Mastering the job hunting strategy: Tips for aspiring developers.

If you are eager to learn and grow as a developer then learn how to learn. You need to have an accurate view of your current abilities and limitations to be learning oriented. ‘Benjamin Barber, an eminent political theorist, once said,

I don’t divide the world into the weak and the strong, or the successes and the failures. . . . I divide the world into the learners and non learners.

-Carol Dweck, “Mindset - Updated Edition: Changing The Way You think To Fulfill Your Potential”

Success is about learning and not proving you’re smart.

When you start hunting for jobs, start with your ‘why’. Go beyond generic answers such as “I want to become a front end developer”. “I want a higher income”. Dig deep and find out what is driving you to pursue this path. This will help you stay on the path when you encounter setbacks and rejections.

Look into a company not for the company name but rather the people who are behind it. They’re the ones you will be working for and they are the one’s who set the company culture.

There is no need to be a perfectionist. Get enough foundational knowledge of the programming language that you are learning and get yourself a foot in the door. As beginner, you would apply for a junior developer role so you are not expected to know everything. Never enter into the job interview pretending to be someone you are not. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be developing your soft skills. Remember, the recruiters are looking for you not some make believe persona.

Work on your resume and portfolio. Get your portfolio reviewed by other developers. This should be a continuous process. Avoid generic projects and resumes. Research the company that you want to work for. Find out about the people in that company, their values and their culture. Design your resume and cover letter based on your research. It should show that not only do you want to work for them but the reason why you want to work for them. Don’t forget to network. Your next opportunity may come from someone you aren’t expecting.

Finally, think of your whole life. Job is just one small part of it. There is your family, health and relationship. Maintain a healthy balance as you continue to learn and grow as a developer.