Many new developers are driven by fear, leading to excuses like:
- I’m not “ready” for the job.
- I need to build more projects.
- I’ll apply later once I “master” this [insert language here].
However, the truth is more about taking practical steps rather than waiting to apply when you feel ready. Here’s a guide based on my personal journey and observations.
Practical Steps to Getting Your Foot in the Door
STEP 1: Preparation
Resume
- Include relevant experience.
- Tailor your resume to the role you are applying for.
- Include hyperlinks to your Email, GitHub, LinkedIn, and Portfolio.
- Name your resume file clearly, e.g.,
johnsmith_resume.pdf.
- Your profile should reflect your resume.
- Get endorsements for your skills.
- Be active in groups and engage with tech content.
Projects
- Aim to build 3–4 quality projects.
- For role-specific applications (e.g., React), ensure your projects reflect that.
- Push your code to GitHub.
Portfolio
- Use a unique domain for your portfolio.
- Showcase your projects to make it easy for employers to view your work.
- Be prepared to discuss your projects in detail.
STEP 2: Application Process
Once prepared, start applying:
- Use company career pages, Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter.
- Maintain an excel sheet to track applications with columns for company name, date of application, contact info, follow-up actions, position desired, chance, and platform.
- Apply on every platform where the job is listed to increase visibility.
- Personalize your communication to show your sincerity and personality.
Networking
- Attend meetups for valuable networking opportunities.
Note: Preparing (Step 1) is time-consuming, but once it’s done, applying for jobs (Step 2) can take as little as 15 minutes a day. Continue applying and following up until you secure an offer.
Identifying High-Chance Jobs
Mark a job as high chance if it includes:
- “Junior” in the title.
- A general or short job description.
- Lists a small set of required skills.
- Requires less than 1–2 years of experience.
- Does not list a degree requirement.
- Is with a small company.
Committing to these steps can significantly improve your chances of landing your first developer job. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.