I'm going to start by saying I'm sorry for this but I don't know what else to do. For 15 months I have been trying to get a coding job. I have a Bachelors in Computer Science, I graduated in 2012. It's a long story, but for years I was told by people I trusted that there was no future in coding and my information flow was heavily restricted. After working as a computer tech for some time, I got back into the coding habit and started looking for work, applying to coding jobs, starting a github, learning python. And for 15 months, despite passing coding tests and white board interviews, I have always been either rejected in favor of "a candidate with more experience" or asked how many enterprise e-commerce applications I have written as side projects. I saw the thread a while ago on how to get experience, but I have trouble coming up with side projects because well, it's been done already. Should I keep trying?
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Oldest comments (61)
Got a resume? What's it look like?
Here you go:
drive.google.com/file/d/1Fh1_FY-UW...
Hmm so 2017 - current: you got some projects you can fill in there?
Mostly very simple python scripts people asked for, that's about it, nobody accepts by bids on upwork
I'd probably still include those scripts anyways so it fills out your experience. Might not be much but better than too little.
Upwork is tough. You gotta start real low, most of the time, and work your way up. There are some posts on dev.to that talk about how to manage work on upwork. Might be worth searching them out and reading them unless you have already.
Can you elaborate on the jobs included in this hunt? If you are getting rejected due to lack of experience, my advice would be to apply to jobs that expect no prior experience (junior or entry level positions). It'd be helpful to know more details about these jobs though. What are the titles on the job posting? What are the industries?
Entry level developer, entry level software engineer, entry level devops engineer. Primarily in the finance industry. Most everything where I live that is C++ is trading/finance and not hiring for entry level, python and java are generally finance as well. I tend to avoid entry level/junior postings that require 5+ years of experience
Its my impression that the finance industry has an especially "corporate" culture. Those companies are probably going to place less value on freelance work, open source work, or side projects, and more value on the number of years you've spent working at another corporate company. That's not to say there aren't exceptions to this rule, but I think you'd have more luck if you applied to a company in the tech industry. Those companies are more likely to value self directed work (freelance, open source, side projects, etc). You're going to get a lot of advice telling you to build this portfolio of self directed work, but make sure you're applying to positions that value that portfolio.
I hope this helps, I really wanted to provide better advice than just "keeping doing work, keep applying." It is really hard to get that first software dev job, so just know that you aren't alone in this struggle.
You don't have to be sorry Christopher, finding a job can be tough!
@michaelgv here was looking for developers:
looking for workplace experience? we’re looking for developers
Michael
What about joining local dev communities and conferences? You probably need to expand your network. The first people you think about for a referral are people you already know or you ask someone you know if they know someone, that's one of the fundamental laws of the universe (and it's definitely fallible but that's a story for another day).
Also, build something. Who cares if it's not original. I think one of my first web apps I built was a blog, nobody needed a blog, myself included, but I learned stuff. Don't confine yourself to scripts or to the idea that if it's not original it's not worth doing because you'll never start otherwise.
And yes, keep trying!
Good luck!
Web Dev, outside of applets was never something I was very good at but I'll give it a shot.
Well, it was just an idea, programming is not just web dev. Python for example is very strong in data analysis and machine learning communities
I almost forgot: see if you can contribute to an open source project.
A few resources:
CodeTriage you can choose projects in need filtered by language. Spend sometimes checking the issues out, some projects indicate the level of difficulty, some don't unfortunately.
GitHub new contributors showcase: as they say in the subtitle... these projects have a history and reputation for being welcoming to new open source contributors.
The evergreen opensource guide
Awesome resources, thanks for sharing!!😃
It's tough, but when I was interviewing I really tried to have the mindset that 100 no's and one yes is the same as 0 no's and 1 yes.
Don't stop before you get that yes, but in the meantime you can try getting freelance work for anyone. You can start with super cheap contract/freelance and work up to make more as you continue to interview.
This approach is super underrated. It's how I got started. Start really cheap and as you get work just keep doubling your rate.
My first paid programming job was $10/hr :P
Several years into my programming career I got contacted by an old client who wanted me to do another project for them—for the same $15 I had been charging them when I was a total noob.
My first programming job wasn't payed at all...
Thanks !!!
Not sure if you're bound to one location, but you can try applying to other cities if that's an option for you. I mention this since I know quite a few entry-level devs in NYC still trying to get their first development job, while others have had more success in other cities.
I also think it's a decent strategy to gain experience elsewhere, and then move to a city that you like.
You just have to keep trying. I'm a Python/Ruby developer with over 10 years of stuff on my CV but living in a "developing country" (a.k.a. Third World) where most people won't pay a dime for your code and almost every developer position available is asking for either .NET experience or some ancient technology like Fox Pro. I work as a sysadmin/tech support guy to pay my bills and do some freelance coding (mostly for people looking to reduce cost by outsourcing) on the side while trying to keep my abilities up to date. That's the market we're dealing with, you just have to find a way to cope and keep going.
My advice: Keep a day job and join some Open Source project, keep yourself sharp and wait for a better chance. It will surely come.
Hi Yoandy, have you considered remote jobs?
Having an stable remote job would mean having an stable internet connection, which around these parts is kind of a luxury. I do some part time jobs from time to time
My privilege didn't even make me register that issue.
I am sorry for assuming, I didn't realize you were in Cuba.
Its a matter of luck also. I suggest you invest in real word projects doing pro-bono work. That's how I got my first job.
I would suggest you look here as there are lots of opportunities:
volunteermatch.org
I would also suggest putting any coding challenges you can on GitHub to enhance your application.
You can try also freecodecamp.org/ certifications as they give you lots of support and portfolio.
Good luck
Couple questions:
If you are like I can give you feedback on your CV and run a mock interview with you. For the past 3 years I spend a lot of time interviewing and hiring developers, a lot of them juniors.
So I can give you feedback as the other person on the other side of the table. Shoot me an email at info@allanmacgregor.com
*Both, even open to relocation if necessary
*Very often I never even get a phone screening call, but if I do ~ 2/5 of the time
I'll shoot you an email real quick, thank you.
Yes, I think you should keep trying... if this is what you think you actually want =)
About the side projects... At least in my team, one of the reasons we ask for side projects, is because is a way to know that you are able to build something... and that you have at least deal with the things required to ship that something...
One advice that I can give you (maybe because is my experience) is that is easier, to get accepted in companies that have, apprenticeship programs. Those companies are a good way to start... and maybe continue there =)
Good luck!
Here is how I hacked a similar situation:
I built a simple portfolio on github. It was worse than what you have right now. Don't dwell on this because it doesn't matter too much. Like a drop in a cup of water.
I built a simple website that allowed people to contact me. Yours is not bad, but it needs its own domain. Also do the following changes:
Change this:
To this:
I stopped trying to get a job and started looking for consulting gigs. How? Go to indeed.com, type Python and select your area. Then contact all of the consulting companies looking to fill positions. Why consulting? Because they hardly interview you and the pay is better. Don't take less than $60 an hour (that's really cheap for Chicago). This will get your foot in the door, experience, and industry contacts.
Rinse and repeat that last step.
It is a numbers game for sure. However, consulting through tech staffing companies tilts the odds towards you.
PS. Remove the Aspiring Software Developer title from github. That makes you look weak. You ARE a software developer. No one can or will argue that.
As a marketing guy getting back into coding I have to say Pablo could not hit the nail on the head better here.
Embrace the knowledge and value you have already built, people will react stronger to your confidence.
You mentioned that you have been getting terrible advice from people these last few years. This, my man, is good advice. Consulting! Super easy to get, and you get your foot in the door.
That's the best advice anyone can give. If you want to be a Software Developer act like one.
Yes. What he said
Though i am not the person that wrote the post, but i want to say a big thanks for this advice.
You are welcome.
Thanks that a really good advice.
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