First job in IT. How to get a job as a programmer without experience

How to write a resume to get a job as a programmer

Employers spend less than nine seconds to read a resume, so there will be no chance to make a second impression. In general, it does not matter who you want to get a job - a developer, project manager or 3D artist. Recommendations for finding the first position in IT are universal.

1. Analyze previous experience

It may seem to a beginner that there is nothing to write in a resume - the skills accumulated in another area will not be useful here. This is wrong. Soft skills are important in IT and definitely worth pointing out. For example, communication with clients, ability to work in a team, stress resistance, creativity. The list should not be long - describe only those strengths that suit the job. Add specifics. For example, "personnel management skills - a team of up to 50 people", "sales experience - 5 years".

2. Be concise

Ideally, your profile should fit on one page. Indicate only important information - work experience, education, courses. Avoid complex sentences, then the necessary information will not escape the attention of the employer. In order for him to have a closer look at your achievements, add links to accounts in professional social networks. But the page where you post personal photos is better not to share.

3. Customize your resume for different jobs

Suppose an employer is looking for an aspiring Java developer. He received two resumes. The first candidate describes in detail the experience with Python and only mentions Java. The second one gives examples of full-fledged projects in Java, and also adds that he knows Python. Most likely, a second candidate will be invited for an interview, because his resume is more suitable for the vacancy. If you are looking for a job in several directions, it is better to have different resumes and indicate only the skills and achievements that are significant for the position.

4. Work on the layout

Highlight headings in large print, and arrange long listings with bulleted lists. Double-check the mistakes - because of them, the recruiter may think that you are not serious about your job search. If you are not a professional designer, you should not flirt with visual creativity - a kaleidoscope of non-standard fonts can distract from the point and make reading uncomfortable. A photo on your resume is optional, but if you still want to add one, choose a business portrait. Pictures from a vacation against the backdrop of the sea are definitely not worth putting.

In order not to create a resume from scratch, you can use online designers. For example, MyResume, HeadHunter, SuperJob. And the services "Glavred", "Spelling", Yandex Speller will help to check the errors. By the way, the latter works not only with Russian, but also with English.

What to add to portfolio

For most programmers, a portfolio is an account on a platform for hosting IT projects. Collect in it those that you are really proud of. If you use tutorials, do not copy tasks exactly the same - add something from yourself.

It will be a plus if you show in your portfolio the pet projects that you worked on in your free time. This will show that you are truly interested in the work. For example, you can write a chatbot or a simple game. Update your portfolio whenever possible. Participated in an interesting project or went to a hackathon — tell us about it.

Where to look for a job as a beginner programmer

To get started, take a look at popular aggregators: HeadHunter, Superjob, Geekjob. In addition, vacancies for programmers are published on Habr Career and vc.ru. You can also check the websites of specific companies - as a rule, they have sections with open positions. In chats and groups in social networks, they also post posts about hiring. For example, look in Telegram for channels with IT vacancies.

If nothing interesting was found, try chatting with recruiters on social networks. Yes, you probably won’t be offered a suitable job right off the bat. But to clarify whether they plan to hire newcomers in the near future, it will definitely work out. Ask if the company has a One Day Offer practice - at such events, the candidate goes through all the interviews in one day and, as a result, he can be offered a job. Even if you don’t have the skills to get an offer right away, this will allow you to understand what the requirements are for developers and make contact with recruiters.

When looking for a job for a novice programmer, networking is important. Go to hackathons and conferences, check out the chats and forums of your community. Feel free to talk about your career change on social media. Even if there are no programmers among your subscribers, they may know someone who will offer a job.

How to write a cover letter

There are no exact requirements - such a text is written in a free style. But in order to interest the recruiter, stick to the structure:

• Start with a hello. A neutral "Hello" or "Good afternoon" will suffice. Turnover "Good time of day" grammatically wrongso it's best not to use it at all.
• Write what position you are applying for. A recruiter usually works with several vacancies and may not immediately figure out which one you are applying for.
• Describe your experience. A novice programmer can talk about his skills and personal qualities. It is also worth mentioning why you want to work in this particular company.
• Leave contacts for communication. Enter your phone number, nickname in messengers, email. The data should look professional. If you have a frivolous email address, like maksik_devil98 or bigboss2022, it's better to create a new one - with a first and last name.

In the amount of text should be guided by common sense. A couple of clear paragraphs will look better than several pages of reasoning.

What tests should not be taken

A test project is not a full-fledged project, but only a trial task. Therefore, it usually takes 1-3 hours to complete it. If you are asked to take on a job that requires several days, but you are not offered payment, it is better not to waste your time. It is important to clarify the deadline: if the company asks to turn in the work tomorrow, or better today, this should alert. It is possible that a potential employer has difficulties with time management and does not really appreciate the time of employees.

Before starting the task, carefully read what is required of you. Any questions? Feel free to ask them. By the way, if you do not have time to turn in the work on time, it is better to write to the recruiter in advance and ask to move the deadline. The delay will still be noticed, and without explanation, you may be considered a disorganized and irresponsible person.

And you should not ask a more experienced friend to complete a test task for you - the team leader can easily find out the truth by asking clarifying questions at the interview.

What to talk about in an interview

To find a job, a novice programmer has to go through the most important stage of hiring - an interview. Prepare for the conversation: find out what the company that invited you is doing. Consider answers to common questions: why do you want to work in IT, what are your strengths and weaknesses, how do you assess your career prospects.

In addition to the recruiter, you will have to talk with a specialist who will check your technical knowledge. You may be asked theoretical questions and offered to write simple code. You can practice doing such tasks on the sites AlgoExpert, Leetcode, HackerRank.

In addition, it is important to think over the list of questions to the employer in advance. Not only is the company eyeing you, but you decide if the job is right for you. Be sure to specify the salary, scope of your duties, conditions and work schedule.

Is it worth agreeing to study in a company?

When looking for a job, programmers without experience may come across offers for interns. They are often posted on job sites. This is a good opportunity for a novice specialist to gain experience and practical skills. Some companies offer to take training from them, and according to its results, they take on a permanent job. But it is important to clarify a few points:

• Duration and format of training. On average, the program takes 2-3 months. Some companies expect the developer to come to the office for a full day, in others it is enough to spend 4 hours on online training. There is also a mixed option, in which they offer to work in a team and independently.
• The scope of duties. It is important that the requirements match your qualifications and professional goals. For example, you may be asked to master the theory and prepare a small project.
• Involvement of a mentor or mentor. Your goal is learning, which means that there should be a person on the project who can point out mistakes and give feedback.
• Availability of payment. Some companies do not pay tuition, while others provide a small salary. When choosing, consider your financial situation.

The relationship with the employer must be documented. If you're just offered to go to the office without clear deadlines and responsibilities, you should look for other training options.