The demand for high quality IT specialists is increasing every day. There is more work than people who can actually do it. By the time you read the previous sentence, thousands of companies have posted new openings on LinkedIn and job-seeking websites. But they won’t just take anyone.
Despite the rapid growth of many industries and an abundance of entry level IT jobs, it’s still not easy to land the job you want. Even lower level positions are important and companies want to make sure they’re getting the right people. Unfortunately, this makes getting your first job after college a challenge. But fear not – we’re here to help. Here are a few simple and effective steps you can take to land your first job as an IT student.
Create a Banger Thesis
Your thesis will be one of the most complicated projects you will work on in college. You’re going to pour a lot of energy into it. It will take your blood, sweat, and tears to get it off the ground.
However, if you achieve an excellent result with your thesis writing, you can then use it during the recruitment process. A viable project you’ve worked on as part of a group or created from scratch all on your own will impress your potential employers a lot more than your diploma ever will.
Since writing a thesis isn’t easy, it’s okay to ask for help. You can look for a mentor – perhaps even someone in the IT field to help you with it. What is more, you can focus on the coding part more than the writing part to show your full potential. Then, you can pay Edubirdie for your thesis and get all the chapters done on time. Whatever you choose, make sure your graduation project represents the best you’re capable of.
Create a LinkedIn Profile
While everyone is on Facebook and Instagram, if you want to land your first job in IT, you should be on LinkedIn. Most companies and recruiters use the platform for scouting purposes.
Besides, you can create a real presence on LinkedIn and create a following. In fact, this is one of the easiest ways to build your authority and demonstrate your expertise in front of people who might give you your first shot. You’ll find plenty of jobs after college on LinkedIn. You can research companies, too.
Networking is an important part of your career development. It goes beyond landing your first job and well into your career growth. Being on LinkedIn will help you connect with more people in your field and not only leave an impression, but also learn from them. Creating a LinkedIn profile is a must.
Create a Profile on StackOverflow
If you’re an IT student, you probably have a profile on StackOverflow. However, you’re probably not using it for job-hunting purposes which is a huge mistake.
Most IT students use StackOverflow to help with their assignments. But few are active on the platform and sharing their knowledge and expertise. Getting a job in IT is a lot easier when you’re on StackOverflow. Plus, many developers commonly use StackOverflow in real life. So, if you show you are a guru of this website, it will be a huge advantage for you.
Again, this is about building authority and showing potential employers you know your stuff. StackOverflow is flooded with questions and puzzles you can try and solve to improve your coding skills. By getting the right answer and making the code work, you’ll show off your excellent programming skills. Companies are far more interested in whether you can do the work than your degree. Use the time you’re in school to develop your profile.
Create a GitHub Profile
Like StackOverflow, GitHub is a must for an IT student. Many potential employers in the IT sector will ask for your GitHub profile to see what you’re actually capable of.
This will be a great opportunity to shine the limelight on your skills and demonstrate what you can do in practice. If you’re good at writing, you might even write for them and get your name exposed to thousands of potential IT employers.
Get Some Freelance Projects
Getting some freelance projects under your belt is an excellent way of gaining some practical experience. Once you get to potential interviews, you’re not going to be a student or someone fresh out of university looking for their first IT job. You’ll be a valuable potential hire, since you’ve already worked on some projects.
Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork will allow you to find projects relatively easy and make a bit of a name for yourself. Not to mention make some money in the process.
Conclusion
Landing your first job in the IT sector is no longer about getting your diploma. While education is important, companies also want to know they’re hiring someone who can do the work. If you follow the steps from above, you can stand out from the competition and position yourself as a valuable asset to any IT company.
