How to Apply for a Job at Ziff Davis
Your complete guide to landing a position at Ziff Davis. Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting hired.
8 Steps to Apply at Ziff Davis
Research Ziff Davis's Tech Stack and Recent Projects
Before applying to Ziff Davis, spend time understanding their technology focus beyond the job description. Ziff Davis has a strong engineering presence with VP of Engineering roles indicating significant technical depth. Review their company news, tech blog, and LinkedIn updates to understand what technologies they prioritize and how they approach product development.
Tailor Your Resume to Highlight Relevant Technical Skills
For technical roles like the Software Engineer I position requiring Laravel/PHP expertise, make sure your resume explicitly highlights these specific technologies in your experience section. Ziff Davis evaluates candidates on technical depth, so include concrete examples of projects where you've used these languages, performance improvements you've made, or scalability challenges you've solved.
Prepare a Portfolio or GitHub Profile Showcasing Your Work
Ziff Davis values developers who can demonstrate their capabilities through code. Create or update a GitHub profile with relevant projects, especially any PHP/Laravel work that aligns with their needs. Include a brief README explaining your approach to problem-solving and code quality, as this gives Ziff Davis recruiters concrete evidence of your technical abilities.
Identify and Connect with Ziff Davis Recruiters via Email
Ziff Davis has 23 identified HR and recruiting professionals, and email is the most effective outreach channel with 55 verified email addresses in the database. Rather than applying cold through the careers page, research specific recruiters on LinkedIn and reach out directly via email with a personalized message explaining why you're interested in the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter Addressing Ziff Davis's Business Context
Your cover letter should demonstrate understanding of Ziff Davis as a company, not just the role itself. Reference their market position, recent company initiatives, or products you admire. This shows you've done your homework and aren't sending generic applications, which matters more at selective-hiring companies like Ziff Davis that receive fewer applications.
Follow Up Strategically After Your Initial Outreach
If you reach out to a Ziff Davis recruiter via email and don't hear back within 5-7 business days, send a brief follow-up message. Keep it short and professional, reiterating your interest in the specific role. Given Ziff Davis's selective hiring approach with limited open positions, persistence can help you stay on their radar.
Prepare for Technical and Behavioral Assessment
Ziff Davis likely uses both technical coding assessments and behavioral interviews to evaluate candidates. Practice coding challenges in PHP/Laravel, review common system design questions, and prepare stories demonstrating teamwork, problem-solving, and how you handle technical challenges—all important for engineering roles at established tech companies.
Verify Your Visa Sponsorship Eligibility Early
If you require visa sponsorship, note that Ziff Davis has approved 47 H-1B visas between 2009-2023, demonstrating a willingness to sponsor international talent. However, mention this early in conversations with Ziff Davis recruiters so there are no surprises later in the process, and be prepared to discuss your visa timeline and requirements.
Reach hiring managers at Ziff Davis
What Ziff Davis Recruiters Look For
- Deep technical expertise in required languages—for PHP/Laravel roles, Ziff Davis expects demonstrable proficiency with production-level experience
- Ability to write clean, maintainable code with attention to best practices and code quality standards
- Problem-solving mindset that goes beyond completing assigned tasks to improving systems and processes
- Communication skills that allow you to explain technical decisions and collaborate effectively with non-technical stakeholders
- Curiosity about the business impact of your work, not just the technical implementation
- Reliability and accountability—Ziff Davis values team members who deliver on commitments and take ownership of their work
- Experience working in fast-paced or startup-like environments, given Ziff Davis's selective hiring approach suggests they value adaptability
Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Ziff Davis
- Applying without researching Ziff Davis's actual business and products—generic applications get filtered out quickly at selective-hiring companies
- Overselling experience you don't have with PHP/Laravel—Ziff Davis technical teams will test your claims during interviews, so be honest about your skill level
- Sending mass-template outreach emails to Ziff Davis recruiters instead of personalizing each message with specific role details and genuine interest
- Ignoring the email channel in favor of LinkedIn—while LinkedIn is useful for research, Ziff Davis recruiters respond best to direct email outreach with 55 verified email addresses available
- Failing to mention visa sponsorship needs until late in the process—if you need H-1B sponsorship, disclose this upfront so there are no misalignments
- Not preparing for technical depth in interviews—Ziff Davis's VP of Engineering roles indicate the company takes engineering seriously, so expect rigorous technical evaluation
Ziff Davis Application FAQ
Does Ziff Davis sponsor work visas for international candidates?
Yes, Ziff Davis has a proven track record of sponsoring work visas. Between 2009 and 2023, the company approved 47 H-1B visas for international talent, showing they're willing to invest in qualified candidates regardless of citizenship status. If you require visa sponsorship, mention this clearly during your initial recruiter outreach so expectations are aligned from the start. However, keep in mind that visa sponsorship requirements may affect timeline and approval probability, so be transparent about your needs early.
How competitive is it to get hired at Ziff Davis as a Software Engineer?
Ziff Davis maintains selective hiring practices with limited open positions—currently only 1 tracked Software Engineer role is available. This selectivity means the competition for each role is typically higher than at larger companies with dozens of openings. However, this also means Ziff Davis is more likely to invest time in finding the right candidate rather than rushing through a high volume of applications. Your best strategy is to make a strong, personalized case for why you're the right fit rather than relying on a generic application.
What qualifications does Ziff Davis prioritize for Software Engineer roles?
For the Software Engineer I position requiring Laravel/PHP expertise, Ziff Davis prioritizes candidates with solid production experience in these technologies. Beyond technical skills, they look for engineers who understand web application architecture, can write maintainable code, and can communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical team members. Given Ziff Davis's selective approach, they also value engineers who show genuine interest in the company's products and business, not just those looking for any available role.
How long does the Ziff Davis hiring process typically take?
While specific timelines aren't publicly documented, selective-hiring companies like Ziff Davis typically move thoughtfully through their process rather than rushing. Expect the process to span 3-6 weeks from initial recruiter contact to offer, including phone screens, technical assessments, and behavioral interviews. The exact timeline depends on the role and how quickly you can complete assessments. Follow up with your Ziff Davis recruiter contact if you haven't heard back within 7-10 business days, as this keeps you top-of-mind.