The tech industry is rapidly evolving, making it more challenging for entry-level software engineers to stand out from the competition. This is because tech companies are seeking developers with robust coding skills and engineers with broad skills and attributes in today’s hyper-competitive market.
A recent poll revealed that nearly nine out of 10 software engineers said it is more challenging to get a job now, especially with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). With software engineering no longer seen as a sanctum in the evolving and tenuous American job market, it begs the question of how newbie software engineers can land entry-level opportunities. Keep scrolling and find out how you can grab the attention of prospective employers if you don’t have much experience.
Work towards a software engineering degree
Earning a software engineering degree from a reputable academic institution such as Baylor University is perhaps the first and most crucial step toward landing competitive software engineering jobs. With a software engineering degree, one can comprehensively understand software design, maintenance, testing, and development.
In specific markets, being certified as a software engineer provides a strategic advantage that can improve job prospects. Professional certifications can enhance credibility, validate specialized knowledge, and demonstrate a continuous dedication to a superior level of software development.
Choose a career path
Choosing a software engineering career path is essential in landing a first job. Contrary to popular belief, software engineering is a broad and diverse industry encompassing several skills, roles, and technologies. By picking a software engineering career path, software engineers can learn the skills and traits that best align with each discipline.
Different software engineer roles include front-end, back-end, DevOps, security, and full-stack engineers. Each role is unique in its tasks, which allow software engineers to build a robust foundation of technical skills and gain a good understanding of data structures, software development methodologies, and algorithms.
Gain work experience
Once a software engineer has chosen their career path, the next step is gaining work experience to build an impressive portfolio. A portfolio is essential in showing potential employers what one can do. The following are some of the most effective methods to gain hands-on experience and build a software engineering portfolio:
Create personal projects: Build personal projects that are of interest and work through designing, creating, testing, and deploying them. This will provide practical experience in working with software engineering tools and technologies.
Participate in coding competitions and hackathons: Coding competitions and hackathons offer an excellent avenue for aspiring software engineers to work on real-world issues alongside established software engineers. By working with other engineers, one can gain experience working under pressure and learn the industry’s complexities.
Internships: Internships provide students and recent graduates with an invaluable opportunity to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application. By taking part in internships, software engineers can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges and enhance their technical and problem-solving skills.
Contribute to open-source projects: Contributing to open-source projects allows software engineers to gain practical experience and learn from other developers. Since their work is public, they get free samples to take anywhere as a demo of what they can do.
Although there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for building a software engineering portfolio, including at least three projects in it is an excellent way to boost the chances of landing a first job. These projects should be something other than tutorials and something one is passionate about since applicants will most likely give prospective employers a walkthrough.
Build a killer resume
As a software engineer creates their portfolio and advances their skills, they must also update their resume to reflect their accomplishments. For example, if they earned a certification or learned a new skill, ensure their resume reflects these achievements. Put simply, a great software engineer’s resume must have a straightforward narrative about who they are as a professional.
A software engineer should consider investing serious time and effort in creating an in-depth technical skills section in their tech resume. Software engineers depend on specific languages, systems, and programs to perform their jobs, so it is no wonder recruiters are especially interested in this section of your resume.
Applicants should list specific systems, methodologies, and platforms they have worked with and their corresponding expertise level. Tailoring a resume to the specific job posting is essential in helping an employer see if someone fits the position. This is especially important, considering an employer only spends six to 10 seconds reading or scanning a resume.
Prepare and practice interview skills
Technical interviews can be challenging for entry-level software engineers. But with the proper preparation and mindset, they can give themselves the best chance of landing their first job. An excellent start is reviewing key concepts and syntax in the programming languages and tools they will use in the interview.
Many technical interviews include coding challenges to evaluate their problem-solving skills. Having a solid grasp of the fundamentals of algorithms, programming, and data structures will make one feel more prepared and confident in the interview.
A software engineer may also want to research the company and its products or services. By understanding the company’s mission, values, and culture, one can align their skills and experience with their existing needs, answer interview questions more effectively, and show their enthusiasm for the role.
Becoming a software engineer today
Landing a first software engineering job takes time, effort, and dedication. By working towards a software engineering degree and gaining relevant experience, one can stay focused on their goals and increase their chances of success.
