How to get your first job (IT)
I still remember the day I have accepted as an intern in CA technologies. After months of job searching and applying, I had my take off.
In the beginning, it was confusing and frustrating. I did not know where to begin and what should I do!
After couple of years, now I am looking back and connecting dots.
Getting a job in IT fields(software developer, tester, intern) is not tough but a very calculative and well-defined approach.
You have clicked on the link of this post, that means you are at the very beginning of your career. So I am going to present a step by step guide with less complication.
Let us break down the steps in a linear approach.
Sharpen your sword
It does not matter which programming language you have chosen or love, practice, practice, practice.
Code or trying to code regularly. Nothing can beat the persistence.
Try to solve some problem in HackerRank, this will give you much more confidence in data manipulation or other regular SDLC works.
Build some of your own fun projects, there are hundreds of free project video on youtube. Just grab one and follow one.
My best advice is, try to understand the full picture at the beginning. How software work from end to end.
Last but not least, understand git. Build and share projects with git(github, gitlab, bitbucket)
Cherries on top
Update your communication skills. Remember, you will work with humans. And without fruitful communication it will be hard to survive in any team.
Prepare your suit
After having some nice projects up and running in git and gaining a solid idea of how the software works. Now it is time to show off.
Do you have your own website! No worries it will not burn a hole in your college money. You can freely host in GITHUB via GitHub pages.
If you have your own domain(which will cost 5–10 USD), just deploy the sites from Netlify for free, if not then use GitHub.
For CV/Resume, I recommend using NovoResume. Their free version is enough for you.
Ask some senior developers for their CV/Resume. Get some idea of how it should look like.
Spider Web
Networking! The most important skill you need to build. Open a LinkedIn account. Remember not to Facebook or TikTok will introduce you to HR people. Your LinkedIn account should contain all your showcases. Try a one-month free upgrade. Do some small courses in LinkedIn Learning.
In the beginning, add with your professors, classmates, and other friends. Then look for 2nd connection, specifically target for Human Resource(HR) people. Select a company, go to their LinkedIn page, and apply for a job from there. Then try to speak with HR of that company and show your interest to work within the company.
Remember, HR peoples have the target to fill the positions in company as fast as they can. So if you can convince any HR with your skills and portfolio. There will be a 70–80% chance you will get a chance for an interview.
Suits Up
For your first interview, just remember to relax. Do not take is as a serious life event. There is 90% chance you will not select in your first couple of interviews. Still, chill out.
I never meet with any professional developer who got their first job with the first interview. Be very communicative and open-minded. Before going to interview try to get some information about your interviewer. You will get some presumption about the vibe.
Before going to the interview:
- Understand the job requirements and practice accordingly.
- Study on your interviewer.
- Study the current market value for the position.
- Put up the best version of yourself.
- Ask HR about the interview and try to get as much as information you can get
RED LIGHT
If you see any of this red light signal, just politely leave the interview.
- The job requirements are different in the job post. (That means HR/Hiring manager have done some bad job)
- Rude environment/ Bad vibe.
- Too low payment offer. There are lots of companies, whos are doing market exploitation.
Remember your value and your time. I think watching a movie far better than doing a bad job.
Open your eyes & flex your finger
In our time, there is no lag in technical jobs. You just need to tap the right place for yourself. Every single contact, job website can have a potential job. Apply and communicate regularly. I had tried 8 interviews before my first job. Each night I spend 2–3 hours for applying and sending messages to HR.
Be patient and truthful to yourself. We all oversell ourselves to the interview. But don't overdo it. Keep your finger on the keyboard regularly. Write some code daily.
The average job searching period is 2–5 months for a fresher.
Now you have your guideline for the first job. Don't forget to clap and let me know your interview experience.
