Remote Job Applications: Stand Out in 3 Ways

Last Updated on April 5, 2023

Prior to the spread of the coronavirus, remote work was already on the rise. Although the pandemic exacerbated its popularity and widespread usage, there’s no denying that the future of office-based employment was headed toward a remote landscape. After all, so much of our digital life is remote; we can access our email from anywhere and utilize cloud-based apps to run businesses from every corner of the world.

Many businesses decided that, even as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, they would maintain remote operations. However, while it provides job applicants with much greater freedom, it also means there’s a great deal of competition. Standing out from local applicants is one thing, but standing out amidst individuals around the country (or world) is entirely another.

To stand out from the competition, there are various strategies you can implement when applying for a remote job. Here are three ways to do it:

Take Additional Courses

While you may already have a relevant degree, it’s important to consider taking additional courses that are hyper-relevant to the type of role(s) you apply to. For example, if you notice that many of the programming positions you’re applying to require knowledge of Amazon Web Services, you might take an AWS technical essentials course. Similarly, if you’re applying to marketing jobs and notice that HubSpot is a frequently requested skill, go out of your way to get your HubSpot certification.

Throughout your job hunt, you’ll notice that there are specific programs and skills that employers tend to ask for in your role. Give yourself the time to partake in continuing education. This doesn’t just add a skill or certification to your resume; it also makes you more confident throughout the job-hunting process and can even make the onboarding process easier.

Furthermore, the employer might find it beneficial that you’ve been recently trained or that you’ve gone out of your way to learning a program that they use in their organization. And lastly, taking an additional course to supplement your resume helps you with any position you apply to, making it a scalable and financially worthy investment.

Redesign Your Resume

First impressions are lasting impressions. Hiring managers will take a first-glance skim of your resume and make initial judgments about its quality, and therefore initial judgments about you. Improperly formatted or wordy resumes not only prevent you from standing out, but can be difficult to interpret at a glance.

Take a step back and approach your resume with design in mind. Is your resume easy to read and friendly to look at? There are plenty of free resume templates available online, some catering to specific industries. If you want to go the extra mile, you can pay a few dollars and download resume templates on sites like Etsy. These are well-crafted and well-designed; they’ll give your resume that extra boost of “read me” attention. All you’ll have to do is plug in your information and experience.

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Consider working with a resume writer or designer to help you perfect the content and design of your resume. You can find affordable freelancers on platforms like Upwork. These freelancers have profiles with examples and reviews, and you can talk to multiple professional resume writers before you hone in on one that’s best for you.

Craft a Custom Cover Letter

Your cover letter is much more important than you might think. A survey from OfficeTeam showed that 86% of executives who were questioned agreed that cover letters were highly valuable when evaluating candidates. When you have the option to provide a cover letter or upload your resume, always take the time to provide a cover letter. It will show the company that you are willing to put in the extra effort.

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With that in mind, don’t use the same cover letter for each company. A template is fine, but it’s crucial that you customize each cover letter based on the position you’re applying for. Mention why the company intrigues you and how previous roles are applicable to the specific position you’re applying for.

Lastly, take a look at sample cover letters for your position type to give you an idea of what a great cover letter looks like. Use these examples as a foundation for a custom cover letter of your own. Always be as concise as possible without ignoring important details; cover letters require a delicate balance of saying enough to convey your primary points with saying too little.