Difference between revisions of "Get a Software Development Job"
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==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
===Obtaining Necessary Education And Skills=== | ===Obtaining Necessary Education And Skills=== | ||
| − | #Discover more about the position. Before you pursue a career in software development it can helpful to learn the details about the position. Knowing more about your future as a software developer will help you to better plan your path to obtaining the position and help you determine if it's a good fit for you.<ref>http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm</ref> | + | #Discover more about the position. Before you pursue a career in software development it can helpful to learn the details about the position. Knowing more about your future as a software developer will help you to better plan your path to obtaining the position and help you determine if it's a good fit for you.<ref name="rf1">http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm</ref> |
#*On average software developers earn around $90,000 annually. | #*On average software developers earn around $90,000 annually. | ||
#*There is a large demand for software developers and the position is expected to grow up to 22% by 2022. | #*There is a large demand for software developers and the position is expected to grow up to 22% by 2022. | ||
#*Software developers build computer programs that either run applications or build the applications themselves. | #*Software developers build computer programs that either run applications or build the applications themselves. | ||
| − | #Select a technical focus. Although having a well rounded skill set and education will help you to obtain a position as a software engineer, choosing some specific skills to focus on can be a good idea. By building strong skills in a few areas you will be able to find a position that best suits your own career interests in software development.<ref>http://www.softwareengineerinsider.com/articles/software-development-career-options.html#.Vl9NwXooDtQ</ref> | + | #Select a technical focus. Although having a well rounded skill set and education will help you to obtain a position as a software engineer, choosing some specific skills to focus on can be a good idea. By building strong skills in a few areas you will be able to find a position that best suits your own career interests in software development.<ref name="rf2">http://www.softwareengineerinsider.com/articles/software-development-career-options.html#.Vl9NwXooDtQ</ref> |
#*Think about what kinds of software you want to develop and learn skills applicable to them. | #*Think about what kinds of software you want to develop and learn skills applicable to them. | ||
#*For example, you may want to focus on game development, app development, website development, or software development. | #*For example, you may want to focus on game development, app development, website development, or software development. | ||
#*Pick a programming language that you enjoy and want to learn more about. | #*Pick a programming language that you enjoy and want to learn more about. | ||
| − | #Find a school. Although it is possible to be self-taught and still find employment as a software developer, attending classes can be a good way to obtain the skills and education required for the position. Search for a college, university, or other course that has a program suited to your interests in the field of software development.<ref>http://www.softwareengineerinsider.com/careers/become-a-software-developer.html#.Vl9JaHooDtQ</ref> | + | #Find a school. Although it is possible to be self-taught and still find employment as a software developer, attending classes can be a good way to obtain the skills and education required for the position. Search for a college, university, or other course that has a program suited to your interests in the field of software development.<ref name="rf3">http://www.softwareengineerinsider.com/careers/become-a-software-developer.html#.Vl9JaHooDtQ</ref> |
#*Most software developers begin working after obtaining their bachelors degree. | #*Most software developers begin working after obtaining their bachelors degree. | ||
#*Both computer science and software engineering can be good choices when selecting a major. | #*Both computer science and software engineering can be good choices when selecting a major. | ||
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#*Don't stop learning. Technology develops and changes quickly and your knowledge and skills will have to reflect this. | #*Don't stop learning. Technology develops and changes quickly and your knowledge and skills will have to reflect this. | ||
#*Expanding your skill set will make you more appealing to employers. | #*Expanding your skill set will make you more appealing to employers. | ||
| − | #Get as much experience as possible. Beyond learning the ideas and concepts behind being a software developer you will want to get as much hands-on practice as you can. By actually implementing what you have been learning you will continue the learning process and build some examples that you can share with potential employers.<ref>http://www.sitepoint.com/7-tips-landing-first-client-freelance-developer/</ref> | + | #Get as much experience as possible. Beyond learning the ideas and concepts behind being a software developer you will want to get as much hands-on practice as you can. By actually implementing what you have been learning you will continue the learning process and build some examples that you can share with potential employers.<ref name="rf4">http://www.sitepoint.com/7-tips-landing-first-client-freelance-developer/</ref> |
#*Building and developing your own projects will let you practice your skills. | #*Building and developing your own projects will let you practice your skills. | ||
#*Having software that you have developed can be a great addition to your resume. | #*Having software that you have developed can be a great addition to your resume. | ||
#*Work on open source projects or offer some projects for free to build a portfolio. | #*Work on open source projects or offer some projects for free to build a portfolio. | ||
===Preparing Your Resume=== | ===Preparing Your Resume=== | ||
| − | #Include your contact information. The point of your resume will be to allow your potential employer to evaluate your skills and contact you for an interview. All parts of the resume are important but without your contact information you will not be able to be contacted even if your skills are outstanding. Include the following information about yourself at the top of your resume:<ref>https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/565/01/</ref> | + | #Include your contact information. The point of your resume will be to allow your potential employer to evaluate your skills and contact you for an interview. All parts of the resume are important but without your contact information you will not be able to be contacted even if your skills are outstanding. Include the following information about yourself at the top of your resume:<ref name="rf5">https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/565/01/</ref> |
#*Your full name. | #*Your full name. | ||
#*Your address. | #*Your address. | ||
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#*An email address. | #*An email address. | ||
#*Personal websites that highlight your previous and relevant work. | #*Personal websites that highlight your previous and relevant work. | ||
| − | #Prepare a detailed list of your education, training, and skills. Part of any good resume is to outline your skills and education. This should be a clear and detailed list of your qualifications for the position which will demonstrate the assets you are offering to bring to the employer if hired. Include the following information regarding your education:<ref>https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/565/02/</ref> | + | #Prepare a detailed list of your education, training, and skills. Part of any good resume is to outline your skills and education. This should be a clear and detailed list of your qualifications for the position which will demonstrate the assets you are offering to bring to the employer if hired. Include the following information regarding your education:<ref name="rf6">https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/565/02/</ref> |
#*The full name of any institutions you attended. | #*The full name of any institutions you attended. | ||
#*Include the address of those institutions. | #*Include the address of those institutions. | ||
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#*Additional minors or majors. | #*Additional minors or majors. | ||
#*Including your GPA can demonstrate your academic achievements. | #*Including your GPA can demonstrate your academic achievements. | ||
| − | #Make a section to show your past employment. Listing your past employers is a requirement for most resumes. In listing who you worked for last you demonstrate what you have already accomplished professionally and what duties you performed in those roles. Review the following details that you should include for your past employers:<ref>https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/565/03/</ref> | + | #Make a section to show your past employment. Listing your past employers is a requirement for most resumes. In listing who you worked for last you demonstrate what you have already accomplished professionally and what duties you performed in those roles. Review the following details that you should include for your past employers:<ref name="rf7">https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/565/03/</ref> |
#*Full name of the employer | #*Full name of the employer | ||
#*The date you were hired and the date you left. | #*The date you were hired and the date you left. | ||
#*Where that employer was located. | #*Where that employer was located. | ||
#*Focus on your roles and responsibilities with that employer. | #*Focus on your roles and responsibilities with that employer. | ||
| − | #Consider including hobbies. After you have detailed your professional skills and qualifications you can also include relevant hobbies. These hobbies should demonstrate your skill and passion for software development even further. Only include your hobbies if you have enough space to do so as this section is optional on your resume.<ref>https://career.berkeley.edu/Tools/faqResume</ref> | + | #Consider including hobbies. After you have detailed your professional skills and qualifications you can also include relevant hobbies. These hobbies should demonstrate your skill and passion for software development even further. Only include your hobbies if you have enough space to do so as this section is optional on your resume.<ref name="rf8">https://career.berkeley.edu/Tools/faqResume</ref> |
#*Only include hobbies relevant to the position you are applying for. | #*Only include hobbies relevant to the position you are applying for. | ||
#*For example, you might program and develop games for the Android platform as a hobby. | #*For example, you might program and develop games for the Android platform as a hobby. | ||
#*Another example would be any community events you organized that might demonstrate leadership. | #*Another example would be any community events you organized that might demonstrate leadership. | ||
#*Include your hobbies only if you have room on your resume to do so. | #*Include your hobbies only if you have room on your resume to do so. | ||
| − | #Keep your resume the right length. Employers are likely to receive a large amount of resumes that they will need to read through quickly. If your resume is too long or short this can automatically cause you to be rejected for the position. Strive to keep your resume at the appropriate length for the position you are applying for.<ref>https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/571/1/</ref> | + | #Keep your resume the right length. Employers are likely to receive a large amount of resumes that they will need to read through quickly. If your resume is too long or short this can automatically cause you to be rejected for the position. Strive to keep your resume at the appropriate length for the position you are applying for.<ref name="rf9">https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/571/1/</ref> |
#*Many employers require your resume to be only one page in length. | #*Many employers require your resume to be only one page in length. | ||
#*If you are seeking work fresh out of college then a one page resume is likely acceptable. | #*If you are seeking work fresh out of college then a one page resume is likely acceptable. | ||
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#*Certain sites such as https://www.linkedin.com/ allow you to create professional profile, resume and let you network with other professionals to look for software development opportunities. | #*Certain sites such as https://www.linkedin.com/ allow you to create professional profile, resume and let you network with other professionals to look for software development opportunities. | ||
===Interviewing Well=== | ===Interviewing Well=== | ||
| − | #Think of questions to ask. Although you will likely be the one answering most of the questions during your interview it is good practice to come prepared with questions of your own. Asking questions can show your interest, attention to detail, and seriousness in regards to the interview and the position you are seeking.<ref>https://www.career.vt.edu/Interviewing/AskQuestions.html</ref> | + | #Think of questions to ask. Although you will likely be the one answering most of the questions during your interview it is good practice to come prepared with questions of your own. Asking questions can show your interest, attention to detail, and seriousness in regards to the interview and the position you are seeking.<ref name="rf10">https://www.career.vt.edu/Interviewing/AskQuestions.html</ref> |
#*Try to have at least two or three thoughtful questions to ask. | #*Try to have at least two or three thoughtful questions to ask. | ||
#*If a question was answered during the course of the interview you can state this to demonstrate that you had prepared the question. | #*If a question was answered during the course of the interview you can state this to demonstrate that you had prepared the question. | ||
#*An example would be to ask about the companies unique strengths or how they would describe an ideal employee. | #*An example would be to ask about the companies unique strengths or how they would describe an ideal employee. | ||
#*Don't ask about salary. | #*Don't ask about salary. | ||
| − | #Research the employer. Don't forget that the interview process goes two ways. While you are being evaluated by the employer you should also be evaluating the company. Doing some research about the company will help you appear knowledgeable, interested and informed during the interview as well as let you decide if the employer is one you want to work for.<ref>https://career.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/Guide/Interviewing.pdf</ref> | + | #Research the employer. Don't forget that the interview process goes two ways. While you are being evaluated by the employer you should also be evaluating the company. Doing some research about the company will help you appear knowledgeable, interested and informed during the interview as well as let you decide if the employer is one you want to work for.<ref name="rf11">https://career.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/Guide/Interviewing.pdf</ref> |
#*Spend some time looking into the history of the company. | #*Spend some time looking into the history of the company. | ||
#*Inquire about the companies potential and future plans. | #*Inquire about the companies potential and future plans. | ||
#*Read up on company policy and mission statements. | #*Read up on company policy and mission statements. | ||
| − | #Practice your interview. Interviews can be high-stress situations. Practicing the interview before you enter into it can help you feel confident and remove some of the stress that can come with the process. Practice what you want to say during your interview, how you want to present yourself, and key concepts you want to focus on in order to do your best and relax when interviewing.<ref>https://www.career.vt.edu/Interviewing/Index.html</ref> | + | #Practice your interview. Interviews can be high-stress situations. Practicing the interview before you enter into it can help you feel confident and remove some of the stress that can come with the process. Practice what you want to say during your interview, how you want to present yourself, and key concepts you want to focus on in order to do your best and relax when interviewing.<ref name="rf12">https://www.career.vt.edu/Interviewing/Index.html</ref> |
#*Mock-interview services are often available. These will test, evaluate, and allow you to improve you interviewing skills. | #*Mock-interview services are often available. These will test, evaluate, and allow you to improve you interviewing skills. | ||
#*You can try practicing with a friend or family remember. | #*You can try practicing with a friend or family remember. | ||
#*Forming and practicing what you want to say can make it easier to repeat during the interview. | #*Forming and practicing what you want to say can make it easier to repeat during the interview. | ||
#*Think about the key aspects of your skills and personality that you want to convey. | #*Think about the key aspects of your skills and personality that you want to convey. | ||
| − | #Arrive early. Part of interviewing well is arriving to it early. The time you arrive will demonstrate your punctuality and your ability to follow a schedule. Always plan your trip to the interview and make sure you allow yourself enough time to arrive early.<ref | + | #Arrive early. Part of interviewing well is arriving to it early. The time you arrive will demonstrate your punctuality and your ability to follow a schedule. Always plan your trip to the interview and make sure you allow yourself enough time to arrive early.<ref name="rf11" /> |
#*Arriving late will likely cause you to no longer be considered for the position. | #*Arriving late will likely cause you to no longer be considered for the position. | ||
#*Arriving too early can send the wrong message and may hurt your chances. | #*Arriving too early can send the wrong message and may hurt your chances. | ||
