Despite offices re-opening across the country, the market for all-remote tech jobs remains strong. That’s good news for any technologist who wants to stay in their sweatpants while coding an app or securing a company’s tech stack.
According to the latest edition of CompTIA’s monthly job report, job postings for all-remote positions spiked between January and February. Software developers, web developers, systems engineers/architects, and business intelligence analysts all saw notable month-over-month jumps. Check out the chart:
Interested in applying for a remote job? Keep some simple things in mind. For starters, make sure that the “remote” part is indeed permanent; with the rise in vaccinations and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions, some companies are shifting their all-remote employees to either hybrid (i.e., in the office a few days per week) or full-time office work. Second, ensure that the potential employer’s time zone and schedule fit with your needs; if you live on the East Coast, and they expect you to work West Coast hours, that could potentially present a problem.
Interviewing for a remote job also involves some additional considerations—particularly since the interview will likely be remote, as well. For example, you need to consider not only your appearance, but also your video background. Make sure well ahead of time that your interview-related apps (such as Zoom or Teams) are up-to-date. “If I’m a tech interview and the tech manager can’t figure out how to get on the call and as an employee or a candidate, I can’t, that might create a bit of discouragement,” Jim Johnson, senior vice president and field practice director at Robert Half Technology, recently told Dice. “Find a quiet place, ideally your home office that you’re going to be working in, so they get an idea of what it’s going to be like to work with you.”
If you’re applying for a developer or engineer job, chances are good you’ll face at least one coding test (and probably several). Make sure to review potential questions and answers beforehand (LeetCode can provide a good idea of what hiring managers might ask). A remote interviewer may also opt to give you a “homework assignment” in lieu of a live test. If you prep enough, you’ll show them that you have what it takes to do the job—no matter where you do that job from.