How to get a highly paid remote job as a developer?

What was once a niche decision that some companies made, became an inevitable choice and a major shift in how people across the world work. Remote working is not a novel idea. The 2020 pandemic just accelerated this change and forced companies who were not open to remote work to consider this idea.

This has especially been useful for those in the IT sector such as developers who could now find lucrative opportunities from the comfort of their couch. Businesses and developers alike were introduced to talent platforms such as Toptal where experienced developers could find projects and clients that were aligned to their professional goals, interests, and aspirations and also get a competitive pay for their work. The talent marketplace allows you to work on innovative projects with the world’s top organizations. They offer a competitive and reliable pay while allowing you to work remotely.

According to Buffer’s 2021 State of Remote Work, 97.6% of respondents would like to work remotely at least some of the time for the rest of their career and 97% of respondents said they would recommend remote work to others.

One of the most striking benefits of remote work for most of the respondents was, unquestionably, the flexibility that it offers. 32% chose the ability to have a flexible schedule as their top benefit, followed by 25 % who preferred the flexibility to work from any location as their benefit.

Why should an experienced developer opt for a remote job?

The benefits of remote working are not limited just to the company. Experienced developers can significantly benefit from a remote job because the demand for such skills is high, the job is interesting, and the pay is good. However, most of all, it gives you the option to work from the comfort of your home.

Not to mention that a flexible work schedule can help you improve your productivity and output. Tired after an intense workout? Take a short break and start work after some time. Great weather outside? Go out for a walk or a ride and get to work in the evening. Remote work allows you to balance your personal and professional lives.

Here are eight reasons why, as an experienced developer, you should opt for a remote job.

1. It’s easier on your wallet

You can save commuting costs and maybe rent while living in an expensive city. Companies, too, are looking to outsource work as it saves them money. Remote work is a win-win situation for both parties involved.

2. It’s low stress

Getting up every day and going to an office alone can be stressful. Battling the traffic or peak rush-hour can drain you and the pressure to perform well at work and handle all the projects effectively only adds to the stress. Remote work allows you to decide where you want to work from making it easier for you to focus only on work and be productive.

3. It allows you to engage effectively

With video conferencing tools such as Zoom and Skype, you can connect with people across borders and collaborate easily. Moreover, since you’ll be blocking hours to discuss something specific, it reduces the chances of time waste and allows you to have more effective engagements.

4. It’s the future of work

According to the latest state of remote work, the future of businesses is remote. It allows you to go beyond borders and find companies that you want to work with. Moreover, with access to a plethora of collaboration tools, remote work is not just easy but also highly efficient.

5. Greater efficiency at work

The opportunity to work with global clients on world-class development projects encourages you to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies globally and ensures that you’re learning at all times.

6. You can find something that suits your niche specifically

There’s a huge demand for experienced developers. However, if you have experience in a specific tech stack and niche technology, then you could find clients who’re looking for that expertise. You can build your portfolio around that specific niche and work on projects that cater to those specific technologies.

7. It helps you stay more motivated

Factors such as the right systems, a sense of autonomy, and the option to work with companies across the world and projects that truly interest you, allow you to be more motivated and committed to your work. Instead of dreading a project, you’ll be looking forward to it because it suits your skill sets and is professionally great for you.

8. It allows you to concentrate better

When working remotely, you can block off some hours and shut yourself in a room to do deep work. Unlike the office, where colleagues keep coming to talk to you or there are other distractions, remote work allows you to concentrate on your work better. This allows you to get more done in less time.

What companies could you consider working for as an experienced developer?

There are various talent networks such as Toptal, Flexjobs, Fiverr Pro, etc that you could consider when looking for a remote job as an experienced developer. Platforms such as Toptal are a great choice because they match your skills and professional goals with the clients and projects that would best suit you.

You could also consider cold pitching and finding clients on your own merit. The only drawback there is you’ll end up spending a lot of time in administrative work which you can otherwise focus on doing actual paid work. Platforms like Toptal take this administrative work off your plate making it easier for you to just focus on the real work.

As a platform, Toptal is best suited for experienced developers who have a few years of experience under their belt. Being part of the network makes it easy for you to stay employed for the whole year without a worry. Toptal also offers a rate calculator tool to help you charge the right amount for your service keeping your experience and skill in mind.

Toptal is extremely strict with its screening process because it wants to ensure that companies who come there get the best talent and fit your pay requirements. You could also consider other websites such as Upwork, Gigster, Fiverr Pro, etc. However, these websites get competitive and they don’t really give you a breather from the administrative work.

What factors to consider when looking for remote opportunities?

Here are some factors to consider when looking for remote work opportunities:

• Build a dedicated workspace and set specific work hours
• Learn how to communicate effectively and document everything
• Planning is key especially if you’re managing multiple clients
• Identify potential distractions and get rid of them before starting work
• Learn to prioritize tasks and tackle the smaller stuff later
• Create a task management system by opting for a task management app
• Find the right companies and projects to work on so that you’re always engaged

Should you take the leap and look for remote work as a developer?

There’s no dearth of reasons that favor remote work. It gives you autonomy and an option to work with clients and companies you want to. It allows you to get a global experience and unprecedented professional growth opportunities--all without leaving the comfort of your home. With Toptal for example, you design your full-time freelance career and enjoy flexibility while you get paid on time, every time.

Remote work in the future and the sooner you adapt to it, the better it’ll be for your professional growth.