How to Write a Remote Job Cover Letter

Why Remote Cover Letters Are Different

Remote positions require a fundamentally different approach to cover letter writing. Here’s why you can’t just reuse your traditional cover letter.

Traditional vs Remote Cover Letters: Key Differences

Traditional cover letters focus on:

• Your enthusiasm for the company’s office location
• In-person collaboration skills
• Face-to-face communication abilities
• Your commute or relocation plans
• Team lunches and office culture

Remote cover letters must emphasize:

• Self-management and accountability without supervision
• Asynchronous communication skills across time zones
• Experience with remote collaboration tools (Slack, Zoom, Notion, etc.)
• Your home office setup and reliable internet
• Track record of meeting deadlines independently
• Written communication clarity (since most interaction is text-based)
• Results achieved while working remotely or independently

What Remote Employers Really Want to Know

Before you write a single word, understand what keeps remote hiring managers up at night:

1. Will you actually work? They can’t see you, so they need proof you’re self-motivated and productive without supervision.

2. Can you communicate effectively in writing? Remote work is 80% written communication. Your cover letter IS your audition.

3. Do you have the technical setup? Unreliable internet or inadequate equipment creates friction for the entire team.

4. Can you handle time zone differences? Many remote teams span continents. They need to know you can adapt.

5. Will you isolate or burn out? Remote work isn’t for everyone. They want evidence you understand the challenges.

6. Can you solve problems independently? You can’t tap someone on the shoulder for help, so resourcefulness is critical.

Your cover letter must answer these concerns directly with specific evidence, not vague promises.

Essential Elements of a Remote Cover Letter

1. Opening: Hook With Remote Relevance

Skip the generic “I’m writing to apply for…” opener. Start with something that immediately signals remote competence.

Weak opening:

“I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Manager position at your company.”

Strong opening:

“As a marketing manager who’s driven a 40% increase in qualified leads while working remotely across 3 time zones for the past 2 years, I’m excited to bring my async-first approach to [Company]‘s distributed team.”

What makes this strong:

• Immediate proof of remote work success
• Quantifiable result that matters to employers
• Shows understanding of distributed team challenges
• Mentions specific remote skill (async-first approach)

2. Remote Work Experience: Be Specific

Don’t just say “I work well remotely.” Prove it with concrete examples.

Vague claim:

“I have experience working remotely and am comfortable with remote tools.”

Specific evidence:

“In my current fully-remote role at TechCorp, I manage a team of 5 designers across 4 time zones using Notion for documentation, Figma for collaboration, and async video updates via Loom. We’ve shipped 12 major projects on time in the past year without a single in-person meeting.”

Key elements to include:

• Duration of remote work (if any)
• Specific tools you’ve mastered (and that match the job description)
• Measurable outcomes achieved remotely
• How you overcame remote-specific challenges
• Size/distribution of team you’ve worked with remotely

3. Address Remote-Specific Skills

Dedicate a paragraph to skills that matter specifically for remote work:

Self-Management:

“Working from my home office in Austin, I’ve developed rigorous time-blocking practices that have allowed me to complete 95% of projects ahead of deadline over the past 18 months. I use Todoist for task management and time-tracking to ensure accountability.”

Communication:

“I’ve written over 200 detailed project specifications and documentation pages in Confluence, reducing team questions by 60% and creating searchable knowledge that serves as our team’s single source of truth.”

Technical Setup:

“I maintain a dedicated home office with gigabit fiber internet (with 4G LTE backup), noise-canceling microphone, and professional lighting for video calls. I’m comfortable troubleshooting technical issues independently.”

Async Collaboration:

“I’m experienced with async standup updates via Slack, recording Loom videos for complex explanations, and over-communicating in writing to ensure clarity across time zones.”

4. Cultural Fit for Remote-First Companies

Remote companies have distinct cultures. Show you understand and match theirs.

Research the company’s remote culture and reference it:

For transparency-focused companies (like GitLab):

“I’m drawn to [Company]‘s transparent, documentation-first culture. In my current role, I’ve created public project trackers and written detailed project retrospectives that helped our team reduce repeated mistakes by 40%.”

For async-first companies (like Doist):

“As someone who thrives in async environments, I appreciate [Company]‘s respect for deep work and minimal meeting culture. I’ve successfully coordinated cross-functional projects with teammates in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, limiting synchronous meetings to essential weekly check-ins.”

For results-oriented companies (like Automattic):

“I align with [Company]‘s focus on output over hours logged. At my current remote role, I’m evaluated solely on shipped features and customer impact, not when or where I work—a structure where I’ve consistently exceeded quarterly OKRs.”

5. Overcome Remote Objections Proactively

If you have limited remote experience, address it head-on rather than hoping they won’t notice.

If you’ve never worked remotely full-time:

“While my previous roles were office-based, I’ve successfully managed remote aspects of my work: coordinating with offshore developers in India (12.5-hour time difference), completing my MBA entirely online while working full-time, and running a freelance consulting practice from my home office for 3 years. These experiences taught me the discipline, communication skills, and technical setup needed to excel remotely.”

If you’re in a different time zone than the company:

“I’m based in EST but have 2 years of experience collaborating with a PST-based team. I maintain 2 hours of overlap with Pacific time (10am-12pm PST) and adapt my schedule for critical meetings, while respecting async-first practices for most communication.”

If you’re transitioning from office to remote:

“I’m intentionally transitioning to remote work after 6 years in traditional office environments where I increasingly managed distributed projects and team members. Last year, I piloted our team’s hybrid work policy, developing async processes that reduced meeting time by 30% while improving project delivery speed.”

6. Closing: Clear Call to Action

End with confidence and make the next step clear.

Weak closing:

“I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your consideration.”

Strong closing:

“I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how my remote project management experience and track record of exceeding goals in distributed environments can contribute to [Company]‘s Q2 objectives. I’m available for a video interview at your convenience—my calendar is open [days/times in their time zone].”

What makes this strong:

• References specific company goals/timeline (showing research)
• Offers specific availability (reduces friction)
• Mentions time zone awareness
• Confident, actionable tone

Cover Letter Templates for Different Scenarios

Template 1: Experienced Remote Worker

[Your Name]
[City, State/Country & Time Zone]
[Email] | [Phone] | [LinkedIn] | [Portfolio]

[Date]

[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]

Dear [Name] / Hello [Team] team,

Over the past [X years] working remotely for [Company/Companies], I've [specific achievement with metric] while collaborating asynchronously across [number] time zones. I'm excited to bring this experience to [Company]'s [specific team/role] as your next [Job Title].

What draws me to this role is [specific aspect of company's remote culture/mission from job post]. At [Current Company], I've developed expertise in [2-3 relevant skills from job description]:

• [Specific achievement 1 with metric relevant to remote work]
• [Specific achievement 2 demonstrating async collaboration]
• [Specific achievement 3 showing self-direction]

I'm particularly drawn to [Company]'s [specific tool/process/value mentioned in job post]. In my current role, I've [relevant experience with that tool/process/value, with outcome].

My remote work setup includes [specific technical details: internet speed, equipment, dedicated space], and I'm located in [Time Zone], which allows for [X hours] overlap with your team in [their time zone].

I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience with [specific relevant skill] and track record of [specific relevant achievement] can contribute to [specific company goal/project]. I'm available for a video call [specific days/times in their time zone].

Best regards,
[Your Name]

P.S. [Optional: Link to relevant work sample, blog post, or portfolio piece that demonstrates remote work competency]

Template 2: First Remote Job (But Relevant Remote Experience)

[Your Name]
[City, State/Country & Time Zone]
[Email] | [Phone] | [LinkedIn]

[Date]

[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]

Dear [Name] / Hello [Company] team,

While my previous positions were office-based, the reality is that I've been successfully managing remote aspects of my work for [X years]: [specific example like managing offshore teams, working with distributed clients, freelancing remotely, completing online certification while working full-time].

I'm now intentionally pursuing a fully-remote role because [genuine reason that shows you understand remote work, not just "for flexibility"].

My experience that translates directly to remote work success includes:

• [Achievement demonstrating self-management without supervision]
• [Achievement demonstrating written communication/documentation]
• [Achievement demonstrating async collaboration or independent problem-solving]

I'm drawn to [Company] specifically because [research-based reason tied to their remote culture]. I've prepared for this transition by [specific preparation: setting up home office, completing remote work course, using async tools in current role, etc.].

My home office setup includes [technical details], and I'm comfortable with [list tools from job description]. I'm in [Time Zone] with availability for [overlap hours with their team].

I'd appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my [relevant skill] background and deliberate preparation for remote work can add value to your [specific team/project]. My calendar is open [specific times] for a video interview.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Template 3: Career Changer to Remote Work

[Your Name]
[City, State/Country & Time Zone]
[Email] | [Phone] | [LinkedIn] | [Portfolio]

[Date]

[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]

Dear [Name] / Hello [Company] team,

I'm transitioning from [previous career] to [new career/field], and I'm specifically targeting remote opportunities because [reason that shows understanding of remote work benefits and challenges].

While my background is in [previous field], I've developed directly transferable skills that remote teams value:

• **Self-direction:** [Example from previous career showing independent work]
• **Written communication:** [Example showing documentation/writing skills]
• **Results focus:** [Example with metrics showing outcome-driven work]

To prepare for this transition, I've [specific preparation relevant to new role]:
- [Completed certification/bootcamp/course]
- [Built portfolio project/freelance work]
- [Contributed to open source/volunteered remotely]

My experience [specific experience from previous career] translates directly to [job requirement from posting]. For example, at [Previous Company], I [achievement that relates to remote work skill needed].

I'm drawn to [Company] because [research-based reason]. I have a dedicated home office in [Location, Time Zone] with [technical setup], and I'm proficient in [tools from job description].

I'd value the opportunity to discuss how my unique background in [previous field] combined with my fresh perspective and deliberate preparation can bring value to your [specific team/project]. I'm available [specific times] for a video call.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Remote-Specific Keywords to Include

To pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and signal remote competence, naturally incorporate these keywords based on the job description:

Work Style Keywords

• Remote-first
• Distributed team
• Asynchronous communication
• Self-directed
• Results-oriented
• Time zone flexibility
• Written communication
• Documentation-driven
• Autonomous
• Self-motivated

Technical Setup Keywords

• Home office
• Reliable internet
• Professional video setup
• Backup connectivity
• Quiet workspace
• Dedicated workspace

Tool Keywords (only if you actually use them and they’re in job description)

• Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord
• Zoom, Google Meet, Around
• Notion, Confluence, Coda
• Asana, Monday.com, ClickUp, Jira
• GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket
• Loom, Vidyard
• Google Workspace, Microsoft 365
• Miro, Figma, FigJam
• Time tracking tools (Toggl, Harvest, Clockify)

Achievement Keywords

• Exceeded goals/targets/KPIs
• Shipped/delivered/launched
• Reduced costs/time/errors
• Increased revenue/efficiency/engagement
• Managed/led/coordinated
• Collaborated across time zones
• Streamlined processes
• Documented procedures

Pro tip: Mirror the exact language from the job description. If they say “async-first,” use “async-first” not “asynchronous-preferred.”

Common Mistakes That Kill Remote Cover Letters

Mistake 1: Focusing on What Remote Work Gives You

Wrong approach:

“I’m excited about this remote opportunity because I want to travel the world and have flexibility in my schedule.”

Why it fails: Employers care about what YOU give THEM, not what they give you. This reads as self-focused.

Right approach:

“I’m drawn to remote work because it enables me to enter deep focus states that have resulted in 40% faster project completion compared to my office-based roles. This aligns with [Company]‘s async-first, deep work culture.”

Why it works: Ties your remote preference to THEIR benefit (better output, cultural alignment).

Mistake 2: Using Generic Remote Buzzwords Without Evidence

Wrong approach:

“I’m a self-starter who is highly motivated and communicates well in remote environments.”

Why it fails: These are empty claims everyone makes. No differentiation or proof.

Right approach:

“In my current remote role, I’ve initiated and led 3 process improvement projects without being assigned them, resulting in 25 hours saved per week across the team. I documented each process in our wiki, which now serves as onboarding material for new hires.”

Why it works: Specific actions, quantified outcomes, demonstrates initiative AND communication.

Mistake 3: Copy-Pasting the Job Description

Wrong approach:

“You need someone with excellent communication skills, proficiency in Slack and Asana, and the ability to work independently. I have excellent communication skills, I’m proficient in Slack and Asana, and I can work independently.”

Why it fails: No original thinking, doesn’t differentiate you, obvious that you didn’t customize.

Right approach:

“I noticed you use Asana for project management. At my current company, I implemented our Asana workflow system that reduced missed deadlines by 60% by creating custom templates and automated check-ins. I’d bring this systems-thinking approach to [Company]‘s project management.”

Why it works: Shows you read the description, adds unique value, demonstrates expertise beyond just “using” the tool.

Mistake 4: Ignoring the Remote Elephant in the Room

Wrong approach: If you have no remote experience, not mentioning it and hoping they don’t notice.

Why it fails: They will definitely notice, and your silence makes it seem like you didn’t think about it.

Right approach:

“While my previous roles were office-based, I’ve successfully managed the remote aspects of my work for years: coordinating with our offshore development team in India (12.5-hour time difference), completing my MBA entirely online while working full-time, and managing client relationships entirely via video and email across 15 states. I’m intentionally pursuing remote work because I thrive in environments that prioritize written communication and asynchronous collaboration.”

Why it works: Acknowledges the gap, reframes office experience as containing remote elements, shows intentionality.

Mistake 5: Writing a Novel

Wrong approach: 1,000+ word cover letter with your entire work history, philosophy of remote work, and detailed descriptions of every project you’ve ever completed.

Why it fails: Hiring managers skim. Long letters signal you can’t prioritize or communicate concisely—bad signs for remote work.

Right approach: 250-400 words focused on:

• One powerful opening showing remote competence
• 2-3 specific, relevant achievements with metrics
• One paragraph on cultural fit
• One closing with clear next step

Why it works: Respects their time, demonstrates concise communication (critical for remote work), easy to skim.

Mistake 6: Forgetting to Customize

Wrong approach: Same cover letter for every application, just swapping company name.

Why it fails: Generic letters are obvious and show low effort. Remote hiring is competitive.

Right approach: Customize these elements for every application:

• Opening hook references specific company achievement/culture
• Tools mentioned match their stack exactly
• Achievement examples align with their challenges
• Language mirrors their job description phrasing
• Demonstrates research about their remote culture

Why it works: Shows genuine interest and that you’ve done homework—indicators you’ll be thorough in the role.

Mistake 7: Weak or Passive Language

Wrong approach:

“I believe I could potentially be a good fit for this role. I have some experience with remote work and I think I would be able to contribute to your team if given the opportunity.”

Why it fails: Sounds unsure, passive, low confidence. Remote workers need to be self-assured.

Right approach:

“My 3 years managing remote engineering teams, combined with my track record of shipping products 20% faster than industry benchmarks, directly aligns with your need for an experienced technical project manager who can coordinate distributed teams across time zones.”

Why it works: Confident, specific, active language. Shows you know your value.

How to Customize for Different Remote Company Types

Remote-First Companies (GitLab, Doist, Zapier)

What they value:

• Documentation and transparency
• Async-first communication
• Written communication skills
• Self-direction and trust

How to customize:

• Emphasize your documentation practices
• Reference their public handbook/culture docs
• Show async collaboration examples
• Demonstrate trust/autonomy in previous roles

Example:

“I’m drawn to GitLab’s transparent, handbook-first culture. In my current role, I’ve created 50+ wiki pages documenting processes, which reduced repeated questions by 70% and became our team’s single source of truth. I believe strong documentation is the foundation of effective remote collaboration.”

Remote-Optional/Hybrid Companies

What they value:

• Flexibility and adaptability
• Ability to work both remote and in-office if needed
• Clear communication regardless of location
• Maintaining connection despite distance

How to customize:

• Show you’ve successfully worked in hybrid environments
• Demonstrate adaptability between work styles
• Emphasize inclusive communication practices
• Address potential concerns about hybrid challenges

Example:

“Having worked in a hybrid environment for 2 years, I understand the challenges of keeping remote team members included. I’ve developed practices like ‘remote-first meetings’ (everyone on video even if some are in office) and comprehensive meeting notes to ensure distributed team members never miss context.”

Startups/Fast-Paced Remote Companies

What they value:

• Speed and execution
• Scrappiness and resourcefulness
• Minimal process, maximum output
• Wearing multiple hats

How to customize:

• Lead with speed/impact metrics
• Show ability to work with ambiguity
• Demonstrate breadth of skills
• Emphasize results over process

Example:

“In my current startup role, I’ve shipped features from concept to production in as little as 72 hours by working directly with customers, prototyping quickly, and iterating based on feedback—all while coordinating remotely with our 4-person distributed team across 3 time zones.”

Established Companies Going Remote

What they value:

• Helping navigate remote transition
• Remote best practices experience
• Change management skills
• Building remote culture

How to customize:

• Highlight your remote expertise
• Show empathy for their transition challenges
• Offer specific examples of remote solutions you’ve implemented
• Position yourself as a remote work guide

Example:

“As someone who helped my previous company transition from office-based to remote-first, I understand the challenges [Company] faces in this evolution. I led the implementation of our async standup process, virtual team building initiatives, and documentation standards that helped our 30-person team maintain productivity and culture throughout the transition.”

Advanced Strategies for Standing Out

Strategy 1: Lead With a Loom Video Introduction

Some remote companies appreciate candidates going beyond text to demonstrate async video communication skills.

When to use:

• Company emphasizes video communication in job post
• Role requires presenting or client communication
• You communicate better on video than in writing
• You want to stand out for competitive positions

How to do it:

Create 60-90 second Loom video introducing yourself

• Quick hello and role you’re applying for
• One compelling achievement relevant to role
• Why you’re excited about their company specifically
• Call to action (review my application)
• Include link at top of cover letter: ”👋 Video introduction: [Loom link]”

Example opening:

“Hello [Company] team! I’ve recorded a 60-second video introduction [link] to give you a sense of my communication style. In writing…”

Strategy 2: Create a Personal README

Inspired by remote-first companies’ culture of documentation, create a personal README.

What to include:

• How you prefer to communicate
• Your working hours and time zone
• Your strengths and growth areas
• What energizes vs drains you
• How you handle feedback
• Fun facts that help team connection

How to reference in cover letter:

“As someone who values the clarity that documentation brings to remote teams, I’ve created a personal README [link] that shares how I work best. It’s inspired by [Company]‘s transparent culture.”

Strategy 3: Reference Specific Company Content

Show you’ve done deep research by referencing something specific and recent.

Examples:

• Recent blog post by founder/team member
• Podcast interview with employee
• Product launch or feature
• Public roadmap or handbook section
• GitHub repository or open source contribution

How to reference:

“I was particularly struck by [CEO]‘s comment in the [Podcast] episode about [specific topic]. This aligns with my experience at [Company] where I [relevant achievement].”

Why it works: Shows genuine interest and research depth that most candidates skip.

Strategy 4: Demonstrate Remote Tools Mastery

If you’re highly skilled with tools they use, prove it with a portfolio piece.

Examples:

• Notion template you created for project management
• Figma file showing your design process
• GitHub repo with clean documentation
• YouTube tutorial you created
• Blog post about remote work practices

How to reference:

“I noticed you use Notion for project management. I’ve created [link to template/resource] that demonstrates my approach to [relevant skill]. This philosophy of [value] would translate directly to [their specific use case].”

Strategy 5: Address Geographic Diversity Value

If you’re in an underrepresented location for their team, frame it as a value-add.

Example:

“As the potential first team member in [Region/Country], I’d bring valuable perspective on [market/customer segment/time zone coverage]. I’ve successfully collaborated across [X] time zones and would expand your team’s geographic diversity.”

When to use:

• Company values diversity
• Your location provides customer market insight
• Your time zone fills a coverage gap
• You have language/cultural skills relevant to their market

Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s ✓

✓ Start strong with a compelling opening that demonstrates remote competence

✓ Be specific with metrics, tools, achievements, and examples

✓ Show research by referencing company culture, values, or recent developments

✓ Address time zones and show awareness of distributed team challenges

✓ Mention your setup (home office, internet, equipment) if relevant

✓ Use active voice and confident language

✓ Customize every single cover letter for the specific company and role

✓ Proofread meticulously as your letter represents your written communication skills

✓ Keep it concise (250-400 words max)

✓ Include a clear next step with specific availability

✓ Use keywords from the job description naturally

✓ Tell a coherent story about why this role and company specifically

Don’ts ✗

✗ Don’t focus on what remote work gives you (flexibility, travel) vs what you give them

✗ Don’t use generic templates without heavy customization

✗ Don’t make unsupported claims (“excellent communicator”) without proof

✗ Don’t ignore experience gaps hoping they won’t notice

✗ Don’t write a novel that requires serious time investment to read

✗ Don’t be passive or uncertain in your language

✗ Don’t repeat your resume bullet-for-bullet

✗ Don’t forget to customize for their specific remote culture type

✗ Don’t skip proofreading or send with typos

✗ Don’t use emojis unless company culture clearly embraces them (check their website/social)

✗ Don’t mention salary/benefits in cover letter (save for interview)

✗ Don’t badmouth previous employers or explain why you left in detail

How to Test and Improve Your Cover Letter

Step 1: The Skim Test

Remote hiring managers skim before reading deeply.

Test: Can someone understand your value in 10 seconds by skimming?

How to pass:

• Strong opening sentence that stands alone
• Bolded or bulleted key achievements
• Clear section breaks
• Short paragraphs (3-4 lines max)
• Scannable structure

Step 2: The Specificity Test

Vague claims kill cover letters.

Test: Remove the company name. Could this letter apply to any remote company?

If yes, it’s too generic.

How to pass:

• Reference specific company values, tools, or culture
• Mention specific projects, products, or team structures
• Use their exact language and terminology
• Address their specific challenges or goals

Step 3: The Evidence Test

Every claim needs proof.

Test: Circle every adjective (self-motivated, excellent, strong). Do you provide evidence for each?

How to pass:

• Replace “I’m a strong communicator” with “I’ve written 200+ documentation pages that reduced team questions by 60%”
• Replace “self-motivated” with specific example of self-initiated project
• Replace “excellent” with metric or outcome

Step 4: The ATS Test

Many remote companies use Applicant Tracking Systems.

Test: Does your letter include keywords from the job description?

How to pass:

• List 5-10 keywords from job posting
• Naturally incorporate them in your letter
• Use exact phrasing when possible (if they say “async-first,” use “async-first”)
• Include tools/technologies mentioned

Step 5: The Fresh Eyes Test

You’re too close to your own writing.

Test: Have someone unfamiliar with your work read it. Can they summarize:

• What role you’re applying for?
• Why you’re qualified?
• What makes you different?

How to pass:

• Ask a friend or colleague to review
• Wait 24 hours and re-read with fresh perspective
• Use Grammarly or Hemingway App for clarity check
• Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing

What Happens After You Submit

Understanding the remote hiring timeline helps set expectations and follow up appropriately.

Typical Remote Hiring Timeline

Week 1: Application submitted

• ATS screens for keywords
• Recruiter reviews applications
• Hiring manager sees shortlist

Weeks 2-3: First round of contact

• Email or message if moving forward
• Possible automated rejection if not a fit
• Some companies take 3-4 weeks before any contact

Weeks 3-4: Initial interview

• Usually 30-minute video call
• Phone screen or async video interview
• Focus on cultural fit and basic qualifications

Weeks 4-6: Technical/skills assessment

• May include take-home project
• Skills test or case study
• Portfolio review

Weeks 6-8: Final interviews

• Video calls with team members
• Final conversation with hiring manager
• Sometimes multiple rounds

Weeks 8-10: Offer or rejection

• Offer with time to consider
• Negotiation period
• Background checks

Total timeline: 2-10 weeks is typical for remote positions (often longer than office roles due to distributed decision-making).

Following Up

When to follow up:

• 1 week after application: If you have a genuine question or update
• 2 weeks after interview: If you haven’t heard anything
• 3-4 weeks after application: Polite check-in if no response

How to follow up:

Email subject: Following up - [Your Name] - [Job Title] Application

Email body:

Hi [Name/Team],

I wanted to follow up on my application for the [Job Title] position I submitted on [date]. I remain very interested in joining [Company] and believe my experience with [specific relevant skill] would add value to your [team/project].

[Optional: Include any new achievement or update since applying]

If you need any additional information from me, I’m happy to provide it. I understand hiring processes take time, especially for remote positions, and I appreciate your consideration.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Pro tip: Keep follow-ups brief, professional, and add value. Don’t just say “checking in”—include a reason for your interest or a new update.

When to Move On

Red flags that suggest moving on:

• 4+ weeks with no response despite follow-up
• Job posting removed or reposted with changes
• Company posts other positions but ignores your application
• Glassdoor reviews mention poor hiring communication
• Multiple rounds of “homework” assignments without pay

Healthy approach:

• Apply to 10-15 positions per week
• Don’t wait to hear back from one before applying elsewhere
• Continue interviewing elsewhere even after promising conversations
• Only stop applying once you’ve signed an offer

Additional Resources

Cover Letter Tools and Services

Writing assistance:

• Grammarly (grammar and clarity)
• Hemingway App (readability)
• ChatGPT (brainstorming, not writing full letters)

Resume/cover letter review:

• RemoteWoman (remote-specific career coaching)
• We Work Remotely community
• r/resumes and r/remotework subreddits

Portfolio platforms:

• Notion (personal README, portfolio)
• Loom (video introductions)
• GitHub (for technical roles)

Learning More About Remote Work

Books:

• “Remote: Office Not Required” by Jason Fried & DHH
• “The Year Without Pants” by Scott Berkun
• “Distributed Teams” by John O’Duinn

Resources:

• Remote.com blog (remote work guides)
• GitLab’s Remote Playbook (transparent remote practices)
• Doist’s remote work resources

Job boards:

• We Work Remotely
• RemoteOK
• FlexJobs
• Remote.co
• AngelList (startup remote jobs)