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5 Tips to Stay Motivated for Remote Software Developers

Every home has several distractions — from pets and family members to social media, daytime TV, and household chores. In the end, your soft couch cushion and pajamas may not provide the same level of motivation you’d have when surrounded by your coworkers in an office building.

Even when everything quiets down or you’re home alone, staying productive, getting everything done, and staying on task is challenging. But it’s definitely possible with the right toolkit. Here are some ways to stay motivated as a remote software developer.

1. Self-care is Essential

When working from home, prioritize your health. Even without COVID-19, fulfilling emotional, physical, and social demands in a distant situation is difficult. And when you’re forced to limit your interactions with colleagues to video chatting, it’s even more critical to employ enough self-care in other aspects of your life.

Every now and then, take the time to ask yourself what you could be doing to take more care of yourself. If you find loneliness, communication challenges, or the lack of in-person oversight that comes with remote work difficult,  consider what you can do to help yourself. And if you enter crunch time and your stress levels soar, make sure your self-care follows suit.

2. Set up a Schedule

One of the most common misunderstandings regarding remote work is having more free time since you may work whenever you want. First of all, many software development companies work set hours even in a remote environment to ensure remote collaboration is feasible in practice.

And secondly, you’ll be surprised how easily work may get away from you if you have flexible hours and work from home. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself in unplanned overtime more often if you don’t create a strict schedule. The lack of a fixed schedule may be detrimental to more than just your personal life and spare time — without a structured workday, it’s far easier to become distracted and get off track while working. Tasks that should take 20 minutes will take several hours.

You need a clear, strict timetable and the determination to follow it. Pick your work hours and make them a habit.

3. Create a Dedicated Workspace

Since becoming a remote software engineer developer, it’s difficult to resist the comfiest areas in your house – your bed/couch. Some people work on their beds without using a table. However, it is not long before you realize that this setup is not functioning. Even if your back can handle the pressure, working from bed means you’ll begin associating your bed with your job, which will most certainly disrupt your sleep habits. This might have an impact on your productivity the next day.

A desk is necessary. If you don’t have a home office or a separate work desk space, set aside a section of your kitchen table for work.

4. Chat With Colleagues

Working remotely makes it easy to feel alienated and lonely, which saps motivation. And, if you’re accustomed to forming personal and professional ties with your coworkers by passing by their desks for a chat, make sure you’re doing it electronically as well.

Contact other team members regularly to discuss non-work issues via an online chat app or a video conference. You may even take things a step further by suggesting virtual gaming or online team-building activities.

5. Reward Yourself

Speaking of incentives, if you want to remain motivated when working remotely, you need to treat yourself from time to time. Using this basic strategy to inspire yourself daily is only one of many things you’ll have to do to stick to a routine.

For example, if you complete all of your work by 6 p.m., you may watch a couple of episodes of your favorite TV program in the evening. Alternatively, if you’ve managed to keep to your self-care and fitness schedule throughout the week, allow yourself a reward.

You’d be amazed how much a series of modest incentives may help you complete all of your tasks on time and effectively.

Hopefully, this article can help you get more ways to stay motivated and improve yourself to become a successful remote software developer. If you want to join a product-based company in Singapore and work remotely from Vietnam, Inspius can help! Find out more here.

4 Reasons why English is important to Software Engineers

English is now the most widely spoken language in the world. Besides being used for daily communication, this is also the golden key for each person’s success on their career path. Especially for software engineers who are constantly exposed to cutting-edge technology, English plays a decisive role in their success and promotion. 

Let’s go into further detail on why English is crucial for software engineers.

1. Books and Programming materials are all in English

Most online or offline materials in the information technology business are written in English. Therefore, whether you like it or not, if you are already a programmer, you must read them.

There are also documents that have been translated into Vietnamese. However, to fully understand them, you still need to read the right source with specialized terms in English. In many circumstances, even if the materials are translated into Vietnamese, you will find some words in it extremely difficult to understand, especially if you are not good at English. 

In addition, there are not as many programming resources in Vietnamese as in English. Only 100 million people are living in Vietnam, but billions of people speak English across the world. Because of this, learning English is essential if you want to make significant advancements in your career.

2. Opportunities in International Business

There are many companies are turning to global remote hiring, especially in Singapore, which is dealing with a tech talent shortage. You will have a better chance of working with international firms if you can read and comprehend English papers and have good communication skills (but you don’t have to be an expert).

The integration and collaboration with foreign firms are developing in the present market economy. For instance, if you do not speak English, you are restricted from working in the nation. There is no alternative.

Today, most global corporations and enterprises, particularly in the information technology sector, need proficient programmers who are also knowledgeable in other languages. If you are confident in your English skills, you have a good chance of getting a job with one of these companies.

3. Access to cutting-edge technology

People are always highly interested in new technologies. When a new technological innovation is created, it means that it will answer a problem that earlier technologies either did not solve or did not solve well. Whoever understands and implements technology first will have more chances.

Every technology, of course, has materials – manuals – and it’s all in English. Then, if you’re fluent in English, you’ll have easier access to that technology, master it, and dominate the market.

4. Opportunities to get a high-paying job

Finally, compensation is one of the key motivating factors that drive many people to pursue a career in information technology. High wage is one of the most powerful motivators for us to strive. However, a high salary implies that you are expected to provide more value to the organization.

Businesses often look for applicants who are good at English and are ready to provide a somewhat greater compensation than those who do not speak a foreign language. They are aware that being able to speak many languages will almost certainly bring a great deal of value to their company.

Conclusion

Here are four reasons why learning English is extremely important. Not just software engineers, but in this day and age, if you do not speak English, you will be at a significant disadvantage in comparison to others.

There might be many additional reasons, but in general, learning a foreign language is a strategy that you should plan. It will undoubtedly be challenging, but it will be worthwhile in the long run!

Software Engineer Resume Tips 2022

Software engineering and development jobs will grow by 22% between 2019 and 2029. According to Evans Data Corporation, the number of developer jobs is expected to increase from 23.9 million in 2019 to 28.7 million in 2024.

However, while more software engineer positions will become available in the coming years, more candidates will compete for your position. To be considered, you must know how to write a killer software engineering resume. Whether starting from scratch or having an alpha version of a software engineer resume, the advice and tips below will help you turn it into a stable release candidate.

How to Format your Software Engineer Resume?

Before thinking about highlighting your skills on your resume, you must first format it correctly. Your resume should not be difficult to read for your recruiter. It should be simple to read and appealing to skim through.

Let’s look at the different resume format types you can choose among.

The Reverse-Chronological Resume Format, one of the most popular, places your most important skills at the top of your resume. This ensures that the recruiter recognises your worth as soon as they review your resume.

If you have strong software engineering skills but lack work experience, the Functional Resume Format should be your go-to.

Aside from these two, if you’re a software engineer with skills and work experience, you can always use the Combination Resume Format. This type is a combination of both the previous resume format types.

What You Should Include in Your Software Engineering Resume

Usually, a software engineering resume is broken into a few main sections, such as:

  • Contact Information
  • Work Experience
  • Education
  • Skills

Want to highlight yourself even more? Try adding some of these sections:

  • Languages
  • Awards & Certifications
  • Interests & Hobbies

Writing a Software Engineer Resume Summary/Objective

The average recruiter spends approximately 6 seconds on each resume. Within this limited time, one section will serve as a good preview of your entire resume: The summary or objective of your resume. Write a brief, eye-catching resume summary or objective and explain to your recruiter why you’re the best candidate for the job, and you’re done! You’ve piqued their interest.

Let’s compare both sections to see which one suits your needs.

Software Engineer Resume Summary

In 2-4 sentences, summarise your professional experiences and accomplishments.

Example for Software Engineer Resume Summary:

“Software Engineer with 10+ years of industry experience capable of leading large engineering teams to achieve set goals on a given time-frame, coming up with innovative solutions. Experience working for a diverse clientele with strong Database management and MySQL, Java and .NET skills.”

Software Engineer Resume Objective

This section, again in 2-4 sentences, discusses your professional goals.

Example for Software Engineer Resume Objective:

“Hardworking software engineer looking for the opportunity to follow a successful career in software development at (company name). Experience with coding, troubleshooting and testing for various projects at (university name). Good skills in debugging and machine learning.”

Which of the two options is best for your situation?

A summary is preferable if you are an experienced software engineer.

Choose an objective for graduates, undergraduates, and those with less industry experience.

What is included in the Work Experience Section of a Software Engineer Resume?

In this section, you must provide sufficient evidence to convince your recruiter that you can perform the job role well. You should include the following details when structuring your work experience:

  • Position Name
  • Company Name
  • Dates of employment.
  • Important accomplishments and responsibilities.

An example of Software Engineer Resume Work Experience:

Begin your resume work history with your most recent job and work your way backward. The total length of your resume should not exceed two pages, though a single page is often preferable if you have less experience. If necessary, leave out short-term or irrelevant jobs.

Skills Section of your Software Engineer Resume

A recruiter will be interested in your work experience, but they will also want to know what additional skills you can bring to the team. This would help elevate your status as a potential addition to the company in the recruiter’s mind. Remember to emphasise the necessary skills for a software engineering job. Not all of your abilities will fall into this category. Some of the most common skills listed on software engineer resumes are:

Hard Skills for a Software Engineer Resume

  • PHP
  • Data Structures
  • Machine Learning
  • Debugging
  • Database Management System
  • Agile (Scrum) Methodologies
  • Data analysis & formatting
  • Requirements gathering
  • Distributed Database Systems
  • Multimedia and Web Databases
  • Web Development
  • MongoDB, PostgreSQL
  • Hadoop, Spark, AWS, GCP
  • JUnit, Mockito, TDD
  • Java, Python, SQL

Soft Skills for a Software Engineer Resume

  • Leadership Skills
  • Creative Thinking
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Time-Management
  • Research

Now that you’ve covered the essentials, what other additional things can you include in your resume?

As previously stated, you can enhance your resume by including additional sections such as Languages, Awards & Certifications, and Interests & Hobbies. Let’s go over these extra sections and see what you can put in each.

Languages

Don’t be afraid to include all of the languages you know. Your recruiter may occasionally be looking for someone who can work with clients who speak different languages. Don’t just list the languages you know; rank them according to your level of proficiency.

Native

Fluent

Proficient

Intermediate

Basic

Awards and Certifications

If you’ve taken courses to improve your skills, this is the place to show them off. List all of the awards you’ve received for anything related to software engineering. 

Interests and Hobbies

Why is it necessary to include a section in which you discuss your love of reading or your stamp collection? Because doing so allows your recruiter to get to know you as a person. It will also demonstrate that you are a good team player if you enjoy team sports as a hobby. It’s always a good idea to do background research on the company you’re applying to. You can learn whether or not the company’s work culture encourages hobbies and interests outside of work. Also, if you don’t have much experience in the field, this is a good way to demonstrate your uniqueness to your recruiter.

Other Tips

  • Your resume may not be flashy, but it should be clear and concise. The appropriate font size is 12-14, using some basic fonts like Times New Roman and Arial. 
  • Section headings should be clearly written, bold, and readable at a glance. Employers may pay too much attention to form but take the time to align and check for spelling errors. These little things will show your professionalism.
  • You should export the resume file as a PDF; any computer can open it. If you leave it in Word format, it may have a font error, affecting your resume’s quality.

Final Words

Do a quick resume review just before submitting your application to ensure everything is in order, from your resume format to your relevant skills section. Reread the software engineer job description to see if you missed anything. If possible, get a friend, family member, or roommate to proofread your documents or resume builder draft. Now, send your perfect resume off to the hiring manager or IT recruiter, and land your dream job!

Remote Working Trend in Singapore 2022

Singapore has demonstrated its ability to adapt its workforce to sudden disruptions and keep the ongoing crisis in check as the world’s second-most globally connected country during the Covid-19 pandemic. Remote work is becoming more popular than regular on-site office hours and traditional office space. The good news for software engineers who prefer remote work: Singapore-based companies are turning to global remote hiring.

Interest in remote work is up 556%

According to a recent Lemon.io study, the following trends in Google searches were discovered:

  • Searches for “work when you want remote jobs” have risen by 556%
  • Searches for “what remote jobs are in demand” are up 357%
  • Searches for “remote positions” and “remote part-time jobs” are up 85% and 105%, respectively, reaching an all-time high.

Companies are reconsidering their plans for large, centralized office spaces as a result of this global trend. This could be a permanent change. Instead of being an added benefit for valued employees, flexible working arrangements will become the norm in certain industries, especially in tech firms

Remote work will more likely be permanent in Singapore

With experts predicting that the coronavirus will be with us forever, remote work schemes are more likely to be the future of business. Most Singaporeans want flexible or hybrid working to continue after the Covid-19 pandemic is over. According to Microsoft’s survey, this figure is higher than the global average of 73% because 82% of Singaporean employees surveyed want flexible remote work conditions to stay.

Microsoft recently conducted a Work Trends study that included over 30,000 people from 31 countries, including Singapore. More than 82% of the 1,002 workers surveyed in Singapore want flexible remote work options to stay.

According to Lark, a technology company, and Milieu Insight, an online market research firm, 94%of professionals, managers, and executives (PMEs) want flexible work arrangements to continue. Even at the peak of the pandemic in 2020, the resident workforce demonstrated adaptability to new remote work arrangements. Between April and June 2020, both employers and employees reported an increase in productivity.

Singapore companies are turning to remote hiring in the face of a tech talent shortage.

Scouring for tech talent has long been a challenge for companies in Singapore, an island with a population of just 5.7 million.  With more global and regional technology companies establishing a presence in Singapore, the talent hunt has become even more intense, prompting businesses to actively pursue remote hiring.

Acceptance of the pandemic-induced telecommuting culture that has prevailed for over two years has also accelerated the trend of remote hiring from neighboring geographies.

Since last year, tech giants like Zoom, Stripe, ByteDance, Tencent, Huawei, and Alibaba have established new offices and headquarters in Singapore, competing with Sea Limited and Grab, which are aggressively expanding. The growing demand for talent from the larger players has made it increasingly difficult for smaller businesses to find qualified candidates. The remote working trend emphasizes Singapore’s precarious position as Southeast Asia’s tech hub.

Access to a more diverse talent pool

Remote work has opened up more recruitment opportunities for companies. Telecommuting and collaborative tech tools mean that companies can effectively manage a diverse, global talent pool. Singapore tech companies are looking for remote software engineers, especially in countries in South East Asia like Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia… . This can be a huge advantage for Vietnam software engineers who want to advance their IT careers and earn higher compensation.

Looking for a remote software engineer job that allows you to work from the comfort of your home? Join us today to land your dream job.

Top 9 Programming Languages to Learn in 2022

What programming languages should you learn in 2022? Today’s top companies seek skilled software developers to aid their development processes. The best software developers have a wealth of technical skills that set them apart from the competition. As a result, in order to become a highly sought-after software developer, you must broaden and update your technical knowledge and experience.

The top programming languages to learn in 2022 are listed in this post. These will help you stand out from the crowd of developers, land your dream job, and propel your software development career forward!

Companies want to hire more software developers in 2022

According to the CodinGame and CoderPad Tech Hiring Survey 2022, 35% of recruiters expect to hire approximately 50 developers in 2022. Furthermore, the proportion of recruiters looking to hire between 201 and 500 developers is more than double that of 2021. Surprisingly, the number of recruiters expecting to hire more than 500 professionals has increased by 50%.

Software developers, according to the tech hiring report, demand higher pay. As a result, most employers polled expect a higher budget for software developers in 2022.

Employers are looking to hire developers skilled in JavaScript, Python, Java, C, C++, and more!

Hiring managers prefer software developers who are fluent in JavaScript, Python, Java, C, C++, C#, and other coding languages. Interestingly, less popular programming languages such as Clojure and Scala will be in high demand by recruiters in 2022.

What are the top programming languages to learn in 2022?

You must be proficient in at least one coding language in order to excel in software development in 2022 and earn more money. However, before you begin learning a programming language, consider the following:

  • What software development skills do I want to learn?
  • What programming languages do recruiters seek?
  • Where can I find resources to help me learn the coding language of my choice?

The following are the best programming languages to learn in 2022, as well as their applications:

JavaScript

JavaScript aids in the development of interactive web applications. A typical example of a JavaScript system is a webpage that displays specific information when a user clicks a button.

Go

Go (or Golang) was created by Google in 2007 for its web applications and APIs. Go has a modern and simple structure and syntax, making it appealing to large IT firms. Because of its performance and agility, most data scientists prefer ‘Go.’

Knowing one or more programming languages can help you get a head start on learning Go.

Ruby

Ruby is a completely object-oriented programming language that can be used for text processing, scripting, and prototyping new software. Furthermore, Ruby’s simple syntax makes it simple to learn for many developers.

Ruby allows developers to create large frameworks and software. It’s no surprise that top companies like Starbucks, Twitch, Tumblr, and others use Ruby in their development processes.

Kotlin

If you want to dive into Android development, Kotlin is a must-learn programming language. Kotlin is used in nearly all of Google’s Android development processes.

Kotlin developers are among the highest-paid programmers on the planet. Kotlin is an in-demand programming language and a go-to if you want to focus on Android development.

R

The R programming language is used in almost every development process. Without R, it’s nearly impossible to get started with machine learning, big data, and data analytics.

The language is useful to learn because it is useful for developing machine learning algorithms and AI solutions.

Swift

Swift is Apple’s programming language, which is used primarily on iOS, macOS, and Linux. The syntax of the language is similar to that of Java and C#.

The language is useful on various devices, including watches, smartphones, TVs, tablets, and computers.

Python

Python is ideal for a variety of software development tasks. Python can be used to write an entire program by software developers. Furthermore, because of its simple structure and syntax, it is a simple coding language to learn.

Python is a popular programming language among developers due to its extensive library and framework ecosystem. Developers can complete tasks faster and more efficiently with extra libraries and frameworks.

C++

The C++ programming language can enhance the hardware capabilities of complex software systems like games and medical equipment software.

Java

Java enables developers to create applications that can run on multiple computer systems. Java, like C++, is useful for creating high-quality video games. This language, on the other hand, has fewer complexities than C++.

On a final note

2022 is a promising year for software developers, with numerous opportunities for high-paying software development positions. To take advantage of these opportunities, developers should brush up on their existing skills and learn new ones.

Try Inspius if you’re a skilled software developer looking for a high-growth, high-paying remote software job. We can assist you in launching your dream engineering career from the comfort of your own home!

Top 7 In-demand Tech Roles Singapore Employers Are Looking For

There are many in-demand tech jobs in Singapore, but do you know which are the most sought-after positions? Whether you are a fresh graduate or an experienced talent looking for greener pastures, consider moving towards in-demand tech roles that could future-proof your career.

Singapore Tech Jobs Market Situation

Many things have changed in the IT job market situation. Significant changes occurred in 2020, when the global pandemic began, forcing many businesses to go completely remote. The demand for quality software engineers causes a tech talent shortage in Singapore, prompting companies to look for talent offshore. Salaries for software engineers in Singapore increased by an average of 22% last year, highlighting the city-growing state’s tech ecosystem’s need for qualified talent.

Experiencing the software engineers shortage, Singapore companies are open to hiring remotely, which gives a great opportunity for talents in South East Asia, especially in Vietnam. However, understanding which roles are in-demand is critical. Let’s explore. 

The Most In-demand Tech Roles in Singapore 2022

The most in-demand tech roles usually have the highest salaries associated with them. The 2021 Stack Overflow Developer Survey (below) shows the roles that earn the highest salaries worldwide. This article will go on to discuss some of the roles mentioned in more detail.

When it comes to IT roles that are popular among Singapore’s tech professionals, we can point out the following:

1. Data Scientist

According to the DevSkiller Tech talent trends and predictions Ebook 2022, Data science was the ”fastest-growing IT skill on the DevSkiller testing platform, with a huge 295% growth in popularity year over year.” Data Scientists specialize in creating reports and analyzing data for businesses. They are critical for understanding data and optimizing business processes. In Singapore, the average salary for a data scientist is $105,718 per year. Data science is an excellent career choice due to its exciting career growth, good salaries, and growing market demand.

Source: Indeed

2. Machine Learning Engineer

Companies in Singapore are looking to innovate and revolutionize the software industry with machine learning as robotics and automation take center stage. Machine Learning enables self-driving cars, intelligent data processing, and complex data analysis through the use of programming systems and algorithms. Machine learning engineer jobs typically pay around $101,996 per year on average.

Source: Indeed

3. Full-Stack Developer

A full-stack developer is unquestionably one of the most in-demand job roles for software engineers in Singapore. You can expect to earn around $93,128 per year as a full-stack developer. Full-stack developers are preferred by businesses because they provide an end-to-end solution for project creation, design, production, and management. They eliminate the need for separate backend and frontend developers.

Source: Indeed

4. Python Developer

Python Developers in Singapore are in high demand due to their ability to create powerful programs using the Python programming language. Python supports object-oriented, functional, and procedural programming styles. Python engineers are likely to find a wide range of opportunities in both start-ups and large multinational corporations. In Singapore, this role is well compensated, with an annual salary of $98,080.

Source: Indeed

5. Java Developer

Currently, Oracle says it’s 9,000,000 Java developers in the world, Wikipedia claims it’s 10,000,000. Java, like Python, is a programming language used for software development. Java is a powerful programming language that enables developers to create, debug, and compile applications. It has many applications in software, online web apps, software applications in automobiles, and much more.

6. Cloud Engineer

As more businesses move their data to the cloud, the demand for cloud engineers in Singapore is rapidly increasing. A cloud engineer’s responsibilities include cloud security and ongoing development. They use Microsoft and AWS tools to complete cloud-based operations for businesses. The primary responsibilities of professionals in this field are regular online server management and maintenance. Cloud engineers earn an average salary of $100,000 per year.

7. DevOps Engineer

A DevOps engineer manages a product’s development cycle using skills and methods. Starting from programming to deployment, a DevOps engineer is an all-round solution for companies, other roles include product maintenance and updates. In Singapore, the average salary for a DevOps engineer is $103,658 per year.

Summary 

Summing up, it is clear to see how the Singapore IT market has changed and what new challenges and, conversely, the advantages (such as increasing the average salary and amount of job offers) have brought to software engineers in Vietnam.

Do you have skills in any of 2022’s most in-demand tech roles? Accelerate your tech career with Singapore tech companies by starting a job search here & now!

Acing The Vetting Process With Singapore Tech Companies

Episode 2: How to nail the vetting process

In the previous episode, we discussed how to nail the English test with Singapore companies. After you pass your English assessment, you will jump into a vetting process including the Algorithm Test and the Technical Interview. This will allow you to showcase your knowledge and skills to employers. They can be exciting, knowing that you’re that much closer to a job offer if you do well. They can also be intimidating — especially if you’ve never done one before or have previously struggled with them. But don’t worry. We’re here to help.

In this article, we’ll go over what to expect during the vetting process, as well as how to prepare, practice, and impress your interviewer.

1. Algorithm Test

The Algorithm Test is a 45-minute live coding test on HackerRank wherein you will be shown a problem statement to solve. Start writing your logic in the built-in code editor, and then click Submit Code and Run to execute the code. 

Based on the given requirements of the JDs (junior or senior level), the qualified software engineers have to meet:

  • Junior-level: must pass 02 questions at Level Easy (complete only, not required to optimize) in due time.
  • Senior-level: must pass 02 questions at Level Easy (Algorithm must be optimized) and are on the right path to solving the last question at Level Medium in due time (Performance at Level Medium will be evaluated further).

The Algorithm Test screen will look like this:

The Algorithm Test screen
  • During the test, you have to turn your camera on to ensure transparency and share your screen so that the interviewers will be able to see your coding screen and results.
  • You are not permitted to use Google to research algorithms related to the test.
  • If you don’t understand the questions, you can use Google Translate.
  • Run the code by clicking Submit Code & Run. The output will be displayed. Each question allows candidates to “Submit Code” up to 3 times. Unlimited number of times Run code
  • Each question has many different solutions, and the candidate with the more optimal solution will be given a higher rating.

Preparing for the Algorithm Test

The key to a successful technical interview is preparation. You may not know what your assignment will be, but there are several steps you can take to prepare for anything. Furthermore, your interviewer will be impressed by your preparedness.

Ask questions leading up to your interview

By the time you have your Algorithm Test, you’ve probably already spoken with the company’s recruiter or hiring manager. Feel free to ask them questions about what you should expect or the technologies used by the team you’ll be joining.

Practice with projects and coding challenges

Theoretical knowledge will only take you so far. Completing coding challenges and projects will help you develop the skills you’ll need for your new career. You can practice with a sample test on HackerRank to help you get familiar with its test environment. Furthermore, the more you practice, the faster you will become. Imagine how impressed your interviewer will be when you’ve efficiently solved the problem in half of the allotted time.

Other preparation tips

  • Pay close attention to the instructions of the test. 
  • Be mindful of coding elements such as brackets, parentheses, dots, and spaces.
  • Most importantly, don’t give up. It is critical to maintain focus and keep moving forward.

2. 1-1 Technical Interview

Technical Interview screen

Most roles require a variety of job skills—or some combination of workplace skills and technical skills. While workplace skills pertain to how you work, technical skills are those you develop in order to complete a particular function, such as knowing a programming language.

The technical interview is conducted 1-1 between candidates and our Tech Lead within 45-60 minutes. This helps interviewers can determine the extent of what you know, your ability to solve problems and think critically, and how prepared you are to begin the role should you get an offer. 

Types of interview questions you may face

  • Tools: Interviewers ask these to know more about which software, programs, and tools you know how to use. (With backend position, the question about database will be involved and also data structures and algorithms, logical computation)

Example: What are the pros and cons of Node.js? Is Node.js single-threaded or multi-threaded?

  • Processes: Interviewers ask these to learn more about the way you go about your work and how well you’d potentially transition into your new role.
  • Situational: Interviewers ask these to understand how you solve problems and think critically about certain tools and processes.  

Example: Did you encounter any difficulties during the programming process, and how did you handle it?

  • Experience: Interviewers ask about your previous projects or experience.

Tips to Help You Impress

Answering technical interview questions should involve more than just discussing your knowledge. You can frame your responses in ways that highlight the breadth of your knowledge as well as your other skills.  

A technical interview is, in essence, a standard interview with some additional tasks and questions thrown in. Therefore, it’s important that you prep yourself for the interview itself and don’t just focus on the technical side.

The employer will be looking for a personable, articulate individual who, despite being technically minded, can confidently present their findings in a way that others can understand. If you don’t know the answer to a question, try not to be thrown off. Take a few deep breaths and do your best to demonstrate how you would approach the question, even if you won’t be able to provide an answer. The most important aspect of any interview is to remain calm and composed.

Ready to ace your interview and land your dream job?

It can take your time and effort preparing for the vetting process to achieve your dream of a remote career, especially one with Singapore companies, but with this short guide, you’ll be on your way to success.

Join in and kickstart your remote developer career!

Singapore Product-based Vs Outsourcing Company: Which Is The Superior Option For Software Developers In Vietnam?

For remote software developers, the experiences in product-based vs outsourcing domains differ, and it is essential to understand the differences to choose the career path that best suits one’s temperament and skills. If you are wondering about choosing a product-based or outsourcing company, read more detail. 

Involvement

In product-based companies, you will have a great opportunity to see the product grow and participate in it at every level. You are involved in the project from the beginning, see how it is created, changed, grows, adapts to new requirements, and take pride in a product that works well. As you follow the project from the beginning to the end, you will gain expertise in specific technical skills. 

While working on short-term projects in an outsourcing company does not provide the same sense of involvement. You are involved in a variety of projects in different fields This can help you expose yourself to many different technologies, allowing you to learn a lot, but not extensive about a specific technology because you are working on one project today and another tomorrow.

Client Concerns

Software developers in an outsourcing company focus solely on the client’s priorities and concerns. The developer ensures the final product’s quality, sustainability, and efficiency. You’ll need to understand and meet your client’s needs. Making the client happy is, to some extent, the priority of your work. Singapore culture is also very client-focused, which is beneficial for developing and maintaining strong professional relationships. However, even the best outsourcing professionals may be influenced to focus on pleasing the client rather than meeting standard operating procedures, which can lead to operational inefficiency and further waste of resources. 

In product-based companies, your product and users are now your top priorities. You are fully engaged in the software development life cycle, invested in the company’s growth, and your strategic inputs are critical to decision making, even deciding whether a specific function is required. Not having to deal with customers at work is a huge relief. Reducing unnecessary stress with the client may be a wise decision.

Communication 

The client makes all decisions about what should be implemented in an outsourcing company. As a result, the development team is primarily responsible for the final product’s quality.

In product-based companies, development and business are inextricably linked. Your team are responsible not only for the functionality of a feature but also for its necessity. You can get your voice heard and decide whether something is suitable or not. Especially, when you work remotely as a software developer, communication has become more challenging than working on the same ground. Communication is generally better in product-based companies if there is no middleman to mess things up.

Salary

Which company will offer you a higher salary? Unfortunately, there’s no one clear answer to that. It entirely depends on what outsourcing or product-based company that you work for. However, you must be aware of the following issues:

In the product-based company, which recruits, trains, and nurtures your skills, you enjoy the safety net and stability of growing salaries with seniority and experience. Product-based companies have fewer middlemen and more excellent opportunities to grow your expertise and better pay packages.

In outsourcing companies, developer salaries and perks are satisfying but demand-based because everything is billed hourly to the client, and there’s not much leverage to tinker with wages. Outsourcing companies frequently have more levels between you and the client, which means you will receive less compensation than the product-based one.

Responsibilities

In product-based companies with a smaller chain of command, you will most likely get more experience and more responsibility. Growing responsibility gives you more experience and opportunities for advancement; you are free to experiment, take risks, and contribute new ideas.

On the other hand, outsourcing companies receive direct orders from their clients. Developers who have new ideas must approach the business analyst, who discusses the issue with the business owner and awaits the product manager’s final approval. They must work within the constraints of the client’s priorities, and there is little leverage to push a robust reformist agenda.

If you want to turn up and be told what to do, then outsourcing is probably better, but product-based companies are a better fit if you prefer choice and freedom.

Product-based Vs Outsourcing Company: Conclusion

Consider outsourcing if you’re a junior software developer looking to improve your skills and learn more. If you crave the gut satisfaction of creating a brilliant product and becoming a leader in your domain, a product-based company would be your call.

Make sure you determine your goals. Joining an outsourcing or product-based company makes no difference if you don’t know what you want or what you want to become in the future.

Hopefully, this article will help you in making the best decision. If you want to join a product-based company in Singapore and work remotely from the comfort of your home in Vietnam, Inspius can help! Find out more here.

Where to find a remote software engineer job for Singapore tech companies?

Remote work trends don’t seem to be slowing down in 2022. For Vietnam software engineers, Singapore’s ICT industry is an excellent market for those looking to advance their careers to the next level. The critical question is: where can a Vietnamese software engineer find a remote job for Singapore companies? Here are three ways to land a remote software engineer job with a Singapore tech firm.

Job Portals

Below are websites where you can find a remote IT job, particularly in Singapore:

Job portals can be both a pro and con when it comes to finding open positions. You can quickly identify companies and open positions by entering the keyword software engineer or software developer using a job board’s search tools, and you’ll find many opportunities right at your fingertips.

On the other hand, while you’ll find numerous opportunities, all the other job seekers have the same search accessibility, increasing your competition for the most appealing jobs. It can also be time-consuming when you have to spend hours filtering the position that might be a good fit for you and checking the information about the companies, products, and culture.

Linkedin

LinkedIn is a professional networking tool that facilitates effortless communication between employees, peers, businesses, and consumers. While LinkedIn is much more than a job board, one of its most important features is its job search functionality.

Companies pay to have their jobs posted so you can trust the positions are legitimate and serious. You can learn about potential employers by reviewing their LinkedIn activities. Join Groups to find and connect with industry professionals and find related job opportunities under a Group’s ‘jobs’ tab.

LinkedIn has over 690 million professionals, so there is fierce competition in the applicant pool when applying for a hot job. To stand out from the crowd, you need to polish up your LinkedIn profile to catch the eyes of the recruiter. It also takes your time digging a lot more to find which opportunities fit you best. Furthermore, because LinkedIn jobs do not publish salaries, it will be challenging to determine which job has the best compensation for your needs.

Inspius Viet Nam

Inspius is a third party that can help create opportunities for Vietnamese developers to work for tech companies in Singapore. 

When compared to other channels for finding remote software engineer jobs, Inspius is different because:

  • You will get a permanent role in product-based Singapore companies, Inspius will support providing work equipment if needed.
  • Inspius ensures that the Singapore company is legitimate by checking the information of the company, the background of employers’ CTOs, tech leads, project managers, etc. 
  • Insipus guarantees and complies with labor regulations in Vietnam, and handle issues that may arise between you and the client.
  • Inspius focuses on a people-oriented culture to make sure that developers have immense opportunities to learn, grow, and be successful.

Bottom Lines

There are numerous opportunities for Vietnamese software developers in the global technology market, particularly in Singapore tech firms, that help you rapidly advance to the next level. If you have much experience in job searching and are willing to spend a lot of time scrutinizing job and company information, you may seemingly face no issues finding a proper position on job portals and LinkedIn.

If you want to find a job that you love while saving time and effort, Inspius can help. Visit our job post now to learn more!

Where should you work as a remote software developer: USA or Singapore?

While the US has become the world’s leading technology with advanced innovation hubs like Silicon Valley, Singapore has been named the most promising world-leading technology hub, positioning it to become Asia’s Silicon Valley. With such developed technology markets, which country will be more suitable for Vietnamese remote developers? Here are a few things to keep in mind that’ll help you decide which one suits you best if you want to focus on finding a long-term remote job.

Salary

According to data collected from over 20,000 ARC employees, there is an enormous disparity in the wage changes for software engineers in the US and Singapore. Remote developers in Singapore earn an average of $71,408 per year, while this figure counts as $96,999 per year in the US. 

You must consider all of the factors that influence your remote work salary. Your education, experience, and job title may all raise or lower the average we discussed today.  Here’s what the data says about work-from-home salaries:

Source: Salary Breakdown by Developer Type by ARC

Developers in the US earn significantly more than those in other countries, but they also face stiff competition when looking for remote work. You are not just up against people locally, but applications will come in from worldwide. There are 26.8 million active software developers globally, and most companies receive hundreds, sometimes thousands of talented applicants.

You need to differentiate yourself and demonstrate that you’re the best candidate for the job. It is necessary to research each company to which you wish to apply to, understand their values, culture, and product, and be able to position yourself to fit their needs.

Time zone

Working for a remote company based in the US while living in Vietnam may require you to work 12 hours later than you originally planned, which means it would be mid-morning for U.S. folks, and anyone in Vietnam would end up with late-night meetings. Working late at night can also throw off the body’s circadian rhythm, which may cause adverse health effects in the long run.

On the other hand, Singapore is only one hour ahead of Vietnam, minimizing time zone inconveniences. You can have a regular 9-5 job and still have time to spend with your beloved ones and family and avoid health-related consequences.

Work visa

Even if you work remotely, you will need permission to work in the United States as a full-time employee. The US company must register as an employer with the Vietnamese government and pay all applicable taxes. As a result, to get a permanent job, you will need to find a US company registered in Vietnam, but the number of companies willing to sponsor a visa is minimal. 

On the flip side, remote employees who are not physically based in Singapore do not need to apply for a work pass to work for Singapore companies. If you are going to be stationed in Singapore, you must have a valid work permit. To ensure maximum benefits while saving your time and effort, you should get a third party to assist you with all aspects of international remote working, such as law and tax services, people consulting, and communications.

Final words

To Vietnamese developers, the average salary of both countries appears to be a significant disparity. You can earn a staggering wage compared to the low cost of living in Vietnam, but you will face fierce competition to get a remote job offshore. Before you work remotely for a foreign company, make sure you understand the country’s laws and regulations, particularly in terms of work visas, taxes, and benefits.

If you want to work remotely for a Singapore tech company while living in Vietnam, Inspius can help. Explore the latest jobs here