Mastering the Remote Job Application Process ????

Let's get the hard part out of the way, and that's the fact that it's not easy getting a remote role, in the current climate, as an African, while living in Africa. We are at a severe disadvantage because most of the really rewarding remote roles are outside the continent.

So we not only have to navigate being remarkable at what we're applying for, but we also have to instantly fit in to workplaces that already have set cultural norms, practices, and ways of communicating that are far removed from the ones we grew up with.

Note too that more and more job seekers across the world are vying for the same remote positions. You need strategic approach that optimizes every aspect of your job application, which requires you to spend two or three times as much time and energy prepping.

There's good news! With the right guidance and tools, you can master the remote job application process and secure your dream remote job.

In this high-level guide, I'll take you through the essential steps to take to polish your professional profile, so that you're ready to apply for a remote role.

It won't be easy, but it'll be worth it. Let's go ??

Key Takeaways

• Craft an impressive resume specifically tailored for remote positions, where needed.
• Write and record persuasive cover letters that highlight your remote work experience and communication skills.
• Optimize your LinkedIn profile to attract remote job opportunities.
• Build a strong personal brand to solidify your first impression, and help you stand out.
• Continue upskilling, to improve your knowledge and expertise in your field.
• Network effectively and engage with online communities to expand your professional network.
• Showcase passion projects (and/or a strong portfolio) that demonstrate your skills, dedication, and remote work capabilities.
• Thoroughly prepare for interviews, to professionally present your skills and qualifications to the hiring committee.

1. Craft an Impressive Resume

The first step in polishing your professional profile (to apply for remote roles) is to create an impressive resume. When needed.

(I say "when needed" because some of the BEST remote roles I've come across don't require resumes. But these are very, very, very, VERY few and far between, so we'll focus on writing great resumes, for now.)

This is where Africans fail.

If you're applying for the best remote roles, they're often in the West i.e. USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and so on. I can promise you that none of the hiring managers are interested in your P.O. Box, or your National ID.

Apart from these details being unnecessary, in some countries they're illegal to request. This is because they unfairly disqualify you from the job, as they are opening up your application to discrimination.

So, begin by first removing the following from your resume- photos/headshots, birth dates, physical addresses, marital status, sexual orientation, spiritual/religious beliefs, national identification numbers... any personal information other than your name, email address, phone number and LinkedIn page should be removed.

Yup- everything you were taught growing up to put IN the resume- REMOVE!

Next- let's get to work!

• Highlight your remote work experience- if you have previous remote work experience, make sure to prominently highlight it on your resume. If you don't have remote work experience, present proof that you have the skills required to be successful working remotely.
• Showcase job-related skills- focus on clearly showing the skills that are most relevant to the remote position you are applying for. This may include technical skills, such as proficiency in certain software programs, or soft skills, such as communication and collaboration.
• Tailor your resume to the job requirements- customize it to the specific job requirements. Make sure to read the job description carefully and incorporate relevant keywords and phrases from the posting into your resume. This will show the employer that you have a deep understanding of the position and are uniquely qualified to fill it.

Remember, your resume is your chance to make a great first impression and stand out from the competition. So pay great attention to detail!

2. Write and Record Remarkable Cover Letters

When applying for remote jobs, your cover letter can make all the difference. It's your chance to showcase your enthusiasm for remote work and demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the job requirements.

But I like to take it even further.

Record the highlights of your cover letter, using your phone or free tools like Loom. How? Get on YouTube and find videos teaching you how to use Loom, and learn how to create a great background, make sure your sound is clear, make sure your lighting is clear, make sure you look presentable.

Which means you have to practice, practice, practice.

If you want the job, you have to go over and above. This definitely helps you stand out from the crowd!

But what do you write? Or say? Or even how?

• Highlight your previous remote work experience, or your readiness to work remotely by proving you have the skills necessary to do so.
• Emphasize your ability to communicate clearly and concisely- discuss your experience working in virtual (or different) teams and how you have successfully collaborated with colleagues from different backgrounds and locations.
• Express your enthusiasm for the opportunity to work remotely- highlight your personal qualities that make you a strong candidate for remote work. This can include your self-motivation, adaptability, and ability to maintain a work-life balance.

"I'm excited about the prospect of working remotely and collaborating with a team from around the world. With my experience in virtual (cross-continent) teams and my strong communication skills, I'm confident that I can make a valuable contribution to your team."

3. Optimize your LinkedIn Profile

This is another area where we fail, and fail brilliantly.

Me included.

OH! I won't even go into the mess my profile has been in, even recently. And I'm sure there are many other areas that still need work.

Remember that LinkedIn is one of the best ways to provide fully remote potential employers with a clear and engaging snapshot of your work history, skills, and qualifications, showing them what you can bring to the table.

But we really don't take advantage of it.

As with our resumes, we need to begin by first dressing our LinkedIn profiles up. The quickest way I can think of is to read and implement everything in 李忠龙 's book- 60 Days To LinkedIn Mastery (the Kindle version is affordable, and you can download Kindle for Android or iOS).

At the same time, you can:

• Make sure your remote work experience (or relevant skills) is highlighted- use keywords such as "remote," "virtual," or "distributed" in your job titles and descriptions to ensure that your profile appears in relevant searches.
• Showcase relevant skills- again, remote work requires a specific set of skills. Highlight these skills and include specific examples of how you've demonstrated them to show that you've got what it takes to excel in a remote work environment.
• Engage with remote job communities- this is a great way to network with others in the remote job market, learn about new job opportunities, and gain insights on remote work best practices. Plus it's getting you to network nd build relationships with other professionals in the remote job market and increase your visibility to potential employers.

4. Build a Strong Personal Brand

When applying for remote jobs, it's important to remember that you are not just a resume or cover letter. You are a brand.

Also, your personal brand is not only how you present yourself to potential employers and clients, but they're also looking to see how you'll represent them to their stakeholders, if hired.

This can make all the difference in a competitive remote job market.

So, how can you build a strong personal brand ? You need to:

• Figure out what makes you unique- What makes you stand out from other candidates? What unique skills, experiences, and qualities do you bring to the table? These are the things that make up your unique value proposition. Take some time to reflect on what sets you apart, and then craft a clear and concise statement that showcases your strengths.
• Showcase your core values- last week I talked about core values, and how critical they are in finding remote roles that match you. This is because remote work requires a high level of trust and collaboration, so it's important to showcase your core values clearly. Whether it's through your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile, make sure this shines through. Use engaging language, share your interests and hobbies as they align to your values to give a glimpse into who you are as a person.
• Develop your online presence- in today's digital age, it's essential to have a strong online presence. And you don't have to spend any money- use social media platforms such as LinkedIn to not only network with others in your industry but also share relevant content. Make sure your online presence is consistent with your personal brand and communicates your unique value proposition.

Remember that you're not just a candidate - you are a brand. Showcase your unique value proposition, personality, and online presence to land your dream remote job.

5. Always look to improve

One of our company's core values is always look to improve. This core value helps us, as a team, identify opportunities that allow us to continuously improve ourselves, our solution, and the company as a whole.

The same approach can be applied to your career- where do you see gaps or weaknesses in your skillset?

This is especially critical as the competition for remote jobs continues to grow. There's few other ways you can stand out, and upskilling is one of them.

You can:

• Begin by identifying in-demand skills- research and identify the skills that are in high demand in your industry and focus on upskilling in those areas. For example, if you're applying for a remote marketing role, you may need to enhance your skills in social media marketing, digital marketing, and analytics. Look for online courses, webinars, and workshops to gain the necessary skills.
• Utilize learning platforms- there are various online learning platforms, such as FreeCodeCamp, Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning, that offer free, affordable and flexible courses in a range of industries and topics. These platforms allow you to learn at your own pace, acquire new skills, and earn certifications that can boost your remote job application.
• Learn from industry experts- online events such as webinars and virtual summits are great opportunities to learn from industry experts. These events can provide insights into industry trends, best practices, and new developments, helping you stay up-to-date and enhance your skill set.
• Engage in skill-building activities that align with your career goals- these include volunteering, freelancing, and participating in online communities and forums. These can help you develop new skills, gain experience, and showcase your ability to work remotely.

Upskilling is a critical component of preparing for a remote job application. By investing time and effort into enhancing your skills and knowledge, you can increase your chances of landing your dream remote job.

6. Network!

Networking is scary.

But it's also incredibly powerful to help you find and secure remote job opportunities. The key is to build connections and engage with online communities in your industry.

The cool thing is that networking is scary for everyone! So saying it out loud really helps, because you now know that everyone's probably panicking when commenting, or sending a DM.

The key- be selfless. The best networker I've met is always helping OTHER people. She's seeking out relationships and conversations and resources that helps other people, and naturally, those she helps just want to help her!

Using this approach eliminates the fear, because you're not facing the possibility that people won't have the time or energy to help you.

It also allows you to get your foot in the door and stand out from other candidates.

You can try:

• Actively seeking out networking opportunities- attend virtual events, join online communities related to your industry, and engage with others on social media. Be proactive in building connections and don't be afraid to reach out to others in your field.
• Joining online communities related to your industry- participate in online discussions, share your insights, and connect with others in your field. This can lead to valuable connections and potential job opportunities.
• Attending virtual events- these include webinars, conferences, and workshops, allowing you to network with professionals in your industry. Attend as many virtual events as possible to gain new knowledge and insights, and to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
• Connecting with people on LinkedIn- connect and engage with their posts, and share your own insights and content. This can help you build relationships and establish credibility with potential employers.
• Ask for informational interviews- reach out to professionals in your field and ask for an informational interview. These are a great way to learn more about a company or industry and to make valuable connections.
• Stay in touch with your network even when you are not actively looking for a job. Keep your connections up to date on your career progress, and continue to engage with them on social media and other platforms. This can help you stay top of mind when job opportunities arise.

You never know where your next remote role's coming from, so make sure to dedicate time to network actively!

7. Show off your passion projects in your portfolio

Passion projects showcase your creativity, problem-solving skills, and dedication to your craft, making you stand out from the competition.

These projects are not necessarily work-related, but do show off your skills. And if you don't have official remote work experience, this is how you can begin to practice working remotely.

To begin, identify passion projects that are relevant to the specific remote job you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a remote graphic design position, showcase projects you did for fun, or for free, for organizations you're passionate about.

Grab a group of friends and complete projects remotely to demonstrate that you have worked and excelled in a remote setting. Make sure to clearly show the impact of the project to help potential employers feel confident in your ability to handle remote work environments.

Also, highlight any passion projects that showcase skills that may not be directly related to the job you're applying for, but can still be an asset to your future employer. For example, if you're applying for a remote writing position, a passion project that highlights your web design skills can show versatility and a willingness to tackle new challenges.

Ensure your passion projects are presented professionally and in a way that is easy to understand. Consider creating a personal website (or use a free portfolio site) to showcase your work or include links to your projects in your resume or cover letter.

In summary, displaying your passion projects can demonstrate your skills, your remote work experience and your dedication to your craft. Consider showcasing your passion projects for your next remote job application to highlight your unique strengths and stand out in the competitive job market.

8. Confidently Prep for Remote Interviews

Remote job interviews differ from traditional in-person interviews, so it's important to be prepared!

Aside from the fact that you're at the mercy of electricity and Internet outages, you need to understand that a lot can be missed in remote interviews.

To excel at remote interviews you need to:

• Understand the format- remote job interviews can take different forms, such as video calls, phone interviews, or even email exchanges and email projects. Make sure you understand the format of the interview ahead of time so you can prepare accordingly.
• Again- showcase your remote work skills- your skills at effectively and efficiently working remotely can be a valuable asset in a remote job interview. Make sure to highlight any relevant remote work experience (paid or unpaid) you have, such as successful collaboration with remote teams or experience using remote collaboration tools.
• Emphasize your other skills and qualifications- don't forget to showcase your relevant skills and qualifications for the position. Use specific examples and numbers to highlight your achievements and demonstrate how you can add value to the company.
• Communicate effectively- it's incredibly important to showcase your communication skills in the interview, because you'll be working with people from different geographies across the world. You initially need to ensure you can be understood, so make sure to speak clearly and concisely, and avoid jargon or buzzwords that don't exist in other communities. Also be prepared to use remote communication tools such as video conferencing or instant messaging.
• Prepare for technical difficulties- need I say more? ?? Unless you live and/or work in a building with an on-site generator that can take over in microseconds so that calls don't drop, you need to be prepared for technical difficulties. Make sure to test your internet connection, microphone, and camera ahead of time to avoid any issues during the interview. Have bundles ready, just in case, and if you're hired- invest in a UPS.
• Research the company- just like with traditional interviews, it's important to research the company and the position you are interviewing for. As always, begin with understanding their core values, and how you'd incorporate them into any questions they may ask. Then, read up on the wider company, its solutions, their position in the market, their Glassdoor and Capterra reviews- ready! This will help you tailor your answers to the specific job requirements and showcase your enthusiasm for the position.
• Practice the answers to common interview questions- always have a solid response for the common ones like "Tell us about yourself" or "what's your greatest weakness?" Answers to these will make or break your interview.
• Come with a well-researched list of your own questions to ask the interviewer- you also want to show that you're interested in them, their company culture, their management style, their plans to scale, their CSAT scores... The more unique and well-researched questions you have, the stronger your interview will be.
• Over and above everything- practice! It's no secret that we've got heavy accents and Western ones are foreign (whether or not you agree is irrelevant). And interviews expose your speech to others, who will need to understand what you're saying! Remember that working remotely requires you to communicate effectively, and that's both in written and verbal communication. So learn how people communicate in these countries, and start practicing. Watch YouTube videos of American, British, European or Australian influencers. Get the cheapest Netflix subscription, watch common shows, and practice how they speak. If you don't, you'll shrub during calls ????♀? or you'll miss small nuances in conversations that take you 10 steps back. Then you'll spend inordinate amounts of time tryna find explanations of what you thought you heard during a call.... (10 marks if you can spot what I mean ??)

Wrapping it all Up ??

Congratulations!

You've taken a HUGE step towards securing a remote job! By now, you should have a better understanding of how to prepare for the remote job application process.

And you should be proud of yourself because you've learned how to:

1. Clean up your resume
2. Write and record cover letters
3. Optimize your LinkedIn
4. Begin building a strong personal brand
5. Get started with upskilling
6. Network
7. Set up your portfolio to showcase your passion projects
8. Prep for remote interviews!

Next I'll break each of these 8 topics down so that you can take actionable steps to polish your professional profiles.

But I'm also interested in what YOU want to see. Is there any topic you'd like me to cover in future articles? Share your suggestions below!