Python is a language that is easy to read, can be used in a wide variety of ways, is scalable, but for whatever reason is not routinely talked about as a ‘go-to’ language. We have friends in the industry who use python as their main language for creating quick scripts for marketing or other simple tasks, but we’ve yet to hear someone say ‘Our back-end is written in Python”
Nevertheless, we had to do some major digging to find the best resources for remote python developers (check out this article in Hacker News about Python Jobs) but only found a handful of sites that seem worth it. The following is what we found to be the top six sites for remote Python jobs.
#6. Linkedin
Pros
- Well known: Almost everyone has a Linkedin professional requirement
- Filter works in Keyword (will also have to try “telecommute”
- Huge # of opportunities
- Mostly Corporate jobs
Cons:
- Not Developer focused (lots of clutter)
- TOO MANY CHOICES, awful filters (we counted 8k)
- Most of the positions are posted by recruiters (cybercoders specifically)
Overall:
We were surprised by the huge # of opportunities, but ultimately disappointed because 1/2’s of them were posted by CyberCoders (a tech consulting firm) & their truly awful filtering capabilities.
However, since Linkedin has become the dominant social network for careers (and most people having a Linkedin Profile) it’s one of the most populous job boards. The best benefit (if you have a filled out profile) is you can apply directly to positions using your linkedin profile, so no resume is needed. Going forward, if Linkedin was to add a “remote’ checkbox as a filter criteria, we might move Linkedin to #1 on our list
#5. Indeed / SimplyHired
Pros
- Extremely Popular Job site (typically top ranking results for job searches)
- OK filter (enter “Remote, Telecommute, OR anywhere ” in location OR Keyword search)
- Decent number of opportunities
- Good Mix of Startup + Corporate
Cons
- Is just an aggregator, you will have to apply on employer’s site
- Not Developer focused
- Lots of ‘noise’ to go through, and filter’s don’t work too well
Overall
Indeed/ SimplyHired aggregates from a huge amount of job boards, so it initially seems as if they have the most opportunities. However, since they only aggregate, interested Python job seekers will still have to apply on the listing companies site, which is a huge time waste if you’re applying to many opportunities. The search function only returns opportunities that have ‘remote’ in their subject line, but this still returns a decent amount. Overall, Indeed & similar job are average at best for finding remote Python jobs, but they have the potential to be a great resource if they add a “remote” search box
#4 Skip The Drive
Pros
- Only Remote Opportunities, No need to filter jobs!
- Mostly corporate or agency positions
- Simple to navigate – Simple UX / UI
Cons
- Limited opportunities + some opportunities are aggregated.
- Only a few startup opportunities.
- Average quality of opportunities
Overall
Skip the Drive had a surprising amount of opportunities (compared to other sites w/ python), but it’s lacking any game-changing quality that would push it to the top 3 sites. Skip the Drive is one to keep an eye on, but it’s currently not a ‘top’ site.
#3 DjangoGigs
Pros
- Large # of Python opportunities
- Well known in the Django world
- US & a large number of international opportunities.
- No Signup Necessary
- Great Design
Cons
- Django Focused Board (not just Python)
Overall
DjangoGigs is a great job board for Django (we really couldn’t find any strong negatives) but since our list is for Python, we didn’t feel as though it was proper to put it as our #1. Either way, props to the team at Djangogigs, they know how to make a simple, intuitive job board!
#2. FlexJobs
Pros
- Most popular Python job board (for all positions)
- Largest # of real Python opportunities (very low on recruiters)
- Well known (good marketplace)
- Mix of Corporate and Startup
Cons
- Poor UI
- Have to become a member to apply
- COST (monthly fee to be a member)
Overall
At first, we didn’t think too much of flexjobs because the site looks a bit ‘spammy’ at first glance. However, they have a huge amount of Python Opportunities, more than every other job board site yet. The one giant glaring weakness is that they charge job seekers a monthly subscription fee to apply to their positions. This allows them to have cheaper prices for employers to post opportunities, but is also quite annoying when nothing is guaranteed on the job seeker side. Nevertheless, if you’re really looking to get a new remote position, the monthly fee is nominal if you actually do apply to a ton of opportunities and use your payment to it’s full potential.:)
#1. Stack Overflow Careers
Pros:
- Number of truly remote posts (approx.): High (49 Python)
- Quality of Employers: There’s some really solid employers posting great opportunities.
- Quality of Applicants: Through our experience hiring, we consistently found awesome applicants through Stack Overflow
- Application Management: Strictly for employers, but Stack Overflow has created a very simple way to manage applicants. Making it more likely that employers will stick with it.
Cons:
- Price: $495 a post for employers, which limits the pool size.
- Awareness: We think they could draw more attention to it for developers
Overall
We’ve posted to many different job boards to help clients fill technical positions, but have always gotten the best Python applicants and the highest volume through Stack Overflow. On the job seeker side, we found a solid number of opportunities, and it was a great mix of startup and corporate positions.
Stack Overflow has positioned itself so well by creating two simple check boxes: one for employers, one for job seekers. In the job posting form (for employers) the following statement is below the ‘Telecommute’ checkbox–‘Check this only if you are considering candidates who will work entirely remotely’. Job seekers have the option to select ‘Allows remote’ in their locations
Summary
Similar to our Ruby Board, Stack Overflow won because of it’s superior interface, volume & quality of opportunities, and the popularity / trust of the site. There isn’t that much buzz for Python these days, and most of the Python sites we reviewed had a design similar to what was commonplace for the internet in the mid 2000’s. We’re not sure if these site owners just don’t want to reinvest in their sites because they know the language is losing popularity, or just plain laziness.
Further, we found creating this list harder than some of the other languages and frameworks for a variety of reasons, namely our lack of experience recruiting Python engineers. Over the past few years, we routinely work with developers that “know some Python” & either used it when they were first starting out, or worked with it since it was the legacy code they inherited in an old position. We haven’t met any developers that have ‘toyed around with Python’ or are interested in learning the foundations of it, and we don’t get asked to develop applications in it. For these reasons, we expect more disagreement in the comments than for our other job boards, but welcome all help in creating the perfect list!
