Looking to land that perfect developer’s job? Or maybe you are thinking of breaking into the program management space? Jobs in tech are well-compensated, plentiful, and competitive. It is easy to think that because the tech industry is growing so quickly and constantly has positions to fill, a job should be easier to find. Unfortunately, the best jobs are hyper-competitive and the hiring team will have hundreds of applicants to sort through. That doesn’t mean you can’t get one of these jobs for yourself. Just be ready to put in the work.
Expect it To Take Some Time
You hear how companies can’t fill positions fast enough. Your time spent going through job listings seems to indicate there are plenty of spots you qualify for, so how hard can it be? The biggest mistake most people make when searching for their dream job in tech is underestimating the amount of time it will take to land a position. Even if you land an interview with your dream company right off the bat, large companies have a different type of hiring practice than smaller shops, and the process can take months.
Have money set aside so you don’t feel the need to jump at the first job offer you receive. You can interview better if you have confidence and don’t seem too desperate for the job. In the months leading up to your job hunt, lower your monthly expenses and look hard at ways you can slash your budget. One simple tip to consider is refinancing your student loans with a private lender. By refinancing your existing loans, you can lower your monthly payment. Redirect the money you save into an account to carry you through your job search. These extra funds add up and allow you to take the time to apply and interview with your dream companies.
Interviewing Takes Practice
Interviewing is a skill, and like any other skill, you can improve with practice. Interviewing is also not closely related to your ability to do the job, so don’t let problems with interviews shake your confidence in your work skills. The best way to strengthen your interview skills is to apply for jobs you aren’t as interested in first. Rather than jumping right into the FAANG pool, apply to some local or regional companies. You don’t want to go too far off-course. You need to replicate the technical experience that you will face at larger companies.
Build a Project
If you are looking for a job as a developer or designer, you need a portfolio. Having a few projects to direct interviewers to helps you stand out in the pool of applicants. Don’t think that others won’t have these projects as well, but not everyone will, and many hiring managers have a strong preference for applicants who build and deploy projects on their own time. Another advantage of having projects available is that it gives you something to talk about in your interview. Rather than awkwardly trying to explain a skill or solution, you can pull up your project and talk about how you came to the decisions you did during the design process.
