The time between graduating and landing your first tech job can be stressful and uncertain — especially in recent years. As more people become interested in entering the field and many larger companies face layoffs, the increased competition for positions can mean it may take some people longer than expected to find that first entry-level position. Here are some helpful things I learned through the process of graduating and landing my first job at Atomic.
Don’t stop learning.
Even after obtaining your degree, your learning should not end. As you’re applying to find that first post-grad job, build the habit of continuing to learn the technologies and tools you want to work with once you land that job. You can accomplish this in many ways, such as reading articles, watching videos online, or investing in a course or textbook on an interesting subject. There is no truly correct way to learn a new thing. Instead, what matters is that, whatever method you use, you can articulate what you’re learning or show it through personal projects.
Continuing your learning helps you in several ways. One of the most important ways is showing potential employers that you enjoy and are invested in this field. Showing your desire to continue learning and improving will appeal to possible employers and could give you a leg up in the hiring process.
Don’t ignore the importance of soft skills.
When finding your first tech job, the technical aspect of the job search process is important. However, it is important not to overlook the importance of soft skills. Soft skills refer to skills such as communication, problem-solving, and time management. Each of these skills, while not technical, plays an important role in tech field roles.
Here are a few examples. Communication can make or break how you interact with a team or client for a project you’re working on. Problem-solving skills can determine how long it takes you to figure out a complicated technical problem or what may be causing a bug in your program. Time management is important to show you can balance different tasks while also meeting deadlines. Soft skills will come up often within any workplace, so it is important not to allow technical ability to overshadow the importance of soft skills.
Don’t read horror stories online.
If you are struggling to land your first tech job, it’s easy to get worried and fall into the trap of finding stories of other people online who may be in a similar position to yours. This can be dangerous.
Many people post on different social media platforms about how hopeless their job search feels or how they feel “unhireable.” At one point, I made the mistake of reading these sorts of posts. It left me feeling hopeless and questioning whether I would ever find a job. Not only was this not productive, but it was damaging to my mental state by putting false ideas into my head. Reading these horror stories of people struggling to find employment will only damage your motivation to put in the effort needed to land the job you want.
Everyone’s experience will be different, so you shouldn’t let others’ stories and experiences determine how you should view your own progress and effort. Sometimes it may take longer to land a job than you may expected, and that’s okay. As long as you are proactive in improving yourself and applying to positions you believe you are capable of, you will eventually find the job meant for you.
Do focus on growth.
Your journey from graduation to your first job in tech may not always be a straightforward path. It may even feel overwhelming at times. However, by staying focused on growth — whether it’s continuing to learn, honing your soft skills, or avoiding the negativity of some people online — you will be setting yourself up for success.