Technology/Software Development/Career/How to get a software development job
Work on some projects[edit]
Before getting started as a junior developer, it would be essential that you've got some experience of working on some small projects. Consider building something like a simple app that you or others might enjoy using. If it's compelling enough and you're proud of it, consider even publishing it / making it available to public.
You could reach out to small businesses or family / friends that might need some free help to get you started on some projects.
Have a look on freelancing platforms for simple projects.
Demonstrate ability on GitHub[edit]
It's a good idea to showcase some basic projects on GitHub and any aspiring developer should have an account. You can also look through other projects and maybe even contribute to projects you're already familiar with. Look for issues in projects that might be easy for you to fix and get your name as a contributor on a popular repository.
CV writing[edit]
In general candidates don't rely on covering letters for software jobs and it's all about a simple CV that demonstrates what skills you have, the stack / technology that you like to work with and what you can bring to the table. As a junior, you should be able to talk about the projects you've already worked on.
Things an employer is looking for[edit]
- A self starter who is keen to learn
- An interest in best practices / code quality
- Communication skills
- Some technical knowledge
- Examples of projects you've worked on
Interviewing[edit]
- Ensure you've done enough reading on your chosen tech stack to be able to answer technical questions
- Be concise with your responses
- Be able to articulate why you're interested in a software development career
- Ensure you've researched the company and can show an interest in the company
- Come with questions of your own
