How to Apply for a Job at Smart Working
Your complete guide to landing a position at Smart Working. Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting hired.
7 Steps to Apply at Smart Working
Research Smart Working's Tech Stack and Remote Culture
Before applying to Smart Working, spend time understanding their technology preferences. With open positions for Backend Software Engineers in Scala, PHP/Symfony specialists, and Mobile QA Automation roles, Smart Working clearly values diverse technical expertise. Review their website at smartworking.io and LinkedIn presence to understand their remote-first approach and company values, which will help you tailor your application to their specific needs.
Customize Your Resume for the Specific Smart Working Role
Smart Working hires for specialized technical positions, so generic resumes won't stand out. If applying for their Senior Backend Engineer – PHP & Symfony role (HR129), highlight your Symfony framework experience and distributed systems knowledge. If targeting their Mobile QA Automation Lead position (AS226), emphasize your test automation frameworks and remote team leadership experience. Match the job description language exactly to increase your chances.
Prepare a Portfolio or GitHub Profile Demonstrating Relevant Skills
For technical roles at Smart Working like Backend Software Engineer - Scala (HR170), having a public GitHub repository or portfolio showcasing your work is critical. Include projects that demonstrate your understanding of distributed systems, backend architecture, or the specific technologies mentioned in the job posting. Smart Working's moderate hiring activity means they're selective about candidates, so concrete evidence of your capabilities will set you apart.
Identify and Connect with Smart Working's Technical Recruiters
Smart Working has 23 HR and recruiting professionals in our contact database, with 15 having verified email addresses. Rather than applying blindly through their website, identify the specific recruiter handling your target role. Search for Senior Technical Recruiters at Smart Working on LinkedIn or reach out via email to express your interest. This direct approach significantly increases visibility for your application.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter Addressing Smart Working's Remote Work Philosophy
Smart Working's remote positions (like their EU-based Mobile QA Automation Lead role) indicate they value distributed team collaboration. In your cover letter, address how you thrive in remote environments, your experience with asynchronous communication, and your ability to work across time zones. Reference specific Smart Working initiatives or their remote-first approach to show you've done your homework.
Submit Your Application Through Multiple Channels
Don't rely solely on Smart Working's website application portal. After submitting through their official channels, follow up with a direct email to a relevant recruiter within 3-5 days. This multi-channel approach—combining the formal application with personalized outreach—increases the likelihood that your resume reaches the decision-maker at Smart Working.
Follow Up Strategically Within Two Weeks
If you haven't heard from Smart Working within 10-14 days, send a professional follow-up email to the recruiter you contacted. Keep it brief and reference the specific role (include the job code like HR170 or AS226) and your application date. Smart Working's moderate hiring pace means they may be reviewing applications over a longer timeline, so persistence with professionalism is key.
Reach hiring managers at Smart Working
What Smart Working Recruiters Look For
- Deep technical expertise in your primary language or framework—Smart Working hires specialists in Scala, PHP/Symfony, and mobile QA automation, so demonstrating mastery in your target area is essential
- Proven remote work experience and ability to communicate effectively in distributed team environments, given Smart Working's remote-first hiring approach
- Problem-solving mindset with examples of how you've tackled complex backend or QA challenges in previous roles
- Initiative and self-direction—Smart Working's structure suggests they value independent contributors who can manage their own workload without constant oversight
- Collaborative spirit and willingness to mentor others, particularly evident from the HR Manager and Technical Recruiter roles that dominate their leadership team
- Portfolio or GitHub presence demonstrating real-world application of your technical skills, not just resume credentials
- Adaptability to work with multiple technology stacks, as Smart Working maintains diverse technical positions across their organization
Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Smart Working
- Applying to Smart Working without customizing your resume for their specific tech stack—using a generic resume when they're hiring for Scala, PHP/Symfony, or QA automation roles will likely result in rejection
- Overlooking the remote-first culture in your application—failing to demonstrate remote work experience or asynchronous communication skills when applying to positions like their EU-based Mobile QA Automation Lead role
- Not researching job codes or applying to outdated positions—Smart Working tracks specific positions with codes (HR170, AS226, HR129), so ensure you're applying to current openings and reference these codes in your outreach
- Sending generic outreach emails to Smart Working recruiters without mentioning the specific role or your relevant experience—with 23 HR professionals at the company, generic messages get lost in the noise
- Underestimating the importance of a technical portfolio—for backend and QA roles at Smart Working, lacking GitHub repositories or portfolio examples significantly weakens your candidacy
- Applying only through the website without direct recruiter contact—Smart Working's moderate hiring activity means direct email outreach to their 15 verified recruiter contacts can dramatically improve your visibility
Smart Working Application FAQ
What's the best way to stand out when applying to Smart Working for a backend engineering role?
Smart Working is actively hiring for specialized backend positions like Senior Backend Engineer – PHP & Symfony (HR129) and Backend Software Engineer - Scala (HR170), which means they're looking for candidates with deep expertise in specific technologies. To stand out, go beyond listing these skills on your resume—include concrete examples of distributed systems you've built, performance optimizations you've implemented, or architectural decisions you've made. Create or update a GitHub repository showcasing a backend project relevant to their tech stack. When you reach out to Smart Working's technical recruiters, mention the specific job code and explain how your experience directly addresses the role's requirements. This targeted approach demonstrates you're serious about the position and understand Smart Working's specific needs.
Does Smart Working hire internationally, and how does their remote setup work?
Yes, Smart Working actively hires internationally with remote positions explicitly listed for EU-based candidates (like their Mobile QA Automation Lead role marked as Remote, Full-Time EU). This indicates Smart Working has established infrastructure for managing distributed teams across time zones. When applying to international positions at Smart Working, emphasize your experience working across different time zones, your comfort with asynchronous communication tools, and your understanding of European working hours and regulations if applicable. In your cover letter, address how you'll integrate into their remote team and your preferred communication methods. Smart Working's remote-first approach means they're experienced with onboarding international talent, so don't hesitate to ask about their remote work setup during the interview process.
How long does the hiring process typically take at Smart Working?
With moderate hiring activity (5 tracked open positions), Smart Working likely moves at a steady but deliberate pace—expect the process to take 2-4 weeks from initial application to offer. This timeline allows Smart Working's team to thoroughly evaluate candidates, especially for specialized roles like their Scala backend engineer or PHP/Symfony senior engineer positions. Don't interpret a slower response as lack of interest; it often means Smart Working is carefully reviewing candidates. Follow up after 10-14 days if you haven't heard back, as this demonstrates genuine interest. For time-sensitive opportunities, mention your availability timeline in your cover letter when contacting Smart Working recruiters, but avoid creating artificial urgency unless you have a genuine deadline.
What should I include when reaching out directly to Smart Working recruiters via email?
Smart Working has 15 verified email contacts among their 23 HR and recruiting professionals, making direct email outreach highly effective. When emailing a Smart Working recruiter, include: (1) a clear subject line mentioning the specific job title and code (e.g., 'Application for Senior Backend Engineer – PHP & Symfony [HR129]'), (2) a brief introduction explaining why you're interested in Smart Working specifically, (3) 2-3 bullet points highlighting your most relevant experience for that role, (4) a link to your GitHub or portfolio, and (5) your availability for a conversation. Keep the email to 150-200 words maximum—Smart Working's recruiters are busy and appreciate conciseness. Personalize each email with the recruiter's name if possible, and avoid sending identical messages to multiple Smart Working contacts, as this reduces your credibility.
How competitive is it to get hired at Smart Working, and what makes candidates stand out?
Smart Working's moderate hiring activity with 5 tracked open positions suggests they're selective but actively growing. Competition is moderate—not as intense as large tech companies, but still competitive enough that you need to differentiate yourself. Candidates who stand out at Smart Working typically have: (1) specialized expertise in the exact technology they're hiring for (Scala, PHP/Symfony, QA automation), (2) demonstrated remote work experience with examples of successful collaboration, (3) a portfolio or GitHub presence showing real-world projects, and (4) genuine enthusiasm for Smart Working's mission and culture. The fact that Smart Working's leadership team includes multiple Human Resources Managers and Senior Technical Recruiters suggests they invest heavily in finding the right cultural fit, not just technical skills. During interviews, be prepared to discuss how you work independently, communicate asynchronously, and contribute to team culture in a remote setting.