The Remote Work Skills You Need to Land Online Jobs (and How to Show Them on Your Resume)

Remote jobs and making money online have been on everyone’s radar for years now — and for good reason. Working remotely can offer more flexibility, freedom, and the opportunity to build a lifestyle that meets your needs.

Whether you’re applying for your first remote position or trying to grow in your online career, developing strong remote work skills helps you stand out and succeed long-term.

But with more people pursuing remote job opportunities, the competition is stronger than ever. Anyone can apply for an online job, but actually landing one means proving you have the skills to work independently, communicate clearly, and stay organized in your own space.

If you’re wondering what it takes to succeed in a remote environment, which remote work skills are most in demand, and how to highlight them on your resume, this guide breaks it all down below.

Skills You Need to Succeed as a Remote Worker	Skills That Are in Demand for Remote Work
Time management	Writing skills
Digital and written communication	Social media management
Organization	Content creation & graphic design
Remote collaboration	SEO & digital marketing
Adaptability	Web design & development
Technical platform proficiency	Speaking multiple languages

Skills You Need to Succeed as a Remote Worker

Working remotely comes with its own challenges, which is why your daily habits and mindset matter just as much as your technical skills. These are the top skills that help remote workers and freelancers stay productive and professional.

1. Time Management

When your office is your bedroom, living room, or favourite coffee shop, staying productive can be tricky. Having strong time management skills helps you avoid distractions and balance work, meetings, deadlines, and personal life.

Tips for managing your time remotely:

• Create a daily schedule and structured routine for your workflow. Include breaks, start times, end times, and anything else you need.

• Use a digital or physical calendar to track important meetings, deadlines, or commitments, and set reminders for tasks you can't miss.

• Identify your main priorities for each day and break larger goals into smaller, manageable steps to keep things moving.

• Try time-blocking to group similar tasks together. For example, handle all your emails or client calls in one block so you can stay focused and keep your momentum.

• Set clear boundaries for when you’re “at work” vs. off the clock.

If you’re freelancing or managing multiple projects, being able to prioritize, manage your time, and meet deadlines is non-negotiable.

2. Digital Communication & Written Communication

Strong written and verbal communication is essential when your team isn’t in the same space. You’ll be sending messages, emails, and joining video calls more than ever, so clarity matters.

How to communicate when working remotely:

• Learn and leverage popular communication platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.

• Schedule regular check-ins with your team or clients to make sure you’re aligned on progress and goals.

• Keep your written communication clear, concise, and typo-free — always double-check tone and grammar.

• When on calls, listen actively, take notes, and talk about next steps so everyone leaves on the same page.

3. Organization

From client files to meeting notes, new software, and invoices, remote work can get messy fast. Keeping things organized helps you stay on top of your workload and shows employers you can handle tasks without supervision.

Try digital systems like Google Drive, Notion, or well-labelled computer folders to keep everything neat and searchable. These tools make it easy to find what you need fast and avoid losing track of files. This is also where your time management skills come in — if you’re already prioritizing tasks and scheduling effectively, staying organized becomes second nature.

Bonus tip: If you’re working from a home office (or even a small corner of your living space), use a whiteboard to jot down important deadlines, ideas, goals, or to-do lists. It’s an easy visual reminder that keeps everything in one place.

4. Remote Collaboration

Even if you’re working solo, most remote roles involve collaborating across teams, projects, or even countries. Being able to communicate and coordinate across platforms and time zones is key.

Learn how to schedule efficiently, give clear progress updates, follow up proactively, and document important information so no one’s left guessing.

Tips for remote collaboration:

• Communicate your availability across time zones to avoid scheduling conflicts with international clients or projects.

• Familiarize yourself with collaborative tools (Slack, Zoom, etc.)

• Try project management tools like Trello or Asana to track progress.

• Keep shared documents organized and easy to find in something like Google Drive or Notion.

5. Adaptability

Remote work is always evolving — new tools, platforms, priorities, and workflows pop up all the time. Showing you're flexible, a quick learner, and open to new tools and systems makes you a huge asset.

Tips to stay adaptable:

• Stay curious — experiment with new tools or platforms as they roll out.

• Keep learning through online courses, YouTube tutorials, webinars, or free resources.

• Don't be afraid to ask for feedback and adjust your approach when needed.

In-Demand Skills for Remote Jobs

Once you’ve built the foundation, it’s time to focus on the skills that help you stand out (and sometimes earn more). Here are some of the most in-demand remote work skills employers and clients are looking for right now:

• Writing — Writing is a super versatile and in-demand skill across various industries. From copywriting to content writing, grant writing, or technical writing, having strong writing skills can help you find work. If you have a way with words and love helping others through your work, remote writing roles might be perfect for you. Check out my post on how to become a freelance writer if you’re looking to turn your writing into income!

• Social Media Management — From scheduling content to engaging with communities and analyzing content performance, brands need people who understand social media strategy, trends, and storytelling to help them grow across platforms online.

• Content Creation & Graphic Design — If you can design graphics, edit videos, or create branded visuals using Canva, CapCut, or Adobe tools, you’ll stand out fast. Pairing your creative skills with marketing know-how can make you especially valuable.

• SEO & Digital Marketing — Understanding how search engines and social media algorithms work is key for content-driven roles. Skills like keyword research, analytics, and on-page optimization are constantly in demand. If you can analyze data and turn insights into strategy, you’ll always have opportunities.

• Web Design & Development — As more businesses move online, knowing how to build and maintain a website (even with drag-and-drop builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress) is a huge advantage.

• Languages & Localization — Being multilingual or culturally fluent lets you work with global clients and expand your opportunities. Companies love people who can bridge language gaps and help adapt content or communication for international audiences.

• Tech Savviness — Whether it’s Slack, Trello, Zoom, or Canva, being comfortable with digital tools shows you’re ready for remote work from day one. Depending on your industry, that might also mean knowing CRM systems like HubSpot, eCommerce tools like Shopify, or creative apps like Figma.

How to Showcase Remote Work Skills on Your Resume

Your resume should make it obvious that you’re ready for remote work.

Here’s how to make your remote work skills stand out:

• Include a Skills section with remote-friendly tools and platforms like Canva, Zoom, Notion, or industry-specific tools you use.

• If you’ve worked remotely before, add a small “(Remote)” note beside job titles to help hiring managers instantly see you’re familiar with online work.

• Use action verbs that show your independence — managed, organized, coordinated, implemented, or led remotely.

• Add examples of remote collaboration or time-zone coordination — for example, “coordinated a cross-country project between Canada and the U.S. via Slack and Zoom.”

• If you’ve freelanced or worked with international clients, mention it!

If you need help creating a remote-friendly resume that stands out from the crowd, connect with me for professional resume writing services. Prefer to DIY it? Grab one of my fully customizable resume templates designed for remote job seekers.

Building a Career That Works From Anywhere

Remote work isn’t just about your location — it’s about how you work, communicate, and adapt in an online environment. Building these essential remote work skills not only helps you land jobs in a competitive market but also sets you up for long-term success in your remote career.

If you’re updating your remote resume next, read my post on resume do’s and don’ts — and if you’re ready to explore more flexible ways to earn income, check out my guide on 20 ways to make money online.

✨ Want free resources, remote job tips, and updates on new posts? Join my email list to get practical tools and fresh ideas to help you work and earn online — straight to your inbox.

Join the List!