Searching for a remote job? Let your resume reflect that.

If you're in the market for a remote job, here's some good news: In the past decade, the number of remote job opportunities has skyrocketed as more and more companies recruit virtual employees to join their workforce.

Remote work comes with a number of perks, including no commute, more flexibility, fewer distractions, and heightened productivity. Like anything, however, working outside an office comes with its challenges, too. Think: loneliness, difficulty collaborating, and the dilemma one can face when trying to set healthy work-life boundaries.

In fact, many employers and remote employees might consider remote work a skill in itself. It takes a lot of focus, discipline, and strong communication to be an efficient and effective remote worker, and not everyone is cut out for it. 

If you're seeking a remote job opportunity, it's important to have an interview-winning resume for remote jobs. Employers want to know you're equipped to work from home, and there are several ways you can highlight this on your resume.   

 

Make it known you're in the market for a remote job

As you write your resume for remote jobs, keep in mind that your desire for such a position must be immediately made known to the hiring manager. As you read through the job descriptions, you'll be able to tell that some of them are for remote work; however, that won't always be the case. 

Even if the job description neglects to mention whether the job is remote, you still need to make it clear in your application, cover letter, and well-crafted resume that you're seeking a remote opportunity.

The contact information part of your resume for remote jobs

The first place to indicate your desire for remote work is in your contact information section. Resumes traditionally include at least the city and state of your address. However, if you're applying for a remote position that doesn't have any specific location requirements, your physical location isn't as important. Therefore, you have a few options: 

  • You can still list your city and state

  • You can leave it off

  • You can simply state “remote” or “location independent” in the space instead

Here's what the contact section of your remote work resume could look like:

Jane Doe

123-456-7890 | email@email.com

Remote worker in Dallas, TX

The profile paragraph part of your resume for remote jobs

Another part of your resume for remote jobs that gives you the opportunity to highlight your desire and ability to excel in remote work is your professional summary. Be sure to highlight any experience you have with remote collaboration, being organized, and staying self-motivated, as all of these are important qualities for remote work success. 

Here's what the profile paragraph of your remote work resume could look like:

Innovative and results-driven content creator with a passion for the beauty products industry seeking to leverage 7 years of experience in creating engaging content that converts leads and managing social media platforms within remote work environments. Possess a proven ability to work independently and as part of a larger, geographically dispersed team. Utilize remote collaboration tools like Slack, Zoom, and Monday to communicate with others and manage projects. 

The professional experience part of your resume for remote jobs

If you've previously held remote positions, call those out in your work experience section by listing “remote” in place of the company's location. It's also fairly critical that you leverage the use of achievement bullets to drive home the point that you can and have worked successfully in remote positions.

For example, if you are a remote account manager, you might write: “Managed partnerships with more than 25 clients through Salesforce from a dedicated home office.” If you're a remote writer, you might showcase your productivity by stating: “Exceeded company's annual quotas by producing more than 200 pieces of content and was recognized as a top remote employee.”

Here's what the profile paragraph of your remote work resume could look like:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ABC Corporation | 03/2021-Present

Content Creator (Remote - Based in Houston, TX)

  • Increased website traffic by 50% through the creation of SEO-optimized blog posts and social media content.

  • Developed and implemented a content strategy that resulted in a 30% increase in social media engagement.

  • Managed a remote team of 7 writers, editors, and designers, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality content.

  • Employed advanced knowledge of Slack and Zoom to partner with the remote marketing team and create and launch successful email marketing campaigns.

Showcase the skills needed to work remotely

Now that you've made it clear you're looking for a location-independent job and have the experience to back up the request for remote work, it's time to showcase your qualifications. 

Expert tip: Remember, remote work takes a special set of skills, so you'll want to highlight those.

An obvious place to prove you have what it takes is in the skills section on your resume for remote jobs. Here, you'll want to think about both the hard and soft skills that make you a strong remote employee. 

For example, as a remote team member, you'll need to be comfortable with video conferencing, messaging, and using team and project management tools. You can even list the specific names of programs you have experience using, like Slack, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Asana, or Wrike. If the company you're interviewing with uses the same tools, it'll likely put the employer at ease, knowing you already have the experience with those platforms.

You'll also want to list important soft skills remote workers need to succeed. Use this general list  to spark some inspiration:

  • Time management

  • Collaboration

  • Digital communication

  • Strong work ethic

  • Adaptability

  • Organization

  • Self-starter

  • Proactive

  • Flexibility

  • Tech-savvy

  • Independent problem solver

  • Reliable

What do you do if you have no remote experience?

There is a saying that everyone who is an expert at something used to be a beginner. If you have no remote experience, you can still write a resume for remote jobs. It's all in how you word things. Basically, you'll need to lean on the skills you have in brick-and-mortar jobs to prove you'll be an effective remote employee. These are called transferable skills. 

For example, if you work for a bi-coastal company and frequently collaborate with your other location's office, make that clear. Perhaps you work with a roster of out-of-state clients; this is another opportunity to show you have strong digital communication skills.

You can also take online courses to obtain certifications or boost your professional development related to working remotely to further strengthen your resume for remote jobs. 

Don't forget the cover letter

One piece of your job application toolkit that is often overlooked is the cover letter. Your resume for remote jobs goes into great detail about your career skills and achievements, while the cover letter gives you the chance to express your personality and passions. This is especially great if you happen to be one of the folks with little to no remote experience under your belt. 

Some things to consider for your cover letter for remote jobs:

  • Just as with your resume for remote jobs, clearly state that you seek a remote opportunity

  • Reiterate your experiences or skills with remote collaboration tools and re-emphasize your relevant soft skills 

  • Explain that you're adaptable, flexible, and proactive

  • Express your enthusiasm for remote work and the company, specifically, so the hiring manager knows you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success as a company

Did you notice that none of those tips suggests that you should regurgitate what's already on your resume? Your cover letter should complement your resume and provide additional context for why you're the perfect candidate for a remote job. Also, be sure to tailor your cover letter just like you would your resume for remote jobs. 

Strategic presentation of skills and experiences

No matter where you are in your career journey, landing a remote job requires careful consideration of what you have to offer a new company. Because remote jobs require a special set of skills, you'll want your resume to reflect that — whether you've already had experience working remotely or not.

When you highlight your desire for remote work, remember to emphasize your readiness and suitability for the environment. The bottom line is that employers want to find someone who can easily step into their role and thrive. Your resume for remote jobs is the best way to prove that. Showcase your relevant skills, experiences, and career achievements to land the remote job of your dreams. 

Not sure how to make your remote intentions clear on your resume? Need help showcasing your ability to operate remotely? You may want to consult a professional resume writer. Just like you would go to the mechanic when your engine breaks down, an expert resume writer is here to help you with your resume needs. Upload your resume for a free review today. 

This article was originally written by Carson Kohler in 2021 and updated by Marsha Hebert in 2024.

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