In America, the pandemic has changed our idea of how we go to work. Many people got a taste of working from home two years ago, and now that offices are reopening, some have found that they prefer to continue working from home. 

Nowhere is this truer than in the tech world. The nature of the work makes it easy to accomplish the same tasks at home as one would normally perform at an office. While some enjoy the perks of working on a large tech campus, there are a number of good reasons to work from home.

Many web developers are introverts and working at home is just their speed. It cuts down on their need to interact during the day, giving them mental bandwidth to complete their tasks. The ability to control the work environment promotes deep thinking in these individuals and can even improve their overall output. Some people downright dread the social interactions inherent in office work (more here) and find that their anxiety damages their work performance. 

Or maybe you just got really hooked on sourdough baking while you were working from home, and now you can’t stomach the idea of Diane Yeast wasting away while you commute to work every day.

No matter what your reasoning, now is the perfect time to make the leap to a new company that offers you a secure job from the comfort of your own home.

Assess Your Needs

As you’re looking for a job, take time to assess what your needs are. What made you unhappy at your last job? What would have made it easier? What benefits, if any, are requirements for you? Make sure that you have a fully itemized list so you can check it against your future employers.

Now is the time for you to be picky. Having a list ready makes it easier for you to make decisions about where to apply. It’s all right to say “no” to a job that doesn’t suit you. After all, there are many available jobs out there, and you only need one! 

You wouldn’t pick a life partner because they were the first person to swipe right on a dating app, so why should you expect any less compatibility from your job? After all, you’ll be spending a whole lot of time and energy on your job, so it should be one that suits you.

For example, take a look at the company culture. Many developers are tired of the “bro” culture inherent in the industry. Lots of companies have structures that overly promote white men. If you don’t happen to fall into this category, you might be passed by for important projects or promotions regardless of your skill level.

If this sounds like your experience, don’t despair! There are plenty of companies run by women and people of color that can truly appreciate what you have to offer. For example, Authentic Web Solutions is hiring a web developer, and might be a company to add to your shortlist of candidates. They are a women-led business that could be a great fit for you!

Show Your Stuff

Once your list is ready, it’s time for you to take the next step and start sending out applications! But first, you need to make sure that your portfolio is in order. Make sure to have your best work on display. Go for quality over quantity. Choose your three best projects and put those up front. 

If there’s any work, you’re not proud of, don’t include it. You get to decide what goes in your portfolio and what doesn’t, so let your true self shine with the things that resonate most deeply with you.

Land that Job

So, you’ve drafted a list of dream jobs, organized your portfolio, and now you’ve landed an interview. Make sure to do your research ahead of time https://hbr.org/1964/01/strategies-of-effective-interviewing so you’re prepared to really speak up for yourself. No one can advocate for you better than you!

Working from home is the wave of the future. Tech is a field that is leading the way. The best time to take advantage of this is right now. Good luck and happy hunting!