how to create a resume for a remote job.
A resume is your primary tool as a job seeker. When you're creating a resume for a remote job, your professional qualifications are just one part of the picture — it's also important to highlight the skills and experiences that enable you to work from home successfully. By covering both bases, you can showcase the value you bring and reassure potential employers that you can hit the ground running.
do you need to write a different type of resume for a remote job?
When a company is looking to fill a work from home job, they have access to a wider talent pool. That means that you're not just up against local workers for the job — potential employers will be comparing you to applicants from around the country or even the world. While it's possible to use your normal CV, you can gain a competitive advantage in the job hunt by tailoring the resume to the unique needs of the position.
what are the differences between a standard resume and a resume for a remote job?
The format for a remote-job resume is largely the same as a standard resume, but the content should vary slightly. The primary differences are:
- The skills section is more in-depth and focused on the abilities required for remote work.
- Job duties for past positions are written with an eye toward the demands of a work from home job.
- If you have past experience with remote jobs, you can highlight that aspect of the position.
check out job listings for remote positions across Canada.
find a remote job3 tips for writing a resume that helps you land a remote job
There's no need to start your resume from scratch — simply save a copy of your existing resume and edit it. If you're building a resume for the first time, start with standard sections (as applicable):
- Contact information
- Education
- Experience
- Skills
- Languages
- Certifications and licenses
- Publications
1. list the skills that help you succeed in a remote job
The skills section is a critical component of a remote-work resume, especially if you're applying to a large company that uses resume-screening software. These programs scan resumes for important keywords; if your resume contains the right phrases, it's more likely to make it through to the interview stage.
Use the job description for ideas. Look for words that describe the hard skills the employer needs, and include those exact terms in your resume. This might include things such as technical writing, bookkeeping or proficiency in specific applications, software programs, operating systems or programming languages.
Once you've covered the skills in the job description, take it a step further and note any skills you have that help you work from home effectively. Start with hard skills, such as experience with online meeting technology, collaboration platforms or cloud systems. Soft skills are particularly important for remote workers. Are you a skilled problem solver? Can you navigate a cold call like a pro? Make sure to list it as a skill.
2. write your work history in the context of remote work
For each of your past jobs, examine your responsibilities and achievements. Look for ways to reframe them in a way that speaks to the needs of a remote position. For example, if you were part of a dispersed team, you might say, "Collaborated with on-site and remote team members on local advertising campaigns." If you worked as an executive assistant, you could write, "Facilitated meetings with stakeholders in 6 countries and 4 time zones."
As you craft each entry, look for ways to reinforce your skills. If you're claiming to be an expert in cross-cultural communication, you might mention that you had daily phone calls with clients across Europe and the Middle East. Prove your skills in technical sales with a bullet point that says, "Increased revenue by 25% in the North America region."
Include smaller-scale accomplishments too. Did your office use Google Docs or another cloud storage system? Mention it by saying, "Managed company and client documents in Google Docs." If you entered receipts for working lunches using QuickBooks, note it as, "Tracked and reported financial transactions in QuickBooks." If your supervisor assigned tasks in programs like Asana or Jira, you can write, "Managed tasks and created weekly reports in Asana."
Your experience stays the same — you're simply changing the way you explain it. That way, potential employers know that you're already comfortable with the technologies and tasks required of remote workers. To help hiring managers find the most important entries, use attention-grabbing action verbs.
3. highlight past experience working from home
Have you worked from home in any of your past jobs? Make sure to note that experience on your resume. If one or two of your jobs was remote or hybrid, simply include it in the job title. For example, you might say, "Technical Writer (remote)" or "IT Specialist (hybrid)." The unexpected parenthetical addition helps the job title stand out, so the resume is more likely to pass the 6-second skim test.
If a significant portion of your work history consists of remote jobs, you might split it into two sections: Remote Work Experience and Work Experience. This strategy lets employers know that you're a seasoned remote professional, even before they glance at the jobs.
writing winning remote-work resumes
Depending on your career, a single resume may not work for every job application. To increase your chances of success, consider tweaking the basic resume slightly to reflect the unique demands of the job at hand. Employers will appreciate the effort, and you may have an easier time finding remote work that satisfies your professional and personal needs.
For additional reading on remote jobs, check out these pertinent articles:
