Landing Your First Job After Graduation

At CodeGym, we rarely see a student who came to learn Java just for fun. The vast majority of them wanted to become professional developers and earn good money for a living. And it’s not a secret that Java jobs are on the rise with so many opportunities due to Java’s high popularity and demand. Actually, Java is one of the mainstream programming languages with fantastic career prospects, so it can be a great starting point for any beginner. But is it that easy to land your first job after graduation? How long will it take?

Java Junior Skillset

Even though there are no prerequisites to learn to code, the studyng process may take you much longer if Java is your first programming language. You can expect to spend months or even years learning Java job skills. Basically, to get an entry-level job as a Junior Java specialist, you’ll need the following skills:

• Impeccable knowledge of Java syntax
• Understanding the differences between types of objects
• Coding practices (organizing the code into packages and/or writing unit tests)
• Core Java (OOP and its principles, Collection, Multithreading, String, handling exceptions, loops, and data types)
• JAR library
• Design patterns including MVC, Facade, and DAO

For web development, be ready to additionally learn:

• HTTP protocol
• HTML and CSS
• SQL databases
• XML and web services
• Logging framework

That just being said, good knowledge is just half battle won. That’s why we have prepared the following articles that may come you in great handy:

• 5 tips to increase your chances of finding a job

• Junior Java developer looking for work. How to upgrade your skills and gain practical experience

From Resume to Interview

Once you're done with the course (or you're already at 30+ level), it's high time to think about writing a resume and a cover letter. Try to highlight your strengths and specific skills required for a specific job offer in your CV. Don't write something vague like "I know Java"but mention Core Java with add-ons. This and many other useful hints, you can find in the following articles:

• Hire me! How a novice programmer can put together a cool resume and LinkedIn profile. Besides tips on creating an eye-catching resume, there are some good recommendations on how to build a well-formatted profile on LinkedIn that can be even more important than your CV and portfolio.

• How to Score a Junior Java Developer Job? Analyzing Most Common Job Requirements in the U.S. This is a very useful article that can help you get prepared to “what to expect” and what potential employees may expect from you.

• Interview Anxiety: How to Stop Being Afraid and Start Going to Interviews. After you get an invitation to the interview, read this article and “keep calm and relax”. This brief guide will help you present yourself in an interview without panic and fear. Also, it can prepare you for the tricky questions beyond your professional field. Keep in mind that recruiters are often very interested in your motivation, ambitions, communication skills, adaptability, friendliness, and determination. There is nothing wrong with that, so don’t focus only on your basic Java knowledge and problem-solving skills.

Even if you fail an interview, don’t give up. It’s quite normal to get rejected after your first interview and land your dream job after a dozen of them. Just analyze each of your interviews and make the knowledge gap smaller with each new one.

Career Plan

When you finally get hired, don’t set the bar too low. There is plenty of opportunities and extra skills you may need to require. And the following articles can help set you above the competition:

• Know Your Worth. Ways to Estimate Software Developer’s Market Value. Even if you have just completed Java courses, you should estimate your market prospects as a software developer. And there is a number of ways to do so.

• Negotiating Salary for Software Developers. How Not to Sell Your Skills Short? Most likely, you’re going to make Java your profession and make a living out of it, so you shouldn’t be too shy when it comes to salary. This brief guide can get you prepared for this tricky aspect.

• Analysis of common mistakes made by novice programmers, pt. 1. As the name implies, this article analyzes the most typical mistakes rookie may face during their first weeks/months of “work”. Naturally, it gives some valuable suggestions on how to avoid them.

• Analysis of common mistakes made by novice programmers, pt. 2. A must-have piece of reading for immature programmers as well.

• 8 Mistakes That Can Ruin a Software Developer’s Career. The article tells about the most typical mistakes of Junior software developers and how to avoid them.

Bonus Tips: Motivation

What always pushes us forward is motivation. And the following shortlist can cheer you up when you feel frustrated or get stuck at some point.

• Industry is Overcrowded with Bad Java Coders’. Why is the Demand for Java Devs in 2020 Still Increasing?

• Is Coding Easier Today Than It Was 10-15 Years Ago? Tools and Techniques That Made It Happen

• 50 Years and Counting. How Long a Software Developer’s Career Can Last?

Final Thoughts

No denying, getting your first job can be tricky. Competition is really tough, not to mention the fact that most IT companies look for Java specialists with some level of experience. However, if you play your cards right and stick to our suggestions, we believe landing your first job won’t take you a lot of time. By following the above-given hints and demonstrating your motivation, as well as a positive attitude, you will surely stand out as an excellent candidate. So, all good luck! YOU are worth the best job!