How to be ready before your first Developer Job interview

As a developer and hiring participant, I remember the struggles of applying for developer jobs and facing rejection multiple times. Straight out of college, I thought academic success would guarantee professional success, but I quickly learned that keeping up with new technologies was key. If you're in the same boat, don't worry, you can still succeed.

This blog focuses on technical preparation for a developer interview. We won't be covering non-technical aspects such as confidence, body language, eye contact, and dressing. My expertise lies solely in the technical aspect of the interview process.

These are my recommendations.

1. Create a structured resume

A strong developer resume showcases skills, experience, and qualifications tailored to the job. It should include contact info, a summary, work history, skills, education, projects, certifications, and awards. A well-crafted resume can increase the chances of landing an interview and a job.

2. Create a cover letter as well

Most people think a resume is enough to provide your information to a potential employer, this can be true for some companies but not all so being prepared helps. A resume is a basic rundown of your work experience and skills, but a cover letter can set you apart. It shows your enthusiasm for the job and connects your skills to the company's needs. Don't rely on just a resume, add a cover letter to show your personality and why you're the best fit for the job.

3. Don't try to learn it all at the last moment

Usually, first-time applicants try to learn it all before an interview, which is not possible unless you are an absolute genius. Read the job description with great attention to detail. Normally for a junior developer in any technology, the most common requirements are

• Knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming concepts.

• The ability to identify and fix bugs in code.

• Knowledge of database management systems, SQL, and database design concepts.

• Familiarity with version control systems such as Git and an understanding of basic Git commands.

4. Don't forget to add your Github profile to your resume

Having a Github account is having proof of work and I always take a look at someone's Github repositories if they provide it in their resume.

• It shows you have worked on projects which you specified in your resume.

• It helps the reviewer to understand, what level of complexity you can handle in a project.

• It helps to differentiate you from other applicants because most out-of-the-school applicants don’t know how to use it unless it’s part of the curriculum. The company has to train you if you don’t know how to do version control.

This is a bonus note for someone who's still in college. Create a GitHub account and create repositories for all your academic projects.

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I hope this blog was a blast to read and gave you some useful tips. If it was a home run for you, let me know! And if you think there's room for improvement, don't be shy, let me know that too. Either way, I'm rooting for you to nail that interview! Remember, the job search journey can be a rollercoaster, but don't give up! With each interview, you're gaining valuable experience and getting closer to finding your perfect fit. So keep pushing forward, stay motivated, and believe in yourself. Best of luck!