Ready to ditch the office? Here's how to get your CV ready for remote jobs

In the age of startups, laptops, and WiFi on every corner, it's more possible than ever to ditch the traditional nine-to-five grind for remote work. Professionals across industries are leveraging their unique skill sets to accommodate a work-from-anywhere lifestyle. But before you start decorating your home office, you need to ensure your CV is in the right shape. In this guide, we'll guide you through tailoring your CV for remote jobs.

Tip 1: do make it clear that you want a remote role 

First things first, you need to make it 100% clear that you're looking for a remote position. Don't make the mistake of presuming that the hiring manager will know this information. You should always spell it out for them.  

The best place to share this information is in your CV header. Include a line that says “Working remotely” or “Open to remote work.” This helps the hiring manager, upon reviewing your application, immediately understand your preferred work setup. 

It doesn't end there – you can also highlight this detail in your summary. Within this 3-4 line paragraph, you might want to add that you're looking for remote work. You don't have to go into too much detail here. Simply state that this is your preferred working arrangement.  

Tip 2: don't just include any skills – pinpoint remote working skills first

Now that you've made it clear that you're looking for a remote role, it's time to show what you can bring to the table. 

But before updating the rest of your CV for remote jobs, remember that not all your skills may apply - certain skills will make you stand out more when applying for remote work. Of course, these skills will vary based on the position you're applying for (see the job description for keywords), but below are some of the typically sought-after skills by remote job employers: 

  • Time management: Employers will be looking for a candidate who adheres to deadlines and has proven time management skills. Showcase your ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines by including an example of this in your work history. Highlight a specific project or task that required you to stick to a tight deadline and then emphasise the results of that project. Tell them how you succeeded.

  • Flexibility: Working remotely involves a great deal of flexibility. You may be required to work unusual hours or participate in teleconferences or offsite meetings, or you may be assigned tasks that require you to think outside the box. Therefore, employers will be looking at your CV to see how you've been flexible in past roles.

  • Good communication skills: When you work remotely, it eradicates face-to-face communication in most circumstances. So communication streams will be reliant on email, phone, and other digital channels. An HR Manager will be looking for a candidate who can communicate clearly and effectively and who responds to emails or requests in a timely manner. Be sure to include this on your remote job CV.

  • Ability to work autonomously: In order to successfully work remotely, you need to be self-motivated. You won't have colleagues or a manager sitting next to you to keep you in check ‒ it's all on you. So, use your CV to demonstrate situations or projects in previous roles where you've had to self-manage and work autonomously.

  • Tech literacy: If you're working remotely, you'll most likely be using a range of systems and software to help manage your workflow. On top of this, you won't have an IT department to run to when your laptop stops working. You'll need to show the employer that you're technically adept to do the job remotely. If you don't feel confident in your technical skills, sign up for an online course or a short course designed to improve your technical abilities and include it on your CV. 

Tip 3: do highlight your remote work-relevant skills 

Now that you know which relevant skills you have, it's time to demonstrate them clearly on your CV for a remote job application. There are three main sections on your CV where an employer will be looking for these remote work-relevant skills: your professional summary, your skills section, and your work history. 

Professional summary 

Your professional summary (also known as a personal statement) is where you select your absolute best and most relevant skills and qualifications and show them off. Think of it as your elevator pitch: What do you want your potential future employer to know about you? Put it here.

Skills section

The next section is your skills. This is where you list all the (relevant) abilities in your arsenal, keeping it tailored to the job at hand. Keep in mind, the company could be using an applicant tracking system (ATS), so this is a good section to include keywords from the job description as well. While you can use bullet points to list them in your Skills section, you should also weave them throughout your CV. 

Work history 

The last section is your work history. This is where the HR Manager wants to see your skills in action. Use this section to demonstrate how you've used your remote work-relevant skills in previous roles and what benefits or successes you've achieved by doing so.

Bonus tip: don't forget your cover letter! 

As you brush up your CV for remote jobs, remember to use the full potential of your cover letter too! With limited space, you may not be able to say everything you want to say on your remote work CV; but in your cover letter, you'll have more space to fully outline your potential. 

Make a strong first impression by showcasing your best qualities in this letter and remember to demonstrate how they will help you as a remote employee. Take the opportunity to explain why you have a preference for remote work and what makes you the right candidate for this type of work setup. Dedicate a couple of sentences – or even a paragraph – to this part of the letter. 

Moreover, answer any burning questions that the reader may have. The hiring manager will be grateful if you're upfront about certain things, such as your remote working style and how you manage your time. Consider what concerns they may have and address them early on. 

Secure your dream remote job!

Try not to get disheartened by feeling like you need to completely rewrite your CV when you're ready to make the switch to remote work. It doesn't have to be a complete overhaul, just some strategic tweaks and additions to satisfy the needs of an HR Manager, such as placing extra emphasis on your most remote work-relevant skills – you'll be creating the perfect CV for remote jobs in no time. 

Not sure if your CV paints you as remote-ready? Feedback from our free CV review will tell you where you stand. Submit your CV here.

This article was originally written by Rikki Wimmer and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.

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