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Ask HN: Advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles?

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Ask HN: Advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles?

#1

Post by i_am_mike »

Hi HN. Do you have any advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles? How to get through the automated resume screening, does having projects on GitHub help, etc?

I hear the job market is "hot," but is that true of entry positions too?

I'm a self-taught programmer who recently decided to finish my bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I'll be finishing in a month or so, and I'm trying to do some planning in advance.

I guess what I'm asking is: If you were fresh out of college, how would *you* go about getting a job?

If anyone is curious about the weird graduation time, I go to wgu.edu, and they let you accelerate through the classes as fast as you can go. I recommend it.

Re: Ask HN: Advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles?

#2

Post by kavyaj »

To your question 'how to get through the automated resume screening', I literally just wrote a post today on Dev.to: https://dev.to/kavyaj/how-to-get-noticed-by-tech-recruiters-...

For the other points: Firstly, I would say personalizing your application for the role you are applying for really helps. Sometimes students fresh out of college mention a ton of skills on their resumes that they only have an idea about. That wouldn't really help unless you can really contribute. Write only those skills that you're confident about and have some projects to back your claims.

Secondly, connect with people within the company that you're applying for - they needn't be the direct hiring manager but anyone who can give you some reference, some insights would really help you get an edge over the other candidates. You can find folks on LinkedIn, Twitter or other public platforms to connect.

Hope this helps and good luck for your search!

Re: Ask HN: Advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles?

#3

Post by cvhashim »

The job market is great…for mid-level and senior engineers. One thing I’d say is to get a referral for Jr level roles and that will atleast get your resume in front of someone. Also attend virtual hiring events. YC has the Work at a Startup event every once in a while. Take advantage of services like LeetResume for resume writing.

Edit:

https://hackerx.org/ for hiring events and networking

Re: Ask HN: Advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles?

#4

Post by Mc91 »

> I'm a self-taught programmer who recently decided to finish my bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I'll be finishing in a month or so, and I'm trying to do some planning in advance.

If I was you I would apply to internships right now to a lot of companies as a college student. It might be too late if you're about to graduate.

Internships are the easiest way into a company as a junior. You intern somewhere for a summer between junior and senior year, if they like you, you might get an offer when senior year ends. You seem past that, but can apply any how.

One thing, if you're considering getting an MSCS, is say you want an internship between the BS and MS. Even if you wind up not doing the MSCS, you'll have some experience under your belt. If you decide to not do an MSCS while interning, you can apply to other companies while interning, and if you get an offer tell the company you're interning with that you will postpone or not get your MSCS and that you got an offer and will not being going back to school right after the internship - you might wind up getting two offers (the company you applied to while interning, and the company you're interning at). You can be candid during the internship application right off the bat that you're applying for an internship between a BSCS and MSCS, but also have in the back of your mind that you might jump into a career after the BSCS and there is the possibility you might postpone the MSCS.

You can apply as a junior as well alongside this. The main thing is getting some offers and getting your foot in the door.

Re: Ask HN: Advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles?

#5

Post by savant_penguin »

kavyaj wrote: post #2

To your question 'how to get through the automated resume screening', I literally just wrote a post today on Dev.to: https://dev.to/kavyaj/how-to-get-noticed-by-tech-recruiters-... For the other points: Firstly, I would say personalizing your application for the role you are applying for really helps. Sometimes students fresh out of college mention a ton of skills on their resumes that they only have an idea about. T…

"reach out to key decision makers in the company you're applying for."

I'd be really concerned the decision maker would not consider this proactive but rather creepy

Re: Ask HN: Advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles?

#6

Post by scottiebarnes »

Your biggest barrier is getting past recruiters/screeners. There's more competition for positions at the junior level.

Load your CV with the targeted keywords and phrases that fit the job posting and your skill set.

Your next challenge will be interviewing well.

Re: Ask HN: Advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles?

#7

Post by itsrajju »

kavyaj wrote: post #2

To your question 'how to get through the automated resume screening', I literally just wrote a post today on Dev.to: https://dev.to/kavyaj/how-to-get-noticed-by-tech-recruiters-... For the other points: Firstly, I would say personalizing your application for the role you are applying for really helps. Sometimes students fresh out of college mention a ton of skills on their resumes that they only have an idea about. T…

Connecting to people already working in the company really helps. Pitch yourself to them and they might agree to provide you with an internal referral: it's an excellent way to jump the queue in the hiring pipeline.

Re: Ask HN: Advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles?

#8

Post by cocoflunchy »

savant_penguin wrote: post #5
kavyaj wrote: post #2

To your question 'how to get through the automated resume screening', I literally just wrote a post today on Dev.to: https://dev.to/kavyaj/how-to-get-noticed-by-tech-recruiters-... For the other points: Firstly, I would say personalizing your application for the role you are applying for really helps. Sometimes students fresh out of college mention a ton of skills on their resumes that they only have an idea about. T…

"reach out to key decision makers in the company you're applying for." I'd be really concerned the decision maker would not consider this proactive but rather creepy

No hiring manager will be finding a dev candidate reaching out creepy. The worst that can happen would be to be redirected to HR.

Re: Ask HN: Advice for applying to Junior Software Engineering roles?

#10

Post by roflchoppa »

If you don't need a large boat of money passed your way, consider working as a staff engineer at a local university, they have less stringent screening on whom to hire, you can find senior engineers that have worked in the private sector for years that have a good information base to tap into, and the work life balance is better.

Look at research institutes/universities in the area, for me that was; UCSC, UCB, Lawrence Berkeley Labs, Stanford...

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