Remote Guide Updated: August 2023

The Complete Guide to Finding Remote Jobs

Step-by-step tips, templates, and checklists for landing a remote role β€” resumes, cover letters, interviews, productivity, and more.

Why apply for remote jobs?

  • 🌍
    Global Opportunities
    Access jobs from companies around the world without relocation.
  • ⏱️
    Flexible Schedules
    Better work-life alignment with async workflows and flexible hours.
  • πŸ’»
    Remote Tools
    Master industry-standard tools like Slack, Notion, Git, and Zoom.
  • πŸ“ˆ
    Career Growth
    Remote-first companies invest in career paths and async communication.

Resume & CV β€” Remote-first tips

Make it scannable, results-oriented, and tailored to remote work. Keep it to 1–2 pages depending on experience.

Must-haves

  • Clear contact section β€” include timezone (e.g., "India β€” IST (UTC+5:30)").
  • Short summary (2–3 lines) β€” focus on remote strengths: async comms, autonomy, tools.
  • Bullet points with metrics (e.g., "Reduced onboarding time by 40%").
  • Tech / Tools section: list tools relevant to the role (e.g., Git, Figma, Notion, Slack).

Formatting tips

  • Use readable fonts, consistent spacing, and bold role titles.
  • Save and send as PDF unless asked for plain text.
  • Keywords: mirror job post language to pass automated filters.
Quick Resume Template
John Doe β€” Product Designer β€’ IST (UTC+5:30)
Email Β· Portfolio URL Β· LinkedIn

Summary
Results-driven product designer with 5+ years building B2B tools for remote teams. 
Strong at research, prototyping, and shipping features that increase retention.

Experience
Senior Product Designer β€” Acme Inc. (Remote) β€’ 2021–Present
- Led redesign of onboarding; improved activation by 25%.
- Owned research & design for cross-timezone features; shipped async collaboration flows.

Skills
Figma Β· Notion Β· Miro Β· User Research Β· Prototyping Β· Accessibility

Education / Certifications
B.Des β€” Design University

Cover Letter β€” Short & Remote-focused

Keep it concise (3–5 short paragraphs). Personalize to the company & role and highlight remote strengths.

What to include

  • A quick one-line hook: who you are and what you bring.
  • 2 brief achievements relevant to the role (metrics help).
  • One sentence about why you want to work remote for this company.
  • Close with availability & timezone.

Cover letter template

Hi [Hiring Manager Name],

I'm [Name], a [role] with [X] years building [type of product]. 
At [Company], I led [project] that [measurable result]. 
I'm passionate about working async and have experience with 
tools like Slack, Notion, and Zoom.

I'm excited about [Company] because [one-sentence reason]. 
I'm available to start [availability] and currently work 
in IST (UTC+5:30).

Thanks for your time,
[Name]

Portfolio & Projects

For designers/developers, show 3–5 strong case studies with problem β†’ approach β†’ outcome. For other roles, share a project demonstrating impact.

What to show in a case study

1
Context & Role

Briefly explain the project background and your specific responsibilities.

2
Problem or Goal

Clearly state what challenge you were addressing or what you aimed to achieve.

3
Your Actions

Detail your process, tools used, and how you approached the solution.

4
Results

Show quantifiable outcomes and impact of your work with metrics.

Github / Live Demo Tips

Include clear README and short demo links. If code is private, create a short demo / video walkthrough.

Applying Smart β€” Where & How

Prioritize quality over quantity. Track applications, customize for each role, and follow up politely after 5–7 days if you haven't heard back.

Where to look

  • Remote-specific job boards (use filters for full-remote).
  • Company career pages for remote-first companies.
  • LinkedIn β€” set job preference to "open to remote roles".

Application Tracking

Use a simple spreadsheet or an app to track:

Company Role Date Status
Acme Inc Product Designer 08/10 Interview
Globex Frontend Dev 08/05 Applied
Initech UX Researcher 08/01 Rejected

Interviewing for Remote Roles

Prepare for video, async, and technical interviews. Practice concise spoken and written answers; remote companies value written clarity.

Before the interview

  • Test camera, mic, and network. Prefer wired or a reliable Wi-Fi connection.
  • Set up a quiet, neutral background and good lighting.
  • Have notes ready β€” 3 stories that show impact, leadership, and collaboration.

Common remote questions

How do you structure your day while working async?

Highlight time blocking, communication norms, and how you prioritize tasks without constant oversight.

Give an example of when you needed to align with teammates in different timezones.

Share a specific story about async collaboration tools and processes you used.

Which remote tools do you use and why?

Be honest about your experience level but show eagerness to learn their stack.

Async / take-home tests

Be explicit about assumptions, document your process, and deliver clean, well-commented work.

Include a README that explains:
  • How to run or evaluate your submission
  • Any technical requirements or dependencies
  • Key decisions you made and why
  • What you would improve with more time

Tools & Productivity

Common tools you should be comfortable with in remote work environments:

Slack Slack
Notion Notion
Figma Figma
Git Git
Jira Jira
Zoom Zoom

Offer Evaluation & Negotiation

Consider salary, timezone expectations, benefits, equipment stipend, paid time off, and career growth. Be polite and data-driven when negotiating.

Key Considerations

  • Salary compared to market rates in your region
  • Required overlap hours with the team
  • Health insurance and other benefits
  • Home office equipment budget

Negotiation Tips

  • Ask for details in writing (hours, probation, reporting)
  • Use market data for similar roles in your region
  • If they can't increase pay, negotiate for remote-first perks
  • Be professional and express enthusiasm for the role

Quick Checklist & FAQs

Job Seeker Checklist

Resume updated & tailored
Customized for remote roles with metrics
Portfolio / sample projects ready
3-5 strong case studies or examples
Cover letter template
Personalized for each application
Video / mic tested
Good lighting and neutral background
Application tracker started
Tracking companies, dates, status

Top FAQs

How many applications should I send?

Focus on 5–10 tailored applications per week rather than mass-applying. Quality applications to companies that match your skills will yield better results than spraying generic applications everywhere.

What timezone should I list?

List your actual timezone (e.g., IST) and be clear about overlap hours you can commit to. Many remote companies expect 4+ hours overlap with their core team hours, so highlight your flexibility if possible.

Should I accept lower pay for remote work?

This depends on the company's location and your cost of living. Some companies adjust for geography, while others pay standard rates. Research comparable salaries and consider the full package (benefits, flexibility, etc.).

Ready to apply for remote jobs?

Browse thousands of remote jobs tailored to your skills and timezone.