Tech Jobs in Seattle: How to Find Them and Get the Offer

When it comes to opportunities in tech, there’s no place quite like Seattle. The Emerald City is now the nation’s fastest-growing tech hub, outpacing even the Bay Area in terms of job creation.

Indeed, the tech sector is a singular force within the city’s employment landscape, accounting for more than 40% of all office jobs. This bustling workforce is compensated nicely, with excellent wage growth for tech workers relative to other metropolitan areas.

Moreover, Seattle’s tech workers enjoy a diverse array of employment options. The city’s resident tech juggernauts, epitomized by Microsoft and Amazon, employ tens of thousands of professionals in a wide range of roles. Alternatively, Seattle also possesses a rich startup scene, with over 2,200 tech companies in their agile, early stages. Whether you want to join a massive corporation or an innovative disruptor, Seattle’s tech sector has something for you.

Did we mention that Seattle is consistently regarded as one of the best places to live in America? Pairing a rich cultural scene with nearby natural splendor, the city is a magnet for transplants from across the country. Although this population boom has sent the cost of living soaring, well-paid tech workers can still enjoy a high quality of life. Needless to say, there’s plenty to like about Seattle’s tech industry. For many talented professionals, there’s really just one question left: how do I get a tech job in Seattle?

This article is designed to answer that question – and give you the inside track on tech positions in Seattle. First, we’ll give you a basic introduction to Seattle’s tech landscape, covering the city’s massive corporations and thriving startup scene. From there, we’ll provide concrete tips for finding and landing a tech job in Seattle.

Ready to start your Seattle job search? For everything you need to know about breaking into Seattle’s tech sector, keep reading.

In the past and present of Seattle’s tech industry, Microsoft and Amazon loom large. Headquartered in the Seattle metropolitan area, these two titans have fueled the city’s transformation into a leading tech hub, establishing a scene to rival Silicon Valley. They remain Seattle’s leading tech employers – and continual sources of opportunity for eager and talented job seekers.

Indeed, Microsoft currently employs more than 51,000 professionals in and around Seattle. Amazon boasts an even larger local workforce, with more than 53,000 on the payroll. In fact, the e-commerce giant has started to outgrow its massive Seattle workspace, setting its sights on the neighboring town of Bellevue, which is still considered part of the Seattle metropolitan area.

If you’re hoping to get a foothold in the city’s tech industry, these powerhouse employers are an excellent place to start. Even entry-level workers can make a handsome salary in Seattle, and these companies are often hiring to staff new initiatives.

However, Microsoft and Amazon aren’t the only tech heavyweights with a large presence in the Seattle area. Expedia has operations in Bellevue and Seattle, maintaining a massive team to support and grow its network of travel sites. Tableau and Porch have also set up shop in Seattle and are rapidly adding staff.

Not to miss out on Seattle’s tech scene, Facebook has recently expanded its footprint in Seattle with two swanky office locations in the hip South Lake Union neighborhood. Google has also established itself nearby, building massive facilities for its 4,500 Seattle-area workers. Basically, if you’re seeking employment at one of the premier names in tech, you won’t be disappointed by Seattle’s job offerings.

Conversely, some tech professionals crave the bootstrapped, dynamic environment of the startup life. Seattle has plenty to offer in this regard, with a number of intriguing companies still in their early stages.

Many Seattle startups provide innovative solutions to businesses, including marketing and data analytics platforms, but there are also plenty of consumer tech startups, many of them hoping to follow in the footsteps of Rover. The pet-sitting app got its start in Seattle – and is still headquartered there in a swanky high-rise. Its upstairs neighbor? Airbnb.

In Seattle, you can’t go far without bumping into an exciting tech company, but getting in the door can take a little ingenuity. We’re here to help with some tangible tips for finding great openings and applying successfully.

Some basic job search rules apply in every sector and city, such as proofreading your resume. We’ll assume you already have those basics covered, and jump into more specific advice pertaining to Seattle’s tech scene.

The power of LinkedIn isn’t exactly breaking news. The platform has long been a valued source of professional opportunities and connections, but users who look beyond its most familiar features will discover a number of intriguing advantages, all of which will serve you well in your Seattle job search.

For example, you can use LinkedIn to stay on top of open positions, setting up personalized job alerts when specific positions are posted or certain companies are hiring. In Seattle’s fast-paced tech world, these alerts can put you one step ahead of the competition.

Additionally, try beefing up the “Skills” section of your profile, tailoring your stated abilities to the positions that interest you. When Seattle-based recruiters or hiring managers scan local candidates by skills, you’ll be sure to make the cut.

Last but not least, consider using LinkedIn’s “Ask for a Referral” feature. This tool allows you to request a recommendation from someone you know at a company, and employers appreciate the trust that a referral conveys.

There are a ton of job search sites out there. At Joblist, we’re well aware that we’re not the only company offering to help you find a job, but the job site you use can have profound implications for your job hunt, so it’s important to choose wisely.

If a site is slow or inconsistent in posting new listings, for example, its users are at a clear disadvantage. By the same token, some sites leave up listings long after they’ve been filled, so users waste time on futile applications and cover letters. Other sites don’t give users adequate tools to filter out irrelevant listings.

In the competitive Seattle tech scene, landing a job is tough enough. Don’t make it harder by relying on an ineffective job search site. We’re clearly a bit biased, but we’d suggest giving our site a try. You might find that our results are refreshingly up to date and relevant to your skill set.

Seattle gets a bad rap for its icy treatment of newcomers. The so-called “Seattle Freeze” refers to the cordial but distant vibe that residents give off to recent transplants. If you’re looking to make connections and network effectively, you’ll probably benefit from some structured opportunities.

Thankfully, Seattle has a rich roster of tech conferences and events to help you make some contacts. Some of these are geared toward specific subjects, such as DeveloperWeek Seattle’s emphasis on cloud computing. Others, such as Seattle Startup Week, attract a wider array of interests and skill sets.

If you’d prefer a more casual approach, try some of Seattle’s many tech-centric Meetup groups. Many of these groups host special events of their own in addition to regular get-togethers.

Not all tech jobs involve technical tasks, but having certain skills will open countless doors for you. In some cases, a broad knowledge base is sufficient. According to one recent study, basic software development skills are the most common tech job requirement, but specific programming experience can be even more valuable. Proficiency in JavaScript and jQuery, for example, are an excellent resume booster.

Thankfully, Seattle is home to a ton of institutions that teach coding, including some of the nation’s most respected coding boot camps. Some can advance your career in multiple ways, offering networking opportunities and career guidance. Because these programs can be costly, however, do your research before making an investment. Make sure the program is reputable and substantive and that the curriculum corresponds to what employers want.

While this tip may seem self-explanatory, it’s worthy of special emphasis. While you may dream about being part of Seattle’s tech scene, companies want to know why you want to work with them. It’s fine to share your passion for the city and the industry, but make sure you express your admiration for the company more specifically. To do this effectively, you’ll need to research the company’s history, values, and current priorities.

Furthermore, it’s not enough just to say you like the company. If the company has multiple locations, find out what the Seattle team does within the wider company structure. Then, demonstrate that understanding in your cover letter and subsequent interviews. Hiring managers will appreciate your informed approach, whereas many candidates will have only a vague understanding of the role for which they’ve applied.

Seattle has no shortage of intelligent, highly educated professionals. In fact, some data suggests that Seattle may have a more robust pool of trained tech workers than even Silicon Valley. When a great job opens up, employers are sure to receive some impressive resumes.

Credentials and concrete skills are only one dimension of the hiring process. As companies evaluate candidates, they also seek “soft skills,” such as the unquantifiable capacity to work effectively with others. How can you stand out from the crowd of qualified applicants by demonstrating your emotional intelligence as well?

One option is to highlight your engagement with large groups. Do you volunteer actively or participate in a professional organization? Another route is simply describing your work in collaborative terms. When an interviewer asks you about your successes and challenges, highlight how you teamed up with others to find solutions. Even if you take less credit, you’ll seem all the more qualified.

We hope the information, insights, and advice provided in this article can kick-start your Seattle job search. In a city where opportunities in tech continually evolve, you’ll be sure to find some exciting prospects.

As you begin seeking opportunities in the Emerald City, however, we encourage you to be both patient and realistic. Because Seattle is such an attractive destination for tech professionals, competition for open positions can be fierce. Even the most qualified candidates may need to navigate long hiring processes or struggle to find the right role at first.

Accordingly, as you embark on your job search, do so with the right expectations. You may need to apply widely or wait several days to hear back from prospective employers. Keep your options open, and don’t be discouraged by initial rejection. If one opportunity doesn’t work out, Seattle’s tech industry will soon produce alternatives.

Let us help you identify attractive opportunities and fuel your search with new prospects. Every day, Joblist helps professionals find job openings in Seattle, including excellent positions in tech. Give our platform a try, and see just how efficient and exciting your job search can be.