The end of one year and the start of another is the perfect time to revamp your resume and start sending out applications for remote job vacancies. Things are being a little different this year, and almost every workplace is switching to either partial or a complete remote set-up, so are your resume and cover letter ready to incorporate the changing landscape?

The idea of "an office" has entirely shifted to working from home, changing the job-hunting process as well. And although the fundamentals of the job search process remain the same, it is a good idea to edit your resume and cover letter to accommodate the reality of working from home. Let's go over some tips and career advice to help you land your next remote job.

Revamping your resume

Whenever you're starting to look for a new job, your first move should always be re-evaluating your resume. After all, remote work requires a unique set of skills that one should emphasise in their resume. You keep asking such questions to yourself:

  • Do you have any relevant skills to add?
  • Any abilities that you can consolidate to make your resume more streamlined?
  • How should you make your resume stand out to recruiters?
  • Can you get that dream remote job?

It is equally essential to make your resume as visually appealing as possible. Your resume shouldn't be so flashy that it distracts from your work experience and skills, but a streamlined layout with a few graphics makes a world of difference. You would have to find every way to make your resume stand out in a sea of applicants.

A resume and cover letter are never a ‘one size fits all’. Every job you apply to needs a specifically tailored resume. Here are our guidelines to writing an interview winning resume on what to include when applying for remote jobs.

Understand the job description

It is essential to understand the job requirements one is applying to, to understand the fit. It would also save you from applying to hundreds of remote job postings you are not into and give you an idea of the specific skills and experience they are looking for.

Provide your value proposition

Describe your value proposition, including your biggest strength and the actual gain you will bring to the company when hired. In other words, include the qualities that make you unique to work in a remote workplace and fulfill the company requirements.

Besides a cover letter and resume, your digital presence, or a portfolio, is also an essential part of your personal USP that would help you get noticed in a crowd of applicants. Create a portfolio site or your website to show off your value and experience.

Highlight the required remote skills

Highlight all the relevant remote work skills and the top qualities your employer is looking for in their job ad, such as "excellent verbal and written communication skills" required to work in a remote setup.

Also, understand all the specifics to make sure you are following the job posting instructions, along with a mention of any technical skills that support you as a remote worker.

Showcase your proficiency in all the remote work tools

Specify all the remote working tools you are proficient in which also satisfy the job criteria such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, Slack, Skype, etc. are a must for remote-working. If it is something that you think a new job will ask you to use to stay in touch and productive, include it. After all, if you land a new remote job, you will use them a lot; it will pay off to be familiar with them.

Brainstorming a Cover letter

Apart from your resume, the cover letter is a perfect place to emphasize any skills that make you the right candidate for a given job. But while your resume is best suited for technical, quantifiable skills, your cover letter is an ample space to highlight personality traits that will help you excel at the job.

As a matter of fact, many remote companies, like Doist or Invision, don't even consider an application without a cover letter.

Things to include in your cover letter:

  • Specify where you found the job listing. Sum up all information in at-most five small paragraphs instead of a big chunky letter. Keep your cover letter short and sweet and get right to the desired points early on.
  • Since remote work asks for high motivation and focus, try to include incidents from previous jobs where you exhibited qualities needed to do well when working from home. Writing a cover letter is also a display of your written communication skills.
  • Make sure to tailor the skills to the job you are applying for. If you know that the job will require a lot of flexibility, highlight your ability to improvise quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Figure out the essential trait your hiring manager is looking for, and make sure to point this out along with your experience. Skills such as strong communication skills, teamwork, ability to perform independently and under stress, etc., are a must for a remote job.

Sample Cover Letter Example

Dear [Hiring Manager],

I am writing to express my interest in the Remote Job position currently available at your organization. As an experienced professional with a passion for remote work and a track record of success in delivering high-quality results, I am confident that I possess the skills and experience necessary to excel in this role.

With a proven ability to work independently and manage time effectively, I believe that I can make a significant contribution to your team's success. I have a strong background in [relevant skills/industry], and I am confident that my expertise and experience will enable me to thrive in a remote work environment.

In addition to my technical skills, I possess excellent communication skills and am comfortable using a variety of communication tools, including video conferencing, chat platforms, and email. I am a natural problem-solver and thrive in environments that require me to adapt and think on my feet.

As someone who is passionate about remote work, I am excited about the opportunity to work for an organization that values this approach to work. I believe that remote work offers significant benefits to both employers and employees, and I am committed to helping your organization achieve its goals through this approach.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further and learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Conclusion

Job hunting is undoubtedly never easy; it can sometimes seem impossible to stand out from the countless other people angling for the same jobs you are. And when you're applying for remote jobs, it is even more critical that your resume and cover letter are perfectly tailored for the job in question.

While this will look different for every job, I hope that the tips we discussed today will give you a starting point to work from. Also, go over these questions that remote workers usually ask when looking for a remote job. Apply these points, and you should receive a call for an interview any minute then (fingers crossed!).

We also recommend going over the list of top remote companies hiring. Still facing issues searching a remote job and are not sure where to look. We, DailyRemote are a remote job board and have latest jobs posted in various categories to help you. Join like-minded people at our LinkedIn and Facebook community.