Is It Hard to Get a Remote Web Developer Job in 2022?
According to the BLA (Bureau of Labor Statistics), web developer jobs are expected to grow by 13 percent by 2030, which is higher than that collective average of all other occupations. Simultaneously, opportunities for remote work are also increasing and the stats show that 73 percent of departments will have remote professionals by 2028.
If you’re a fresh web developer, you must be wondering after reading these stats, why it’s hard to get a remote web developer job. Let’s discuss everything you need to know about it.
Why Is It So Hard to Get a Remote Job as a Web Developer?
It’s hard to get a remote web developer job if you are a junior or entry-level programmer because companies like to hire experienced professionals. As compared to an entry-level developer senior professional with advanced skills will offer better value by accomplishing more per dollar spent.
It’s simply a case of supply and demand. There are so many inexperienced web developers and the supply exceeds the current demand. That’s why a big number of web developers looking for remote jobs are left out of work.
Another reason why companies avoid junior web developers for remote jobs is that a remote job requires autonomy, and junior developers are the ones that require more support to get up and running.
Employers hire experienced programmers by offering them high wages and attractive bonuses to make sure their applications are developed flawlessly in the shortest possible time. A fresh or entry-level web developer will not only spend more time on coding, but that code will also need optimization and more QA (Quality Assurance) work.
How To Get a Remote Web Developer Job?
The following is the right course of action if you want to get a remote web developer job.
Learn Skills
The most important part of getting a remote web developer job is to learn the necessary skills. Keep in mind that JavaScript, CSS, and HTML queries are just the tip of the iceberg. Learning these skills won’t get you a handsome remote job.
You’ll need to learn TDD (Test Driven Development) software design, and several frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue. Learning these technologies will allow you to stand out from the crowd.
Another great strategy to learn necessary skills is to sign up on learning platforms like Coursera and complete relevant certifications. This way, you’ll be able to improve your CV in order to increase your chances to get a remote job as a web developer.
Prepare CV or Portfolio
After learning the necessary skills, you’ll need to create your online portfolio. In a nutshell, a portfolio is your personal website that showcases your skills and experience. You can easily find online portfolio templates that you can use but we recommend you develop one for yourself from scratch to gain additional experience. Don’t forget to update your LinkedIn profile.
Gain Remote Experience.
As mentioned, the more experience you have the easier it’ll be for you to get a remote job. You can find small projects on online freelancing portals like Upwork and Fiverr. It’ll allow you to gain some remote experience that you can include in your portfolio to present yourself as a reliable resource in front of companies.
Start Applying
Once you have an attractive portfolio, you can start applying to find a web developer remote job. The following are the best online portals where you can find suitable job openings for web developers.
What Is the Most Challenging Part to Get a Remote Developer Job?
The most challenging part to get a remote developer job for people who don’t have industry experience is to convince employers that you’re the right fit for their company. Employers hire programmers who can prove their technical skills and experience in an interview.
Hiring a fresh developer with little or no industry experience is risky for employers because they just want to get things done reliably and quickly. Other than skills and experience, a web developer also needs to be a great team worker who can work under pressure by taking responsibility.
The interviewer can also ask you to demonstrate the most challenging part of your career as a developer and the way you handled that to meet deadlines. Managing remote teams is also difficult for companies because of different working hours. Resultantly, only the developers with advanced skills get hired and the window for juniors and fresh programmers shrinks even further.
How to Become a Great Remote Team Player?
Employers look for proactive remote team players who can take the initiative to find solutions, support the team, and implement regular feedback. Here’s a list of some tips that’ll help you to become a great remote team player:
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Prepare your home office while you’re searching for a remote job so that you can be fully ready on your first day. You must have a stable internet connection and a reliable computer to work from home.
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Communicate proactively and keep online chat software, video calls, phone calls, and email at your disposal. Understand how and when your teammates want to hear from you and set your priorities and schedule accordingly for effective communication.
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Have transparent conversations with your coworkers and boss to clarify expectations to find out what you need to accomplish. Make sure that you and your teammates are on the same page to meet your deadlines efficiently.
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Create and utilize a daily list of tasks and meetings with the help of time management tools to make sure that you do not spend more than the required time on a particular project or task.
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Avoid staying in your PJs while working from home and dress properly every day. Not only will it help you look professional in online meetings but it’ll also prepare you mentally by putting you in work mode.
Conclusion
Web development is a high-paying career and it’s an applicant’s market. You should understand that organizations need experienced and skilled developers more than professionals need those jobs.
Working remotely as a web developer can actually change the course of your life. But it takes time and patience and you need to make sure that you utilize it most productively.
No one can stop you if you have web development skills and a charming personality, and you can convince the employer that you’ll be a valuable addition to their team.