I’ve been searching for remote software engineer jobs and struggling to find updated or reliable listings. I could use some guidance on where to look or platforms that consistently have good remote job postings. Any suggestions?
Alright, buckle up because the remote software engineer job hunt can feel like searching for the Holy Grail these days, but here’s the reality check — you gotta diversify where you’re looking. It’s not 2015 anymore, where everyone just spammed Indeed and called it a day. So here’s what you can do:
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AngelList - If startups don’t scare the living code out of you, AngelList is all about connecting with early-stage companies. Remote gigs? Tons. Pay? Hit or miss. Risk? Equal to bungee-jumping with duct tape, but hey, some folks live for the thrill.
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We Work Remotely - No frills, all remote. You don’t have to scroll past 800 “onsite jobs” only to weep silently. Downside? Competition can be a bloodbath.
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Himalayas – Fancy a sleek, user-driven experience? These guys focus exclusively on remote work. Plus, their filters are cleaner than a fresh Linux install. Fewer listings, sure, but quality over quantity, right?
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LinkedIn – I know, I know. It’s basically Facebook with a suit, but fine-tune your profile, smash that “Open to Work” on remote jobs only, and recruiters will slide into your DMs. Like, sometimes aggressively.
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GitHub Jobs (RIP) – Yeah, GitHub killed their jobs board (cry a little), but sometimes companies still post about remote positions directly on repos. A long shot, yet oddly effective if you’re lurking the right projects.
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Toptal, Upwork, Fiverr – If going freelance doesn’t make you break into hives, toss your resume into these and start bidding on projects. Expect lowball offers initially, though. Gotta prove yourself first.
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Remote OK – Big database, solid leads. Honestly, it feels like a nerf gun of job postings being aimed at your face most days, but it works for finding remote gigs consistently.
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Recruiter Hustle – Call me a pessimist, but some of the best remote jobs are NOT posted publicly. Build relationships with recruiters, even if the thought makes your inner introvert scream. They’re out there finding gems.
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Twitter (X? Eww.) – Yeah, surprisingly. Throw hashtags like #remotework #softwarejobs and follow some tech influencers. People throw remote job leads out like confetti over there.
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Stack Overflow Jobs – Okay, not everything is remote, but you can filter. Local devs are always salty about it so, hey, fewer competitors in the remote pool maybe?
Pro-tip: Don’t limit yourself by just slamming your resume into every job portal. Start tailoring resumes for each listing. I know it sounds miserable, but it’s not the first boss fight you’ve faced.
Remember, rejection is inevitable, you’re not the only one out here grinding. Keep at it, and maybe stop using the same janky resume you made in college. You’re welcome.
Two cents, building on what @sognonotturno said but steering slightly off. If you’re not finding what you need, maybe it’s time to rethink how you’re searching. Sure, job boards are great, but everyone and their dog is also swarming those. It’s like tossing a resume into a black hole. Here’s another approach:
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Company Websites Directly – Sounds tedious, right? But big companies that prioritize remote work (e.g., Automattic, Zapier, GitLab) always list their open positions on their own websites. Skipping the middleman might just get you ahead.
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Networking (Ugh, but…) – Hate to say it, but talking to actual humans works wonders. Slack communities for devs, Subreddits like r/remotejs or r/devopsjobs, and even niche Facebook groups can point you toward jobs no one bothers to post on boards.
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Interview Reverse-Engineering – Hear me out: Apply for ‘onsite preferred’ jobs you ACTUALLY like and blow them away in the interview. Then negotiate for remote. Works more often than you’d think. Companies crave talent over logistics sometimes.
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Competitions/Open Source Contributions – Sites like HackerRank, TopCoder, etc., not only help you showcase skills but also sometimes turn into job offers. Also, contributing to open-source projects where hiring companies lurk can be a sneaky in.
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Smokescreen Platforms – Avoid 'em – Some of these boards get sketchy and outdated—Remote.co, for instance, has a utopian vibe but half the listings lead to redirects or dead ends. If your time’s being wasted on one of these, ditch it.
Lastly, experiment with showing off. Build an irresistible portfolio site, blog about inline functions or Kubernetes quirks, or, heck, post tutorials on YouTube. A surprising number of hiring managers find people through personal projects.
And yeah, rejection stacks up real fast, but every “no” is closer to that envoy-of-the-doom-box remote gig, right? Push through.
Alright, let’s throw some additional strategies into the mix since the hunt for remote software engineer roles can feel like chasing a variable in an infinite loop. You’ve already got some great insights from others here, but let me zig where they zag.
Hidden Treasure Hunt for Remote Tech Gigs
1. Niche-Specific Job Boards
Sure, AngelList and We Work Remotely get mentioned a lot, but try Remote Crypto Jobs or No Desk if you’re coding for niche industries like blockchain or startups. The narrower the board’s focus, the less oversaturation with applicants. The con? Less volume.
2. Hacker News ‘Who’s Hiring?’
Their monthly thread (offered by Y Combinator) is the digital equivalent of a secret door into startups actively hiring. Tons of remote work opportunities are buried in there. Downsides? Patience-testing. Sifting through massive threads can be soul-draining.
3. Alumni Networks or Bootcamp Connections
Lean on your college alumni network or coding bootcamp—many underrated job listings circulate via these channels. Hiring managers look for trust through referrals, and this often bypasses the competition from public listings altogether.
4. Job Aggregator Extensions
Install a tool like Job Board Fire or RemoteWise, which scrapes listings from multiple platforms into one feed. It’s a time-saver but sometimes gets you outdated ones, so still double-check specifics.
5. Direct Outreach Marathons
Find companies you genuinely admire (not just any remote-first org) and pitch something valuable instead of just cold applying. Mention specific improvements or existing gaps; your application becomes harder to ignore.
“If I Build It, They Will Come”
Ever consider showcasing your skills proactively instead of responding reactively? Post your personal technical projects on GitHub or even make a shiny demo site. Let your work attract opportunities through visibility instead of constant refreshing on job boards. Downside: takes extra time but acts as a passive lure.
Stack Overflow Developer Story: A unique section of Stack Overflow where devs highlight their skills for employers. Sounds underrated, right? That’s because more folks love to use it just for Q&A. Why not showcase yourself prominently on a site where the audience matches your desired job?
The DO-NOT-DONE List
Avoid platforms that haven’t been touched since the Stone Age of remote work. Sites like Jobspresso or PeoplePerHour often throw ancient postings at you—meh. Save your sanity; filter your time inputs to meaningful outputs.
Not going to lie, remote-first SOPs take patience. You’ve got some top-level advice from others here, but throwing experimentation into your strategy might open doors. Whether through collaborative online communities, building your portfolio visibility, or even pulling the wire directly with decision-makers, the hunt isn’t just where you look—it’s how. Keep grinding!