So, I recently graduated – 🥳 🎊🎉 – and I’m currently looking for an opportunity to put my knowledge & skills to use, while earning a nice salary 🙃. Searching for a Junior Software Developer position should be a piece of cake 🍰, right? WRONG !
The job search can be discouraging & frustrating, if you allow it to get the best of you, but don’t give up! Positions posted as “Entry-Level” could list as a requirement, “3-5 years of experience in…” What?! Isn’t this “entry-level”?! * Taps microphone * Where is this experience supposed to come from? Granted, there are many people who may actually have the experience; unfortunately, I’m just not one of them🙃…
Here’s where recruiters come into play. They get your CV/Résumé, attempt to establish a rapport with you, learn about your skills and identify a job that you may be a potential fit for. Everything sounds great and then the Right-To-Represent Form comes up. Note: If a recruiter can’t explain how this form works and all that it entails, don’t feel pressured to sign with them. In fact, try to do research on the agency before speaking with the recruiter. Plenty will call you, so it’s not a loss if you miss one. The Seattle Times published a great article on understanding a Right-To-Represent Form, which can be found here: https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/careers/should-you-sign-a-right-to-represent-agreement-with-a-recruiter/
Just be sure that you want to work with that recruiter and agency, before agreeing to sign 😉! Good luck with your search, if you’re in the job market; I know that I can definitely use some, lol 😆.
As always, have a great day 😁!
Aerie
Advice
If you’ve graduated and haven’t had an internship, any certifications, or you haven’t attended college and still want to pursue a career in Tech, maybe you could consider the following:
- Attend user groups. This is a great opportunity to network and learn about the industry from individuals who work in it, daily. Gain knowledge, make a friend, and possibly have a meal (they usually provide food 😋)!
- Contribute to Open-Source projects. Search GitHub and show off your skills! There are plenty of projects waiting to be graced by your lovely code. Not sure of where to start? How about here 🙂:https://opensource.guide/how-to-contribute/
- Listen to Tech-related podcasts. So much information is right at the tip of your fingers and you simply have to just press “Play”. Just search for the area of interest (i.e., programming languages, Artificial Intelligence, Databases, etc.) and listen. Here’s a podcast that I actually enjoy:
- Write a blog. If you enjoy writing, express your passion for Tech so that others can read about it! You never know: you may share something new and even have someone like it!😉 *hint…hint*
Fun Fact/News
Looks like Google’s temporary and contracted workers will be receiving full benefits in the upcoming years. Check it out here: https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/02/tech/google-full-benefits-temp-contract-workers/index.html
Aerie’s Tech Corner 