1. Companies want you to succeed.
Companies spend a lot on hiring. Most companies would prefer to complete the hiring process quickly. They want you to succeed.
If you understand this, instead of feeling like you are being scrutinized, recognize that there's a shared desire for you to succeed.
There's not a perfect number for how much it costs to hire a developer, but you can do some basic math to figure out that it's probably at least $20k on average.
What this means is that the hiring manager has two competing incentives: 1. find the right candidate; 2. find the candidate quickly. The longer the search takes, the more expensive it is.
But it's not just a monetary cost.
It's to your advantage to understand that your potential employer is probably tired of interviews that don't pan out. They want to get to the work, and stop spinning their wheels. That can have a heavy emotional toll.
tldr; The person interviewing you likely wants you to succeed. Join them in that mindset.
2. The right job might feel slightly out of reach
If you apply for whatever feels safe today, you likely won't feel like you are growing. Apply for something out of reach! The worst that can happen is denial.
Use some discretion here. If the job requires 10 years of experience and you're brand new to the career, it's probably a better idea to reach for the mid-level position that requires two years of experience instead.
tldr; Give yourself the challenge and expectation that requires growth. Focus on jobs that are barely out of your reach. Avoid jobs that are easy, or are three times beyond your reach.
3. Reflect the posting in your resumé
Reflecting the original job posting language can help you directly address the requirements outlined.
Look for language used. For example, if the posting says "developer", don't use the term "engineer." If the posting mentions any requirements, address each one that you have relevant experience with. Rule of thumb: convert the job posting into a checklist, and make sure your resumé and/or cover letter hits all of those items.
tldr; Match language and address the full job posting. Don't just send your resumé along without adjusting to meet all necessary criteria.
4. Your non-coding experience matters
What you learn in other areas of your life and career is relevant to your experience as a developer, for a few reasons.
First, your reasoning ability and mental models you build in a different domain are likely transferable to software development, whether directly or indirectly.
Second, your habits, personality, and perspective are all incredibly important to your future employer. For example, previous job habits may show your ability to collaborate well with others, engage with clients, operate under uncertainty, or communicate complex topics with clarity. All of these skills can be exhibited in jobs that have nothing to do with software development.
tldr; Most skills and experience are transferable and relevant, so don't leave out cross-industry employment and experience.
5. Connections are the goal; a job comes after
No matter how good your resumé, cover letter, and experience is, you are most likely one of a large number of applicants for any given job. The wording of a particular line on your resumé is not going to move the needle very much. Most jobs come as a result of a personal connection. So, go make connections! Talk with people in the industry, discuss the problems they are facing, and learn about what they love.
tldr; Job postings are fine, but relationships trump all other avenues of job searching.
Conclusion and a final recommendation:
When you are searching for a job, remind yourself that employers do not have an "all-seeing eye." Just because you don't get a job doesn't mean you couldn't do that job. Be encouraged in your journey! Finding a job is hard, so it pays off to think differently about the process. I hope these tips can help you in your search. Good luck!
P.S. - feel free to reach out for career advice. We also talk about topics like this on Developer Tea (a podcast for driven developers like you) all the time, so be sure to check that out!
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