Software engineers and application developers, especially new ones, have to face down the job-hunting process. It’s a daunting task for anyone and may be especially daunting when there’s a technical component. So we are here with some tips and advice to get a tech job you love as a software engineering or app development candidate.
Dakota Dvorak, Mitchell Martin’s VP of Application Development Delivery, says to know your skills, strengths, and weaknesses. “To get a job, you need to sell yourself. To sell yourself, you must know yourself. Before applying for any new role, consider your qualities as an engineer or developer. What are you good at, from technical skills to experience, and what personality qualities make you a great hire? Look at this list and determine where you truly excel so that you can highlight that. Everyone applying for a software job might have coding skills, so what is it about your coding skills that is exceptional?”
He also says “In addition, you need to take a look at your weaknesses. Everyone has them, so you may as well address them! In some situations, you can overcome a weakness by developing new skills and strategies. In other areas, a weakness is a sign that you should avoid a job where those skills are a must-have. An honest accounting of these factors will prepare you when a recruiter or hiring manager looks at the same information.”
To get a job, you need to sell yourself. To sell yourself, you must know yourself. Before applying for any new role, consider your qualities as an engineer or developer. What are you good at, from technical skills to experience, and what personality qualities make you a great hire? Look at this list and determine where you truly excel so that you can highlight that.
Dak gives some additional pointers to candidates looking for a software engineering job:
Decide Where you Want to Work
This does not necessarily mean that you need to decide which company holds your dream job. Instead, this advice is more about considering those strengths and weaknesses and determining what kind of job is a good fit. It might also mean considering where you want to go in the future, and deciding what makes a good step along your particular career path.
As a software engineer or app developer, you have a lot of opportunities and many choices. You may want to specialize in something specific or be a generalist. You may want to work as a front-end developer or focus on the back end. Wherever your career goals lie, determining what you want is key to developing the skills and experience you need to get there.
Make a Portfolio
Whether you are a long-serving engineer or new to the job market, you have some projects under your belt. It’s important to highlight what you can do as a software engineer or app developer, with a portfolio you can present to decision makers. Especially if you do not have work experience, a portfolio can show off your skills and highlight what you can do if you are hired. So, what should you include in this portfolio?
It’s a good idea to include some simple information about who you are to put your portfolio work in context. Of course, the projects are the most important component of your portfolio, so put the most effort into this area. You will also want to include some contact information if a recruiter happens across your portfolio and is impressed.
Highlight Your Skills with a Tailored Resume and Cover Letter
Your portfolio shows how your skills translate to real projects, but you can’t skip over the resume and cover letter! You should now be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and how you can position those to your advantage. It’s now time to put that all together in a package that works as a sales pitch.
There are a few key things to highlight within a resume and cover letter to secure a software engineering or developer job. Your previous responsibilities, accomplishments, problem-solving skills, and how all of this helped former employers and their clients will demonstrate your value.
Every time you apply for a new position, tailor these documents to the job description. The job likely calls for a specific coding language and skillset, so if you have those skills, highlight them! Your resume and cover letter should always focus on why you’re the best choice for any given job.
Get Ready for a Technical Interview
If you make it through to the interview stage, be prepared for a technical component. For many candidates this feels like a high pressure situation, especially if you are working with a whiteboard. However the interview is formatted, expect that you will be asked technical questions.
Determine a strategy that will help you prepare, whether it is flashcards or practicing with your own whiteboard. Make sure that you are comfortable answering technical questions. For example, you may be asked about specific coding languages, perfor-mance, testing, networking, accessibility, or other areas.
Follow these tips, connect with a great staffing company like Mitchell Martin who specializes in application development, and you will be that much closer to a job you’ll love! Meanwhile, check out Mitchell Martin’s career site to see if there are any jobs that might be a fit for your skills and experience. If you don’t see anything currently, check back often or sign up for similar job alerts from any job posting page!