How to Make Your Remote Job Application Stand Out

How to Make Your Remote Job Application Stand Out How to Make Your Remote Job Application Stand Out 6Coming up with a list of reasons why you wouldn’t want to work remotely these days can be challenging. Whether remote work appeals to you because you want to spend your time traveling to exotic locations and working off free Wi-Fi at a beach resort, or if you want to work from home so that you’re there when your kids get home from school, remote work opportunities are in high demand nowadays. But the large amount of people who want to work remotely means that remote jobs have gotten very competitive- especially at top companies. So, to make your remote job application stand out that means you need to bring your “A game” when you complete the application and send your resume and  cover letter. How do you set yourself apart from the competition so that you can score that remote gig and ensure that you can spend your days working in your swimsuit or PJs? Here are some suggestions to make your remote job application stand out: 1. Highlight previous remote experience. Have you worked remotely before? If so, that’s something you should be highlighting in your application. Not everyone is suited to working remotely. Some people get easily distracted and end up doing more housework or social media browsing than work. Others find that working remotely can be isolating and end up opting for a job with flexibility but an office where they can work when they want. Employers of remote workers are sometimes wary of hiring either of these types of employees since the first won’t get the job done and the second will lead to expensive turnover. So, if you have experience working remotely, then that’s a great way to signal to the employer that you aren’t just trying out remote work on a lark- you really love it and it works for you and the companies you’ve worked for in the past. So, make sure to mention your previous remote work experience in the first paragraph of your cover letter or application. Be sure to also explain the type of work you did remotely, how you were able to benefit the companies you worked for, and why you’re eager for other remote opportunities. 2. Get reviews from previous employers. You might be a rockstar remote employee, but if you’re the only one saying it, there won’t be as much of an impact than if people who you’ve worked with are also backing that up. Make sure to include references in your application of people who have worked with you previously- especially in remote capacities. You might also mention how happy they were with your work in your cover letter. Another option to get across how great you worked remotely is to ask former clients or employers to give you reviews on LinkedIn and then mention things they said about you in your cover letter. You could also mention when you list your references that there are reviews of your work available on LinkedIn as well. 3. Be timely. The problem with having people work for you remotely is that sometimes they won’t reply to you promptly and you may not always know what they’re doing. Are they working on something else? Are they at the grocery store? Are they on the beach having fun when you need your proposal finished right away? It’s important to build trust with a future employer even before you’re hired. Make sure to send in your application early if possible and respond promptly to any emails or other communications that the company sends to you. Your goal is to make it clear that you’re quick to respond and easy to get in touch with. That way, the potential employer won’t worry about what might happen when you work for them remotely and need to quickly get ahold of you. 4. Explain how you communicate remotely. Working remotely can be challenging because a lot of communication happens online or via email and you can’t just stop by someone’s desk to clarify things. That’s why you might want to address communication issues in your cover letter or on the job application. Are you available to talk anytime via phone, email, Slack, or video conferencing? Are you in a different time zone, which means you might be available earlier or later in the day? This information is important to note as it could be seen as an asset when an employer is hiring. You’ll want to  emphasize your communications skills and your ability to respond in a timely manner. Having good emotional intelligence could also come in handy since it can be difficult to read tone in email correspondence. Mention anything that’s helped you communicate more effectively while working remotely or that you think would come in handy if you’ve never worked remotely before. 5. Nail the interview. Remote interviews can be a challenge since they’re often conducted via video conference. You’ll have to sit in your house and deal with technology glitches while also trying to get across how great you are. It’s critical that you don’t take a remote interview too lightly. If it involves video, dress up and prepare just like you would for any other interview. Make sure to  review questions that they might ask you, including any about how you would manage working remotely with their team. You might want to come up with some examples of how you’ve reacted in certain remote working situations in the past or mention strategies that have helped you be successful while working remotely. Also, make sure that your house looks clean behind you and that you aren’t interrupted by anyone in your family while you’re conducting the interview. The last thing you want is for a potential remote employer to question how you’ll be able to get work done if you have a distracting space or family members or roommates who don’t respect your work boundaries. 6. Remember the bottom line. Working remotely means that you won’t have a commute or need to get dressed up for work, but it doesn’t mean you should take your job any less seriously. The same goes for remote job hunting. Spend time personalizing your resume for each remote job application and be sure to send a thank-you card or note after the interview. Then, if you get the job, back up your promises with your performance. Dave Rathmanner is the vice president of content for LendEDU- a marketplace and information site for financial products. When Dave’s not working, you can find him playing lacrosse, trying to control his crazy dog Dewey, or relaxing on the beach.