How to Get a Job as a Coder

It’s safe to say that computers have become an integral part of human life. In fact, the world would come to a standstill if computers ceased to work.

Which is why great coders are in such high demand.

Getting Hired As A Coder

Landing your dream job as a coder is probably one of your main priorities. Although a lot of coders possess the skills required to land a job in the field, most of them don’t know how to secure their first job.

If you’re someone who hasn’t learned the skills to become a coder yet, Thinkful’s Software Engineering course is something you’ll want to consider. On top of learning all of the skills you’ll need to know to kickstart a successful career as a coder, Thinkful also guarantees that you’ll find a job post-graduation. They’re so confident that you’ll find a job, that you don’t pay a cent towards your education until you get hired.

If taking another course doesn’t interest you, then you’ll want to follow the recommendations in this list below to land your next job.

1. Build A Portfolio:

Recruiters want to see a portfolio to understand your skillset, as well as your past experience. So, before applying for a job, you should build and maintain a good portfolio that represents your professional identity. To build this, you can take on volunteer projects, use projects from your courses, take on beginner freelance projects, and more.

If you don’t want to build your own website, platforms like GitHub, Source Forge, and Apache Allura are good places to build your portfolio.

2. Freelance Projects:

Many startups don’t have a ton of funds to hire full-time employees. Because of that, they often choose to hire freelancers. Freelancing is a great way to build your portfolio, and after some time you can actually make a very good living freelancing.

The benefits of freelancing are that you get to work on a variety of projects, you have a lot more flexibility in your career, and you can make a good income if you build a solid reputation.

The disadvantages are that freelancing is not as secure as working with one company, you typically get paid by project instead of being on the payroll, and there’s usually a learning curve when it comes to landing consistent clients.

3. Approach A Startup:

Approaching a big corporation for an entry-level role can be challenging. Instead, a good option is to approach a startup. Although the pay and perks might be less in a startup, it’ll be one of the best ways to get into the industry. Startups are usually very fast-paced and rapidly growing, so you’ll learn a lot in a short period of time at a startup.

4. Build Connections:

In the age of social media, it’s important to build connections and know what everyone is doing in the corporate world. Use social media handles wisely. With platforms like LinkedIn, connecting with other professionals has become much easier. If you maintain a great profile and connect with peers, you might get lucky in the job-hunting process.

5. Keep Learning:

Coding is one domain where you need to compete with a lot of fellow professionals. You should possess at least one distinct skill, which will give you an edge over other applicants. It’s important that you continue to take courses and level-up your skill set.

Technology is advancing at a fast pace. It heavily influences our lives and we’re becoming increasingly dependent on the internet. Coding is one skill that every software company needs and coders are typically the backbone of digital companies. So, if you’re considering a career as a coder, now is the perfect time to enter the field.

If you’d like to make your journey a lot easier, enroll in a course that’ll give you everything you need. From coding skills, to one-on-one mentorship, to the guidance required to ultimately land a job you’ll love, Thinkful’s Software Engineering course has you covered.