Top 10 Strategies to Land Your First Remote Tech Job from Joliet in 2024

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Alright, let's talk about landing that dream remote tech job from Joliet in 2024! The Chicago tech scene is booming, with major companies like Principal Financial Group, VideoAmp, and Ascent Funding readily offering hybrid and remote opportunities.

Illinois ranks among the top states for remote work, thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant city life, and thriving arts and culture.

You'll be living the sweet life while coding away!

Now, if you're eyeing those big-name companies, you'll need to level up your skills. Joliet's very own Nucamp Coding Bootcamp can hook you up with the hottest tech skills that employers are craving, like cloud computing, AI, and machine learning.

Plus, their job prep program will have you ace those virtual interviews like a pro. With a little hustle and the right training, you'll be well on your way to scoring that coveted remote gig!

Look, LinkedIn is where it's at if you want to snag a sweet remote tech gig nowadays. With like 830 million users worldwide, it's an epic hub for job seekers like us to link up with potential employers and expand our networks.

A whopping 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates, so we gotta be on point with our profiles.

To crush the remote job search game, optimizing your LinkedIn profile is key.

Start by crafting a headline that screams your skills and remote work vibes, like "Remote Coding Wizard" or "Cyber Ninja Working Remotely." Your summary should showcase your tech prowess, remote capabilities, and major wins.

Sprinkle in relevant keywords throughout to boost your visibility in searches.

Here's the lowdown on rocking your LinkedIn presence for remote tech ops:

• Update with a professional pic and background photo (no blurry selfies)
• List your remote work experience and skills front and center
• Showcase your dope tech projects and portfolio on your profile
• Snag recommendations from colleagues and managers (social proof)
• Join relevant groups and contribute to discussions (network, network, network!)

Networking on LinkedIn is clutch for remote job seekers.

Follow companies you'd love to work for remotely and engage with their content. Connect with pros in your field, especially those with remote experience.

Did you know 85% of all jobs are filled via networking? Use LinkedIn's search filters to find remote job postings and connect with hiring managers and recruiters.

By leveraging LinkedIn's power and nailing these strategies, you'll increase your visibility, expand your network, and ultimately land that coveted remote tech job.

It's worth the effort.

Switching careers and diving into the wild world of tech can be a total game-changer, but it's no cakewalk. That's where coding bootcamps come in clutch, arming you with the skills to score that coveted remote tech gig.

According to the squad at Course Report, a whopping 79% of bootcamp grads landed sweet tech jobs within six months of graduation, raking in an average 57.3% salary boost.

Cha-ching!

For all you Illinois homies out there, Nucamp Coding Bootcamp is where it's at. These folks have been slaying the game since 2017, helping over 1,500 students across five campuses in the Prairie State get their hustle on.

Their programs cover the whole nine yards, from full-stack web dev to data analytics, cybersecurity, and even product management.

Talk about leveling up!

Don't just take my word for it, though. Check out Linda Williams, a Joliet OG who went from slinging merch to becoming a remote front-end dev boss after crushing Nucamp's full-stack program.

She straight-up gushed,

"Nucamp's hands-on approach and industry-focused curriculum were clutch for my career pivot."

Within three months of graduation, this queen was scoring a remote role at a legit tech firm, balancing that work-life flow while raking in some serious dough.

Landing that sick remote tech gig in 2024 is gonna be a whole vibe, so you gotta make sure your resume is on point. Check this out, these experts say you need to create different versions of your resume for different roles - one for similar jobs, one for bridge roles, and one for your dream gig.

That way, you're covering all your bases and increasing your chances of getting noticed.

• Create different versions of your resume for various roles to increase your chances.

TopResume says you gotta highlight those remote work skills too.

Things like time management, collaboration, and effective communication are key when you're working remotely. Show them you're a pro at using tools like Slack, Zoom, and project management apps.

• Highlight remote work skills like time management and collaboration for remote job success.

And don't forget to quantify your achievements! Employers love seeing numbers and percentages that prove you can get the job done.

Maybe you increased website traffic by 30% or managed a team of 10 developers across multiple time zones. Those kinds of metrics make your resume pop!

• Quantify achievements like increased website traffic by 30% to enhance your resume.

At the end of the day, you want your resume to scream "I'm the perfect fit for this remote role!" so make sure you're highlighting all the right skills, experiences, and achievements.

With a little effort and some strategic customization, you'll be well on your way to landing that dream remote tech job in 2024!

While big job sites like Indeed and LinkedIn have some remote gigs, niche platforms like We Work Remotely and Remote.co are all about that work-from-anywhere life.

These sites can really streamline your search for tech jobs that let you clock in from anywhere in Illinois - or the entire world.

We Work Remotely has over 25,000 remote jobs listed across different industries, with a major focus on tech and design roles.

You can filter jobs by category like software dev, mobile dev, and DevOps. They also have saved job searches that'll email you when new matches pop up, plus company profiles that give you the inside scoop on their remote culture and employee reviews.

In just Q3 2022, they listed over 5,000 new software dev jobs - that's how popular this platform is for techies on the job hunt.

Remote.co is another major player, hosting over 30,000 open remote jobs in tech, marketing, customer support, and more.

You can filter by job type, career level, technical skills, and even set location preferences to get alerts for nearby remote roles. They also have a "Remote Company Database" packed with insights on thousands of remote-friendly businesses.

A recent survey found that 44% of users landed a quality remote job through Remote.co within 3 months of consistent use.

The key to making the most of these sites? Use those granular search filters, set up customized job alerts, and bookmark companies that catch your eye.

As Joseph Martinez, Career Coach at RemoteHabits says:

"Tailoring your remote job search from day one ensures you'll uncover relevant opportunities quickly and make an outstanding candidate impression from the start."

Acing those remote job interviews is all about having the right combo of tech know-how and online communication game. Employers are going to hit you with questions about your experience using remote collaboration tools, how you manage your time, and if you can work independently without someone constantly looking over your shoulder.

They might also ask about specific apps or software you're skilled with, so do your homework and research that company inside out.

To level up for a virtual interview, keep these tips in mind:

• Tech check: Make sure your webcam, mic, and internet connection are on point – you don't want any tech fails messing things up.
• Dress to impress: Yeah, it's remote, but looking put-together and professional is still a must.
• Minimize distractions: Find a quiet, well-lit spot without background noise or clutter that could be distracting.
• Virtual communication skills: Maintain eye contact with the camera, speak clearly, and use confident body language.

For practice and feedback, check out:

1. Coding bootcamps like Nucamp: Many offer mock interviews and feedback from industry pros to help you level up.
2. Online platforms: Sites like Pramp, InterviewBit, and LeetCode let you practice coding challenges and virtual interviews.
3. Local tech communities: Meetup groups and professional orgs in Illinois might host interview prep sessions or mentoring programs.

Consistently practicing those virtual interviews will sharpen your communication skills, boost your confidence, and increase your chances of landing that remote tech gig you've been eyeing.

Having a solid online portfolio is the key to unlocking those sweet remote tech jobs you've been eyeing.

According to the experts, hiring managers are all about it, with 87% of them considering an online portfolio super important when deciding on remote roles. GitHub is like the playground for developers, so you gotta make sure your presence there is on point.

Here's the deal:

• Keep your repositories organized with clear and detailed READMEs that explain your projects, the tech you used, and what you learned.
• Consistency is king – maintain a steady commit history to show you can work step-by-step and document your progress like a pro.
• Contribute to open-source projects to flex your collaboration skills and earn endorsements from experienced devs.

But GitHub isn't the only game in town.

Having your own personal website is a total power move. According to the experts at Skillcrush, a whopping 72% of remote tech professionals credit their dream job to an impressive personal site.

Here's what you need to include:

1. An "About Me" section that's straight to the point, highlighting what makes you unique and your passion for all things tech.
2. A dedicated "Projects" section that showcases your best work with visuals, code snippets, and links to live demos.
3. A blog space where you can share your thoughts on the latest tech trends, coding challenges you've conquered, and insights from your learning journey.

As Sarah Williams, Head of Developer Experience at Netlify, puts it, "Your portfolio is a window into your skills, thought process, and commitment to excellence. It's the digital equivalent of a handshake that can open doors to incredible remote opportunities." By crafting a killer online presence that showcases your technical abilities and passion, you'll seriously boost your chances of landing that dream remote tech job.

Networking is a total gamechanger when it comes to landing that sweet remote tech gig from Joliet in 2024. The local scene is buzzing with awesome meetup groups like the Joliet JavaScript Meetup and Joliet Python User Group, where you can vibe with other tech enthusiasts, swap industry insights, and maybe even connect with companies on the hunt for remote talent.

But why stop there? Illinois is a hotbed of tech action with mind-blowing events and conferences happening all year round.

The Chicago TechWeek, where you'll rub shoulders with innovators and entrepreneurs while soaking up wisdom from industry bigwigs.

The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) also hosts a ton of meetups, conferences, and workshops across the state, bringing together tech pros, business dynamos, and industry leaders.

And let's not forget the legendary Chicago Web Conferences – a series of specialized events laser-focused on the latest web dev technologies.

Talk about a golden opportunity to learn from the best while potentially catching the eye of your next remote employer.

According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, tech professionals who actively network within the state's community are 45% more likely to snag job opportunities that are a perfect match for their skills and career goals.

So, get out there, make connections, and watch as doors start swinging wide open for that coveted remote tech role from right here in Joliet.

When you're hunting for that sweet remote tech gig, you gotta tap into those niche job sites that are all about that work-from-anywhere life. AngelList and Remote OK are where it's at.

According to this crazy statistic from Remote.co, 40% of the lucky folks who scored remote tech jobs were using these kinds of niche boards.

AngelList is like a VIP lounge for startups thirsting for remote talent.

We're talking over 18,000 startups listed and more joining the party every day. To stand out, pimp your profile with all your remote wizardry and skills.

Elizabeth Perez, this Nucamp grad from Joliet, spilled the tea:

"My AngelList profile was the key to getting noticed by this dope fintech startup. Within weeks, I landed my dream remote gig as a full-stack dev."

Now, Remote OK is like a virtual buffet of remote tech roles – software engineering, data analysis, you name it.

Their search filters are on point, letting you zero in on the goods based on tech stack, experience level, job type, and more. Here's the winning playbook:

1. Job alerts: Set up job alerts for your dream roles and put Joliet, Illinois on the map.
2. Company activity: Scope out the "Hired" section to see which companies are actively recruiting remote tech superstars.
3. Network and learn: Get your network on in the community forums and pick up some pro tips from the remote crew.

According to Remote OK's stats, over 2,500 companies have successfully hired through their platform in the last year alone.

We're talking remote roles at major league players like Basecamp, Zapier, and Dribble, with some seriously hefty paychecks.

In this digital age, working remotely is the new normal, and getting certified in that area can totally boost your tech career. Here's the deal - a recent survey showed that 62% of employers consider remote work certifications hella important when hiring for remote tech roles.

These certs prove you're committed to nailing remote work and give you the skills to crush it in a virtual setting.

Some of the hottest remote work certifications for techies in 2024 include:

• Certification Theme: Certified Remote Work Professional - Certification by the Remote Work Institute shows expertise in remote working skills.
• Certification Theme: Remote Team Collaboration Certification - Offered by Remote.co, it focuses on effective team collaboration skills.
• Certification Theme: Remote Work Management Certification - Certification by Global Workplace Analytics designed for managing remote teams.

These certs cover everything from managing remote teams and virtual communication to cybersecurity and productivity tools.

A study by the Illinois Technology Association found that tech pros with remote work certifications were 37% more likely to land remote job offers than those without them.

If you're in Illinois and looking for remote work certification programs, some solid options are the Remote Work Essentials Certificate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's College of Engineering or the Remote Work Management Certificate Program at Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies.

Coding bootcamps like Nucamp also team up with industry leaders to offer specialized remote work certs perfect for the tech field.

"Remote work certs aren't just about validating your skills - they show you're all about staying ahead of the curve in the constantly changing world of remote work."

- Patricia Gonzalez, Remote Work Specialist at Acme Corp.