How I Got My First Software Job

Why I’m Writing This Post

Most people might skip this section, thinking it's just an introduction and head straight to the resources. But if you truly want to understand my journey—where I started, how I struggled, and how I eventually got my first job—then I believe this part might actually be the most helpful.

When I first joined COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, I was completely unsure about what I wanted to do with my career.

The pressure to "figure it out" and start earning money as soon as possible was always there. I didn’t have a clear direction—I just knew I had to move forward, even if I didn’t know which bus to take.

So I tried everything.

From WordPress, SEO, Google Data Analytics, and blog writing, to affiliate marketing, print-on-demand, Google & YouTube ads, Facebook ads, sales funnels, UX design, lead generation, and more—I explored almost every digital skill I could find.

I didn’t make any money from them, but that doesn’t mean they were useless. In fact, they played an indirect but important role in shaping who I am today. For example:

I’m able to write and structure this blog post because I learned content writing and SEO.
I manage my personal finances with confidence because of what I learned from the Google Data Analytics course.

Fast forward to my 6th semester, I finally decided to get serious about coding. I started with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and then jumped straight into Laravel—but it was all rushed and unclear.

I barely understood the core concepts and felt completely lost by the end of the semester.

During the semester break, I took a step back and started again, this time properly. I found the Sigma Web Development course by Code with Harry on YouTube and went back to the basics. I relearned HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in-depth, picked up Tailwind CSS, and started building projects.

When I was comfortable with the front-end, I learned React, then moved to back-end with Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. I built strong projects—including my final year project—and thought I was finally ready for job hunting.

But there was still a missing piece: direction.

That’s when I reached out to one of my seniors, Rao Waqas Akram, and asked for guidance. He asked me very fundamental software engineering questions—“What is a database?” “What are relational databases?”—and I couldn’t answer them confidently.

I had studied those subjects, but I had no real understanding. That was a wake-up call.

He told me clearly: "Before you go further, learn your basics. Learn what every good software engineer must know."

And so I did. For the next six months, I left all frameworks aside and focused on building a solid foundation:

Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA)
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Database Management Systems (DBMS)
Operating Systems (OS)
Computer Networks (CN)

Once I felt confident, I gave a mock interview—and also interviewed with a company at our university’s job fair. I got offers from both. And now, as I write this, I’m about to officially start my career as a software engineer in just a week.

If there’s one thing you take away from this story, let it be this:

The right mentorship and guidance can save you years of confusion.

That’s why I’m writing this post—not just to share the materials I used, but to give you the clarity I wish I had earlier.

Quick Introduction About Me

I’m a final-year student at COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, currently in my 8th semester and about to begin my first job as a Software Engineer within the next week.

I live in Sahiwal, and over the past year, I’ve gained hands-on experience building full-stack web applications—primarily while working on my final year project. While I’ve worked with technologies like React, Node.js, and MongoDB, my professional role will focus on .NET and Angular.

Two Common Approaches to Getting a Job in Software Engineering

In my experience (and what I’ve seen around me), most students follow one of two main approaches when trying to get a job in software engineering. Both paths have their strengths—but also their shortcomings.

Approach 1: The Fundamentals-First Path

This is where students spend most of their time learning core concepts like:

Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA)
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Databases, Operating Systems, Computer Networks

They often practice on platforms like LeetCode and build their problem-solving skills. While this approach builds a solid technical foundation, there's one common challenge:

When it comes time to apply, they often lack a strong portfolio or real-world projects to showcase their skills.

Without hands-on experience or visible projects, their resumes may look weaker compared to those who’ve built practical apps or websites.

Approach 2: The Framework-First Path

In this approach, students jump straight into learning frameworks and tools (e.g., React, Angular, Laravel, Node.js) and start building projects. They often reach out directly to startups or companies with the hope of contributing from day one.

This method builds confidence and results in great-looking portfolios, but there’s a downside:

When interviewed by good companies, they may struggle to answer basic technical questions related to core CS subjects.

This makes it difficult to land jobs at larger companies or structured organizations that prioritize technical depth. And even when they do get hired—usually by startups—the salary and growth opportunities tend to be more limited for freshers who don’t perform well in technical interviews.

The Best Approach? Combine Both.

Having experienced both sides, my honest recommendation is:

Combine the strengths of both approaches.

That's exactly what I did in the end. I spent over a year working with one stack—building real projects, including my final year project—and then took time to go back and master the fundamentals.

So when I started applying for jobs, I wasn’t just another fresher—I had:

Real hands-on project experience
A solid portfolio
Strong technical fundamentals

This combination made all the difference—and I believe it’s the most balanced and effective strategy for students aiming to break into software engineering confidently.

How I Prepared for My Interviews (With Resources)

Here’s the section most people have been waiting for—the actual interview preparation and resources I used to land my job.

During my final semester, I dedicated focused time to mastering both technical concepts and interview strategies. To help others like me, I’ve gathered everything I used into a Google Drive folder and other helpful links—all centralized and easy to follow.

Inside the resources, you’ll find study material and curated links for:

Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA)
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Database Management Systems (DBMS)
Computer Networks (CN)
Operating Systems (OS)

These documents go from beginner to advanced level and include code samples, definitions, real-world explanations, and links to helpful videos, playlists, and LeetCode problems.

While DSA, OOP, and DBMS are the most essential subjects for any fresher interview, I still recommend learning the basics of Operating Systems and Computer Networks—especially to understand concepts like client-server architecture, IP protocols, and system efficiency. Even if not directly asked, they improve your overall understanding.

My Daily Routine for Preparation

Since I was in my 8th semester with a relatively light schedule, I made the most of my free time. My week typically looked like this:

5 days fully free → Dedicated entirely to interview preparation.
2 days of university → Studied for 1–2 hours if I had the energy.

Here’s how I structured my preparation days:

After breakfast: Start studying core topics
Midday break for prayer and lunch
Afternoon to 8 PM: Continue studying and revising

This intense routine helped me cover and revise all the key concepts in a focused, consistent way.

How I Tried to Stand Out in Interviews

One strategy I used during interviews was something I developed myself—not something I found on YouTube or in a course.

Instead of giving textbook definitions, I always framed my answers in a way that showed real understanding and purpose.

For example, when asked, “What is DSA?”—instead of saying “It’s a way to organize data and algorithms are a finite set of steps,” I’d answer like this:

In today’s world, data drives decisions. And storing and managing this data costs time and money. In computer science, our job is to optimize and solve problems efficiently. That’s where Data Structures and Algorithms come in—they allow us to store, access, and manipulate data efficiently to reduce resource usage and improve performance.

This kind of answer shows that you understand the why behind the concept—not just the “what.” And that can leave a lasting impression on interviewers.

Resource Links (Everything in One Place)

Here are the links to all the materials I’ve mentioned:

What I Learned from This Journey (And Advice to Juniors)

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from this entire process is:

Consistency beats everything.

I didn’t come from a top-tier university like FAST or NUST. I didn’t have access to premium resources, referrals, or exclusive job pipelines. But I had one thing that kept me going—belief in consistency.

I knew that if I stayed committed, I could still make it. In fact, I had to work even harder to level the playing field—and that’s exactly what I did.

Another important takeaway is patience. On day one, the journey may seem endless and overwhelming. But trust me, if you stay focused and keep showing up every day—even on the bad days—the results will come.

One day, all your effort will turn into opportunities. You just have to hang in there and enjoy the process as it unfolds.

What I Would Do Differently

I’ve already talked about many of the mistakes I made earlier in this blog, so I won’t repeat them here. But if I were to go back and start my university journey again from day one, here’s what I’d do differently:

In Semester 1, I would focus on understanding the structure of the university—how CGPA works, how grading is divided, and how each subject contributes to my long-term goals.
From Semester 2, I would actively seek mentorship and guidance—whether from seniors, teachers, or professionals. With the right direction early on, I could have achieved in my 8th semester what I now believe was possible in the 3rd or 4th.

Final Words for My Juniors

If you’re reading this as a fellow student, know this:

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep improving.
Don’t compare yourself to others—compare yourself to who you were yesterday.

Whether you’re from a well-known university or a small campus in a lesser-known city, your grit and direction will matter more than your background.

Seek mentorship early. Stay consistent. Learn the fundamentals. Build real projects. Be humble enough to ask for help, and brave enough to keep going when nothing seems to be working.

Your time will come—and when it does, you’ll look back and be proud that you didn’t give up.

How I Got My First Software Job – A Complete Guide

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