How To Write a Job Ads for Remote Positions: Full Guide

Are you looking to hire remote workers for your company? Do you know how to write a job ad to achieve the best results? Writing effective job ads is key to attracting the right candidates. However, it can be tricky to know what to include and how to craft your job listings to appeal to remote job seekers.

In this blog post, I’m going to break down exactly how to write a great job ad for remote positions. I’ll cover all the important elements you need to include, as well as some tips and best practices to make your job ads stand out.

By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to create job ads that will help you find the perfect remote hires for your business.

Table of Contents

Why Remote Job Ads Are Different

Before we get into the specifics of how to write a remote job ad, it’s important to understand why they are a bit different from a job ad for in-office roles.

The main difference is that remote work requires a very different set of skills and attributes from employees. When someone is working remotely, they need to be:

• Self-motivated and able to work independently without close supervision

• Excellent at managing their own time and staying productive

• Proactive communicators who can share updates and ask for help when needed

• Comfortable with digital tools and technologies for remote collaboration

So, your job ad needs to outline the specific responsibilities and qualifications for the role. Also, it needs to communicate the remote work requirements and what type of person will thrive in it.

You also need to keep in mind that remote job seekers often have different priorities and preferences than people looking for in-office jobs. They may value things like:

• Flexibility in their schedule and work hours

• The ability to work from anywhere, not just a home office

• Opportunities for growth, learning, and advancement

So, ensure your job ad highlights these elements well. Also, you need to show remote candidates that your company is a great fit for their needs and lifestyle.

Finally, the remote job market is often more competitive than the local, in-office job market. That means you need to work extra hard to make your job ad stand out and convince top talent to apply.

Okay, now that we’ve covered why a remote job ad is a bit different, let’s get into the specifics of how to write them.

The Essential Elements to Write a Remote Job Ad

No matter what type of remote role you’re hiring for, certain key elements should be included in your job ad. Let’s go through them one by one:

1. A Killer Job Title

The title of your job ad is the first thing candidates will see, so make sure it’s attention-grabbing and accurately reflects the role.

When it comes to remote jobs, include some variations of “remote” or “work from home” in the title. This helps remote job seekers easily identify your listing and know it’s a good fit for their needs.

Some examples of great remote job titles include:

• Remote Customer Service Representative

• Work From Home Graphic Designer

• Virtual Marketing Manager

• Remote Software Engineer

Also, make the job title clear and specific. Avoid vague titles like “Virtual Assistant” or “Online Freelancer.” Get specific about the exact role and responsibilities.

2. A Compelling Job Summary

After the job title, the summary is the next most important part of your job ad. This is where you’ll give candidates a high-level overview of the role, your company, and what you’re looking for in an ideal hire.

Keep this section concise – 3-5 sentences max. Hit the key points, including:

• A brief description of the role and main responsibilities

• Information about your company and what you do

• The must-have skills, experience, or qualifications

• Mention that this is a remote/work-from-home position

An example of a compelling job summary ad.

“Our fast-growing digital marketing agency is seeking an experienced Social Media Manager to join our remote team. In this role, you’ll be responsible for developing and executing social media strategies to drive engagement and growth for our diverse client base. We’re looking for a self-motivated social media pro who thrives in a flexible, remote work environment. If you have 3+ years of social media management experience and a passion for all things digital, we’d love to hear from you!”

Give a clear description of the job and the type of person you’re looking for, and also highlight the remote/flexible nature of the role.

3. A Detailed Job Description

After the summary, you’ll want to provide a more in-depth job description. This is where you can write on the nitty-gritty of the role. The daily responsibilities required skills experience, and any other key details.

When writing the job description for a remote position, be sure to cover the following:

• The main job duties and responsibilities

• Any required skills, qualifications, or prior experience

• Preferred education, certifications, or technical expertise

• Tools, software, or technologies they’ll need to use

• Information about your company culture and values

• Details on the remote work setup and expectations

For example, your job description might include sections like:

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all social media channels for our portfolio of B2B clients

• Create and schedule engaging social media content

• Monitor online conversations and respond to comments/messages

• Analyze social media metrics and report on campaign performance

• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop social strategies

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience managing social media for B2B brands

• Expertise in Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other platforms

• Strong writing and communication skills

• Ability to interpret social media analytics and report on results

Remote Work Info:

• This is a fully remote position – you can work from anywhere

• We use Slack, Zoom, and other tools to stay connected as a distributed team

The key is to give candidates a clear and comprehensive understanding of what the job entails. Moreso, the unique requirements and benefits of working remotely for your company.

4. Information About Your Company

Don’t forget to include some information about your company as well. Remote candidates will want to know what kind of organization they’ll be working for.

Share a brief overview of your business – what you do, your mission and values, your growth and industry position, etc. You can also highlight any awards, recognitions, or other accolades that demonstrate your company’s success and stability.

This helps candidates get a sense of your company culture and whether it will be a good fit for their work style and preferences.

5. Details on the Application Process

Finally, close out your job ad with clear instructions on how candidates should apply. Provide the specific information and materials you need from them, such as:

• A resume or CV

• A cover letter

• Relevant work samples or portfolio

• References or recommendations

• Any required application questions or assessments

Be sure to also include a deadline for applications, as well as the expected timeline for the hiring process. This helps set clear expectations for candidates.

You may also mention if the salary range or benefits package is negotiable, to attract a wider pool of applicants.

How to Optimize Your Remote Job Ad for Success

Now that you know the essential elements to include, let’s talk about some additional tips and best practices for writing effective remote job ads:

1. Use Compelling, Remote-Friendly Language

The language you use in your job ad can make a big difference in how it’s received by remote job seekers. Here are some tips:

• Highlight the flexibility and freedom of remote work, using words like “worldwide”

• Use active, energetic language to convey a sense of opportunity and growth, like “join our dynamic team,” “be a key player in our expansion,” etc.

• Emphasize your company culture and values, using phrases like “we’re a tight-knit group who values work-life balance,” or “we pride ourselves on our collaborative, supportive environment.”

• Avoid overly formal or stuffy language – keep it conversational and approachable.

2. Showcase Your Remote Work Policies & Benefits

In addition to the job details, be sure to highlight your company’s remote work policies and any unique benefits you offer remote employees.

For example, you could mention things like:

• Fully remote or hybrid work options

• Flexible scheduling and work hours

• Health insurance, retirement plans, and other standard benefits

• Opportunities for professional development and advancement

Showcasing these types of remote-friendly policies and perks can be a major selling point for candidates. Moreso, it can help you stand out from other remote job listings.

3. Optimize for SEO & Remote Job Boards

Just like with any job ad, you’ll want to make sure your remote job listing is easy for the right candidates to find online.

Start by including relevant keywords throughout your job ad, such as “remote,” “work from home,” etc. This will help your listing show up in remote job boards and search engine results.

You should also consider posting your remote job ad on specialized remote job boards and directories, like: FlexJobs.com

These sites are specifically designed for remote job seekers, so you’re more likely to reach qualified candidates who are actively looking for remote opportunities.

4. Emphasize Your Remote Work Experience

If your company has experience managing and supporting remote teams, be sure to highlight that in your job ad.

Share any relevant statistics or case studies that demonstrate your success with remote work, such as:

• The number of years you’ve been operating as a distributed team

• Employee retention and satisfaction rates for your remote workers

• Productivity metrics or other data that shows the effectiveness of your remote setup

• Testimonials or quotes from current remote employees about their experiences

This helps build trust and credibility with candidates and shows that you know how to create an environment where remote workers can thrive.

5. Ask the Right Screening Questions

When it comes to remote work, certain skills and attributes are essential. So in addition to your standard application questions, include some specific screening questions to identify the best-fit candidates.

For example, you could ask things like:

• How do you stay motivated and productive when working independently?

• What tools and strategies do you use to effectively manage your time?

• Can you provide examples of how you’ve communicated and collaborated with remote team members in the past?

The answers to these types of questions will help you weed out candidates who may not have the right mindset or abilities for remote work, and find the ones who are truly primed for success.

Conclusion

I hope you have been able to master how to write a remote job ad for remote positions.

Crafting an effective remote job ad takes a bit more thought and effort than a standard in-office job listing. But if you follow the steps and tips we’ve covered here, you’ll be able to create job ads that attract top remote talent.