por If you are one of those who are looking for a programming job and don’t know what to focus on, stay here and we will give you a guide.
Getting your first job as a junior programmer can be an arduous and exhausting task, but it is not an impossible mission. Although lack of experience and lack of professional contacts can be a disadvantage, it is a phase that everyone goes through and something always ends up coming out.
Our guest for this webinar knows this and has experienced it firsthand. Therefore, she comes to tell us about her experience and give us the keys on how to get the desired first job as a junior programmer. Her name is Ariane Jurado from Bilbao, she is Venezuelan and a couple of years ago she changed her career from a nurse and educational psychologist to becoming a Frontend Developer.
The 8 steps to get your first job as a junior programmer
It is evident that the world of programming is a booming sector, above all, due to the growing business digitalization that we are experiencing at the moment. As a consequence, the need for technological experts is increasing. In this context, many people decide to take the step and specialize in this subject, from the youngest to professionals from other areas, with previous work experience, who want to reinvent themselves, as is the case of our speaker.
At the end of their training, each of these junior programmers must face, regardless of their circumstances, the much-feared initial phase: searching for their first job. Along these lines, Ariane shares with us advice and recommendations that she draws from her own personal experience.
Below we summarize the 8 steps to get your first job as a junior programmer
Where and how to find a job as a junior programmer?
Go to all digital job search platforms, from the most general ones, such as LinkedIn and Infojobs, to the most specialized in the technological niche, such as Manfred or Tecnoempleo. Likewise, we must not leave aside other methods, fundamentally the traditional networking and the publication of candidates on social networks. In fact, it was thanks to an offer from Twitter that Jurado got his first job.
What to apply to?
In your first programming job, do not skip an offer because you do not meet 100% of the requirements. Because, often, employers rethink the application based on the profiles they receive. This does not mean that you have to throw your resume at anything, but if there is an offer that more or less fits your profile, do not back out because you do not master any of the requirements. It is a more common attitude, especially in women. “Don’t reject yourself,” says Jurado, “let them be the ones to reject you.”
Cover letter and email.
When sending your application, try to personalize it as much as possible, making clear the desire you have to grow. Don’t send the same message to all companies. Try to adapt it to each case and if you can accompany it with a motivation letter, the better.
Portfolio or personal website.
It is not necessary to have either option, but it is preferable. There are jobs that don’t ask you for it and others that do. Having it is always a plus in the selection process and, if you don’t have time to create one from scratch, create a GitHub profile. The important thing is that it is clear to the person who is going to hire you what you know how to do. To do this, you can share previous projects you have worked on, both personal and professional, ideas you have or simply clone a website or app.
The interview.
This is always the step that causes the most fear. Be confident, be yourself and sell yourself. Although it’s harder said than done, learning to control your nerves as much as possible is the key. In any case, most Human Resources teams know the nervousness that the first contact with a company can cause in a candidate. There is no need to hide it either, just cope with it.
Questions and doubts.
Don’t be afraid to ask. Find out what the next phases are, what each one is about and the times. “The less uncertainty, the less nerves,” says our guest.
Tests
Be prepared for any questionnaire or test that they are going to give you during the selection phase and, again, don’t be afraid to ask. Make sure you know what they want by reading each requirement carefully, don’t do too much and ask for feedback. Likewise, it’s okay if you make a mistake, take advantage to learn.
End of interview
Then ask, from what the next steps are to how the pandemic has affected them. If you have no doubts, make a summary of what was discussed, so that everything is clear. The most important thing is that you make your interest evident before saying goodbye.
Here we leave you the link to the full webinar so that in addition to these points and more super interesting content, you can listen to the Q&A round that if you are looking for a job, it is unmissable!
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