There may no longer be cake in the break room, but remote workers are still reporting that theyâre happy. From better work-life balance to an interest in more remote and hybrid work, employees in the software development field are open to new possibilities.
The trend of hiring programmers online spiked with the pandemic, and it doesnât show signs of returning to in-office anytime soon. Itâs become the new norm, so companies around the world are exploring ways to hire and manage talent online.
Whether you're looking to hire or be hired, it's worth exploring the latest stats.
New to BearPeak?
- Explore our software studio.
- Learn more about us.
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
1. Developers are open to remote work
The first thing to consider is whether developers even want to work this way. If being forced to work from home during the pandemic had caused software developers to miss the office lifestyle, itâd be difficult for businesses to hire remote workers today. But a survey conducted by Stack Overflow (a popular online community for developers) found that over 41% of surveyed developers have kept working fully remote through 2022 and 2023.
The demand for remote work among programmers has stayed strong since the pandemic, making it easier for companies to find qualified candidates who wonât require office accommodations.
2. Dev Shops have moved online
Since the pandemic, the percentage of software developers working remote or hybrid has skyrocketed to over 80%. Stack Overflow's 2023 Developer Survey found that smaller organizations with fewer than 20 employees are more likely to work fully remote, while larger organizations are mostly hybrid. This is important to consider on both ends of employment: The one hiring and the one being hired. Consider where your business fits in with these statistics as well as where youâd like it to fit in the future.
3. The preference for remote vs in-office work is split
A 2023 study by Statista found that 67% of respondents believe the biggest benefit to working remotely is the "flexibility in how to spend [their] time". In close second, the flexibility to choose their work location meant the most to 62%.
It comes as no surprise that remote work allows employees more flexibility. Working around a family life, living in a different time zone, or living a digital nomad lifestyle are more readily available options than ever before.
But there are also downsides to consider: A consistent schedule and a clear separation between work and home helped some employees with consistency and focus. Additionally, socializing with coworkers and feeling a strong sense of team pride is quite different through a computer screen.
4. Soft skills may be more difficult to evaluate
According to a report by LinkedIn, 75% of recruiters face difficulties finding candidates with the right blend of technical and soft skills (such as communication and teamwork). Despite working hundreds of miles apart from one another, soft skills are still vital to team success and can be difficult to evaluate long-distance.
However, new tools such as online coding tests and video interviews are making it easier for recruiters to assess candidates' skills remotely. Employers are also finding creative ways to practice team-building exercises, like video call hangouts and group celebrations.
5. Remote jobs will keep increasing
According to a survey conducted by Upwork (a leading online freelance platform), "78% of hiring managers who engage skilled freelancers are confident in their ability to find the talent they need, compared to just 63% of those who donât engage freelancers." Plus, "79% of businesses agree that working with independent talent enables their business to be more innovative." This is especially true for the technology industry, where companies increasingly rely on online hiring to find top talent.
Whether you prefer working in-office, hybrid, or fully remote, this recent and sudden shift in employment canât be ignored. It will be interesting to experience this change and see what happens as a result: less daily pollution from commuters? Office spaces left unused? Teams of people working together for years whoâve never met in person? But remote employees may have better work-life balances and happier experiences at their jobs than ever before; Only time will tell.
Hiring Programmers
Looking to hire a remote software developer for your project? Contact us to get connected! We always offer free consultations and reviews of your current code.