How to Write a Résumé for a Remote Job (with Examples and Templates Sorted by Job Types)

Assume you got a job invite within 24-hours after you applied for it. During the interview, HR told you that your résumé stood out from the heap of applications. What should’ve been a grilling turns out to be a casual Zoom meeting.

You got the job right there and negotiated the compensation at the same hour. That’s ideal. So, how do you make it real?

Whether you’re a high-level tech expert with an ivy league degree or a high-school dropout from a third-world country, getting a remote job is almost always a click away. But you must stand out, and your résumé is your chance to be the outstanding one.

How do you craft remote job résumés that land you remote jobs you care to keep?

What Makes a Remote Jobs Résumé Great?

The goal of a résumé is to get the employer’s attention. It’s when you succeed at that; you’d stand a chance at getting hired.

Let’s explore three attributes that make remote job résumés attractive to employers.

1. Demonstrate results from expertise: Don’t just say you have a skill or what you have done; point out the specific results you got from that activity.

For example, don’t just say, “I’m a full-stack developer and have developed an XYZ application.” Say, “I’m a full-stack developer and have developed XYZ application, which ABC companies relied on to generate $$$ revenue in the first year of its launch.”

2. Show versatility but make them relate to the position: Let’s say you’re applying for a graphics design job. But you have five years of experience in developing UX interphases and three years as a content marketer. You can show how those experiences enhance your understanding of design.

3. Make it known that you’re open to a remote job: You could say something like this,

“I can manage multiple tasks, work remotely, set priorities and adapt to changing conditions and work assignments.”

4. Uses a simple, scannable and legible résumé design: Your résumé should be in PDF or a text document like Word. But you want to invest in a résumé design tool. You can cut the need to download and share files by publishing your résumé online using services like Zety (1).

Writing Résumé for Remote Tech Jobs

Employers prefer applicants with high technical skills for tech jobs. 

So, your résumé should be specific about the skills you possess, proficiencies, and of course, examples of your results.

Let’s explore some remote tech résumés.

Résumé Example With Job Experience

Let’s explore how to write a résumé for a remote tech job. I’ll create a hypothetical résumé and dissect it to show you what makes it work.

Here’s a full layout of the résumé. 

It shows the applicant’s name and her job title. The profile summarized her skills and areas of competence. She also specified that she could work remotely, prioritize and manage tasks — showing clearly she’s available for remote work.

The applicant summarized her roles and specified notable achievements for each of the companies she works or worked for.

The most recent experience comes first.

She specified that she had increased scalability, maintainability, and responsiveness of cross-browsers by 47 percent. 

Using numbers can get résumés noticed, so don’t be shy to use them.

The second most recent experience comes next. Of course, you can leave this out if you have just one experience.

You’ll also notice that she included only technical skills relevant to the position she is applying for.

The Education section comes after the employment history. She shows how her education is relevant to the role she is applying for.

She added here relevant awards to make the résumé stand out. You could also add relevant certifications.

Why the Résumé Works

Here are what makes this résumé work:

  • It has a simple layout and is straightforward.
  • Every element of the résumé aligns with the applicant’s intended role — front-end web development.
  • The profile summarizes the applicant’s skills.
  • It specifies that the applicants can work remotely.
  • It shares the applicant’s notable achievements.
  • The résumé includes only technical skills that are relevant to the position.

Résumé Example With No Job Experience

Let’s look at how to write a résumé for a college student with no job experience.

Pick the right résumé layout. Check out how simple your résumé should be.

Write your professional profile. Explain how you’ll use your skills to help the organization reach its business goals. Personalize your résumé for the organization you’re applying to, and don’t forget to let them know that you can work remotely.

Make your education section shine by including your academic awards or relevant coursework, or both. This section should demonstrate that you’ve all it takes to succeed at the job.

Since you lack job experience, include freelancing and volunteering experiences in your résumé. Add only those that are relevant to the position you’re seeking.

Include anything relevant to the job you’re pursuing. It could be certifications or awards.

Add only the skills your experience and education can prove. They have to be relevant to the position.

Add relevant hobbies to round up the résumé.

Cover Letter Example

The purpose of a cover letter is to elaborate on the information in your résumé. It lets you sell yourself to the hiring manager and provide context to your qualifications.

A cover letter has to be perfect to attract the employer’s attention.

Here’s an example for a tech job; adapt it to your needs.

Dear Sir,

I am interested in the position you recently advertised online. I believe my strong educational background and extensive Front-End Web Development experience qualify me for this position.

If you are looking for a Front-End Developer with these attributes:

  • Proven experience in debugging, network administration, usability testing, programming, and other front-end web development duties.
  • Ability to lead web development projects from conception to execution.
  • Over five years experience in practical front-end web development projects, including full-stack web development duties.
  • An impressive history of delivering business results and with minimal resources
  • A professional capable of helping you to drive your bottom-line digitally.

If so, then I am the appropriate candidate for this position.

In my former Front End Web Developer role, I exercised a calculated and methodical approach to problem-solving. While I am independently motivated, I appreciate collective efforts and collaborate productively within group settings. Moreover, I am competent in UI updates and debugging with proficiency in usability testing.

This opportunity is especially exciting as my professional goals align with TechContentLabs’s mission and values. Further, my communication, leadership and innovation abilities will serve to support your continued organizational efforts.

I would like to discuss the opportunity of working in your organization. You could reach me via 555-555-5555 or by email at applicant@gmail.com.

I am looking forward to your call for an interview.

Yours faithfully,

Why the Cover Letter Works

  • It highlights the applicant’s specific capabilities so the hiring manager can see that this candidate will be an asset to their organization
  • This cover letter focuses on the skills for the job, not other things the applicant has done in the past
  • It’s uncluttered and makes for an easy read to the hiring manager can scan the document without missing the candidate’s key points

Writing Résumé for Remote Management Jobs

Hiring managers expect management résumés to highlight business management, supervisory and leadership experiences. They’re also interested in your skills and examples of past achievements.

Let’s explore some remote management résumés.

Résumé Example With Job Experience

Let’s look at how to write a remote management job résumé with job experience. The résumé here is for a fictional character, Amelia Standford. Let’s dissect it to learn how to create a winning résumé.

Start by picking a simple layout that’ll make the résumé stand out.

Use numbers in your professional profile to impress. Let the hiring manager know how long you’ve been in management, and don’t be shy to share your achievements and how you got them.

Here’s an example from our guy; Amelia Stanford: “raised profits by 35 percent in four years at XYZ Group by controlling costs through strategic product development.”

Résumés like this rarely miss getting the attention of a hiring manager.

If you have notable educational achievements, you’d want the employer to know. Consider using a résumé template that brings the education section above the fold so that your potential employer can instantly notice it.

Add relevant professional certification(s), if there are any.

Now, share your working experiences and be specific about what you achieved in those roles. Using numbers will also enable you to put up a strong case.

Include only skills that are relevant to the position in your résumé.

Why the Résumé Works

Here are the things I love about this résumé.

  • The résumé layout is simple and creative.
  • The professional profile uses numbers to make the résumé irresistible.
  • Amelia strengthened the education section with his achievements.
  • The achievements are quantifiable.
  • The résumé includes only technical skills that are relevant to the position.

Résumé Example With No Job Experience

Now, let’s look at how to write a remote management job résumé for a college student with no job experience.

Start with a simple résumé layout.

Use your professional profile to explain how your skills can support the objectives of the position. Don’t make it generic; personalize the résumé for each organization you’re applying to.

Also, let the employers know that you can work remotely.

Include your performance or relevant coursework or both in the education section. 

Make your résumé shine with any experience you gained during internship or volunteering service. 

Add anything that’ll make your résumé stand out, including certifications or awards.

Share skills that are relevant to the position.

Why the Résumé Works

Here are what make this résumé work:

  • The layout is simple and straightforward.
  • The applicant personalized the professional profile.
  • The résumé shares relevant experience from volunteering work.
  • It includes only skills that are relevant to the position.

Cover Letter Example

Adapt this cover letter to your needs.

Dear Sir,

I wish to apply for the position you recently advertised online. I believe my strong educational background, extensive business management experience, and strong interpersonal and leadership skills make me appropriate for this position.

I excel at driving sales and revenue growth, managing employees to meet targets, and achieving first-rate customer satisfaction and retention levels. I have experience leading operations, teams and processes to drive business and customer service success.

Here’s a highlight of my achievements:

  • Led operations at XYZ Group that increased profitability by 35 percent.
  • Reduced operational cost by 18 percent.
  • Created a $2.4 million rise in yearly revenue in two years.
  • Raised profitability for UVW Group by 15 percent.

As you can see from my enclosed résumé, I have acquired all the skills and experience required to succeed at ABC Inc. I would love to discuss how these will readily translate to your environment.

You could reach me via 555-555-5555 or by email at applicant@gmail.com.

I am looking forward to speaking with you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Why the Cover Letter Works

  • The messaging is direct.
  • The cover letter explains the applicant’s core strengths and experience.
  • It uses numbers to demonstrate the applicant’s abilities.

Writing Résumé for Remote HR Jobs

To be the next HR Manager of your dream company, you’ll have to wow the hiring manager with your résumé. 

Some of them would want to know how many people you had recruited in the past. So, include them in your résumé with other achievements.

Let’s explore how to write this résumé.

Résumé Example With Job Experience

If you apply to work remotely in this role, follow this guide to write a remote résumé.

Choose a professional and straightforward layout for the résumé.

Demonstrate strong competence for the role with your professional profile and always use number(s) to strengthen the résumé.

Here’s an example from the résumé below: 

“Experienced and people-oriented Human Resources Manager with seven years of industry experience, three-times HR Executive of the Year award winner, HRIS certification and SHRM-SCP certified. Looking to utilize the experience working in an organization of 350+ people to manage the HR department at ABC Inc.”

Share relevant work experience and quantifiable achievements in those roles. Instead of writing “reduced staff turnover in two years,” use “reduced staff turnover by 100 percent in two years” instead.

Also include skills that are relevant to the position.

Show your most relevant higher qualification first.

Strengthen your qualification with professional certifications, if any.

Add anything that will spice up the résumé. If you have won any award or belong to any professional body, include the information in the résumé.

Why the Résumé Works

Here are the things I love about this résumé.

  • It has a simple and straightforward layout. 
  • The professional profile is irresistible.
  • The achievements are quantifiable.
  • The résumé includes only skills that are relevant to the position.
  • The résumé shows further proof of competence with certifications, professional memberships and awards.

Résumé Example With No Job Experience

Follow this guide to write a remote HR job résumé for a college student.

Go for a simple résumé layout.

Make your résumé irresistible by highlighting how your skills can support the objectives of the position in your professional profile. Personalize it for each organization you’re applying to.

Make the employers know that you can work remotely with little or no supervision.

Present your highest educational qualification. Ensure that it justifies the skills in your résumé.

You can make this section shine by demonstrating that your academic background aligns with your professional pursuit.

Share any internship or volunteering experience you have. Add what you learned during the experience or your achievements. Of course, make the achievements quantifiable.

Share other relevant information like certifications, awards or professional membership. They could help improve your standing.

Include only technical skills relevant to the positions and the skills that demonstrate that you can work remotely.

Why the Résumé Works

Here are what make this résumé work:

  • The layout is simple and straightforward.
  • The applicant personalized the professional profile.
  • The résumé shares relevant experience from volunteering work.
  • It includes only skills that are relevant to the position.
  • The résumé shares the applicant’s certifications and professional membership.

Cover Letter Example

Dear Sir,

I got to know about this opening from Alan Pardew*, who directed me to apply. I have known him for more than five years, and he trusts I will deliver groundbreaking results for ABC Inc.

He told me the major HR challenges at ABC Inc. are to increase staff productivity and annual revenue. In my current role at UVW Group,  I recruited, staffed, and trained new employees that increased productivity by 21 percent.

I also led the team that developed the new KPIs regime and performance appraisal methods for the UVW Group’s sales department which improved quarterly revenue by 17 percent.

I am sure of translating this experience into success at ABC Inc. As you can see from my enclosed résumé, I have acquired all the skills and knowledge to succeed in this role.

Can we schedule a call next week to discuss achieving your productivity and revenue goal while cutting lead time for recruiting and ensuring ultra-high employee retention?

Kind regards

* Use a name the hiring manager knows and respects.

Why the Cover Letter Works

 I love this cover letter. Here are what makes it tick.

  • It referenced someone the hiring manager knows and trusts.
  • The cover letter highlights the organization’s current HR challenges and demonstrates that the applicant has the experience to deal with them.
  • It was creative in the way it asked for an interview. Only a daredevil hiring manager will turn down the request.

Writing Résumé for Remote Education Jobs

Education is a delicate profession requiring high-level skills. Most hiring managers will be expecting to see certifications and licenses in the résumé. 

Demonstrating a passion for your job in the résumé can make you stand out.

Let’s explore how to write this résumé.

Résumé Example With Job Experience

Follow these steps to write a remote education job résumé for an English teacher.

Use a beautiful and straightforward résumé to grab attention.

Use your professional profile to show what makes you a qualified educator. Backs this claim up by sharing a quantifiable achievement.

If you’re a licensed teacher, don’t miss the opportunity of letting the hiring manager know about that.

Share your most recent teaching experience(s) and your killer achievements in those role(s).

Includes only skills that relate to teaching and classroom management.

Show all relevant education qualifications.

Impressive the Hiring Manager with your teaching certificates. The more certifications you have, the greater your chances.

If you have won an award, don’t also fail to include them. Also, add interests that are relevant to the position.

Why the Résumé Works

Here are what make this résumé work:

  • The layout is simple and straightforward
  • The professional profile is irresistible.
  • The résumé shares relevant experience from volunteering work.
  • It shows the experience and achievements of the applicant.
  • The résumé shares the applicant’s certifications.

Résumé Example With No Job Experience

If you don’t have any job experience and seek employment as an educator, follow this guide to write the résumé.

Choose a simple résumé template that’ll make it stand out.

Wow the employer with your professional profile by highlighting how your skills can support the position’s objectives. 

Here’s an example:

“Self-motivated English teacher, passionate about helping students improve their English language vocabulary, reading comprehension and writing. Knowledgeable in modern teaching methods, test prep, and assessment systems. Eager to join St ABC High School to provide a creative environment for English language and literature learning.”

Make your education section shine. Include any information that’ll impress the employer.

Share any volunteer experience you have. Volunteer works help fill the inexperience gap and show that you’ve got a passion for the profession.

Also, include relevant skills to the résumé.

Provide further proof of your qualifications with your teaching certificates and licenses. You can also add anything that can enhance your prospect.

Add your interests in the last section of the résumé. Make it relevant to the position.

Why the Résumé Works

Here are what make this résumé work:

  • The layout is simple and straightforward.
  • The professional profile summarized the applicant’s skills and personalized.
  • It includes relevant experience from volunteering work.
  • It shares only skills that are relevant to the position.

Cover Letter Example

Dear Sir,

Mrs. Alice Alan, a staff member, told me about a teaching opening in your school, and I am excited to be applying for the position. As someone passionate about teaching and improving students’ learning outcomes, I am thrilled at the opportunity to join your team.

I have ten years of classroom experience, and I have helped graduate students improve their final test scores by 35 percent. In all the classes that I taught, more than 95 percent of my students passed their exams and improved their scores.

I enjoy the challenges of teaching, and I am adept at coming up with school improvement projects that help build a better environment for students and staff alike.

My enclosed résumé will give you a better sense of the type of teacher I am. I hope to meet you soon and share how my teaching philosophy helps improve students’ learning outcomes.

Kind regards

Wrapping It Up

Tech, management, HR, and education are some of the top industries for remote jobs. Although we’ve reviewed how to write remote résumés and cover letters for these industries, specifically, you can adapt them to any position by following the steps in the guides.

These remote tech résumé and cover letter templates are also adaptable to remote roles where technical help is the key driver. Think of engineering, DevOps, IT consulting, and the like.

The human resource management résumé and cover letter are adaptable for other roles like accountants, customer services, creative writers, and others.

Remember to adapt the templates to your skills and experiences, don’t use them wor-for-word. You might be repeating what someone else sent an employer.

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Remote Job Opportunities

Remote job opportunities give you more flexible work hours and space. Most remote workers can work from anywhere and manage their schedules to fit other commitments in their lives.

That freedom explains why remote work is growing rapidly. But it’s not just employees who are benefiting from remote work. Businesses are getting the rewards too.

In this guide, you’ll discover why remote job opportunities are growing, how to get a remote job, the pros and cons of working remotely, and actionable tips to help you get started.

Understanding Remote Jobs

More companies are enabling a large part of their workforce to work remotely, making more remote job opportunities available. By 2020, 44% of US employees worked remotely more than five days a week, a 27% increase pre-COVID-19 (1).

Landing remote jobs could become easier with 82% of employers (2) planning to engage more remote workers post-pandemic.

Time management is a big part of working remotely. It requires additional planning to improve your chances of success and personal effectiveness in an unsupervised work setting.

Remote jobs allow you to work away from the offices of the employer. You can work remotely across cities — even continents. All a remote worker needs to function as productively as on-site workers is a fast and stable internet service and a computer or a phone.

Remote workers may work from home, but many remote jobs require a coworking space either provided by the employer or for your convenience.

Image source

Not all remote jobs are full-time remote work opportunities. On-site workers could work part-time from home a few days a month. 46% of C-suite executives have worked part-time at one time (3).

However, since they all require some time away from the office, we can classify them into full-time remote work, part-time remote jobs for a flexible schedule, and telecommuting.

In telecommuting, the employee can work from anywhere, including a coworking space or a coffee shop. But, you must collaborate with your team or the office via virtual meetings, chats, phone calls, and other collaboration tools for a large amount of the time.

Types of Remote Jobs

It has been an ongoing question to figure out what jobs could be comfortably done away from the workplace without disrupting productivity. Economists have considered it in two ways:

  1. Does the job require you to do some part of the work outdoors?
  2. Does it involve operating some machinery?

All jobs that meet these two conditions could not be plausibly done remotely. A study by a University of Chicago economist analyzed survey data from the US occupational information network. 

A second Norwegian survey (4) showed that separate career groups could work remotely in varying degrees. For instance, nearly 66% of office support roles could be done from home or a coworking space. Meanwhile, only 21% of trades could be done remotely.

Overall, both studies proved that at least 37% of jobs in the US could be done remotely (5).

Here are some job categories that could be done remotely:

  • Office support
  • Management
  • Academic and education
  • Technicians and professional services
  • Customer service and sales
  • Crafts and related trade

Remote Working Trends You Should Know About

The Coronavirus pandemic has redefined the role of remote jobs in industries from convenience to a necessity. Amidst the 2020 lockdown, global enterprises have made it mandatory for their employees to work remotely.

74% of companies plan for most of their employees to permanently work remotely (6). Already, non-essential and support job functions have more frequently become full-time remote jobs.

Due to the outbreak, remote workers in the world have increased up to 159%. By the end of 2020, 75% of professionals had moved their practice to workspaces away from the office, mostly at home.

Besides the pandemic, some other factors like virtualization of business processes and other emerging technologies drive remote working adoption.

One thing that has become clear is that remote jobs are the future of an efficient workforce. With more opportunities available and not enough talents to fill the roles required, companies are willing to pay more for remote positions.

High-paying Remote Job Opportunities

Remote worker compensation varies for different industries, occupations, roles, and remote-work frequency.

Here are some high-demand remote job opportunities with high salaries you can apply for. Some of these jobs are reported on CNBC’s list of jobs that pay over $100,000 (7). It also includes jobs listed on Indeed.com as paying over $40,000 (8).

  1. Digital product design roles: designers who conceptualize digital products, including sites, apps, software UI, and consumable media, can work on projects from anywhere in the world. They often need to collaborate with product management teams through any number of remote working tools. Jobs in this category include:
  • Graphics designers; to produce product graphics, marketing media, and brand elements.
  • UI/UX architects; to conceptualize site, apps, and software layout on the front-end for a smooth user experience.
  1. Remote programming jobs: developers these days need not write so much code to build end-user products, but enterprise services and software still require a programmer’s services. Programmers work together with the product team to achieve the functionality of the product. 

Businesses also hire programmers for their proficiency in specific programming languages. Some high-paying remote programming jobs include:

  • Java remote jobs; for programmers proficient in the use of the Java language. Java is the most popular web programming language, making Java remote jobs high-demand.
  • C# remote jobs; C# is a multiparadigm and general-purpose programming language. So, Java programmers are useful in multiple applications like web development and app building. C# remote jobs are in high demand.
  • Remote developer jobs; for front-end and back-end website developers, web app developers, desktop and mobile app builders. Developers use multiple languages, tools, and building blocks to achieve a working site or application’s functionality and user interface.
  • Software engineer jobs; software engineers collaborate with coders, product teams, and management to build or scale a product software using different programming languages.
  1. Remote business management and consulting jobs: companies outsource some of their business management and processes to expert consultants who, more often, don’t even have to come into the office. In other cases, senior management jobs can be done remotely with only a few weekly or monthly visits to the office. Some of these roles include:
  • Accountants;
  • Digital marketer;
  • Senior product manager;
  • Operations Manager;
  • Sales consultant;
  • Project manager;
  • Senior business analyst;
  1. Remote IT support jobs: technical support for software firms don’t require the IT team to be present on site. Other management information systems roles can also work remotely. High-paying jobs in this category include:
  • Tech support engineer,
  • Senior information security consultant.
  1. Remote medical services: Upper management positions in medical and health institutions can coordinate, organize, and direct medical teams remotely. Specialized medical practice can also be done from home. Already health workers and caregivers can provide services at their home or the patient’s home. These medical jobs can be done remotely:
  • Medical Director;
  • Psychiatrist;
  • Medical writer;
  • Registered nurse (RN);
  1. Remote data science jobs: there’s a world of possibilities in the world of data science. With corporations investing in tools for better analytics and predictability, more data science jobs become increasingly relevant. Some of these roles can function from home:
  • Data scientist;
  • Data analyst;
  • Data and analytics manager;
  • Business intelligence manager;
  • Machine learning engineer;
  1. Other freelance professional services:
  • Freelance writer;
  • Tutor;
  • Travel agent;
  • Freelance translator;
  • Actuarial analyst;

How to Find Remote Job Opportunities

There are countless other remote job opportunities you can apply for in several industries, like virtual assistantships, customer support jobs, and telemarketing roles. It’s unlikely that there are industries you couldn’t find a remote working position.

But, we only listed the most high-paying and high-demand job opportunities in this guide.

To land these remote work opportunities, you have to know where to find them and prepare yourself to get them.

Where to Find Remote Job Opportunities

  • Networking; remote job search may require irregular strategies. Like trying to pitch a sale to a prospect, you can pitch your skill or services to a prospective employer even if they’re not advertising a remote job. A few places to find industry executives who may require a remote worker include your LinkedIn connections or Twitter crowd.

Getting in touch with your connections on social media will require a lot of research into their businesses. You do this to get information that will inform your email.

You may also get referrals from your network when a remote job is available. If you’re looking, talk to your friends and make sure to show it on your LinkedIn profile. Career meetups and conferences are a great place to network for a remote job opportunity.

  • Remote job boards; regular job boards will still carry remote job ads but, it may not be apparent if a job is remote. You can find remote positions on regular job boards by performing a remote job search.

Most job boards will let you filter jobs related to a keyword by selecting the location. Choose ‘remote’ or ‘everywhere’ to get remote job opportunities to show up first. Otherwise, add the word ‘remote’ to every keyword you search for. For instance, to get to the remote web developer listing, enter ‘remote web developer’ into the search bar.

Alternatively, you can search for remote jobs on job boards that are strictly for remote job opportunities.

A few examples of remote job boards include:

  1. Flexjobs
  2. We Work Remotely
  3. Remote OK
  4. Problogger
  5. Virtual vocations
  6. Jobspresso
  7. Outsourcely
  8. Guru
  9. AngelList
  10. Indeed
  11. Remotive
  12. Hubstaff Talent

Some remote job sites require you to subscribe to their premium services to get a curated listing of proofed employers.

Amazon.jobs is unique as a job board that lists only jobs available at Amazon. Currently, most jobs at Amazon are virtual positions requiring employees to work from anywhere. Amazon remote jobs are still posted by country, but there’s no reason to work from their offices. Other job boards may also relist these Amazon remote jobs on their sites.

Some remote job search sites will allow you to host your services as a freelance profile and will earn a percentage of your payments per client you serve. Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com are examples of these freelance sites.

How to Get a Remote Job

  • Upskill—if you’ve worked on-site before now, there are useful skills you’ve gained that are readily convertible to your remote work. However, you may require additional skills for your new remote working role, and you should take some time to upgrade in those areas.

For instance, transitioning from a traditional marketing career to remote digital marketing requires knowledge of digital marketing strategies. Other tech and computer skills will enable you to use tools you otherwise never needed in your previous work.

  • Manage your self-marketing—improve your professional presence online to increase your visibility to potential employers.

Show your knowledge and expertise through thoughtful content useful to your profession. Create a digital portfolio of your work you can share easily, and practice your pitch and self-introduction. Maintain a good online presence on social media, LinkedIn, or using freelance profiles.

  • Up your mailing game—you’ll sometimes have to cold-mail employers for gigs, as a freelancer, or pitch your services for a consulting role. Your mails should be interesting enough, concise, and refreshing to read to improve your chances of getting a positive response.

Applying For a Remote Job

Applying for a remote job opportunity is not any more complicated than a regular role. However, there is a difference in how you qualify for the job. Here are a few steps to guide you:

Step #1: Find the Right Job Opportunity

Perform a simple job search of keywords relevant to your desired remote job role. Most remote job boards will notify you of recent job opportunities related to a keyword when you set up an alert.

To pick the job that’s right for you, you’ll have to consider;

  • The timing required for the role. Is the job a full-time remote work opportunity or a part-time one? If it’s part-time, how many hours are you required to work per week? Are there other special time requirements, like night-only work opportunities?
  • Your availability. Does the required time match your desired work schedule? Will you be available to work the number of hours needed, or can you work through holidays and weekends, if it’s required? Are you open to deliver on the productivity requirement specified?
  • Compensation. Employers who want to go straight to the qualifying and on-boarding stage will advertise the compensation for each remote job role. The right job for you should pay as much as you’d have to put in, considering your experience level and productivity, of course.

Step #2: Research the Role

In this step, go through the job role and specified responsibilities. Match each responsibility with the right skill and verify that your experience can deliver on it. Make sure that you can do the job you want to apply for.

As a rule, senior roles for any remote job opportunity requires higher knowledge and skill level. Some remote job ads also specify the experience levels needed to fill the position.

Step #3: Research the Company

More companies adopt remote work to plug the talent gap in their organization, enable virtualization, and maintain uninterrupted business processes. However, not many of them have made the provisions for managing a remote workforce effectively.

For every remote job opportunity you find suitable, research the company to ensure good remote work culture.

Workers will more readily work remotely if their company provided the necessary tools. For instance, most remote employers don’t pay for your internet use, but up to 15% do so (9).

Step #4: Improve Your CV

Suffice it to say that you have to modify some part of your CV every time you make an application. You do that to capture the information about you different employers would want to know.

Employers want to know that you’ve worked in unsupervised or low-supervision work conditions before to qualify for remote job opportunities. Even if you’ve never held a remote job before, let your CV show how you make the most effective use of your work time.

Step #5: Create a Cover Letter

Send an introductory letter with your application. Some applications will demand a cover letter. However, if a job ad does not ask for it, write a couple of introductory paragraphs in the email body when you send your CV.

The cover letter should summarize the most relevant sections of your CV and gives the employer a reason to look at the CV.

Step #6: Follow Up on Your Application

Most employers will send you feedback throughout the hiring process, but you can send a reminder email and ask about your application’s status if they don’t.

In this step, take the time you have between your application and feedback to gather more information about the job and company.

Upskilling for Remote Job Opportunities

Unfortunately, remote work is not for everyone. Employers are insistent on improved, or at least the same level of, productivity from remote workers as on-site workers. So, not as many people as there are remote jobs will get remote working opportunities.

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Many people who could and who did work remotely had a bachelor’s or some form of higher degree. However, as the workforce and hiring have become a lot more skill-based, talents with specific high-demand skills will most likely land remote job opportunities.

Generally, the remote working frequency varies across skill intensity. Besides, employees working remotely for the first time will need to learn how to work unsupervised and use telecommuting tools.

You can improve your chances of getting a remote work opportunity by building up your skill in these required areas:

  • Computer skills; use of the computer and essential computer tools like word processors, spreadsheet tools, and photo manipulation tools.
  • Tech skills; tech skills on their own can get you a job. However, they may also improve your chances of landing other job types when you show them off in your CV or your portfolio. Tech skills you can learn include web development, content management systems like WordPress, programming skills, analytics, and other digital skills. 
  • Learn soft skills; soft skills improves your productivity, ensures your consistency, and promises a smooth relationship with your employer and teammates. Employers look out for specific soft skills like communication skills, listening skills, empathy, time management, organization, social skills, and creativity.
  • Get familiar with remote working tools; all forms of remote job opportunities require some form of teleworking. Teleworking is more comfortable now with several collaboration tools for smooth communication among teams. 

Top Remote Working Tools You’ll Need

  • Project management tools
  1. InVision
  2. Monday
  3. BaseCamp
  4. Asana
  • Scheduling
  1. CoSchedule
  2. Toggl
  3. Doodle
  • Workflow and checklists
  1. StatusHero
  2. TickTick
  3. Trello
  • Communication and conferencing
  1. Microsoft Teams
  2. Google Meet
  3. Zoom
  4. Skype
  5. Spark Mail App
  6. Slack
  • Shared storage
  1. Dropbox
  2. Google Drive
  3. Apple iCloud Drive
  4. OneDrive
  • Other productivity tools
  1. Serene
  2. Google Docs
  3. Figma
  4. Hootsuite
  5. Buffer

Getting Ready for Remote Working

Now that you’ve gone through remote job application the right way and sharpened your relevant skills, this is how to begin your first remote job:

Step #1: Set up a work office

A home office is most comfortable and preferred by a lot of remote workers. However, if there will be distractions at home or a lack of space, get a coworking space membership.

Make sure the place you choose has stable access to the internet and electricity. A coffee shop or cafe will also serve but choose the most serene option.

Step #2: Balance your schedule

It’s a lot harder to stay focused working from home than at the office. You could get distracted and switch from work to unrelated tasks if you don’t set up a work schedule.

Without a work schedule, your work time may also over-extend into your personal time. To be most productive, work out your daily schedule and practice keeping to it.

Step #3: Get familiar with your work tools

Each company and the remote job will have relevant tools that you must learn to use to make work easier, faster, and more efficient. Take some time to understand them.

Step #4: Engage with your team

Now that you’re working in a geographically distributed team, work out a time in your schedule to connect with your colleagues. Chats, video calls, and texts will help you get to know and build a relationship with your coworkers.

However, set up a boundary. If you’re managing the team, don’t get too close as to encourage lax working behaviors. Don’t let playtime interfere with your work time.

Step #5: Manage yourself

The boss is not there to look over your shoulder. The job of supervising yourself falls to you. Manage your work time and productivity.

Keep to your schedule and don’t work past your set time.

Advantages of Remote Jobs

Here are the top four reasons why workers would choose remote jobs over regular work:

  1. Flexibility: working remotely gives you the freedom to choose your work schedule. You also have the opportunity to work from anywhere, work while you travel, and work for international firms while never leaving your home. 58% of remote workers agree that flexibility is the top benefit of remote jobs.
  1. Save money and time spent on commuting: when you work from home, the time usually spent moving to the office every morning can be put to better use. You also save money on transportation.
  2. Spend more time at home: not that it should interfere with your work time, but remote jobs enable you to spend more time with your family. This affects an employee’s job satisfaction level positively.
  3. Higher productivity and control: 35% of remote workers are individual contributors with a lot more power and autonomy over the creative process, work terms, and direction. Remote jobs give you more control over your work environment. You get to choose where’s most suitable for you and at what times to work.

Also, as office dynamics does not limit you, you have greater responsibility for your productivity. 77% of remote workers are more productive working from home than the office (10).

Remote Working Challenges

The top remote working challenges mostly focus on remote employee engagement with the rest of the company’s workforce. Here are a few of the disadvantage of remote jobs:

  1. Isolation and low visibility from the office make remote workers feel neglected for promotions or not included as a crucial part of the company.
  2. Irregular work/life balance when work time takes up all of your personal time.
  3. Distractions from remote work environments.
  4. Inadequate communication/collaboration with the team, especially when the company doesn’t have an excellent remote work culture.
  5. Loss of motivation while working away from teammates you could draw inspiration from.
  6. Data costs when you have to pay for your internet use for work, or inadequate connection on your home wifi.

Remote Working and the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic affected global economies and employment statistics, most evidently, in a negative way. There were roughly 8 million workers on temporary leave in the UK, and up to 24.7 million jobs were lost globally (11). In the US, the employment rate reached a record low of 51.3% in April of 2020 (12).

However, the year 2020 was also the year of the remote work revolution. Companies mandated most of their staff to work from home, thus, professionals took their services to home offices. Likewise, furloughed and laid-off workers took up remote jobs.

So in the midst of all that, there’s the possibility for job security.

Summing It Up

Remote jobs are no longer just for convenience. Companies cannot afford to miss out on the opportunity to build a better workforce by hiring across geographical barriers. With increasing adoption of the virtual workplace, remote work is becoming a lot easier for both employees and companies, more comfortable to do, and profitable for businesses.

Besides, remote jobs have come to the rescue of millions of out-of-work professionals. If you lost your job due to the pandemic, moved to a new city, taking care of your children at home, or simply enjoy working from home, use this guide to get started now.