Remote-friendly resume and cover letter

The remote job market is not what it used to be. The pandemic showed us how much work can be done from home, or from remote-friendly setups like coworking spaces, coffee shops, and rentals abroad.

Now, remote jobs are among the most competitive roles available. Job postings can attract hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, especially as digital nomad lifestyles continue to rise in popularity. And this likely represents just the tip of an iceberg, where the majority of roles never hit the job boards and are filled by word of mouth.

Landing a legit role in this market usually means clearing applicant tracking systems (ATS) first, followed by multiple interview rounds, and sometimes completing trial projects or assignments before an offer even comes.

A remote-friendly resume and cover letter are the table stakes in today’s market where these roles are dwindling.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide:

• How to format your resume so it passes applicant tracking systems (ATS)

• The skills and tools that prove you’re remote-ready

• A simple resume structure hiring managers actually want to read

• How to write a cover letter that showcases your value

• How to use AI to write a cover letter that still sounds human

• Extra resources to make the application process easier

How to create a remote-friendly resume and cover letter

Understand the ATS (and how to beat it)

Many companies use applicant tracking systems to filter resumes before a hiring manager even sees them. If your resume doesn’t “speak the language” of the job description, it risks getting rejected automatically. If your resume uses the right keywords and structure, you can get past the software and into someone’s hands.

Here’s how to beat the ATS:

• Mirror the job description. Pull specific skills and requirements directly from the posting and show them in action on your resume.

• Use those keywords in context. Naturally weave them into your bullet points. For example: “Planned and executed weekly marketing campaigns using Canva, increasing click-through rates by 18%.”

• Keep the formatting simple. Stick with standard fonts, clear headers (like Work Experience, Education, Skills), and avoid images, charts, templates, or fancy colours that could confuse the software.

• Use a single-column layout. Multi-column designs may look clean, but ATS can scramble the reading order.

“Oh no.. A walk-in with a resume and a firm handshake…”

It’s worth making a few versions

Instead of rewriting your resume for every job, make an industry-tailored version. Incorporate the skills, keywords, and necessary qualifications that appear most often across postings in your field and make them clear throughout your resume.

When I was a remote ESL teacher, nearly every posting required a TEFL/TESOL certification, prior classroom or online experience, and a degree. I made sure those credentials were always obvious on my resume.

Highlight remote-friendly skills

Beating the ATS is only step one. To really stand out once your resume lands in front of a human, highlight the skills that prove you can thrive outside a traditional office. Instead of listing generic traits like “team player” or “self-motivated,” focus on qualities that show you can succeed in a remote setup:

• Working independently with minimal supervision

• Managing multiple projects across time zones

• Project manager with clear written and verbal communication

• Strong organization and time management

Digital tools are also crucial for remote-friendly resumes. List the platforms you’ve mastered — Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace, Canva, Asana, or industry-specific tools – for the education communities it would be Learning Management Systems.

If you’ve worked remotely before, be sure to list “Remote” as the location in your job history, in addition to cities you’ve traveled to as part of your work.

Because nobody’s coordinating a Zoom call by carrier pigeon.

Keep your resume clean and easy to scan

Hiring managers often skim hundreds of resumes at a time, so clarity and substance stand out more than fancy design. Make it easy for them to see the skills, achievements, and qualifications that make you a strong fit at first glance.

Stick with this structure:

• Clear headers: Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications

• Short, specific bullet points that focus on results, not just tasks

• Outcome-driven statements (e.g., “Increased client engagement by 25% through weekly Zoom webinars” or “Reduced onboarding time by 20% by streamlining workflows in Notion”)

• Bullet points with strong action verbs (led, managed, created, delivered) to emphasize your role

Always back up your experience with numbers. Recruiters pay attention to metrics like growth percentages, dollars saved, hours reduced, or engagement boosted. Even small wins, like “responded to 20+ customer inquiries daily” or “updated spreadsheets with 100% accuracy,” make your resume more concrete and memorable.

Pair those results with a resume that’s easy to read. Use standard black fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, consistent formatting, and an easy-to-skim layout that feels organized and professional.

If you’d rather not start from scratch, I put together a modern resume template specifically for remote work (with a matching cover letter template), so you can jump straight into your applications!

Writing a remote-friendly cover letter

In a crowded remote job market, a well-written cover letter can be the difference between blending in and standing out. I’ve found that not every application requires one, but when it does, your cover letter is the perfect chance to connect your skills directly to what the company needs, and to show you’re someone they’ll want to bring in for an interview.

If the job asks for it, here’s how to write a cover letter that works:

• Tailor it to the company. Look beyond the job ad in places like their website, mission statement, social media, or recent projects to understand what they value. Highlight how your skills, experience, and work style align with what the company does. For example: “I noticed your team recently launched a weekly webinar series. In my previous role, I managed the online workshops for our international clients and increased engagement by 20%. I’d love to bring this experience to your team.”

• Clarify your availability. Time zones matter in remote work. Share where you’re based and confirm your ability to overlap with core hours if needed. Something simple like: “I’m based in Canada and available to collaborate across EDT and MDT working hours.”

• Keep it short and focused. Two to four short paragraphs are plenty: introduce yourself and the role you’re applying for, share 2–3 key achievements or experiences relevant to the job, highlight the value and remote-ready skills you bring, and close by expressing enthusiasm and inviting next steps (e.g., an interview or conversation).

Using AI in your cover letter (while still being human)

Companies are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) in hiring. Some applications even ask if you want to opt in or out of an AI resume review. If employers can use AI to filter candidates, you can use it to speed up your applications.

• Use AI as a starting point. Plug in the job description, company mission, your resume highlights, and any other important info, then let the AI generate a base draft.

• Don’t stop there. It might feel like you’re editing the whole thing, and that’s okay – streamline the text and personalize it so it actually sounds like you.

• Remind them of your remote successes. If you’re going for a coveted senior remote position, the hiring manager may want to see that you accomplished all that stuff, and did it while distributed.

AI is your assistant, not your voice. Let it handle the initial structure to give you a jumping off point, but it should be more or less re-written into your own perspective to add authenticity.

Bringing it all together

If you’re trying to have a reset, and intentionally change your level of application success, here’s what I would personally start with first:

• Audit your resume. Check if your top skills, qualifications, and remote tools are aligned with the requirements that appear most often in job postings.

• Keep a master list of wins. Track metrics like projects completed, sales made, or engagement improved. Having them in one place makes tailoring your applications much faster.

• Stay visible. Update your LinkedIn headline and summary to highlight your remote-readiness, and consider joining remote work communities to expand your network. Networking can be as easy as just making new friends.

If you want to take the next step with extra support, these resources will set you up for success:

• I design resume templates that highlight your strengths without overcomplicating the format, and write resumes to help you stand out in remote-first and education-based roles. Contact me, Alessa Hickman for a free consultation or visit my store to grab a template at your own pace.

• If you’re aiming for federal and corporate roles, or want support with interview prep and resume strategy, Heaps of Help brings expert knowledge and one-on-one guidance that sets you up to shine.

Approach each application with confidence, knowing when to put the effort in to your resume and cover letter to highlight exactly why you’re the right fit for remote roles.