Present Telecommuting Positions Positively on the Resume

What Do I List for My Employer Location When I Worked From Home?

by Jeff
(Madison, WI)

I have had a career in outside sales for about 20 years with four different employers. Generally, I have worked out of my home as the office.

My question is, on my resume, do I list the corporate headquarters city and state of my employers, their nearest regional office where my manager resided, or the city and state of my residence?

ANSWER: Hi Jeff... The best approach is to use the address where your manager is located, as that is where they will likely direct any reference check calls. And it's also probably your "home base" of record for the employer as well. But do mention in the resume that the position was a telecommute position, and I'd probably say that in the cover letter too, especially since it demonstrates your ability to work independently without a lot of supervision, which is a plus.

To your success,
Kathi

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What's the Best Way to Present Telecommuting Positions?

by Ann Hanlon
(Tampa, FL)

I read the previous response to how to list the telecommuting arrangement, but my problem is that my manager also telecommutes from a different location, and in fact many, many positions are being held by telecommuters.

Several offices have been closed, with employees being offered telecommuting positions. How do you handle this virtual nature?

On top of this, my company has gone through 4 mergers and I started telecommuting sometime after merger 3. I am not sure the best way to list this information in the best light.

ANSWER: Use your cover letter! When things get this complicated, a resume just isn't going to get the job done. You'll need to list your jobs best you can on the resume, with some central location (say, where your paycheck is mailed from?), and then use your cover letter to explain what happened or what your current arrangement is, including a telecommuting boss.

Believe it or not, these types of work situations are becoming more common, so they shouldn't be a barrier to getting a new job.

If even explaining it in a cover letter seems to be too much, then you could just say something in the letter like, "I've survived a number of corporate mergers and changes in work location/environment over the years, which will be easier to explain in person at the interview..."

To your success,
Kathi