Applying for Telecommuting Jobs

We talk a lot about telecommuting jobs here, but how do you GET them? If you’ve ever applied for telecommute jobs, you know that the competition is TOUGH. It’s tougher than non-telecommuting jobs. Why? Because a lot more people will apply to a telecommuting than they will an office job.

To get a telecommuting job, you have to make yourself stand out. If you were to interview for an office job, you’d put on your best suit or outfit and prepare a portfolio. But for a telecommuting job, the way you put your best self forward is with an awesome resume that stands out. There are some awesome tips here on making your resume stand out.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind:

Answer the specific requirements outlined in the job posting

Telecommuting jobs may have different requirements. Employers are looking for specific things with a telecommuting position, and if you don’t answer their exact requirements your resume could get thrown out.

Make sure your resume is error-free

This is always one of those basic things, but it’s ESPECIALLY important if you’re applying for a telecommuting gig. Sometimes when you’re sending out a lot of resumes, you might get so busy that you don’t spell check or read over what you wrote.

It would be bad enough to have errors on your resume while you are in a face-to-face interview. But at least with that situation the interviewer can overlook it if they meet you and like you. When you send your resume in for a telecommuting job, you don’t have that luxury.

Highlight your knowledge of online social networking and technology

Telecommuting jobs often rely on communication via email, phone, instant message, and in some cases, social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter. Showcase your mastery of various communication methods to let your future employer know that you will be available any time at the touch of a button.

Mention any past experiences with telecommuting

If you successfully worked from home with a home business, a two-day a week arrangement with an employer, or once in a blue moon when your kids were sick, mention your experience. You don’t have to get into the details (”My daughter had ear aches for the first year of her life so I worked from home often”) but you should mention that you have had experience with working remotely. As we’ve talked about recently, you need to have a plan before you work at home. If you have successfully pulled this off before (whether in a full time, part time, or occasional arrangement) let your future employer know this. It might set you apart from your competitors.