Remote jobs are highly desirable in 2022, and every remote job posted online receives hundreds of applicants. The 2020 pandemic resulted in most office-based workers getting a taste of what it’s like to work remotely. If you, like many others, returned to the office but long to return to a more flexible working lifestyle, you might be considering jobs which offer permanent remote work.
The competition for hybrid and remote jobs can be fierce as record numbers of employees quit the 9-5 to seek more flexible ways of working that better suit their lifestyle outside of the office. But how can you make your application stand out with so many applicants for these much sought-after remote positions coming through?
We examine three ways to make your remote work application shine.
1. Customise your application for every job
We can’t stress enough how important it is to tailor your CV and application for every role you apply for and not just recycle the same pitch repeatedly. Prospective employers scroll through applications at a speed you wouldn’t believe, so you need to match their ideal candidate profile if you want them to give you a second look. When tailoring your application, look at the job role you are applying for and pull out any key skills. Then, ensure you demonstrate your experience in those areas in your application.
Likewise, if you have worked remotely, even for a short period such as a lockdown, make sure you state this. Employers are looking for employees with a proven track record of being able to work remotely without supervision. Again, if you’ve already done this, shout about it.
2. Choose a practical layout
Every applicant wants to be noticed, so choosing a CV layout that is easy to follow and looks smart is essential. In addition, you’ll want to make sure any relevant information is easy to find and in a practical layout.
It might be tempting to use a non-standard font to make your resume stand out. However, its far more important to ensure the font is set to a readable size, so the employer doesn’t need to zoom in or out, and any key skills or achievements are listed clearly as bullet points.
Also, don’t forget to make sure your contact information is easy to find; we recommend putting it near the top of your application.
3. Mention relevant experience early
Even if your last role wasn’t remote, if you’ve worked remotely at any point, mention it early in your application, ideally within the first paragraph or two of your cover letter.
Make sure you highlight any standout achievements from your last job role, especially if they relate to the position you are applying for. Explain what this means you will bring to your prospective employer, and how it aligns with their business goals.
If you haven’t worked remotely in your previous role, consider how you utilised technology in your last job.
If you have collaborated with colleagues from different branches over a Teams meeting or used cloud-based project management tools such as google sheets, Trello, or Slack, mention it. Utilising online tools shows the prospective employer you understand the technology remote workers use to collaborate.
The bottom line
When applying for remote work, your application and cover letter must highlight any remote work experience or experience of collaborating online with team members to show you are up to the task. Customising your application and showing prospective employers you are the ideal candidate for the position is a great way to make your application stand out from the crowd and get you through to the next stage of the recruitment process.
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