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

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Look, having a killer GitHub portfolio is like your golden ticket to scoring that awesome remote tech gig you've been dreaming of.

These days, employers are all about checking out your GitHub profile to see what you're made of. According to the folks at HackerRank, a whopping 72% of hiring managers will scope out your GitHub when considering you for a role.

By putting in the work to build a banging GitHub portfolio, you'll be showing off your coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail like a boss.

Having a strong GitHub game is so clutch for remote tech job hunters like yourself:

• Flex your projects: Share your code repos, projects, and contributions on GitHub to let employers see your expertise with different programming languages, frameworks, and technologies.
• Highlight your mad skills: Use README files, project descriptions, and commit messages to showcase your technical know-how, problem-solving approach, and documentation abilities.
• Get noticed by the big dogs: A study by Hired revealed that 56% of employers consider a candidate's GitHub portfolio a major factor when making hiring decisions.

To really make your GitHub portfolio pop, here are some pro tips:

1. Keep it organized: Sort your projects by programming languages, technologies, or domains, making it easy for employers to navigate your work.
2. Document like a boss: Include detailed README files with project descriptions, installation instructions, and usage examples to show off your communication and documentation game.
3. Diversify your portfolio: Mix it up with personal projects, open-source contributions, and academic assignments to showcase the full range of your skills and abilities.

"A well-maintained GitHub profile doesn't just show off your coding chops – it also proves you're passionate about what you do and can collaborate like a rockstar." - Matthew Taylor, Software Engineer at Google

By putting in the time and effort to build a killer GitHub portfolio, you'll be positioning yourself as a top contender in the competitive remote tech job market, giving potential employers a chance to see your skills and experience in action.

If you're chasing those sweet remote tech gigs in 2024, you gotta be on point with your LinkedIn game. It's not just about dropping a pic and calling it a day.

This guide from App Academy lays out some tips to optimize your profile and make those connections that matter. First things first, your profile needs to be on fleek.

Craft a headline that screams "hire me" and a summary that showcases your skills and achievements. Don't forget to sprinkle in those buzzwords relevant to your field.

And let's not overlook those sweet recommendations from colleagues who can vouch for your awesome work. But it's not just about what's on your page. You gotta be an active player in the LinkedIn world.

Check out these Newark tech events and get involved in discussions, share your insights, and connect with folks who are killing it in the industry.

Don't be shy, reach out to those influencers and recruiters you admire. A little networking can go a long way, trust me. And here's a pro tip: Embrace remote work opportunities with Newark tech companies.

They might just be your ticket to landing that dream gig without ever leaving your cozy crib. Remember, LinkedIn is more than just a resume dump. It's a powerful tool to build your brand, showcase your skills, and create connections that could lead to some seriously epic opportunities.

So, update that profile, and start networking!

Let's talk about job alerts on Glassdoor and how they can hook you up with dope remote tech gigs.

These alerts are like your personal job-hunting sidekick, notifying you about fresh opportunities that fit your skills and interests. Setting them up is a total no-brainer.

Follow these steps to ensure you're only seeing remote roles:

• Refine Search Filters: On Indeed, click that "Get new jobs for this search by email" option and enter your email. Then, make sure to select "Remote" under the location filter. Boom, you're locked in for remote roles only.
• Create Alerts: Over on Glassdoor, head to the "Job Alerts" section and create a new alert. Again, use that "Job Type" filter and pick "Remote" or "Work from Home." You can even get specific with keywords like "software developer" or "data analyst" to zero in on your dream job.

Both sites let you flex those advanced filters:

• Utilize Advanced Filters: We're talking salary range, company ratings, job level – the whole nine yards. Embrace those flexible job options and tailor your search to perfection.

With personalized job alerts and smart filtering, you'll be the first to know when hot new remote tech jobs hit the market. And that's how you stay ahead of the game, my friend. Just remember to explore those career advancement tips and keep grinding. The remote tech world is yours for the taking!

In this fast-moving tech world, leveling up your skills is a must if you want to stay ahead of the game. A recent study by Burning Glass Technologies found that 95% of job postings for tech roles in 2024 require skills beyond the basics.

That's where online learning platforms like Coursera come in clutch, with a ton of tech courses tailored for remote job seekers like us.

Coursera has teamed up with top universities and tech giants to offer specialized programs covering in-demand skills like:

• Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• Data Science and Machine Learning
• Cybersecurity
• Web Development (Full-Stack, Front-End, Back-End)
• Mobile App Development

According to Coursera's 2024 Career Report, learners who complete these courses and earn certifications increase their chances of getting hired by 38% compared to those without such credentials.

As Andrew Ng, Co-Founder of Coursera, puts it,

"Certifications demonstrate to employers that you have the skills they need, and they can open doors to new job opportunities."

A study by the Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub found that 72% of tech employers in Newark, New Jersey, prioritize candidates with verified online certifications.

That's a solid statistic that shows how valuable Coursera certifications are for landing remote tech roles in our area.

David Martin, an AI Engineer at Cognizant, shares his experience:

"Earning certifications from Coursera's AI and Machine Learning specializations not only expanded my knowledge but also gave me a competitive edge during job interviews. It showcased my dedication to continuous learning, which is highly valued in the tech industry."

So, if you're serious about landing a remote tech job, investing in Coursera certifications could be a game-changer for your career.

Check this out! Attending virtual job fairs hosted by tech giants like Google and Microsoft could be your ticket to landing a sweet remote tech gig straight outta Newark.

These events are like a VIP pass to networking and interviewing with industry leaders and potential employers.

According to the pros at Career Fair Plus, a whopping 92% of job seekers who hit up virtual job fairs scored some serious wins – we're talking 47% landing job offers and 38% securing interviews.

One of the best parts about virtual job fairs is that you can connect with companies without even leaving your crib.

You can scope out job openings, sit in on webinars, and hit up live Q&A sessions from your couch. Tech titans like Google and Microsoft are all over this virtual fair game.

Microsoft even hosted its first-ever Metaverse Career Fair in 2022, offering some seriously immersive experiences and chances to connect with hiring managers.

And Google's Virtual Career Fair series has been a major hit, attracting applicants from all over the world and giving them the inside scoop on the company's culture and hiring process.

Virtual job fairs are a total boss when it comes to networking and scoring interviews.

You can:

• Network with recruiters and professionals: Engage in one-on-one chats, swap virtual business cards, and make some valuable connections.
• Attend interactive workshops and seminars: Get the lowdown on industry trends, job search strategies, and ways to level up your skills.
• Participate in online interviews: Many companies conduct preliminary interviews during the event, putting you on the fast track to getting hired.

As Elizabeth White, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at Microsoft, put it,

"Virtual job fairs allow us to connect with a diverse pool of talent from across the globe, fostering inclusivity and providing equal opportunities for all candidates."

Coding communities are the place to be if you wanna score that sweet remote tech gig. These online spaces are where it's at for leveling up your skills, soaking up knowledge like a sponge, and even landing job opportunities - it's like having a cheat code for your career! Stack Overflow is the king of coding communities, and you gotta get in on the action.

According to a study on programmer communities, these communities are like a goldmine for continuous learning.

You can ask questions, share solutions, and get feedback from experienced coders - it's like having a squad of mentors at your fingertips! Plus, you'll stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies, so you're always ahead of the game.

But that's not all.

Developer communities are where you can build your rep as a coding boss.

When you contribute and showcase your skills, you're basically putting yourself on the radar for potential employers. It's like having a portfolio that screams, "Hire me, I'm awesome!"

A study by HiredInTech found that developers who were active in communities like Stack Overflow were three times more likely to get job offers than those who weren't. So, it's not just about learning; it's about putting yourself out there and getting noticed by the right people.

As Elizabeth Smith, a seasoned software engineer who landed her dream job through Stack Overflow, puts it, "Engaging with the developer community can open up a world of opportunities.

It's a chance to showcase your skills, learn from others, and get noticed by top employers." So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start building your coding community cred - your future remote tech job might just be a few contributions away!

Scoring that remote tech gig is all about optimizing your resume for those pesky ATS systems. These fancy robots filter out resumes before actual humans even get a chance to check them out.

Without the right keywords, your application could get tossed in the trash without anyone seeing it. That's where platforms like Jobscan come in clutch.

They'll hook you up with tools to make sure your resume is packed with all the right buzzwords to catch the recruiter's eye.

According to Jobscan's research, resumes with a higher keyword match rate to the job description landed up to 6x more interviews than those without proper optimization.

Using just 20% more of the specific keywords from the job posting can boost your chances of getting through an ATS by a whopping 38%. The trick is to sprinkle in the most relevant keywords related to the role, industry, and required skills, without going overboard and stuffing your resume like a Thanksgiving turkey.

Here's how you can leverage Jobscan to up your keyword game:

• Scan your resume against the job posting to see where you're lacking in keywords.
• Weave in relevant keywords naturally throughout your resume, especially in the summary, skills section, and job descriptions.
• Use different variations and synonyms of important keywords to outsmart different ATS systems.
• Consider adding a "Key Skills" section to neatly list all your relevant technical and professional keywords.

As LinkedIn reports, "Applicants with resumes that match a job's requirements word-for-word are 52% more likely to score an interview." By taking advantage of Jobscan's resume optimization tools, you can seriously boost your resume's compatibility with ATS systems, making it easier for potential employers to find you and increasing your chances of landing that sweet remote tech job you've been dreaming about.

Look, in today's tech world, having solid coding skills isn't enough to land your dream job.

You've got to flex those soft skills too, like communication, teamwork, and creativity.

That's what companies want now, especially for remote roles.

And one great way to show off your communication game? Make a slick video intro using Loom.

It lets you record your screen, face, or both while laying down that smooth voiceover. Plus, you can get all interactive with drawings and emojis to really make your point pop.

A well-made Loom video lets you flaunt skills like clear speaking, storytelling, body language, and even handling questions on the fly.

It's like a one-stop shop to prove you're a team player who can collaborate virtually without missing a beat.

Companies know technical skills only go so far.

As that LinkedIn study said, 92% of recruiters value soft skills just as much when choosing candidates. With AI on the rise, those human qualities like problem-solving and adapting to change are what'll give you an edge over the robots.

So don't sleep on leveling up your soft skills, especially for remote work.

A great Loom intro might just be the ticket to impressing hiring managers and scoring that six-figure gig you've been chasing.