Cover Letter Strategies: Should You Mention Remote Work in Cover Letter?

Should you talk about wanting to work remotely in your cover letters? Great question, friend!

As someone who landed my dream remote job, let me walk you through the best practices.

First, we’ll weigh the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

Then I’ll share my proven strategies for researching company policies, highlighting relevant skills, and tactfully bringing up telecommuting options.

By the end, you’ll be a master at crafting cover letters that wow hiring managers and get you one step closer to the flexible arrangement you want.

I’m even throwing in examples of what NOT to do – trust me, I learned from experience!

This stuff isn’t taught in school, but it can totally change your work options for the better.

So get ready to ace those cover letters and hopefully ditch the commute soon! Let’s do this.

Oh, and I should mention – I’ll be sipping coffee from my couch the entire time I write this.

Pajamas optional! Remote work opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

KEY TAKEAWAY

Should you mention remote work in cover letter?

When crafting a cover letter, mentioning remote work experience and skills can be advantageous if the job role aligns with remote possibilities. (1)

Tailor your approach based on the job requirements to make a strong case for remote work suitability while traveling.

Should You Mention Remote Work in Your Cover Letter? The Pros and Cons

Job seekers often ask me – should I bring up wanting to work remotely in my cover letter?

As someone who successfully landed a full-time remote gig, let me walk you through the potential upsides as well as risks of mentioning remote work options when applying.

On the pro side, it shows you’re flexible and comfortable working independently without constant supervision.

Since remote jobs require self-discipline, highlighting your experience telecommuting demonstrates you have what it takes.

Discussing remote work may also exhibit your tech savviness and ability to collaborate virtually if relevant to the role.

But there are definite downsides to consider too.

Some old-school employers still view wanting to work remotely as lacking commitment to being part of the team.

And if the job posting doesn’t specify remote work opportunities, pushing the issue unprompted can seem tone-deaf.

My advice? First thoroughly research the company’s existing remote work policies so you understand their culture and norms.

If flexible arrangements seem welcomed there, then tactfully emphasize your relevant skills.

But avoid explicitly demanding a remote setup unless the role is advertised as such.

With a balanced, informed approach you can inquire about remote options while still impressing hiring managers.

Researching Company Remote Work Policies Before Applying

I learned the hard way not to go guns blazing about remote work in cover letters without doing my homework first! (2)

Now before ever hitting “apply,” I dig into the company’s specific flexible work policies.

Here’s why that insider intel matters:

It shows if our values align.

I want to ensure a company genuinely welcomes remote options versus just tolerating it.

I look for evidence they actively empower distributed teams.

I can spot remote-friendly job openings.

The best opportunities advertise if they’re open to flexible arrangements or even dedicated remote roles.

This helps my application laser focus on matching those needs.

I learn how they support telecommuters.

Do they invest in collaboration tech and virtual social events? Or are remote employees left to fend for themselves? This offers clues into the work culture.

Essentially, researching remote policies before applying saves me from getting excited about an organization that ultimately won’t embrace the arrangement I seek.

It also helps me customize my application to highlight the specialized skills and mindsets that will convince flexible-friendly employers I’m their ideal candidate.

Do your homework, and your cover letter will hit the right notes!

Tailoring Your Cover Letter to Highlight Relevant Remote Skills

Once I’ve determined an employer welcomes remote arrangements, it’s go time to tailor my cover letter specifically showcasing my most relevant work-from-home abilities.

I want them to immediately see me as the ideal remote candidate.

Here’s how I spotlight those specialized skills:

• Tout tech expertise. I highlight skills like managing virtual meetings or collaborating via Slack. These show I can connect remotely.
• Emphasize time management. By sharing examples of meeting deadlines and goals independently, I exhibit my self-discipline.
• Discuss previous remote work. Any positive telecommuting experiences demonstrate I can succeed remotely again.
• Mention relevant training. Completing virtual seminars or communication courses indicates commitment to remote excellence.

I essentially tell a compelling, skill-focused story proving that not only can I handle remote work – I thrive in flexible environments!

This tailored approach gets way better results than a generic letter that ignores remote capabilities.

Don’t be shy about proudly flaunting your work-from-home prowess!

Emphasizing Flexibility Without Demanding Remote Work

Sometimes a job intrigues me, but I’m unsure if the employer embraces remote arrangements.

In these cases, I’ve learned to subtly emphasize flexibility without outright demanding to work from home.

This balances showing interest while respecting it may not be possible.

Here are some ways I hint at openness to remote options without insisting on it:

• Touting adaptability in general. I give examples of embracing new technologies or policies. This exhibits willingness to be flexible.
• Describing handling offsite projects or travel. This demonstrates I can collaborate outside a main office.
• Saying I’m excited to learn their policies. This invites them to share without assumptions.
• Asking about their culture. This provides natural context to delve into attitudes on location flexibility without pressure.

The key is highlighting that I have the skills and mindset to succeed in a variety of work environments – whether office, hybrid, or fully remote.

This increases my chances of being considered for remote roles while avoiding closing doors by seeming inflexible if they require onsite work.

Using Your Cover Letter to Ask About Remote Options

If a job posting seems open to location flexibility but lacks specifics, I use my cover letter as the perfect opportunity to politely ask about their remote work options.

As work-from-home arrangements explode in popularity, inquiring shows I have my finger on the pulse of modern policies.

I’ll strategically write something like:

“I was excited to see this role allows for flexible arrangements. I thrive in remote settings and would love any details you can share on opportunities to telecommute if I were selected.”

This shows enthusiasm for their organization along with gently surfacing my interest in non-traditional policies that align with the evolving workforce.

Rather than demand rigid arrangements, I present myself as willing to collaborate on options that work best for both parties.

In my experience, asking about remote work often leads to productive initial conversations around how we can creatively structure a mutually beneficial work relationship.

And even if fully remote isn’t possible, the dialogues plant seeds for increased location flexibility.

Avoiding Common Mistakes When Addressing Remote Work

While inquiring about remote options in cover letters can be savvy, I’ve also made some cringe-worthy mistakes.

Learn from my slip-ups on what not to do when addressing telecommuting:

• Don’t insist on fully remote if it’s not stated. This stubbornness makes you seem difficult and oblivious to their needs. I once pushed hard for a 100% remote role only to find out later they required 2 days a week in the office. I came across as inflexible and demanding, preoccupied with my own wishes rather than their needs.
• Don’t downplay the commute or office. Dissing aspects of onsite work gives a negative impression. In my enthusiasm for remote work, I made comments about avoiding traffic and office distractions. This made it seem like I was lazy or anti-social rather than focused on delivering value in whatever work setting.
• Don’t focus only on remote perks. Still express enthusiasm for the actual job duties and company. Early on I made the mistake of obsessing over potential work-from-home freedoms without conveying passion for the role itself. Employers want motivation focused on doing great work, not just location perks.
• Don’t imply you won’t collaborate. Emphasize you’ll remain actively engaged with teams, no matter where you work. I once insinuated that remote work meant working solo all the time. This backfired by giving the impression I wasn’t a team player. Be sure to highlight willingness to communicate and collaborate.
• Don’t neglect required skills. Ensure your experience still matches the role, not just the remote aspect. It’s easy to fixate on highlighting remote capabilities so much that you overlook emphasizing abilities directly tied to the position. Make sure remote readiness doesn’t overshadow your other relevant qualifications.

The key is staying professional, flexible, positive and balanced.

With a thoughtful approach, you can make a compelling case without overreaching.

Following Up After Submitting Your Application

I used to hit “submit” on job applications and cross my fingers, hoping I made the shortlist for interviews.

But then I realized following up gives me a prime chance to reiterate my enthusiasm – including my interest in remote work arrangements.

Now after applying, I always email the recruiter or hiring manager to say I’m happy to provide any additional info.

I briefly recap my qualifications, passion for the company’s mission, and how the role aligns with my career goals.

And if the job seems open to location flexibility, I’ll briefly reinforce my experience succeeding in remote roles.

This shows I didn’t just toss the idea out there lightly.

I might say something like: “As mentioned in my application, I have 2 years experience managing projects remotely.

I wanted to reiterate my interest in flexible work arrangements you may offer.”

The key is keeping follow-ups brief, polite, and focused on reiterating fit across the board – not just remote work.

I aim to build rapport and nudge them to take a second look at my application.

While I can’t guarantee a response, it has helped me get interviews for roles I likely would have been overlooked for otherwise!

One time, I did a friendly follow-up after applying and heard back asking if I could come in later that week to discuss the role further in-person.

I believe that simple extra nudge got my foot in the door when I may have otherwise gotten lost in the shuffle.

Following up pays off!

Conclusion

In conclusion, mentioning remote work in your cover letter can be a strategic move to stand out from the competition.

By tailoring your letter to highlight relevant remote skills and expressing flexibility, you show potential employers that you are adaptable and capable of excelling in a remote work environment.

However, it is important to research the company’s policies beforehand and avoid demanding remote work outright.

Instead, use your cover letter as an opportunity to inquire about remote options.

Remember, patience is key while waiting for a response.

So sit back, relax, and keep your fingers crossed!

References

1. https://remote.co/applying-for-a-remote-job-cover-letter/#:~:text=And%20highlighting%20this%20remote%2Drelevant,of%20your%20remote%20work%20skills.
2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/12/23/the-dos-and-donts-of-a-remote-work-policy/

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• https://timecurvesoft.com/jobs-to-work-remotely-while-traveling/
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