Pretty much the same principles apply, whether you are applying for an onsite or remote role. You still need a strong resume, a great cover letter, and a smooth interview game to charm the person on the other end of the screen. However, to make for your application to stand out for remote companies, we have compiled a few tips.
Firstly, your cover letter should highlight your experience with working remotely (if any). List your skills and 2-3 top achievements that would be relevant for a remote job. You can also explain a bit why you want to work remotely.
In your resume, make sure you emphasise the following:
- Communication - Remote companies tend to hire people with exceptional communication skills.
- Tools - Companies use various tools to manage their remote employees: Basecamp, Asana, Slack, Zoom, etc. Mention those you are familiar with in your resume.
Finally, be prepared for the online interview. This is when your communication skills that you mentioned in your cover letter and resume will be put to the test! Apart from the usual interview questions, you can expect to be asked some questions specific to your remote working capabilities such as:
- Questions regarding your remote working capabilities – workspace setup, internet availability and speeds, the equipment you have or need, etc.
- Questions about your ability to handle the logistics of remote working – time management, working in different time zones, etc.
To recap, optimize your resume and cover letter for a remote position and be prepared for the questions an employer of remote workers might ask. And that’s a wrap!