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How to write a CV for a remote working job

Written by: Charlotte Rogers
Published on: 2 Sep 2020

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If you’re in the market for a job that includes working remotely, you’ve definitely picked the right time. Employers have been forced into the idea of mass remote working and plenty have begun to see the benefits of it. Some companies will want to keep remote working, maybe even begin posting jobs that are based remotely on a permanent basis. This has been rising over recent years and both employers and employees are seeing the benefits of working from home. If you are looking for remote jobs specifically, the employer is going to want to know that you can do it. You want to use your CV to show off your skills, but also persuade them that you are equipped to work from home, and you have the skills required to do it well.

Why choose remote working?

Remote work comes with its perks. You get to say goodbye to the commute, there is more flexibility, the potential for higher productivity levels and you get a whole lot of time back. You don’t have to spend time getting there, getting back and worrying about traffic. It’s crazy how much time can add up and you might see yourself having more of it.

Although it seems this way, remote working isn’t always fun and games. You might not be stuck with office distractions and that one annoying laugh you hear on a daily in the office but working from home comes with it’s on distractions. You need to have the skills and motivation to be able to work well remotely. It does come with practice, especially when you’re so used to the office/workplace environment.

Make it clear you’re looking for a remote job

Your CV is the first and can be the last thing an employer reads about you. This is where they learn about your skills but also what you are looking for in a job. When writing sections of your CV like your personal statement and the experience section, make sure you mention remote working. Have you worked at home before? It’s the same as work experience, they want to know you have a little bit of experience with it.

Your address might also be a big giveaway. If you’re applying for a job in London but currently live in Norwich, the employer will hopefully figure out that it’s too far a travel and you’d be looking to use their work from home opportunities.

There are plenty of ways you can tailor your CV to a remote job. Your CV is one, but a cover letter is another very important resource. Your CV is all about your skills and experience, but you can make your cover letter a little more personal. It’s there to include details about you and your work needs that you couldn’t fit onto your CV. People sometimes underestimate the importance of a cover letter.


Your skills

Employers will always check your skills section on your CV to check if you are compatible with the role you are applying for. However, when applying for a role that requires you to work remotely, there are some skills that they might be looking out for.

  • Time management – This lets the employer know that you are able to keep on top of your work. You can plan your day out accordingly and understand what might require your attention first. A very good and important skill to have.
  • Adaptable – You are able to find solutions to problems and work through the challenges well. You can adapt to different circumstances and it indicates you can adapt to working from home quite quickly.
  • Good digital communication skills – Working from home doesn’t mean you are working alone. You need to be able to meet people over apps like skype and zoom. Communicate with them daily over the phone and ensure that you are all working collectively to get a job done. No one is ever truly working alone.
  • Reliable worker – You can get things done without having to be micro-managed. No one likes having to constantly check up on their employees. This skill implies that you deliver.
  • Independent worker and a good self-starter - Being able to say that you are a good independent worker lets them know that you don’t constantly need others around you to ensure you are doing the job. You can motivate yourself!

Your work experience

If you have a lot of experience working from home, it will work in your favour if you make this known. Talk about the highs and lows of working from home and how you overcome boundaries. Have you done a variety of tasks from home? And how long have you been working remotely? Loads of people have been forced to adapt and work from home due to the current circumstances and although it might have been a stressful task to begin with. You can describe how you overcame these initial problems and how you found that remote working was good for you.

What kind of jobs are you applying for?

It might sound obvious but are you applying for roles that state, ‘remote working’? It can be an easy thing to overlook but some companies might not still appreciate the benefits of having employees permanently work from home. Some job descriptions will say ‘option to work from home’. But be clear and try to find out if this is permanent or just a few days a week. Figure out exactly what you want from a role and if they are able to provide you with what you want.

Include it on your social pages

Some employers will look at your CV or application and feel like they want to learn more about you. If you have included links to your social profiles or your portfolio, it can be a good idea to include the want for remote working here.

Working remotely can have its perks and it is very important to tailor your CV to each role you are applying for. It’s a good start to let the employer know you want to work from home form the beginning and using some of the tips we have mentioned can help this be more obvious throughout your CV.