Work at Home - Cover Letters & Resumes
 

Employers who are hiring for telecommuting and work at home jobs are usually looking for different things than traditional employers are.

First of all, let's look at why you may need to send in a cover letter or a resume. This is not a requirement for every work at home job. You will need to read the application process carefully to find out if one is needed or not.

If a resume and cover letter is asked for, it's because this is one of the ways the employer will determine which applicant would be a good fit for the position. However, they don't have time to look through all of the resumes they will receive. This is why yours must stand out.

When creating a resume for a work at home job, you want to show that you have the right skills for the job. You also want to show that you are capable of working at home. You can start by looking at your old resume and seeing what skills and experience you have that would translate well into your new work at home resume.

In your resume, focus on experience and skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. You'll also want to include any experience you have working from home, since the employer will want to know if you can handle a job like this. Some other information you should also add includes any computer skills you have and your typing or data entry speed.

You may need to send a cover letter along with your resume. Again, read the application instructions to find out for sure. If a cover letter is asked for, this is your opportunity to sell yourself and explain why you would be great for this job.

This cover letter will be much different than the one you wrote when you were applying for onsite jobs. You will want to convince them that you're not only the perfect person for the job, but that you're capable and equipped to do it all from home.

For that reason, tell them about your experience and how it relates to the position you're applying for. You may want to write about your home office set up in your cover letter, so they see how prepared you are for this position. Research the company and make reference to any of your experience that fits in with what they've been doing. That shows the employer you take initiative and are sincerely interested in working for them. 

Avoid mentioning that you want to work at home to be with your children or that you're tired of driving in to work everyday. Not only is it unprofessional to make comments like that in your cover letter, it doesn't sound like you're sincerely interested in the job.

Further Reading: Work at Home Business Ideas