Want to escape the daily commute? Discover essential skills for landing a remote job in Nigeria and how to enhance your resume for remote work opportunities.
Hey there SimplVest fam,
Just a few days ago, my partner came home absolutely wiped out. She’d been stuck in traffic for hours, bouncing between meetings, and she could barely keep her eyes open by the time she made it through the door. It’s a story so many of us can relate to—commuting can be brutal, especially in Nigeria, where it feels like you spend half your life in traffic.
So, it got me thinking about something a lot of us dream of: remote work. No more rush hour, no more endless driving, just you and your laptop. But getting a remote job isn’t as easy as snapping your fingers. You’ve got to make sure your resume stands out in a competitive field.
Let’s talk about some key skills to highlight on your resume and a section you shouldn’t skip if you’re gunning for that remote dream job. Plus, I’ve got some resources to help you in the search and a neat tip on how to use ChatGPT to make the whole process a lot smoother.
3 Skills You Have to Highlight on Your Resume for Remote Work
1. Communication
When you’re not physically in the same room with your team, good communication is everything. Whether it’s keeping everyone on the same page or just building rapport without face-to-face interactions, remote work demands top-notch communication.
How it works: If you’ve ever led virtual team meetings or coordinated projects via Slack or Zoom, let them know! Try something like, “Led weekly remote team meetings via Zoom, maintaining strong cross-departmental communication.”
2. Organization
With remote work, staying on top of things is all on you. No one’s dropping by your desk to check in on deadlines. You’ve got to be self-organized and make sure everything’s moving smoothly.
How it works: Highlight how you’ve managed your workload from afar. Add something like, “Organized and prioritized multiple tasks, ensuring deadlines were consistently met in a remote work environment.”
3. Flexibility
Let’s be real—remote work isn’t always predictable. Maybe the project scope changes, or suddenly you need to collaborate with a different team. The ability to pivot is a must.
How it works: Show off how adaptable you are. For instance, “Adapted quickly to evolving project requirements, pivoting based on data analysis to ensure timely completion.”
Don’t Forget This Crucial Section: Technology Skills
It’s not just about showing up on time (virtually) for meetings—you need to prove you can handle all the tech that comes with working remotely. If you’re applying for remote roles, employers want to see that you’re comfortable with the technology that comes with it. This is where your Technology Skills section comes in handy– it can make all the difference. Here’s how to do it right:
Tools to Include*:
- Communication Tools: Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams
- Collaboration Platforms: Google Workspace, Dropbox
- Project Management: Jira, Asana, Trello
Where to Place It: Tuck this section towards the end of your resume, either after your work experience or education. Label it “Technology Skills” or just “Technology,” and give recruiters a quick glance at the platforms you’re familiar with.
*Haven’t used any of these tools before? Not to worry, most of them have free trial plans, which you can take advantage of to learn and practice in no time. And because we care😜, we’ve included links to their tutorial videos to get you started– yes, even the obvious ones like Zoom.
Remote Job Search Resources
Ready to start your search? Here’s a list of some of the most popular job boards offering remote jobs you can apply for:
- Glassdoor
- LinkedIn Nigeria: Work Remotely
- LinkedIn Nigeria: Remote Jobs
- MyJobMag: Remote Jobs
- Indeed: Remote Jobs
Use ChatGPT to Tailor Your Resume for Every Job
Looking to sharpen up your resume for specific job applications? Here’s a quick tip using ChatGPT:
When you find a job listing you’re interested in, plug in this prompt to make your resume stand out:
“Customize the outline to fit the job requirements: Tailor the resume to the
specific job by highlighting the skills and experiences that match the job. [Job Title: ]”
Then add another command:
“Refer to information on my CV: [include information from your CV]”
This way, you’ll generate a polished resume that speaks directly to what each job requires, saving you hours of manual tweaking. It’s a simple trick, but it can make a big difference.
Ready to Cut the Commute?
We all dream about a life without commutes; remote work is the best way to make that happen. Updating your resume with the right skills and leveraging tools like ChatGPT’ll give you the best chance to land that ideal remote role.
Start by refreshing your resume, check out the job boards above, and start applying today!
Until next time,
Dami from the SimplVest Team 🚀
