Application Guide
How to Apply for Software Developer
at Fishtank Learning
🏢 About Fishtank Learning
Fishtank Learning is a mission-driven education technology non-profit that provides high-quality, openly-licensed curriculum materials to teachers and students for free. They are dedicated to improving educational equity by ensuring all students have access to excellent instructional resources, and they are now expanding their student-facing platform, making it an exciting time to join.
About This Role
As a Software Developer at Fishtank Learning, you will be responsible for improving and maintaining their curriculum website and the new Fishtank Student platform. Your work will directly impact teachers and students across the country, helping to make high-quality education more accessible. This role offers the opportunity to work on meaningful projects in a collaborative, remote environment.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a stand-up meeting with your remote team to discuss progress and plan tasks. You'll spend most of your time coding new features for the Fishtank Student platform or fixing bugs on the curriculum website, collaborating with designers and curriculum experts via Slack or video calls. You'll also have the satisfaction of knowing your work is helping teachers and students access better educational materials.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Fishtank Learning Is Looking For
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📝 Tips for Applying to Fishtank Learning
Tailor your resume to highlight any experience with educational technology, non-profits, or projects that have a social impact.
In your cover letter, specifically mention your interest in Fishtank's mission and how your skills can contribute to their student-facing platform.
If you have experience with open-source projects or have used Fishtank's curriculum, be sure to mention it—it shows genuine engagement with their product.
Ensure your application clearly states your state of residence, as Fishtank only hires in specific states. Double-check that your state is on their list.
When describing your past projects, emphasize your ability to work remotely and your experience with collaborative tools like GitHub, Slack, or Jira.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
- Express genuine passion for education and how Fishtank's mission aligns with your personal values. - Highlight any experience with curriculum, teaching, or educational tools that would give you insight into user needs. - Showcase your technical skills and how they can help improve and expand Fishtank's digital products. - Mention your ability to work independently and communicate effectively in a remote team environment.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Fishtank's curriculum website and Fishtank Plus to understand their products and user experience.
- → Read about Fishtank's mission and impact, including any recent news or blog posts about their student-facing platform.
- → Look up the team on LinkedIn to understand the company culture and the backgrounds of current employees.
- → Check if Fishtank has any open-source projects or contributions that you can review to understand their codebase and development practices.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without checking if you reside in one of the approved states—this will likely result in immediate rejection.
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Fishtank's mission or products.
- Focusing only on technical skills without showing interest in education or the non-profit sector.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Fishtank Learning!