Working from home is the new norm in the corporate world. Not only does it give you flexibility, but it also cuts out draining commutes and stuffy office cubicles.
But for IT roles specifically, going remote opens up a world of career opportunities across the entire United States.
Instead of being restricted to jobs within driving distance, you can now apply for rockin’ IT gigs clear across the country. From Boston to LA and everywhere in between.
So if you’re sick of your local job market’s slim pickings and dream of working remotely, this guide is for YOU.
I’ll cover insider tips on landing a remote IT job from home, including:
- How to find remote IT job listings
- Skills hiring managers want (with real examples from job postings)
- Tips for optimizing your resume and job application
- Winning interview strategies to help you seal the deal
But first, a quick story that I think you’ll be able to relate to…
My Struggles With Finding Remote IT Jobs (At First)
A few years ago I was happily employed as a software developer at a startup in Denver.
The work was fun and challenging. I loved my team. And the pay was fantastic.
But after my first child was born, I started dreaming of a more flexible situation where I could spend more time with him.
That’s when I started looking into remote IT roles.
But I’ll be honest: those first few months were ROUGH.
I knew I had the skills for the roles I was applying to. But hiring managers and recruiters seemed skeptical about my ability to work from home.
It was disheartening, to say the least.
Eventually though, I landed my first remote coding gig. And you know what? It happened with barely any change to my skills at all.
The difference was that I learned how to highlight my remote work abilities in my resume and interviews.
As I gained experience, I quickly saw that finding and landing remote IT jobs really is an art form – one that’s quite different from traditional on-site applications.
I now get to do meaningful work while being present for my family. And in this guide, I’ll share exactly how I made the remote IT dream a reality.
How to Find Remote IT Job Listings
The first step to landing a remote IT job? Actually finding roles that allow you to work from home.
Many sites claim to share remote job postings, only to leave you sifting through office-based positions in frustration.
But here are some legit resources solely dedicated to fully remote positions:
RemoteOK (https://remoteok.com) AngelList Remote (https://angel.co/remote)
FlexJobs (https://www.flexjobs.com) We Work Remotely (https://weworkremotely.com)
While occasionally remote IT jobs pop up on major job boards, niche sites are a much better bet for finding a high volume of quality listings.
You’ll also want to check tech company’s careers pages and indicate you’re only interested in remote roles during the application.
High-Demand Skills For Remote IT Jobs in 2024
Now that you know how to find real remote IT positions, it’s time to understand what skill sets hiring managers are actually looking for in 2024.
Like most industries, IT roles require both technical (hard) and professional (soft) skills.
On the technical side, here are some of the most in-demand abilities from my analysis of recent remote IT job postings:
- Cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud…)
- DevOps
- Cybersecurity
- Data engineering
- Python, Java, C#, Ruby, JavaScript… (request roles like coding, testing, devops)
In terms of professional qualifications, remote employers seem to really prize skills like:
- Self-motivation and discipline
- Clear communication (both written and verbal)
- Problem-solving abilities
- Comfort with project management tools (Jira, Trello…)
For example, here are some excerpts from actual remote IT job descriptions:
“You’ll be responsible for working autonomously with little oversight to build out cloud infrastructure on AWS.”
“This role requires significant self-discipline and time management skills.”
“Strong communication skills are essential, as you’ll have to convey complex technical info to cross-functional stakeholders.”
The right mix of technical IT know-how and workplace soft skills can make you a very competitive applicant.
How to Optimize Your Application for Remote IT Roles
Now that you know what skills to highlight, it’s time to actually craft a resume and cover letter that piques hiring managers’ interest.
Too many IT applicants simply list out their responsibilities from past roles and call it a day. This might work for a typical office job, but it’s not going to cut it for a remote gig.
Instead, you need to go into your application with the mindset of selling yourself as an ideal remote employee.
Here are some specific tips to stand out:
- Frame work experience around remote skills – Instead of simply listing your software dev job duties, emphasize responsibilities that transfer well to remote roles. For example:
“Coordinated code deployments across teams spanning multiple regions and time zones.”
This shows skills like communication, self-management, and comfort with remote collaboration tools.
- Create a “remote working” resume section – Adding a resume section explicitly highlighting your remote qualifications demonstrates your passion and commitment to getting hired in a work-from-home role. Here’s an example of what you could include:
“Remote Working Experience
- Proficient with remote workplace tools: Slack, Zoom, Asana, GitHub…
- Experienced in completing entire dev lifecycle (from specs to deployment) with zero oversight
- Delivered client presentations and headed team meetings virtually”
- Write a compelling cover letter – A cover letter gives you an invaluable chance to convey your remote work motivation and capabilities in narrative form. For example:
“After years of doing draining daily commutes, I have immense motivation to find a role allowing me to work from home yet still take on impactful coding challenges…”
- Source referrals: If you know people at companies that commonly hire for remote IT roles, see if they can refer you to hiring managers. Employee referrals typically result in 10x higher interview rates.
Winning Interview Strategies For Virtual IT Roles
So your application blew the hiring manager away. Time to get ready for interviews!
Remote interviews often involve additional creativity in showing your readiness for telecommuting.
For example, some companies use live coding tests or virtual whiteboarding. Make sure you’re prepared for all aspects of the tech assessment.
You’ll also need a professional webcam setup in a distraction-free environment. Do test video calls with friends beforehand to fix any hiccups.
And as tempting as it may be to wear sweatpants since no one will see, do dress up at least somewhat professionally on top.
Finally, expect very specific questions about your remote working capabilities, like:
“How do you motivate yourself when working alone from home?”
Have well-considered responses ready in advance, citing previous remote experiences if possible.
And don’t just say things like “I’m very disciplined.” Show through stories how you take initiative, communicate proactively, and manage your own workload.
Conclusion
Remote IT jobs are becoming increasingly commonplace, opening up a world of opportunity for top talent like yourself.
By following the roadmap we covered – finding remote listings, highlighting key skills, optimizing your application, and preparing for interviews – you’ll be miles ahead of other candidates.
The work flexibility and freedom is well worth the extra effort in your remote job search.
So what are you waiting for? Start browsing those remote job boards and crafting applications that prove you’re the ideal virtual IT hire!