Tips and tricks for writing a remote job resume. With examples!

Resumes have always been a staple in the job search game. However, when it comes to remote jobs, they are even more critical. Since you are likely not to have an in-person interview when applying for a remote job, you will need your resume to sell your qualifications, skills, and drive. In this guide, we will be covering some tips and tricks for writing a remote job resume. Plus, we’ll check out some examples of the types of things you should include in your resume.

Here are some of the topics we will cover:

• Best ways to optimize your resume for remote work

• Top tips for designing a remote job resume 

• Crafting a remote job resume with no experience

Best ways to optimize your resume for remote work

From the very start, your resume needs to tell a recruiter or hiring manager that you are looking for remote work. It also needs to show that you have the skills to be a powerful remote work employee. It all starts with your resume summary, but it doesn’t end there. Your ability and desire to perform remote work should be clear throughout your resume. Here are some specific tips that can help you with every section of your resume.

Including remote work in your resume header

The purpose of your header is to provide a hiring manager with your name, contact information, and link to your LinkedIn profile. But, it can also be a place where you include mention of your remote work experience or goals. This is especially helpful if you are looking for work in another city other than where you currently reside.

In your header, you will want to keep the focus on your contact information. But, for those looking for remote work, adding a tag at the conclusion of your header is appropriate. A simple “Working remotely from Dallas.” after you’ve listed the final element of your header can help a hiring manager understand your intentions and skill set.

Crafting an eye-catching resume summary

Grab the hiring manager's attention from the start with a strong opening sentence. Remember to show that you are excited about remote work and have the skills needed to be a fantastic addition to the team. Tailor your resume summary around the specific job you are applying for and include keywords and skills directly related to the position. Don’t forget to include your technical proficiency and any remote-friendly skills you may have. Feel free to customize this sample as your own.

How to put remote work on your resume

When listing past remote work on your resume, the best option is to be direct and clear. Don’t hide the fact that a position was a remote position. Format each listing in a way that communicates your remote work capabilities to your potential employer.

Each position you are including on your resume should include your job title, the company you worked with, the dates you were employed, a description of your responsibilities, the remote tools and technologies you worked with, and your achievements in that role.

Here is an example of how you might format a remote position on your resume:

Skills section

One of the best ways to show you are the best employee for a remote position is to include remote-friendly skills on your resume. In your skills section, you can highlight the competencies and qualities you have that are particularly helpful in a virtual work environment. Here are some things to consider:

• Remote-friendly title. For traditional jobs, the title for your skills section is listed as Skills or Proficiencies. When remote work is the goal, you can change things up by choosing a remote-focused title, such as Remote Work Proficiencies.

• Be specific. Each role you apply for will be a little different, but there will always be specific skills needed to be successful as a remote worker. Be sure to include those in the skills section of your resume as they apply to your experience.

• Keep things relevant. Every skill you list in your skills section should align with the responsibilities and requirements of the remote position you are applying for. Highlight the skills that directly address the job description to increase the relevance of your skills section.

Top tips for designing a remote job resume

The top goal of your remote job resume is to emphasize your ability to be an effective and productive remote worker. That means you need to have some remote-friendly skills listed throughout your resume. Also prioritize remote positions you’ve held and the digital tools you’ve used.

Along with these, here are some other top tips to consider when writing your own resume for a remote position:

• Quantify achievements. A hiring manager looking to fill a remote position will be more interested in your resume if you can prove your effectiveness in your past roles. Including quantifiable achievements on your resume can help with that.

• Highlight soft skills. Your hard skills and achievements are not the only things that will attract a hiring manager. You will also need to show that you are self-motivated, a problem-solver, and someone who can work independently.

• Remote work references. If you have previous remote work experience, including references from former supervisors and co-workers can be helpful because they add a level of credibility to your remote work capabilities.

• Include volunteer work and training. Not all remote-friendly work experience has to be something you were paid to do. If you have any volunteer experience or specific training that will make you more successful as a remote worker, be sure to include that on your resume. To further highlight this type of experience, you can even add an extra section to your resume just for volunteer work or training.

Crafting a remote job resume with no experience

Having prior experience as a remote worker can definitely help make your resume stand out. But if you are one of the many workers who are hoping to break into the remote job market for the first time, you won’t necessarily have that experience. There are still several ways you can customize your resume for a remote position.

Start with a skills assessment

If you don’t have prior remote work experience, focus on your transferable skills. Before writing your resume, take into account all the skills you have and how they could be valuable in a remote position. Also, highlight any technological tools you have in your toolbox that can be used in a remote setting.

Note relevant experience

When working on your work experience section, emphasize areas where you’ve demonstrated your ability to work independently or manage projects on your own. You can also show how you effectively communicate with other team members throughout the project even when you aren’t in the same room with them. These are all valuable skills for a remote worker to have.

Highlight adaptability and flexibility

Whether it’s learning a new piece of technology or adjusting your work strategies, working in a remote role means you need to be adaptable and flexible. In both your career summary and work experience sections, demonstrate that you can thrive in dynamic environments and navigate challenges and changes with ease. The more you can show your ability to work independently, the better.

Avoid making mistakes

Above all, ensure you are aware of some of the common mistakes others have made regarding their remote job resumes, and look for ways to avoid them. This handy chart will help you avoid some of the most common mistakes.

We’re here to help make crafting the perfect resume for a remote job easy with our resume builder tool!

Key takeaways

1. When writing a remote job resume, you should optimize each section to be remote-work-friendly by highlighting your remote experience and skills.

2. Emphasize your remote-friendly soft skills along with any remote work experience you have throughout your resume.

3. Even if you don’t have remote work experience, you have transferable skills that can make you a valuable remote worker.