Are you looking to take your software engineering career to the next level with a remote job? If so, you’re in luck! With tech skills and qualifications at a premium, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the increasing number of remote opportunities available. Follow our tips to find out how you can prepare yourself to land your dream job in software engineering.
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Where To Find a Remote Software Engineering Job
Companies and employees everywhere are embracing alternative work arrangements with tech industries at the forefront, pioneering initiatives for teams working in a hybrid or a fully remote setting. As long as you have the qualifications, getting a remote software engineering job is no longer a pipe dream but a reality.
You can find remote software engineering engagements through:
- Employment agencies
- Industry-specific job boards
- Job sites such as Indeed or Glassdoor
- Professional networking sites like LinkedIn
Outside of these options, building a network of industry fellows and joining an online or in-person community can help you with your job search.
1. Recruiting Agencies
Recruiting agencies bridge the gap between employers and employees by taking on talent-sourcing responsibilities such as looking for eligible job candidates and interviewing potential hires on behalf of a company.
As a job seeker, recruiting agencies can help you connect with prospective employers by marketing you as a potential employee and providing career guidance.
Here are three recruiting agencies that can help you snag that remote software engineering role:
1. 1 DistantJob
An agency specializing in remote recruitment, DistantJob’s bread and butter lies in matching companies with full-time remote developers. Their comprehensive recruitment process covers contracts, NDAs, IP protection, and payments. You can rest assured that you will spend your time working rather than wrangling complicated legal and HR matters.
1.2 Remote.CO
Boasting partnerships with well-known career initiatives like FlexJobs, TRaD Works, and 1 Million for Work Flexibility, Remote.CO functions as a resource for companies and remote-focused employees alike. You’ll find a robust selection of jobs and companies from a variety of industries, including IT and development.
1.3 RemoteTalent
Based in Hungary, RemoteTalent links prospective employers with tech talents from all over the world. Their specialist recruiters pre-screen candidates, so your job search is expedited, and settling into your remote software engineering role is a quick process.
2. LinkedIn
Job searching involves putting yourself out there and applying for open positions. But, LinkedIn works a little differently as it is first and foremost a social media platform for professionals.
On LinkedIn, you get the chance to show potential employers who you are as a person outside of your career documents.
Some ways you can find a remote software engineering job on LinkedIn include:
- Use your LinkedIn profile to tell hiring decision-makers about your personal brand
- Tell potential employers and recruiters that you’re open to work
- Connect with other professionals in your network
- Elaborate upon your previous work experience and certifications
- Easily find and apply to job postings
- Take a course on LinkedIn Learning to upskill
You must have a good profile page to make the most of these resources. This way, recruiters will notice you and what you bring to the table.
3. Remote Job Platforms
Also known as job boards or employment websites, job platforms let employers post open positions and job descriptions for prospective candidate applications. Most of the time, you’ll be setting up a website profile, selecting your job preferences, and uploading your resume.
With these simple steps, you’re ready to go. But, since job openings on sites like these can have hundreds of applicants, it can be tough to get noticed in the crowd. You should rely on more than these platforms to find remote software engineering jobs.
Indeed
One of the top job sites in the world, Indeed features millions of job seekers across the globe, connecting them to organizations in just about any industry you can find.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor is a website where users can anonymously submit and view reviews and salaries for companies they’ve worked with. Users can also look for jobs to apply to on this platform.
SimplyHired
SimplyHired is a job platform that lets job seekers connect with prospective hires. The platform also provides free HR tools for employers looking to manage their hiring and payroll processes.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter features a dedicated, personalized recruiter AI called Phil that helps connect candidates to potential employers using sophisticated technology.
We Work Remotely
We Work Remotely posts job openings on behalf of employers. But with a twist – all the jobs they feature are remote, which makes this site an excellent option for those seeking fully remote software engineering roles, like you.
Otta
A platform focusing on startup roles, Otta’s claim to fame involves removing intermediaries altogether, directly connecting prospective candidates to a vetted pool of organizations looking to hire.
FlexJobs
The “flex” in FlexJobs stands for flexible, which is what they offer: flexible remote, work from home, or hybrid roles at almost every level and industry.
Startup.Jobs
Startup.Jobs keeps it simple with an uncluttered interface that’s straight to the point, offering startup jobs of all kinds to interested candidates.
4. Company Websites
LinkedIn, job sites, and employment agencies are great for finding a remote software engineering job. And yet, it’s worth casting your net a little wider by checking out your dream organization directly.
Some companies advertise open positions on their websites under pages titled “Jobs,” “Careers,” or “Work with Us.” You can find job descriptions and employment policies outlined on these pages.
Website job openings allow you to apply directly through a dedicated email or job posting solution. The latter is particularly convenient as it offers a more immediate way of connecting with the organization you’re applying to, allowing you to bypass recruiters and intermediaries.
How to Figure Out Which Remote Software Engineering Job Is Right For You
To find a remote software engineering job that will suit you, you will need to ask yourself some questions about your job role preferences.
Here are some questions to start with:
- What do I want in terms of work-life balance?
- What kind of salary and benefits will I need?
- Are the company’s culture, values, and goals a good fit for me?
- What do I need to be happy in my role?
- Are there any job-related nice-to-haves I’m interested in?
By figuring out what you want and don’t want in an ideal job, you will find a job with the work environment, salary, and benefits you desire.
Once you know what you like and dislike, filtering for jobs that are fulfilling and rewarding for you requires far less time and effort.
How to Get a Remote Software Engineering Job in 2023 in 3 Simple Steps
Now that you’ve found a remote software engineering job that potentially suits you, the next question is whether you serve them as a potential hire.
You’ll need a good resume and portfolio that shows your qualifications to snag an interview.
You will also need to meet the requirements outlined in the job description. You don’t need to meet every requirement, but you must have the right skills. Doing so will allow you to convince the organization that you’ll meet their needs, just as they’ll meet yours.
1. Redo Your Resume
A resume summarizes your skills and qualifications, complete with evidence that you’ve delivered results during past engagements. As an essential career document, it can make or break your application, so getting this right is an essential step toward finding your ideal job.
When you put together your software engineer resume, remember these tips:
- Your resume should be one page long and summarize your most relevant and current roles.
- Proofread your resume at least once to catch any grammar or spelling errors.
- A summary or objective section is typically unnecessary as your previous experience will be sufficient.
- Keep your education section short and sweet unless you’re applying for an entry-level position–in that case, mention any classes or extracurricular activities that might be relevant.
- Include only the skills you’re comfortable interviewing for in your resume.
- As you discuss your work experience, mention and quantify your specific contribution and the impact the project had on the business.
- If you’re applying for an entry-level job and have personal coding projects you worked on, include these in your resume.
- Tailor the keywords in your resume to fit the ones used in the job description.
2. Work Portfolio
While a portfolio isn’t strictly necessary for software engineer roles, it can help walk the recruiter or hiring manager through your thought process.
Here are some things to remember:
- Keep your portfolio accessible to non-technical and technical audiences, as it is the personal sales page you’ll use to get an interview.
- Focus on the why behind the system you built–this includes the design decisions you made, the technologies you chose, and the architecture of the system, as well as hardware and business requirements.
- If you can, host your portfolio on your own domain, where you’ll be free to illustrate your skills and qualifications any way you like.
- Your portfolio should show the audience what you think is the most important thing about you as a potential hire – this can be a work or volunteer submission you’re proud of, a personal project you worked on in your spare time, or even just your degree or a bootcamp you attended if you’re entry-level.
3. Ace Your Interview
You’ve got the application in the bag, and now you’re called for an interview–this is where you’ll ace it.
Since you’re applying for a remote software engineer role, chances are you’ll have a remote interview instead of an on-site one. It probably goes without saying that you will need a good internet connection for this interview.
You want to show you’re engaged during the interview since it’s more difficult to read body language and tone when you’re not speaking in person.
Your interview will also show the interviewer how you’ll communicate in a remote setting, where you’ll interact with colleagues and supervisors through messages and work calls.
Remember our top tips for interviewing for your remote role:
- Before the interview, conduct a test call with a friend to make sure your technology is in working order.
- Dress professionally during the interview.
- Set up an uncluttered, presentable location for the interview where you know you won’t be interrupted.
- Prepare for possible interview questions.
- Research the company to better convince them you’ll be a good fit.
- If you have any questions, asking them at the end of the interview will help clarify any doubts you might have.
Conclusion
Remote work is popular now, so we think it’s a safe assumption that it will only become more popular as time goes on.
By applying the information we discussed in this guide, you will be able to leverage your abilities and find a remote software engineering job that suits you.