After four years of sleepless nights, cup noodle dinners, and loveless Valentines, you’re almost finally graduating from your computer studies course. Now, post-college life can be pretty challenging such as competing with other thousands of computer studies graduates for your most-coveted job – to be a software developer or a software engineer.
However, a tech career is the fastest growing career in our era. You will never run out of jobs but it takes intense effort and dedication to not just land a job, but also to keep one. You also have a variety of options on how you want to work such as a 9-to-5 job, an overseas job, a home-based job, or a business.
Are you up for this exciting new challenge ahead of you? Here’s our list on how to land your first software developer job.
- Set Realistic Expectations
Sounds cliche, but true. You will not always land your first application attempt and there may be various reasons for it – salary expectation, your work expectations, and maybe the other applicant was more fit for the role. Always keep your feet on the ground as you are not an expert just because you graduated from a fine university. Learn to work from your way to ground up first. While there is truth to the fact that not all software jobs are unicorns and rainbows, but you also don’t have to compromise your mental health. Remember you’re all you’ve got.
- Brace Yourself For Technical Interviews
Most applicants panic then go blank when asked in a technical interview. It is common to be nervous, even to those who have experience. To avoid feeling too much pressure, be sure to prepare at least a week before the interview – read, practice coding, talk to a mentor, and clear your mind the day before (play sports or get some sleep). Preparation is key to avoid panicking.
- Make Projects While Job Hunting
Programming sidelines while in school can not only be useful for your savings – but they can be more useful when getting a job. Most technical hiring managers will be more impressed by what you have already done. If you don’t have any sidelines yet, but you are taking your time to apply, then you can start a project. It doesn’t matter if it’s completed, you can show the company your on-going work.
- Learn To Work With People
There is this stereotype that programmers or “computer people” has to shut people out. This looks cool when you’re in high school but never in the corporate world. You can keep your reserved attitude, but you have to learn to be courteous and you have to learn how to deal with others.
With a combination of knowledge, passion, and hard-work, you can land your first software developer job.
If you’re on the lookout for a software company where you can grow your skills and other aspects in life, LegalMatch is calling you to join our Philippine team of Java and PHP developers. Hurry – we are waiting for you!