The Fundamental Components of Securing a Job as a Software Developer

Have you ever been so dramatic in describing your dream job?

Earnestly talking about it so that everyone around knows before you say it. For example, "Oh, I am interested in the tech industry," "I would like to give Software Developer a shot," or "Coding is not my thing; I should enroll for the Software Engineer position instead."

Well, it's no doubt that everyone has a dream job, whether a 9-5 or a work-at-home kind of job. There's always this picture of the company you would want to work with, how your office would look like, or even the imagination of working with intellectual teammates.

While some people will have dreams of owning their own company and being a boss of their own. 

Nevertheless, it is important to note that before applying for a job or securing one, you must have something to offer regarding your skills and whatnot. This is because having something to offer always comes with something in return, a paycheck.

There is more to getting a job than being vocal about it or being a dreamer. Yet, that imagination is an edge that shows whatever you are dreaming about is most likely what you are passionate about.

However, there are different requirements needed for the application of a tech job and a technical job. Apart from this, you want to ensure that you are going into an industry that is promising and filled with opportunities for you and your growth.

Here in this article, the six fundamental components that you are required to have in the process of securing a tech job, Software Developer, will be discussed.

On this note, let's check out those necessary but not compulsory components needed to secure a job.

1. Knowledge of the Job

It is quite important to know the job position you are applying for. Unfortunately, a lot of individuals do not research the job description and what is required from them.

For instance, if you are applying for a Software Developer position in a company. 

You should be able to know the functions of a Software Developer in terms of designing, building, and implementing application packages and managing a computer system as well as application software, for the functionality of users.

Also, you should be able to answer the following questions as your employer would believe you are aware of the requirements for the job position. They include;

• Do you have coding expertise?
• Do you have the ability to pay attention to details, no matter how little?
• Can you work with a team?
• How effective are your problem-solving skills?

2. Education 

Do you know that you don't need a degree for all tech jobs?

Oh yes! You can successfully dive into the tech industry without a degree in some particular tech career, like user interface and user experience design, technical writing, data science, product management, etc.

However, when it comes to Software Development or being a Software Developer, you must have a degree in Computer science or any related field. 

Apart from this, you must have gone through several professional certifications, as this would be an added advantage in getting employed alongside your experience.

3. Resume

So you do not see the need for a resume?

Well, you do need a resume for your job application.

A resume is very important in your job search or job application for the software developer role, even though it might be a page or two.

It helps you to be precise in your pitch to the employer or company that wants to hire you.

One of the most frequently asked questions about the resume is whether to attach a profile picture or not. According to searches on Google, attaching a profile picture to your resume is acceptable in some countries and not acceptable in others.

Likewise, in some industries, it could be encouraged, and it might not in some. For example, the fashion or art industry might not necessarily frown at the addition of a profile picture to a resume, because it is an added advantage to the role you are applying for, whether it be a modeling role or a related field.

Nonetheless, when it comes to some industries that deal with professionals, such as technology, business, and the like, it is not advisable to attach your profile picture to your resume.

The following are pieces of information that your resume should contain if you want to secure a job as a Software Developer;

• Header and Contact Information
• Career Objective
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills (technical and soft skills) and Certification.
• Additional Relevant Information (volunteer work, hobbies, projects, and so on).

Furthermore, ensure that the appropriate information is added to the above-listed subheadings in your resume. 

4. Build a Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of your work or project that shows your skills and what you are capable of doing.

If you have a portfolio, you can add the link to your resume.

Basically, this will serve as extra information about your work and experience; thus, your employer or interviewer can see more detailed information about your expertise and even a profile picture. This, in turn proves your credibility.

Note that, unlike the resume, a profile picture serves as a good impression maker. It helps your portfolio to be more personal, so it should be taken in a natural environment, in a welcoming stance.

Other works and projects should be added to your portfolio, whether they can be practice projects or projects done for a client. It explains more about what you are capable of doing.

5. Online Presence

Nowadays, having a good online presence is just as important as having a properly written resume, before embarking on securing a job, especially a tech job.

You see, most companies ask for links to your social media handle during the first stage of the interview. This is to know how credible the information you've given to your employer is.

In essence, your online presence is a digital footprint of your life, so whether it be LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, have a good profile that is targeted towards what you do, projects you've done for clients, how you did such projects, and the likes. 

When it is looked at, it will help to increase the decision-making of your employer.

6. Expand Network

You have to join industry-specific groups where you get direct access to professionals, conferences, events, and mentorship.

You must belong to a community of like-minded people that do what you do or what you aspire to do.

In other words, through your network, you can get so many benefits as a techie. First, there is the advantage of getting information about the latest job update from top companies in the industry. Also, the top guys in your network can help vet your work, project, and even your resume in terms of what the hiring manager would look towards.

In Conclusion

Additionally, you must follow these fundamental components if you want to secure a job as a software developer.

Although higher education is not essential for other tech careers, it is a prerequisite for securing a job in the Software Development industry, if you want to be given your dream job of supervising teams of developers or getting other job opportunities.

Apart from these, soft skills and hard skills are a must-have as well, and these are the information you should include in your resume.