In this post, I'll answer the question: What should you do if you can't land your first job as a developer? You might feel like you're stuck in a place where you've learned a lot, feel ready, but nothing is changing—your CV is getting rejected, and you’re not progressing.
What Is Your Competitive Advantage?
First, you need to consider your competitive advantage—what makes you stand out from other candidates?
In my case, it was my experience in the military. I noticed many recruiters and interviewers brought up my military background, which stood out on my CV and often led to interesting discussions.
What about you? What sets you apart? It could be your previous experiences, projects you've completed, internships, or other relevant background. Think about what makes you unique compared to other candidates, and highlight that in your CV.
And if you feel you don't have such an advantage, it might be time to develop one. Think about what could positively differentiate you and boost your chances of success.
You Need to Think Outside the Box
Don't follow the same standard approach as everyone else, which is just sending out your CV and waiting for responses. You need to think outside the box—how can you stand out from the crowd and do something different to increase your chances of getting noticed and landing an interview?
Your creativity is your only limit. You could have a personal website, a blog, a YouTube channel, or reach out to companies in non-traditional ways. There are endless possibilities for showcasing your skills. Don't limit yourself to what everyone else is doing, which often results in your CV being lost in a pile of hundreds or even thousands of others.
The goal is to get noticed and make it to the next stage. Once you’re invited to an interview, that’s your chance to prove your skills and land the job.
Don’t Just Look Where Everyone Else Is Looking
Building on the previous point, don't limit your job search to popular sites like JustJoinIT or NoFluffJobs. There are plenty of other places to leave your CV.
Check out Facebook groups, OLX, and other lesser-known job boards. If you’re looking for your first job, it doesn’t have to be your dream job where you’ll spend many years. Your priority is to get that first job, no matter where it is.
There are websites like Pracuj.pl, GoWork, and many foreign job boards. Often, those big job portals are aimed at people with some experience, and companies that pay for listings expect candidates with 1-2 years of experience—even for junior roles.
Build a Network of Contacts
You never know which connection might help you land your first job in the future. Maybe one of your friends or acquaintances will be working at a company that’s hiring junior developers or interns.
Building a network is important. Attend events, conferences, and meetups where you can meet recruiters or companies looking for talent. Networking can help you get a foot in the door, sometimes even without going through the standard application process.
Having a solid network of people in the industry can be invaluable for both getting job referrals and learning about opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
Enter the IT Industry Through Another Door
If you're struggling to get a programming job right away, consider entering the IT industry through another role. Many people start in other positions and later transition to programming.
For example, I know people who started as testers or project managers before switching to software development. The IT industry has a broad range of roles, and not all of them are programming-related. You might already have skills that could get you in the door in a non-programming capacity, and from there, you can transition to development over time.
Don’t Quit Your Current Job Too Soon
For those looking to switch careers, don't make the mistake of quitting your current job too early before securing a new one. You may think you’ll get a developer job quickly after leaving your current position, but that’s often not the case.
It can take time to land your first developer job because of the competition. You might find yourself in a tough spot if you quit without having something lined up, so try to make the transition smoother.
Don’t Lose Motivation If You Can’t Get a Job
Finally, and most importantly, don’t lose motivation if you can’t find a job right away. Keep building your portfolio, continue improving your skills, and practice creating practical projects. It’s normal for job hunting to take time, and it can feel discouraging, but the key is to keep going.
As long as you’re committed to learning and improving, the right opportunity will come. Keep applying, refining your skills, and stay patient. Your time will come—just stay persistent.
I’m rooting for you and wishing you the best of luck in your learning journey! 💪💪💪
