You've applied to 50 remote jobs. Maybe 100. You're getting ghosted or rejected. What's going wrong?
Probably this: you're applying the same way to every job. Copy-paste resume, generic cover letter, hope for the best.
Remote jobs are competitive. Hundreds of people apply to each one. The people who get interviews do things differently.
Here's the exact checklist I recommend. Print it. Use it for every application.
Before You Apply (5 minutes)
✅ Pre-Application Checklist
- Read the FULL job posting — not just the title. Look for hidden requirements.
- Check if it's actually remote — "Remote" sometimes means "remote until we want you in office." Look for "fully remote" or "100% remote."
- Verify your timezone works — If they say "US hours required" and you're in Europe, skip it.
- Research the company (2 min) — Glassdoor reviews, LinkedIn page. Is it legit? Do they actually hire remote?
- Check salary range — If listed, does it match your needs? If not listed, research on levels.fyi or Glassdoor.
If any of these fail, don't apply. You'll waste time on jobs that won't work out. Move to the next one.
→ Browse remote jobs that match your criteria
Your Resume (10 minutes per job)
✅ Resume Checklist
- Add your location + timezone at the top (e.g., "Austin, TX — CST")
- Include 3-5 keywords from the job posting — If they say "customer success," use those exact words.
- Add a "Remote Tools" section — List Slack, Zoom, Notion, Google Workspace, etc.
- Quantify at least 3 achievements — Numbers, percentages, dollar amounts.
- Remove anything older than 10 years — Unless directly relevant.
- Save as PDF — Name it "FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf"
Don't have a remote-optimized resume yet?
→ Read: How to Write a Remote Resume That Gets Interviews
Get Resume Templates — $4.99
3 ATS-friendly templates designed for remote jobs. Plug in your info and apply today.
Your Cover Letter (5 minutes per job)
✅ Cover Letter Checklist
- Keep it under 250 words — Hiring managers skim. Respect their time.
- First sentence: Why THIS company — Not "I'm excited to apply." Show you researched them.
- Second paragraph: Your relevant win — One specific achievement that matches their needs.
- Third paragraph: Why remote works for you — Mention your setup, timezone, availability.
- End with a clear ask — "I'd love to discuss how I can help [Company] with [specific goal]."
- Proofread for the company name — Nothing kills an app faster than the wrong company name.
The Application (5 minutes)
✅ Application Checklist
- Fill out EVERY field — Don't put "see resume." They'll skip you.
- Answer screening questions thoughtfully — These often auto-reject. "Yes/No" isn't enough.
- Double-check your email — One typo = no interview invitation.
- Note the application date — Track it in a spreadsheet or app.
- Screenshot or save the job posting — It might get taken down before your interview.
→ Use our free Application Tracker template
Timing Matters
When you apply affects whether you get seen.
Best times to apply:
- Monday-Tuesday morning — Hiring managers review apps early in the week
- Within 48 hours of posting — Early applications get more attention
- Avoid Friday afternoons — Your app sits all weekend
→ See jobs posted in the last 48 hours
After You Apply
✅ Post-Application Checklist
- Log the application — Company, role, date, status
- Connect on LinkedIn (optional) — Find the hiring manager or recruiter. Don't message immediately.
- Set a follow-up reminder — 1 week later if no response
- Keep applying — Don't wait. Apply to 5-10 jobs per day.
Follow-Up Email Template
If you haven't heard back in 7-10 days, send this:
Subject: Following up — [Job Title] Application
Hi [Name],
I applied for the [Job Title] position on [Date] and wanted to follow up. I'm very interested in the role and believe my experience with [relevant skill] would be valuable to [Company].
Is there any additional information I can provide?
Thanks,
[Your name]
One follow-up is enough. If no response after that, move on.
Red Flags to Watch For
Skip applications that have these warning signs:
- ❌ Asking for payment or "training fees"
- ❌ Vague company name or no company website
- ❌ Salary "unlimited" or "up to $500k" (scam bait)
- ❌ Asking for SSN or bank info in the application
- ❌ Interview only via Telegram or WhatsApp
→ Read: How to Spot Remote Job Scams
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Quick Reference: The 5-Minute Version
- Read full posting — Verify it's actually remote + your timezone
- Customize resume — Add their keywords, your location, remote tools
- Write 250-word cover letter — Why them, your win, why remote works
- Submit carefully — Every field, double-check email
- Track + follow up — Log it, wait 7 days, one follow-up
Start Applying
You have the checklist. Now use it.
- Browse 700+ remote jobs — Filter by your skills
- Take the free 5-day course — Get interview-ready
- Apply to 5 jobs today — Use this checklist for each one
Questions? Reply to any of my emails — I read everything.
— Mel
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