The Remote Resume: How to Sell Your Newfound Skills
Have you developed new skills over the last year? Not sure what – or how – to present them to potential new employers? Consider writing a ‘remote resume’.
As the world cautiously emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, many people returning to work are realizing new skills and competencies that surfaced while working remotely. Whether employed as an executive, middle management, or at entry-level, almost everyone has learned to adapt to the situation they were presented with. As a result, they’ve also discovered hidden talents that have helped them to continue being productive while working from home.
Most industries that were able to retain employees during the lockdown demonstrated extraordinary resilience, with their people forging ahead while navigating grey and unchartered territory. All of this is fantastic; however, only a small number of people are documenting their achievements and turning them into revenue streams, promotions, and/or new opportunities. Introducing the ‘remote resume’.
Remote resumes are now entering the scene, with prospective candidates eager to showcase their newly expanded skillsets. But what should you include? Here are four components you might want to add.
Show how you’ve adapted
It’s not enough to say you’ve worked remotely during COVID on your resume. What will gain attention is spelling out the type of work you did remotely. Did you lead teams across the miles or across the globe? How many team members did you lead? What were your challenges? What were your successes? What did you learn? What would you differently? All these questions (and more) can boost your resume value if you carefully note what you did to take good to great during the global pandemic.
Showcase your technical skills
Mastering video conferencing is fairly easy and straightforward, however if you’ve juggled several new programs, give yourself credit and highlight these platforms on your resume. Did you master Zoom, Teams, TruConf Online, Explain Everything, Miro, LiveBoard, Mural, or Jot?
If turning to new platforms came easy to you, don’t downplay how you adapted to learn quickly and engage others. Perhaps you were a “go-to” person on your team as a result of your fast learning curve. What comes easily to you may be difficult for someone else. Don’t overlook your natural strengths, especially if you took to new technology like a fish to water.
Be proud of your side hustles
It’s now no longer taboo to have one or more side hustles (thank goodness!), and over the course of the last year, many people found themselves either expanding their side hustles or starting one. Listing your side hustles on your resume can help showcase skills that are relevant for your future promotion or dream job. Don’t sell yourself short by not including your revenue generating side hustle.
Show your ability to connect
For people charged with interacting with others on a daily basis, the ability to have found new and refreshing ways to stay connected shouldn’t be underestimated. Did you find yourself engaging in virtual networking events, virtual interviews and hiring, virtual performance management, or even (unfortunately) virtual firing? You should showcase the evolution of these virtual strengths as career highlights you mastered through the pandemic.
Final thoughts...
While the content of your remote resume is of incredible importance, choosing a strong format that aligns with your industry, level of position, and personal brand can make the difference in becoming a top candidate.
Don’t fall victim to resume fatigue. Including a pop of color as it relates to your brand won’t hurt a bit. Also remember that resume real estate matters!
Don’t overlook the importance of having a balance of white space and varying san serif fonts. The visual balance of blending words and format should be connected to your personal brand. Whether you’re outgoing or more reserved, your remote resume should reflect you.
You’re marketing yourself and I’d encourage you to be true to delivering your best. Showing up on paper is an extension of you. Don’t make the mistake of being generic or too restricted. Be yourself and let the world discover all that you have to offer!
I appreciate your blog! What great insight and out-of-the-box thinking on how to rebrand yourself with these skills. The ‘remote resume’ will be the next step in the journey of your career footprint. Thank you for your contribution.
Renee