Remote Job Resume: Keywords That Get You Hired for WFH Roles

What Remote Employers Look For

Remote hiring has different priorities than traditional hiring. Companies want to know you can thrive without direct supervision:

• Self-motivation and discipline
• Strong written communication
• Comfort with digital collaboration tools
• Ability to work independently
• Time management skills
• Previous remote experience (if any)

Remote Work Keywords to Include

Communication Skills

• Asynchronous communication
• Written communication
• Virtual presentation
• Cross-timezone collaboration
• Documentation

Self-Management

• Self-directed
• Self-motivated
• Autonomous
• Independent
• Time management
• Deadline-driven

Digital Collaboration

• Remote team collaboration
• Virtual team management
• Distributed team experience
• Cross-functional collaboration

Tools Remote Employers Want to See

Communication

• Slack
• Microsoft Teams
• Zoom
• Google Meet
• Discord

Project Management

• Asana
• Trello
• Monday.com
• Jira
• Notion
• ClickUp

Collaboration

• Google Workspace
• Microsoft 365
• Miro
• Figma
• Confluence

Time Management

• Time zone management
• Calendar management
• Time tracking tools (Toggl, Harvest)

Showcasing Remote Experience

If You Have Previous Remote Experience

Highlight it explicitly:

Senior Marketing Manager (Remote)
XYZ Company, San Francisco, CA (Remote)
January 2022 - Present

- Lead distributed marketing team of 8 across 4 time zones
- Manage asynchronous workflows using Asana and Slack
- Conduct virtual client presentations and strategy sessions

If You Don't Have Remote Experience

Emphasize transferable elements:

• Work with distributed teams or clients in different locations
• Projects managed independently
• Strong written communication examples
• Self-directed projects and initiatives

Your Home Office Setup

Some remote employers ask about your setup. Be prepared to mention:

• Dedicated workspace
• Reliable high-speed internet
• Professional video call environment
• Necessary equipment (mention if you have ergonomic setup)

You can mention this in a cover letter: "I have a dedicated home office with reliable internet and a professional setup for video meetings."

Location on Remote Resumes

Options for Listing Location

• City, State (Remote) - Shows where you're based
• Open to Remote Work - In summary or header
• Time Zone - "Based in EST, flexible hours"

Important Considerations

• Some remote jobs are location-specific ("Remote - US only")
• Time zone may matter for team overlap
• Tax and legal implications vary by location

Writing for Remote-First Companies

In Your Summary

"Results-driven project manager with 5 years of experience leading distributed teams across multiple time zones. Proven track record of delivering projects on time through effective asynchronous communication and digital collaboration tools."

In Your Experience

Add remote-relevant context to achievements:

• "Managed virtual team of 12 across US, Europe, and Asia"
• "Maintained 95% client satisfaction while working fully remote"
• "Developed documentation practices that improved async communication"

Remote Work Red Flags to Avoid

• No mention of independence: Show you don't need constant oversight
• Communication gaps: Emphasize strong written skills
• Tool unfamiliarity: List relevant collaboration tools
• Rigid schedule language: Show flexibility

Cover Letter for Remote Roles

Address remote-specific points:

• Why you want to work remotely
• Your experience with remote/distributed work
• Your home office setup
• Your communication style
• How you stay productive independently

Remote Job Resume Checklist

• [ ] Remote collaboration tools listed
• [ ] Self-management skills highlighted
• [ ] Written communication abilities emphasized
• [ ] Previous remote experience noted (if any)
• [ ] Time zone or location flexibility mentioned
• [ ] Independent project examples included
• [ ] Async communication experience shown