You found a remote job posting that’s caught your interest.
Now, to create the best application you’re probably wondering how to do one or both of the following:
- List previous jobs on a resume making it clear some or all of them were remote
- Describe work experience from a fully remote or a hybrid work environment
Even if none of the above apply to you, it’s helpful to know how to write a remote work resume to speed up your job search.
Anyhow, this guide will go through everything you need to know.
What Is Remote Work?
Remote work means you’re not limited to doing your job in the company office. This is also known as telecommuting.
Traditionally, employees would have to go to work in a set location within company premises. However, remote work allows people to do their jobs from outside of the office which gives them more flexibility.
Other similar terms you might’ve come across include:
- Work from home (WFH): doing work from the comfort of your own home.
- Digital Nomad: this refers to a person’s lifestyle where they’re able to work and travel at the same time.
- Hybrid work: employees have the option to work onsite or offsite.
For some jobs or tasks, all that’s needed is a laptop with a stable internet connection.
One of the reasons people find remote work appealing is because of the work-life balance aspect it offers. It’s a factor that pushed the great resignation.
Examples of other locations to work include:
- Cafés
- Home office
- Libraries
- Private workspace
Popular Remote Job Examples
- Accountant
- Consultant
- Data scientist
- Graphic designer
- Marketing manager
- Recruiter
- Sales agent
- Social media manager
- Tutor
- Web developer
Is There a Difference Between Applying for a Normal Job and a Remote Job?
The application process is more or less the same except it revolves more around a remote environment. For instance, rather than doing the interview in person, it’ll take place online via a video interview on Zoom. Questions may also double down on how you operate in a remote setting.
Still, it’s best practice to tailor your application based on the company’s job description.
Do You Need to Tailor Your Resume for a Remote Job?
Preferably, yes. It’s an important step to boost your chances of landing the job by helping you prove you’re a competent candidate. One way to tailor your resume for a remote job is to describe the skills you’ve developed through your remote work experience.
That brings us to the main question: how do you put remote work on a resume?
How to List Remote Work On Your Resume
1. Complete the Resume Header
The resume header includes your personal contact information such as:
- Full name
- Location (city or country, or both)
- Professional email address
- Phone number
- Website or LinkedIn URL
2. Complete the Work Experience Section Headings
The headings under the work experience section are for including essential employment details. This lists the following:
- Your job title/role at the company
- The company you worked with
- Time of employment with the company
- Company location
3. Write “Remote” in Brackets After Putting Down the Company Location
If the job you’re listing was a remote role, write remote in brackets after you put down the company location such as:
- New York (Remote)
- London (Remote)
- Seoul (Remote)
However, this step can be skipped if you’re expected to work in a hybrid or fully remote setting.
Recruiters will surmise your employment history includes remote experience by seeing your personal location in the resume header compared to the company location you wrote in the work experience section.
4. List Jobs in Reverse Chronological Order
The reverse chronological format is the most preferred way of listing your work history. It reveals no gaps in your professional background by starting with the most recent events.
However, there is an exception to this approach. That’s if you’re going to use the functional resume format. In this scenario, you may want to structure your resume slightly differently to highlight your skills since you lack direct experience in the role.
5. Talk About What You Did at the Company
All that’s left is to describe what you did at the company. In other words, how well you carried out your work responsibilities.
Remote job or not, the same best practices will apply to how you’d normally approach the work experience section. For instance, emphasize a positive outcome achieved through your efforts. If you have no data to use then point out the goal you worked towards and the purpose you served. We’ll go through example sentences of this shortly later on in this guide.
Here’s a few more of the best practices:
- Start your bullet points with strong action verbs
- Revolve each sentence around achievements
- Mention numbers and statistics to showcase the results you were responsible for
- Use resume keywords in the context of your accomplishments
Tips to Personalize Your Application for a Remote Job
Take these tips into account to personalize your resume for a remote job. These can boost your chances of overcoming the initial screening process and landing an interview.
Bring up the Skills Beneficial for a Remote Work Environment
Not everyone is as skilled or efficient as others in a remote environment.
Most times, you’ll be working by yourself with limited supervision. So give examples on your resume that prove you’re a reliable person who knows how to self-organize, take initiative, and meet deadlines.
Those who can demonstrate an extraordinary ability to work independently are more likely to give employers confidence that they’re a good fit.
Here’s a few examples of useful skills to have:
- Discipline
- Collaboration
- Written communication
- Software proficiency
- Time management
Another option is to categorize them in the skills section like the examples below.
Mention Your Remote Work Background in the Summary Section
Let recruiters know immediately that you’re experienced in working remotely by mentioning it in your resume summary.
Here’s some alternatives for saying you have 5 years of experience:
- <Job> professional with 5 years of remote experience…
- <Job> professional with 5 years of experience working remotely…
Also, your resume doesn’t need to go as far back as 10 years unless it’s necessary. Going as far back on your resume as up to 3 years can be enough. What’s more important than showcasing the length of your employment history is showcasing that you’re capable of bringing results.
Only List Matching Job Titles
Portray yourself as a specialist in the field by only listing exact matching job titles. A consistent career timeline like this implies you’re well-versed in that specific role.
Still, make it clear you have a diverse skill set by mentioning other transferable skills. It proves you have more to offer than what the job description says.
If your corporate history for the past 3 years doesn't consist of the same job titles, then only list your most relevant work experience.
Include a Link to Your Website, Portfolio, or LinkedIn Profile
All links that point the reader elsewhere from your application belong in the resume header section. These links can lead to one of the following:
- Portfolio
- Website
Even if you choose not to share these links on your resume, some companies might do a background check either way. This means they’ll search you up online via social media. Therefore, it’s important to optimize any public profiles they can access.
Share More Details Using a Cover Letter
Cover letters give you extra space to show employers why they should hire you. Use this space to do one of the following:
- Go in-depth on your most exceptional remote achievements including how they were achieved
- Write more detail about something you’ve mentioned on your resume, e.g. qualifications and relevant coursework
- Showcase your passion and interest in the field by talking about a personal project you worked on
Depending on what you want to put in the spotlight, there are different ways to structure your cover letter.
How to Prove You’re Competent Enough to Work Remotely on Your Resume
What if you’re applying for a remote job with not much remote work experience?
You might’ve come to a realization that you probably lack experience in a remote environment compared to some of the other candidates. So, how would you prove you’re just as skilled for the role as they are? Moreover, how do you overcome the distance bias that many hiring teams have and prove that you're still the right fit for the job?
Do this – focus on these 3 points below.
Highlight Achievements From Independent Work
As mentioned, you’ll have little to no supervision. Remote employees must be capable of doing tasks independently. It requires more self-motivation too. This isn’t everyone’s cup of tea since some people prefer to work in teams.
To communicate to employers you have the qualities to succeed remotely, highlight your accomplishments from independent work. These are times when you took initiative with minimal or zero assistance.
Here’s some examples:
- Created and initiated an email marketing campaign to engage and interact with over 300 subscribers.
- Pioneered electronic delivery of annual reports and statements saving $210k annually.
- Launched a startup and grew the company to 6 employees, 7,000 customers, and $300,000 total raised investment in 2 years.
Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
Good communication is key for remote teams. It’s one of many desirable leadership skills to have.
You’ll still be collaborating with others. The difference is that you’re not in an office, meaning that you could be working with people from around the world.
Having strong people skills enables you to perform better. It’ll even be essential for some job titles as hiring managers will need someone who can lead and cooperate effectively with a global team.
Here’s 3 ways to show your ability as a leader:
- Write about difficult problems you faced and how you overcame them
- Mention the outcome gained from previous group projects you were involved in
- List relevant soft skills in the skills section
Categorize Relevant Software Tools
In some job descriptions, software proficiency isn’t something that’s nice to have. It’s a requirement.
Succeeding in a remote environment only works by using technology to your advantage. You’ll even find that most of the in-demand positions shown on LinkedIn will include a point involving software.
See the example below for categorizing relevant software on your resume.
Free Remote Work Resume Templates and Examples
Modern Resume Template
Freelance Writer Resume
Marketing Manager Resume
Or You Could Automatically Create a Remote Job Resume Using an AI Writer
Personalizing your resume for every single job you’re interested in can be a pain in the neck. It might take hours of edits and research to make sure it’s perfect. Not to mention, it has to be sent before the deadline.
If only there was a way to sit back and relax while getting interview offers left and right knowing you created the perfect resume…
Fortunately, there is a way. It’s possible by using an AI resume writer.
An AI resume writer optimizes your application for a specific company by matching your skills and experience to their job description.
It’s easier to give it a go yourself – sign up here for free access.
Or watch the clip below to see how it works.
Final Thoughts
A remote work resume isn’t much different from a standard resume.
Ultimately, hiring managers want to interview those they see as a good fit for the company. How they make that decision is based on your ability to convey how your skills and experience would be valuable to them.
