1What Is It?
Finding Work Is a Skill, Not Luck
Reframe job hunting as a repeatable process
Many people think finding work online is about luck: being in the right place at the right time. In reality, it is mostly about process. People who find opportunities usually search in the right places, use the right words, apply with relevant samples, follow up, and keep going week after week.
There are 5 main routes to digital work: remote job boards, freelance platforms, LinkedIn, direct outreach to businesses, and your own network and community. In Lesson 15 we looked closely at reaching out to clients for a VA business. Today we look at all five routes, for any digital path.
There are 5 main routes to digital work: remote job boards, freelance platforms, LinkedIn, direct outreach to businesses, and your own network and community. In Lesson 15 we looked closely at reaching out to clients for a VA business. Today we look at all five routes, for any digital path.
2Why Do I Need It?
A Plan Beats Random Applying
Contrast random applying with planned searching
One common pattern: someone sees a job on WhatsApp, applies quickly with a general CV, hears nothing, feels discouraged, and stops. A few weeks later they try again. This "random applying" is tiring and rarely works.
A simple plan changes that. When you know what roles you are targeting, which words to search, which platforms to check, and how many actions to take each week, your effort adds up. You also become much better at spotting the opportunities that are right for you, and the ones that are not real.
A simple plan changes that. When you know what roles you are targeting, which words to search, which platforms to check, and how many actions to take each week, your effort adds up. You also become much better at spotting the opportunities that are right for you, and the ones that are not real.
An honest expectation
Finding digital work can take weeks or months, and rejection is normal for everyone. This lesson cannot promise you a job. It gives you a safe, organised way to search, so every week you are a little closer.
3Show Me
5 Routes, the Right Keywords, and How to Read a Listing
Remote job boards
Websites that list jobs, including remote and hybrid roles.
Examples: Jobberman, MyJobMag, Indeed, We Work Remotely, Remotive
Tip: Set up job alerts with your keywords so new listings come to your email.
Freelance platforms
Marketplaces where clients post projects or buy services directly.
Examples: Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour
Tip: Start with one platform and one specific service. Keep all payments on the platform.
LinkedIn
Job listings plus a place to be found, follow companies and connect with recruiters.
Use: LinkedIn Jobs, the "Open to work" setting, posts with "#hiring"
Tip: Search posts, not just jobs. Many roles are shared in posts first.
Direct outreach
Contacting businesses that could use your skills, even if they have not posted a job.
Who: small businesses, coaches, churches, schools, local brands
Tip: Lead with a specific observation and a relevant sample from your portfolio (see Lesson 15).
Network and community
People who already know you: friends, former classmates, colleagues, church and alumni groups.
Where: WhatsApp groups, alumni networks, online communities, events
Tip: Tell people clearly what you do. They cannot refer you if they do not know.
Search keywords by path
| Path | Try searching for |
|---|---|
| Virtual assistance | virtual assistantadmin assistant remoteexecutive assistantdata entry |
| Customer service | customer service representative remotecustomer supportchat supportclient success |
| Social media | social media assistantcommunity managersocial media executive |
| Content creation | content creatorgraphic designer Canvavideo editorcopywriter |
| Digital marketing | digital marketing assistantmarketing internWhatsApp marketing |
| AI-assisted services | AI contentAI assistantpromptAI video |
How to read a job listing
Decode a sample listing line by line
Job listings can look intimidating. Here is a fictional listing, with what each line really means for you.
Customer Support Associate (Remote)
BrightPath Online Store (fictional) · Full-time
"Respond to customer enquiries via email and live chat"
Your Lesson 23 templates are directly relevant. Mention them.
"1+ year of customer service experience preferred"
"Preferred" is not "required." Apply if you meet most of the rest.
"Excellent written English"
Your application message is your first writing test. Check it carefully.
"Familiarity with Google Workspace"
You learned these tools earlier in this course. Name them in your CV.
"Available for shifts between 2pm and 10pm WAT"
Check honestly that you can commit before applying.
"Apply with your CV and a short note on why you are a good fit"
Follow instructions exactly. Many applicants are rejected for skipping this.
4Let's Do It
Real or Scam?
Run the safety challenge together; discuss every red flag
Sadly, online job scams are common, and they often target people who are eager to start. Before you search, let us practise spotting them. Read each fictional listing and decide: does it look real, or is it a scam?
Red flags to remember
Pay to work: any fee for registration, training, a kit or equipment
Too good to be true: very high pay for very little work or no experience
Private details: requests for your BVN, card details, bank PIN or passwords
Rushed hiring: "you are selected" with no interview, pressure to decide today
Odd contact: only Telegram or WhatsApp, no company website or email
Vague job: no clear duties, company name or requirements
5Now You Try
Make Your Opportunity-Search Plan
Show the plan template with a filled example, then have students write their own
Here is a simple plan for a student whose direction from Lesson 21 is customer service, supported by virtual assistance. Your plan should fit on one page, and you should be able to follow it every week.
Example opportunity-search plan
Customer Service + VA Support
Target roles
Remote customer support representative, chat support, admin assistant
Keywords
"customer service representative remote", "chat support", "virtual assistant"
My 3 platforms
LinkedIn, Jobberman, one freelance platform
Weekly actions
5 tailored applications · 3 direct messages to small businesses · 2 LinkedIn posts or comments · follow up on last week's applications
Samples to send
Portfolio link with customer service templates and VA work sample
Tracking
Google Sheet: date, role, company, link, status, follow-up date
Review day
Every Saturday: what worked, what to change
Tailor, do not copy-paste
For each application, change the first lines of your message and your CV summary to match the listing. Use Prompt 2 and Prompt 3 to help. A few tailored applications usually beat many identical ones.
6Your Task
Lesson 25 Assignment
This lesson's assignment
Create your one-page opportunity-search plan and an opportunity tracker, find 5 real, safe opportunities that match your direction, and send at least 2 tailored applications or messages.
- 1
Plan: Fill in all 7 parts of your plan in the workbook, then type it into a Google Doc called "My Opportunity Plan."
- 2
Tracker: Create a Google Sheet called "Opportunity Tracker" with columns: Date, Role, Company, Route, Link, Status, Follow-up Date, Notes.
- 3
Search: Use your keywords to find 5 real opportunities. Check each one against the red flags before adding it to your tracker.
- 4
Apply: Send at least 2 tailored applications or direct messages, with your portfolio link.
- 5
Set alerts: Turn on job alerts for your main keyword on at least one job board or LinkedIn.
7What Did You Create?
A Safe, Organised Way to Find Opportunities
Close Module 6 and point to the final module
Today you finished Module 6. You now know where digital work comes from, how to search with the right words, how to read a listing, and, very importantly, how to protect yourself from scams. And you have a plan you can follow every single week.
Remember: every application and message is practice. Track them, learn from them, and keep improving your portfolio as you go.
In the final module, Build Your Digital Future, we bring everything together. Lesson 26 helps you make a confident final choice about your main digital skill and a supporting skill, so the rest of your journey has a clear focus.
Remember: every application and message is practice. Track them, learn from them, and keep improving your portfolio as you go.
In the final module, Build Your Digital Future, we bring everything together. Lesson 26 helps you make a confident final choice about your main digital skill and a supporting skill, so the rest of your journey has a clear focus.
- "Real or scam?" challenge completed
- One-page opportunity-search plan written
- Opportunity Tracker created in Google Sheets
- 5 real, checked opportunities added to my tracker
- 2 tailored applications or messages sent, and job alerts switched on
WWorkbook
Lesson 25 Student Workbook
Instructions
Use your direction from Lesson 21 and your portfolio from Lesson 24 to fill in your plan.
🗺️ Part A: My Opportunity-Search Plan
Target roles:
Keywords:
My 3 platforms:
Weekly actions:
Samples to send:
Tracking:
Review day:
🔍 Part B: My First 5 Opportunities
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
🛡️ Part C: Safety Check
Red flags I will always check for:
Who I can ask for a second opinion on a suspicious offer:
TTask
Start Your Opportunity Search
Time: about 90 minutes
Output: a "My Opportunity Plan" Google Doc, an "Opportunity Tracker" Google Sheet with 5 checked opportunities, 2 tailored applications or messages sent, and job alerts switched on.
Part 1: Plan and Track (25 minutes)
- 1
Run Prompt 1 to get more keyword ideas for your path, then complete Part A of the workbook.
- 2
Type your plan into a Google Doc called "My Opportunity Plan" and save it in your Work folder.
- 3
Create the "Opportunity Tracker" Google Sheet. Add a Status dropdown with: Found, Applied, Followed up, Interview, Not selected, Offer.
Part 2: Search Safely (35 minutes)
- 1
Search your 3 platforms with your keywords. Filter by "Remote" or your city where possible.
- 2
For each promising listing, check the company: does it have a website, a LinkedIn page and real employees? Run Prompt 5 if anything feels unusual.
- 3
Add 5 real, checked opportunities to your tracker. Switch on job alerts for your main keyword.
Part 3: Apply (30 minutes)
- 1
Choose the 2 best matches. Use Prompt 2 to understand exactly what each one wants.
- 2
Use Prompt 3 to tailor your application message, and Prompt 4 to adjust your CV summary. Include your portfolio link.
- 3
Send them, update your tracker, and set a follow-up date one week later.
Never pay to get a job
If any "employer" asks you for money, your BVN, bank details or passwords, stop. Do not send anything. Report the listing to the platform.
🔍
Module 6 Complete!
You have a safe, organised plan for finding digital work. The final module, Build Your Digital Future, starts with Lesson 26.
AIPrompts
Lesson 25 Prompt Library
Add to your Prompt Library Google Doc
Open your "My AI Prompt Library" document, add the heading "Lesson 25: Finding Digital Work," and paste all five prompts below.
Job Search Prompts
Prompt 1: Find the right search keywords
"I am a beginner looking for [remote / hybrid / local] work in [path, e.g. customer service]. List 15 job titles and search keywords employers commonly use for this kind of role, including entry-level and assistant titles. Group them from most to least common, and suggest 3 search phrases I can use on LinkedIn Jobs and Jobberman."
Different companies use different titles for the same work. More keywords means more opportunities found.
Prompt 2: Decode a job listing
"Here is a job listing: [paste]. Explain it in simple language: (1) what the job really involves day to day, (2) which requirements are essential and which are nice to have, (3) which of my skills match: [list your skills], and (4) what I should highlight in my application."
Use this before every application. Understanding the listing is half the work.
Prompt 3: Write a tailored application message
"Write a short application message for this role: [paste key parts of listing]. About me: [direction, skills, tools]. My portfolio includes: [projects], link: [link]. Structure: (1) why this specific role caught my attention, (2) 2 to 3 relevant skills or samples that match the listing, (3) my availability and a polite close. Under 180 words, warm and professional. Do not exaggerate my experience."
Read it out loud before sending. If it does not sound like you, edit it.
Prompt 4: Tailor my CV summary
"Here is my current CV summary: [paste]. Here is the job listing: [paste]. Rewrite my summary in 3 to 4 sentences so it highlights my most relevant skills and uses some of the same keywords as the listing, without adding any experience I do not have."
Many employers use software to scan CVs for keywords. Honest, relevant keywords help.
Prompt 5: Check an offer for scam signs
"I received this job offer or listing: [paste, removing any of my personal details]. Check it carefully for common job scam warning signs, such as upfront fees, requests for bank details or BVN, unrealistic pay, rushed hiring, vague duties, or unusual contact methods. List any red flags you see, explain why they matter, and tell me what I should verify before responding."
AI can help you spot warning signs, but it cannot confirm a company is real. When in doubt, do not send money or personal details.