The intensive competition in tech is making it more tedious to get hired as a programmer in 2022. In recent times, programming has become a highly sought-after skill due to its lucrativeness and flexibility. 

A recent report by Developer Nation shows that there were 26.8 million active software developers in the world at the end of 2021. It is also projected that this number will double by 2030. Nigeria is not an exception to this growth and rising demand for developers. Among African countries, she experienced the most significant increase in the population of developers between 2020 to 2021. 

The lucrativeness of the tech industry is another thing generating a lot of buzz and increasing industry entry. In the United States, developers could earn up to thousands of dollars every year, depending on their skill and experience. While the situation is not as promising in Nigeria, Glassdoor reports that a developer in Lagos could take home a base pay of NGN250,000. 

However, taking home a high paycheck is not the only reason more people are getting into tech. Programming also offers the ability to solve problems through creative, analytical thinking from the comfort of your home (remote work).

After deciding to be a developer because of its numerous benefits, choosing your programming niche is the next thing. Your chosen career path will determine the programming languages or technologies you will learn. For example, a front-end developer would need basic knowledge of the trio of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. 

The great news is that regardless of your chosen niche, aptLearn has an array of courses to guide you.

Yet, learning to code is just the tip of the iceberg. How do you eventually get hired as a programmer? If you want to learn how to land your dream programming job, then keep reading; this article highlights key insights and tips to help you realize this goal. 

1. Get Your Online Accessible Portfolio Ready

After learning niche-relevant programming languages, the next thing is to start building stuff. Creating an online portfolio of projects is one tricky thing for newbies in tech. 

What projects should you create? What projects would get you noticed?

The answer is simple; build projects that solve problems. These personal projects would form a part of your developer portfolio. A recruiter will likely not give you a job if you haven’t shown how you have applied your knowledge.

The golden chip is that you do not have to build sophisticated projects, especially as a beginner. This means you can start by creating simple projects. However, in your bid to build simple projects, also think creatively. Here are a few project ideas to inspire you. 

You may even decide to start out by imitating these project ideas. Thereafter, tweak the features, add a new feature, or solve a problem you encountered while running the project. Challenge yourself and always think, “how can I make it better?” 

Utilising all of these strategies will give you that edge that will get you hired as a programmer. This is because you’ll not just be doing the bare minimum; you would be going the extra mile to show how creatively and logically you think. 

It will also give several options for you to choose to include in your portfolio. Instead of selecting five similar projects, you could have five projects that showcase different parts of your skill. 

2. Create Your Tech Resume.

Your tech resume summarizes positions and skills relevant to the role you want. This implies that it should be concise yet clear enough to give information about you and the projects you’ve worked on. 

Your resume will ultimately vary depending on your certification, experience level and skills. If you’re seeking an entry-level job, you might only have internships, personal projects, and voluntary work. Don’t worry. Just succinctly state your role and achievements during those periods. Don’t lie, cut out the fluff and don’t cook a resume that you can’t defend. 

Do not use the same tech resume to apply to different jobs. Instead, look at the job requirements, and match them up with your existing skills that are relevant to the said role. 

Also, ensure that your resume is ATS-friendly.  In recent times, most resumes pass through an Applicant Tracking System(ATS). This system uses keywords and a set algorithm to sort applicants and select the best match for the job. If your resume doesn’t contain the relevant keywords, uses too many colours, multiple fonts, etc., it will fail this test. 

It can be heartbreaking getting to know that your resume never made it to the HR’s desk for a position you were qualified for because of this reason. To know more about building a stellar portfolio that will help you get hired as a programmer, check out this guide by FreeCodeCamp. 

3. Start Applying for Jobs.

Now that you have a tech portfolio and resume at hand, the next step is to start applying for jobs. To get hired as a programmer, you have to be strategic and smart. It is not practical to apply for a senior developer role with an entry-level resume and vice versa. 

At this point, it is important to match the job requirements with your present skillset and future career aspirations. Keeping this trio in view is crucial for you to make well-targeted shots at companies. Plus, applying to more targeted positions that you’re qualified for is better than making wild shots that miss the mark. 

Though most programmers opt for remote jobs because of the flexibility and cost-effectiveness it offers, deciding between remote or in-person roles largely depends on you. Some great opportunities will require you to move. In such situations, keeping in mind your career goals, benefits and finances should influence your decision.

Also, it could relieve you to know that you don’t have to meet all job requirements to get in. Well, realistically, recruiters are not expecting that. This report shows that meeting at least 40% of the requirements is good enough to get your foot in the door. 

In all these, job application is a game of numbers and strategy. The more targeted and strategic shots you make, the higher your chances of landing an interview.  

4. Networking: Yay or Nay?

While applying for jobs the traditional way is good, there are easier ways for you to get noticed. This is through positioning yourself and using the power of social media to your advantage.

Don’t be a low-key developer. Rather, connect with people in the tech space; talk about your journey and ask questions to get insights from more experienced developers. Twitter and LinkedIn are awesome places for you to start doing this. 

Write about the things you’ve learned, and projects you’ve worked on. Collaborate on projects; open-source or otherwise. Collaborating on projects shows that asides from technical skills you have other soft skills necessary for collaboration.

Because the world is becoming increasingly competitive, the essence of networking is to be visible. To get hired as a programmer, you have to do more than just build projects no one knows about.

You have to learn to blow your trumpet. If you’re not visible and do not have a network of people to recommend you, tech recruiters may not find you. 

5. Ace The Programming Interview

This stage will largely determine if you get hired as a programmer. How do you prepare for a tech interview and increase your chances of landing the job? 

Consider your preparedness to be twofold; physically and mentally. 

Physical preparation includes all the heavy brainwork you have to do from researching the company, practising interview questions, refining your programming skills, etc. An added advantage could be connecting with past or previous employees at the company to gain unique insights into what the interview process might look like. 

To know how to answer behavioural questions, read up on Amazon’s STAR principles, and practice different case scenarios. 

Mental preparedness, on the other hand, requires building your confidence, self-esteem and speaking skills. Remember, you have gotten this far through sheer grit, strategy and hard work. Reduce your anxiety by building your confidence through constant practice. 

Also, note that the interview is a chance for you to get a feel of the company’s work culture. While you might be at the receiving end of most questions, keep your questions handy too. 

Bonus Tips: 

• Improve your skills every day: The programming world is a vast and ever-changing field. To keep up with the latest technologies and remain relevant, you have to sign yourself to a life of constant learning. Ensure that you learn something new in your niche every day; do not become comfortable. Remember that to get hired as a programmer, you have to stand out. This can be achieved through constant upskilling. 
• Consistently apply for jobs: More often than not, you may not land the job you want on the first try. As mentioned earlier, job application is a game of numbers. Learn how to apply for jobs strategically, read more resources and use this knowledge to shape up your resume. 

Conclusion. 

Getting hired as a programmer in 2022 has become more demanding and fiercely competitive. However, your journey to landing a good tech job will be less tasking if you try out the key concepts we discussed in this article. Happy job hunting!