Since the 2020s, remote developer jobs have been increasing, even when most companies are calling back their employees to the office. This is because companies have found that hiring someone for remote work is not as difficult as they might have thought. With the rise of communication tools like Zoom and management tools like Slack, working with remote workers is now easier than ever.
10 Tips to Get Remote Developer Job
You will see many job listings for remote developers but it’s not easy to crack them. So, here I am going to tell you some simple but effective strategies to get your first remote developer job in 2024. Even if you are an experienced coder looking for remote opportunities, these tips will greatly help you.
1) Master In-Demand Programming Skills
Companies can hire a good dev in regular interviews in their cities. But the best reason why they are ready for remote dev is because they want a highly skilled coder. So, master all the major programming language/s or tool/s that the company is looking forward to in their new hires. If you don’t know where to start, then start with JavaScript with Python, they are the most in-demand languages right now.
2) Networking
Finally, you might have already applied for remote jobs on different platforms, you might want to look for other routes as well. You can join developer groups online like Reddit or Stack Overflow and answer questions there. Most people also try to connect with startup founders directly on LinkedIn. But you can also do good old email outreach.
While you can manually send e-mails one by one, there are also tools like Snov.io’s cold outreach tool to simplify this process.
Here’s a trick: message startup founders directly on LinkedIn. Most developers don’t do this. I once messaged a startup’s tech boss about a project I was working on. We got talking, and two weeks later I had a job offer.
3) Build a Strong Portfolio
When companies hire normally, they think they can train the new coder. But when they hire remotely, they want someone efficient at programming. So, even if this is your first time looking for a job, build a strong portfolio for potential employers. These should include Real-world projects that solve specific problems or contributions to open-source projects.
However, if you have done some remote work before (even as a freelancer or part-time), try to highlight that in your resume. Also, include the tools you used to work with the clients and developer team, so the employer can know that you don’t need a lot of training before.
4) Contribute to Open Source
Continuing from the above strategy, one of the easiest ways to highlight your resume is by contributing to open-source projects. Many remote-friendly companies love to see open-source contributions as they reflect real-world collaboration.
5) Collaboration Skills is the key
The biggest thing that can set you apart from other candidates is your communication and collaboration skills. Companies want people who can work seamlessly with distributed teams. This includes learning about Git, Slack, Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
6) Prepare for Remote Interviews
Remote Interviews are different from in-person ones, so there are some things to keep in mind. Ensure that you have a stable internet connection, check your camera & microphone, the room where you are sitting in a quiet space and you have all the necessary software required on your desktop or laptop.
7) Research the Company
Before you apply, learn as much as you can about the company. Find out what programming languages, tools and technologies they are using. Then, how does this connect with the job listing they have posted? You can then figure out what they are looking for and you can customize your resume according to it. If the interviewers believe that you have done research, they will surely be impressed.
8) Show You Can Work Alone
Companies worry about hiring remote workers. So, you should tell them they don’t need to worry. The trick is to show you can even work alone. Even when no one is watching over you every hour or even if some communication is not possible, you can do the work and solve the problems on your own.
9) Do Freelancing for a month or so
The best possible way to show you can work alone is to do some freelancing work, at least for a month. Freelancers usually have to work by themselves after they get the gig. This is a great experience to add to your resume to tell the interviewer that you can complete the work and fix the problems by yourself.
10) Post Your Setup Image
This is a small thing but can leave a big impression. You can photos of your setup where you sit and code on your LinkedIn. This will give one more reason to the employer that you are serious about remote work.
And don’t forget your profile picture on LinkedIn should also look professional, and not some amateur coder doing work in their t-shirts.
Takeaways
Landing a remote developer job is not just about technical knowledge, but also about communication. By following the above strategies you are ready for your first remote coding interview.
