Best Resume Format for Remote Jobs. Must Read Advice

So, you’re eyeing that perfect remote job that promises the freedom to work from your cozy corner at home or while sipping a latte in a quaint café in Paris.

Let’s dive into how you can format your resume to catch the eye of your future employer and signal that you’re the perfect fit.

Let’s face it: the remote job market is like a bustling market on a sunny morning — exciting yet slightly overwhelming. Your resume is your first impression, and in remote work, it needs to say, “Hey, I’ve got this” but how do you ensure your resume doesn’t blend into the background?

Best Resume Format for Remote Jobs

That’s what we’re here to discuss. By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to make your resume stand out and ensure it’s in the correct format to guarantee you are getting the best out of this vital document.

When crafting your resume for a remote job, understanding the different resume formats is like choosing the right outfit for an interview: you want to pick the one that shows you in the best light.

The three primary resume formats are chronological, functional, and hybrid (combination). Each has its strengths and serves different purposes, depending on your work history, skills, and the job you’re applying for.

Let’s dive into the best resume format for remote jobs.

Hybrid (Combination) Resume Format

The hybrid, or combination, resume format blends elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It allows you to showcase both your skills and your chronological work history.

This format typically begins with a skills section, highlighting your abilities and accomplishments, followed by a chronological work history that supports those skills. The hybrid resume format is the most effective choice for remote jobs.

Here’s why:

Skill Highlighting: Remote jobs often require specific skills, such as digital literacy, self-motivation, excellent communication abilities, and time management. The hybrid format lets you prominently feature these skills at the top of your resume, making it clear to hiring managers that you possess the traits essential for remote work.

Proven Experience: Following up your skills with a chronological work history gives context to your abilities. It shows potential employers not just that you claim to have specific skills but that you’ve successfully applied them in professional settings.

Flexibility: You can tailor your resume to highlight the most relevant experiences and skills for the remote job you’re applying for, making it a strategic choice for individuals targeting specific remote roles.

Overcoming Potential Red Flags: For those with a non-traditional career path, including freelancers or those with gaps in their employment history, the hybrid format allows you to focus on your strengths while providing a clear, chronological account of your work history.

Ideal Resume Length

The sweet spot for a resume, especially for remote jobs, is generally one to two pages. This length is enough to detail your relevant experience, skills, and achievements without overwhelming the reader.

Visual Layout Recommendations

When preparing your resume for a remote job application, the visual layout ensures readability for human eyes and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Let’s break down how to use fonts, margins, white space, and headings effectively to create a resume that stands out:

Choose ATS-Friendly Fonts: Stick to fonts that are easy for both ATS and humans to read. Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Helvetica are modern, clean, and legible in various sizes. Serif fonts like Times New Roman are also ATS-friendly but can appear more traditional.

Font Size: Your main body text should be between 10 and 12 points. Headings, around 14 to 16 points, can be slightly larger to create a clear information hierarchy. Reducing the font size to get your resume to one page might be tempting, but that will make it hard to read.

Standard Margins: A safe bet is to use standard margins of at least 1 inch on all sides; this creates a balanced frame around your text, making your resume appear professional and ensuring that no content is cut off.

Adjusting for Length: If you’re struggling to fit your content into one or two pages, you can modify your margins to as low as 0.5 inches. However, be cautious not to cram too much text onto the page.

Use White Space Wisely: White space isn’t just empty space; it’s a crucial design element that helps break up sections, making your resume easier to skim and less overwhelming. Ensure there’s enough space between sections, headings, and bullet points.

Paragraphs vs. Bullet Points: Opt for bullet points over dense paragraphs to describe your experiences and achievements. Bullets help organize information and make it more readable.

Consistent Style: Ensure all your headings are consistent in style (font, size, and boldness). This consistency helps guide the reader through your resume, making it easier to find relevant information quickly.

Hierarchy: Use a clear hierarchy for your headings. For example, your section headings (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Education”) could be in a larger font size or bolded, while subheadings (e.g., job titles) could be in a smaller size but still highlighted in some way.

Please read our guide on how to make your resume ATS-friendly.

Creating a Remote Ready Resume

If you’ve worked remotely before, even if it was just for a short period, make it known. This experience is gold, as it directly showcases your ability to handle remote work’s unique challenges.

List this experience prominently, focusing on achievements and how you excelled in a remote setting.

Showcasing Your Communication Skills

In remote work, communication is the glue that holds everything together. Use your resume to highlight your communication skills across various platforms—emails, video calls, project management tools, etc.

Share examples of how effective communication led to successful project outcomes or resolved conflicts.

Demonstrating Self-Motivation and Time Management

Remote employers need to know you can manage your time well and stay motivated without a supervisor looking over your shoulder. Include points on your resume that reflect your self-discipline, such as meeting deadlines, managing projects independently, or balancing multiple tasks.

Technical Proficiency and Learning Agility

Remote work often requires a good handle on technology. Be sure to list software, tools, and platforms you’re familiar with relevant to your field.

Also, highlight your ability to quickly learn new tools, as remote work environments constantly evolve.

Recommended File Format

PDF vs. Word:

Generally, a PDF is the best choice for submitting resumes. It preserves your formatting across different devices and operating systems, ensuring hiring managers see your resume exactly as you intended. However, some older systems may struggle to parse PDF files correctly.

A Word document (.doc or .docx) is recommended for ATS compatibility. While it may not preserve your formatting as reliably as a PDF, ATS software typically parses it more easily.

Make Your Resume Stand Out

As you give your resume a makeover, think about how you want your future remote employer to remember you. What stories or achievements do you like to pop off the page?

Your resume is more than a document — it’s a narrative of your professional journey. Make sure it tells a story demonstrating your qualifications, readiness, and enthusiasm for remote work.