching from office to online meant learning a few new tools. But don’t worry — I started with the basics.
Here’s what helped me:
- Google Docs and Gmail
- Grammarly
- Canva (for resumes and visuals)
- Trello and Notion (to manage tasks)
- Zoom (for client meetings)
If you’ve never used some of these before, that’s okay. Pick one tool, get familiar with it, and build your confidence step by step. You don’t need to know everything to start.
Balancing Work and Freelance Managing both a full-time job and a freelance gig isn’t easy — but it’s doable.
My weekday routine looked like this:
6:30 AM – Corporate prep
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM – Office job
7:30 PM – Dinner and rest
8:30 PM to 10:30 PM – Freelance writing client
It was tiring, yes, but also fulfilling. Every hour I spent freelancing reminded me that I was working toward something bigger than just another office promotion.
Need Help Starting? If you’re ready to try part-time online work or want to explore freelancing but don’t know where to start, I made something for you.
The Remote Work Starter Kit is completely free and includes:
✅ Resume tips for online roles
✅ Legit job boards
✅ A beginner-friendly tool list
✅ A simple daily planner
✅ A red flag checklist to avoid scams
It’s everything I wish I had when I was starting out.
👉 Fill out this form to get the kit:
🎧 Coming Soon on XP and Oxygen Podcast I’m also excited to release a new episode soon on the XP and Oxygen podcast:
🎧 From Cubicle to Coastlines: How Naomi Left Corporate to Work from Anywhere
We’ll talk about what it’s really like to transition from the office to remote life, the fears that come with it, and how to build a career that works wherever you do.
If you’re dreaming of the same freedom — make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it.
You don’t need to leap. You just need to begin.
Start where you are. Use what you already have. And take one small step today that future-you will thank you for.
Working from home isn’t just for influencers, creatives, or tech bros. It’s for people like us — introverts, dreamers, professionals who just want a better way to live and work.
I’m rooting for you.
