Whether you’re looking to skip the commute or have some time flexibility, working from home has become popular among modern professionals. The good news is, the number of online opportunities has exploded over the past decade so it’s not too late for you to join the trend.

Remote work doesn’t operate the same way an office-based one does, which means your application shouldn’t be a traditional one. Rather than a ‘one-size-fits-all’ document, it must be tailored for the position. So, take special attention to craft your resume specifically for working virtually.

In this article, we share tips on how to write a great resume that convinces employers you’ve got what it takes to be their next successful hire.

Read the job description

You need to go through the description when sending in your application for any kind of role. This helps you avoid applying for the wrong jobs. If the company is asking for 5 years of experience and you’ve been at it for only a year, don’t waste your time.

Besides that, some clients include a task in the listing to be sure you actually read it. For example, you might be asked to use a certain phrase as the email subject or you may be told to answer a specific question. Failing this simple test gets you immediately rejected.

Build your personal value proposition

These days, hiring managers prefer to see your personal value proposition at the top of your resume instead of your statement of purpose. This serves to draw attention to your personal brand and overall skills that will be an asset to the company.

Think about key accomplishments and experiences that make you a unique candidate. Also, emphasize the tangible results they’ll gain from choosing you. Don’t be afraid to use strong words and phrases to catch their eye. However, remember to keep it short and direct to the point.

Incorporate relevant keywords

If you want to get your application to the top of the pile, identify and use keywords related to the position. This gives you a better chance of getting past the applicant tracking systems (ATS) which are programmed to filter documents according to certain words or phrases.

Using keywords also shows that you’re speaking the same language as the employer. It leaves them the impression that you’re on the same page. Hence, pay particular attention to the terms they’re using in their listings, e.g. clients rather than customers.

Consider the styling

Decide how you’ll be formatting your resume so that you have the highest chance of capturing the attention of a potential client. Choose from reverse chronological, functional resume, and hybrid or combination formats. Make sure to use a clean font that’s simple and easy to read too.

Break up the content with bullet points and headers so information is easier to digest. However, limit it to 3 to 5 sections so it doesn’t become busy and overwhelming to the eye. Keep the most important details at the top of the document as well.

Research their desired traits

Simply listing previous work-from-home jobs isn’t enough to win recruiters over. They want to know whether you’re the right fit for their company culture and their remote team. That’s why you must demonstrate that your performance will deliver results according to their expectations.

Write down specific things you accomplished while working from home that you may not have achieved if you were based in an office. Be sure to include the times when you’ve made a positive impact on the previous businesses you’ve worked for too.

Highlight transferable skills

If you’re seeking opportunities in a different field, emphasise experience and skills you have that can translate to another role. Here’s an example: if you have strong time management skills, explain how you can use it in the new position and how it’s beneficial in a remote working environment.

Other examples of transferable skills are:

• Showing foresight
• Predicting shortfalls
• Managing groups
• Coordinating tasks
• Promoting change
• Managing conflicts
• Writing concisely
• Providing feedback
• Negotiating
• Editing
• Gathering information
• Analyzing data
• Setting goals.

Discuss how you’ll bring these skills with you in your future employment setup.

Include relevant interests

Mentioning relevant activities is a great way to add some personality to your resume. Of course, they should only be added if they relate in some way to the abilities and skills that are needed to perform the job or have a positive impact on the role.

Many clients are interested in recruiting people who have a life outside of work anyway. After all, they’re providing remote arrangements to give their staff better work-life balance. They want to know if the person will be maximizing the perk and not overworking themselves.

Remember to proofread

Double or triple check every part of your resume before you send it. Your application must be given the same amount of attention as a wedding invite. Any errors will leave a bad impression. The worst case scenario is that you’ll be misunderstood as rude or narcissistic.

Check for any messy formatting, incorrect grammar and spelling mistakes in contact details or dates. If possible, have someone else check it for you, so you could have feedback on your tone of voice or format. There are free ATS simulators you can use to optimize your resume.

Are You Ready to Apply?

Once done preparing the right information, arranging it properly on a document, and checking for any errors, you’re free to send it to any potential employer you’re interested in working for. There’s no guarantee that you’ll always get the job but you’ve at least raised your chances of success.

If you haven’t found a role you’re interested in, we at Remote Workmate can help! Being a global company, we work with remote clients from different parts of the world who are looking for qualified virtual professionals.