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Step-by-step guide

Remote software developer job: your step-by-step start

Employed or long-term contract developer roles with South African or international companies, often through OfferZen or an employer of record.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Developers with at least competent skill, a GitHub or project portfolio and reliable power.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 45 days.
  • You have no laptop or computer to work on.
  • You cannot free up about 30 hours a week.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 45 days.
  • This can grow into a full income for people with strong skills and steady customers, but that usually takes months.
  • The main risk to plan for: long technical interview processes.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. What remote software developer job really involvesFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. What it pays and how you get paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: what lands in your account5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Aim for offerZen profile3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Apply to 10 roles3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Where to find openings and what to send5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: applications and follow-ups5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Practise take-home tests and system design basics3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Apply to five roles a week and track replies3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Aim for employed or contracted3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Add one project to GitHub that matches the adverts3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid and spotting fake jobs4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to R3 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • OfferZen
  • GitHub
  • We Work Remotely

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.