Get High Paying Remote Job With These Proven Strategies
In this guide, we’ll dive into how companies make hiring decisions and share proven strategies to help you land your next remote job faster. If you’re ready to understand the hiring process from an employer’s perspective and learn the essential steps to secure a remote job, this guide is packed with valuable insights.
This guide will reveal how to craft a standout resume and LinkedIn profile that grabs attention for remote roles. Learn how to apply these tips, avoid common mistakes, and make a lasting impression in the hiring process.
Table of Contents
Figure Out How to Work Best
So let’s dive in and get started. Now before you dive into job listings, the first thing you need to do is figure out how you actually work best. It’s all about self-awareness.
If you’re a night owl who loves working late into the night while everyone else is asleep, you should be focusing on applying to companies who are looking for that. And as you know, not all companies have the same requirements or work schedules. You can consider applying to companies like LiveOps, Arise, Virtual Solutions, TranscribeMe, TTEC, CITL Group, or Concentrix.
Here’s a few things you should think of before applying. Always do some serious reflection on what your ideal workday looks like. That means thinking about your time zone versus the company’s location, how many hours per week you’re willing to commit, and whether you can work independently.
How to be Successful at Interviews
Now the next thing we are going to explain is what’s going to get you that interview. Something you should keep in mind before updating your resume or even applying to any job, something that many people don’t know, is that many of the top companies receive an average of 250 plus applicants for each open position. So with so many resumes, hiring managers don’t actually have the time to manually read every single one of them.
Instead, they rely on something called Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, to help them screen and sort through all those applications. Now these systems are basically programmed to search specific keywords, qualifications, job titles, and skills that match the company’s ideal candidate. So think of it as a smart filter that scans your resume to see if you have what they’re looking for.
So basically, if your resume doesn’t include the exact keywords they’re looking for, it may never be seen by a human.
Now the second part we have to discuss is the skills you’re putting on your resume and getting scanned by an ATS. Now in case you didn’t know, there are two types of skills.
Hard Skills
Number one is hard skills. These are technical skills that you can learn through practice, training, or experience. Hard skills are often the requirements of the job.
Things you need to know to effectively carry out the role’s responsibilities, and some examples include data analysis, digital marketing, proficiency in specific software like Excel, Photoshop, or even coding languages. And lastly, language fluency, like Spanish, French, Arabic, or any other language.
Soft Skills
Now these reflect your personality traits, how you interact with others, and your overall work style. Soft skills are just as important in remote work and can be the deciding factor in whether you’re a good fit for the team. And some examples include remote collaboration, customer service, decision making, work ethic, time management, and self-motivation.
So to give your resume the best chance to passing the ATS, you want to make sure it highlights both your hard skills and your soft skills, here’s another hack you don’t want to miss. What’s even more important than your skills is to make sure your resume includes the same keywords from the job description.
So go ahead and scan the responsibilities and the skills the company listed in their job description. This is how the ATS is going to differentiate you from all the rest of the candidates. That way it’ll be a better match for what the ATS is looking for when it scans your application.
The goal is to have your resume scream, “I am exactly who you need for this role.” And if you have a portfolio, keep it updated. Many remote jobs, especially in fields like design, writing, or development, your portfolio is what sells you. Make sure it showcases your best work and please don’t wait until you’re in the middle of applying for a job to update it.
Cover Letter
A common mistake many people do is skip the cover letter. After spending so much time working on your resume and application, now we have an extra task to complete. If you want to stand out to potential employers, you’re going to have to submit a cover letter. Your cover letter is your first chance to communicate why you’re a perfect fit for the job.
Now no matter how many cover letters you’ve written in the past, writing one for a remote job requires some specific touches to really stand out. Your cover letter should include your experience working remotely, skills relevant to remote work, the value you can bring to the company, and a glimpse of your personality.
Now this doesn’t have to be anything over the top, but offering a peek into who you are can help you connect with the employer. Another tip is, don’t send the same cover letter for every job. Each letter should be specific to the position, showing the employer that you’ve done your homework on the company and job description.
Getting a Remote Job
Now that your resume, portfolio, and cover letter are done, it’s time to start looking for remote jobs. But not just any remote job, the right one. Here’s the thing, you don’t want to waste your time on low quality job boards. Now LinkedIn is nice, but it doesn’t always have the remote opportunities that are actually worth your time. Instead, go straight to the remote job boards.
Like WeWorkRemotely, who focus specifically on remote jobs. FlexJobs is another great option. They have high quality remote positions. RemoteOK is another great option. It has a great variety of remote roles across industries, and lastly, AngelList. This one is especially great for startups. Now all these platforms are going to give you access to verified and real jobs. So make sure you’re using a well-known job board to avoid scams. Quality over quantity is key when applying for remote positions.
Preparing for a Remote Job Interview
Preparing for a remote job interview comes with a few unique twists. Like answering remote specific questions, and figuring out how the interview will be conducted. Just like an in-person interview, you have to plan ahead.
But you can skip figuring out the best route to drive or where to park. Instead, make sure you have a quiet designated space to work from. With no distractions like crying kids or pets running around. It’s also important to keep your posture in mind. Sit up straight, keep your hands relaxed, and lean in slightly to show you’re engaged. A good open posture is going to make a big difference in how you come across.
Even though you’ll be on your computer, it’s a good idea to print out a hard copy of your resume. Constantly switching between screens can make it look like you’re distracted. So having a hard copy of your resume is going to help you stay focused without looking unprepared.
Lastly, keep a list of all the questions you want to ask. This way, if a question comes up during the interview, you can quickly reference it. It’ll also help you avoid any awkward moment of forgetting your questions. If they ask, do you have any questions for us? So finding a remote job that fits your skills is not as complicated as it seems. But the competition is what makes it difficult. But with the right strategy, you can land a remote job that fits both your lifestyle and your professional goals.
Conclusion
Remote work opportunities, especially high-paid ones, keep on revolutionizing how professionals approach their careers. Equipped with modern tools and flexible environments, today’s remote workers can be highly productive in settings personalized to balance efficiency with comfort.
Embracing this evolved digital workspace opens up career success, personal fulfillment, and professional growth right from one’s comfort zones or wherever they choose. This is a paradigm shift: if set up correctly, with lots of focus and dedication, highly paid jobs can balance ambition and flexibility.
FAQs
How should I customize my resume for remote jobs?
Tailor your resume by incorporating relevant keywords and phrases from the job description. Highlight both hard and soft skills that match the role, and if applicable, provide evidence of past remote work experience. This alignment improves your chances of getting past the ATS.
How can I find high-quality remote job listings?
Focus on reputable remote job boards like We Work Remotely, FlexJobs, RemoteOK, and AngelList, which specialize in verified, high-quality roles. While platforms like LinkedIn are useful, dedicated remote job boards often have a wider selection of vetted positions
How should I customize my resume for remote jobs?
Yes. A personalized cover letter provides an opportunity to showcase your remote work skills, cultural fit, and enthusiasm for the role. Tailor it to each job by referencing the specific position, company, and how your experience aligns with their needs. Avoid generic cover letters to maximize impact.
How do I prepare for a remote job interview?
1. Create a distraction-free, quiet workspace.
2. Pay attention to posture, maintain eye contact through the camera, and engage with open body language.
3. Prepare a hard copy of your resume to avoid constant screen switching.
4. Have a list of thoughtful questions to ask, demonstrating your preparation and interest.
What common mistakes should I avoid when applying for remote jobs?
1. Failing to tailor your resume and cover letter for each application.
2. Overlooking essential keywords from the job description.
3. Using generic application materials that do not reflect your unique value.
4. Not preparing for potential interview scenarios or remote-specific questions.