Effective Telecommuting Resumes
How to Document Skills And Experience to Land a Work At Home Job
Telecommuting resumes are similar to most resumes. The difference is the focus on skills and the focus on the ability to manage time and work independently. Most resumes for telecommuting will be e-mailed and require basic formatting. Use a simple and to the point resume to succeed in a search for at-home employment.
Determine Employment Goals
Learn about different types of telecommuting jobs. Consider a number of things before establishing an employment goal. Is full-time or part-time work desired? How much income is needed? What skills are necessary for the position? Consider applying for positions which have appropriate requirements.
Evaluate Skills
List as many skills as possible on a working document. Don't discount any experience, unpaid or not. All activities build skills; even daily activities used to keep a household running. After making this list, sort the skills into categories. Some categories could include: clerical/computer skills, time management skills, telephone skills, customer service skills, or marketing skills. Categories will vary with the employment goal. List broad skill categories and specific skills underneath each category on the resume.
Employers looking for employees to work from home will want specific skill sets. If a candidate can not manage her time and complete projects, strong typing skills will not matter. If an applicant does show the ability to work well with minimal supervision, an employer will not likely be interested. Highlighting these skills is essential in a telecommuting resume.
Resume Format
For many telecommuting jobs, a functional resume is appropriate. Employers want to know the applicant has the skills necessary to do the position. If an applicant has never worked at home, documenting skills organized by relevant categories is an effective way of selling those skills. Use a key word section beneath the resume heading to draw attention to strongest skills. Do include a basic listing of job positions and dates.
Utilize active verbs in skill descriptions. Try to avoid large gaps in job history. If large gaps are present in job history, exclude the dates. Avoid fancy fonts, bullets and use of pre-formatted resume templates. The resume should be easy to copy and paste into the body of a resume. Save the resume as a plain text document (document name ends in .txt) rather than a rich text document (name ends in .rtf.) This will eliminate any odd characters or spaces from appearing when the resume is e-mailed.
Proofread the Resume
Re-read the resume. Check the spelling of words starting at the end of the document and move towards the front of the document. Another person should read the resume and proof read it also. Do not rely on spell check to ensure an error-proof document.
Write a Cover Letter
Although a traditional cover letter is not always appropriate for a telecommuting position, a brief introduction and note will further point out applicant strengths. The position being applied for should be mentioned in the e-mail. A paragraph highlights strengths of the candidate. A final paragraph requests an interview or further contact from the employer. Paste a plain text copy of the resume into the body of the e-mail. Proof read one more time.
Developing a resume is a very individualized process. Each candidate possesses a unique set of skills. The candidate who spends the time to evaluate skills and present them in an organized manner has a much better chance of receiving a job offer. Applicants who present strong skills and abilities to both manage time and work independently will succeed in their search for telecommuting employment.
