Have you been learning programming for a while but are unsure how to win the race and get your first job as a programmer, even without prior experience?
Don't worry! Most aspiring developers face this challenge. You just need to push through the difficulties and overcome the hurdles.
I was in the same position as you. I taught myself programming from scratch, and my previous experience with computers was limited to using a browser and MS Office.
Despite having no prior commercial experience in programming, I achieved my goal and got my first job as a developer.
In this article, I’ll share my insights and tips to help you avoid the mistakes I made and effectively reach your goal of landing your first programming job.
Can You Become a Programmer Without Experience?
Absolutely! Every senior developer or even mid-level programmer started without experience. They all had to land their first job at some point.
No matter whether you’re studying computer science, completed a coding bootcamp, or decided to learn programming on your own, everyone starts from zero.
Of course, if you’ve been passionate about programming and started learning early on—like attending an IT high school or self-teaching long before—you’re in a better position. But even in those cases, you still began without experience at one point.
That’s why I recommend never comparing yourself to others. You don’t know their situation, how much time they have for learning, how fast they absorb knowledge, or when they started. Instead, compare yourself to the you from yesterday. Ask yourself: how much progress have you made? What do you know now that you didn’t before?
This type of comparison makes sense because it helps you track your progress. Comparing yourself to others will only demotivate you and hinder your programming journey. So, don’t listen to those fairy tales about someone becoming a developer in three months, and completely ignore bootcamp marketing nonsense.
Many programmers started just like you and me—without internships or commercial experience—and at some point decided it was time to begin job hunting.
It’s important to remember that becoming a developer without prior experience requires dedication, hours of learning, and hard work. But let me tell you—it’s worth it. It’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone and spending months learning, because the opportunities and rewards that come with a programming job are hard to compare to any other profession.
I don’t know anyone who regrets starting to learn programming until they landed their first job. However, I know many who regret giving up too soon because they doubted themselves and their potential.
The choice is yours. I decided to try because I hate living with regrets, and I view everything as a learning experience. Now, I’m happy working remotely, collaborating with great people, building innovative solutions, and being a satisfied person overall.
Can You Switch Careers and Become a Programmer?
In short: Yes, you can switch careers and become a programmer. It’s neither an easy nor quick process, but it’s doable—and I’m living proof of that.
Before becoming a programmer, I graduated from military studies and worked as a platoon commander. For many reasons, I decided to change my career path and dive into programming—a field that had always interested me, but one I never had the confidence to pursue before.
I found many examples of people who switched from other industries and became developers. I’ve met people who were once couriers, salespeople, builders, and more, but eventually transitioned into programming.
In my opinion, nothing is impossible. Just as you can switch careers to become a doctor, lawyer, or soldier, you can also become a programmer.
It might be easier for some and take months or even years for others, but time will pass regardless. How you use that time is up to you.
The key is how much you want it and what you’re willing to sacrifice to achieve your goal.
Keep in mind that switching industries isn’t easy, especially when you’re starting from scratch. In your current job, you might hold a senior position, but when you transition to programming, you’ll start as a junior developer.
So, consider these factors, which will naturally affect your salary, tasks, responsibilities, and perks.
The first step is always the hardest, so it’s crucial to plan well and not quit your job at the first sign of frustration. Instead, prepare yourself for a long transition if you want to become a programmer.
Key Points to Consider Before Switching to Programming
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Check if Programming is Right for You: Give yourself one or two months to start learning programming. Pick a popular language or one that aligns with your desired path. Don’t invest too much money at the beginning—just get a feel for it. If you enjoy it, plan your learning, focus on practical projects, and keep going until you’re ready to apply for jobs.
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Evaluate Your Skills Before Job Hunting: Have a mentor or a more experienced friend assess your skills. This will help you determine whether you’re ready to apply for jobs or if you need more learning.
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Know That Switching Careers Isn’t Easy: The competition is fierce, but it’s not impossible. If you want to stand out, I’ve created a free PDF with 10 tips on how I became a programmer without experience.
How to Find a Programming Job Without Experience
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Apply Through Job Portals: Prepare a strong resume, build a rich GitHub portfolio with projects, and send your CV everywhere that aligns with your skills. Some popular platforms include:
- justjoin.it
- nofluffjobs.com
- linkedin.com
- olx.pl
- pracuj.pl
- gowork.pl
- solid.jobs
- bulldogjob.pl
- Facebook groups, etc.
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Participate in Job Fairs: Career fairs are a great way to meet recruiters and HR specialists in person. Many companies look for interns who can potentially become junior developers.
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Network with Other Programmers: Attend local programming meetups, workshops, or tech conferences to meet experienced developers and build relationships.
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Apply Directly to Companies: Some companies don’t post job listings on job portals but may have open positions on their websites or LinkedIn profiles. It’s worth compiling a list of companies and applying directly.
Final Thoughts
Finding a programming job without experience is challenging, but definitely achievable. The learning process will be demanding, but the time will pass anyway—how you use it is up to you.
I started without experience, and so did many other programmers. You’re on the same path, just a few steps behind. If you stick to learning and improving, landing that first junior developer job is only a matter of time.
Good luck with your learning journey, and I’m rooting for you!
