In this article, you'll learn how you can build a globally recognized CV and land international jobs from Nigeria without even travelling out of the country.
Why Your CV Matters for Remote Jobs Abroad
For the global market, there are many applicants from different parts of the world vying for the same role that you are applying for. Before recruiters even look at your CV, they pass it through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which disqualifies CVs that don’t meet the requirements of the job description.
As a candidate for a remote job abroad, you need to make sure your CV is well optimized to pass the ATS and get your CV noticed by the recruiters and move further to the next stages of the recruitment process.
Key Components of a Remote Job CV
If you want to land high-paying remote jobs from outside the country, some components must be in your CV:
1. Professional Summary
Your CV should have a professional summary that highlights your remote work skills, tools you use, and the results you’ve delivered.
A professional summary is not a career objective; rather, it is a summary of what you’ve achieved and what you can achieve if given the job.
For instance, a professional summary for a digital marketer could look like this: “Remote-savvy digital marketer with 5+ years of experience in SEO, Google Ads, and content strategy. Skilled in working with global teams and delivering data-driven campaigns.”
2. Core Skills Section
Your CV should highlight the relevant skills you have for that job description. Use bullet points to highlight the various skills, both the soft skills and the technical skills, that you have and the tools you use to carry out day-to-day activities.
For instance, if you work as a project manager, you can highlight in your CV the following skills and tools.
Project Management (Asana, Trello, ClickUp)
Communication (Slack, Zoom, Google Meet)
Time Management
Self-Motivation
Cross-Cultural Collaboration
3. Work Experience
When writing about your work experience, don’t just write about your duties; rather, write about the things you achieved in the role. Use metrics when possible to describe the results you achieved in the role.
For example, a content strategist could use this format when writing about the work experience:
Content Strategist Remote | Upwork | Jan 2021 – Present
Increased client website traffic by 75% in 6 months through optimized blog content.
Managed a team of 3 writers across different time zones.
4. Education & Certifications
Include relevant degrees and recognized certifications on your CV. There are some internationally recognized certifications you can get for free or for a fee. These certifications boost your chances of getting hired.
Examples of such certifications:
Google Digital Marketing
HubSpot Content Marketing
Scrum Fundamentals
LinkedIn Learning Courses
5. Remote tool Proficiency
Create a section in your CV that lists your proficiency with using digital tools.
Examples of tools you can highlight in your CV are
Zoom, Slack, Teams
Notion, Trello, Jira
Google Workspace, Microsoft 365
Example of Keywords to Include in Your CV
To pass ATS filters, include the following keywords in your CV where relevant:
Remote jobs
Work from home
Distributed team
Asynchronous communication
Time zone management
International clients
Remote collaboration
Freelance projects
Formatting Tips for a Remote CV
Use a simple, clean format: Avoid complicated fonts; they may confuse the ATS and recruiters when going through your CV. Use clean, simple, and easy-to-read fonts and CV formats.
Save as PDF: Always save your CV as a PDF. If your CV is in any other format, it may get disqualified, or the format of the document may be altered.
One page is ideal: The ideal length of a CV can be one page, but you can have two pages if you have 10+ years of experience.
Use international English (e.g., US spelling) if applying to US-based companies.
Bonus Tips to Make Your CV Stand Out
Add a link to your LinkedIn profile or your work portfolio.
Customize your CV for each application based on the job description.
Use strong action verbs: including verbs like "managed," "developed," "implemented," "scaled," and "optimized" in your CV will make you stand out because they show that you carried out tasks in your previous role.
Final Thoughts
Creating a CV that lands remote jobs abroad takes more than just listing past experiences. You need to be strategic, keyword-conscious, and results-driven in your approach. By focusing on achievements, remote-relevant skills, and the right tools, you can increase your chances of getting noticed by international employers and recruiters.
Keep updating your CV as you gain more remote experience, and always tailor it for the job you’re applying for.
FAQs
Should I mention freelance work in my CV?
Yes, you can. Freelance work shows independence, responsibility, and remote collaboration skills.
How do I show I'm good at remote work?
To show you are good at working remotely, emphasize your experience with remote tools, time zone coordination, and successful remote projects.
What CV format is best for remote jobs abroad?
Use a reverse-chronological or hybrid format. Keep it ATS-friendly with standard headings and bullet points.
Read also: Top 7 VPNs for Nigerians Working Remotely in 2025
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