Today on my blog I want to discuss my thoughts on my upcoming job hunt. I am getting ready to pursue my first ever job in the tech industry, so please take everything I have to say with a grain of salt! I would say this post will function more like a public journal entry than a reliable source of useful information.
From the initial research I’ve done, it seems like there are a few specific things I can focus on to prepare to get a job. Finishing the program at OSU and getting a post baccalaureate in Computer Science is one accomplishment that will help in getting a job. Building my own side projects where I can demonstrate what I’ve learned will also be important for the job hunt. Another important factor in getting my first job in the industry will be my ability to do well in technical interviews, which seem likely to be primarily data structures and algorithms interviews. My strategy for preparing for these interviews consists mostly of studying LeetCode problems. Most posts I’ve read about studying for DSA interviews say that being prepared to do well on these interviews may take months of studying. After I graduate, I will probably start applying for jobs while simultaneously studying to get better solving coding problems. Finally, updating my Linkedin profile and resume will be a must before I start applying for jobs.
Another related topic that comes up as I pursue my first tech job is what kind of work culture I am hoping to have at my job. The first issue that comes to mind is remote versus in person. There are a lot of pros and cons to consider for both types of work arrangement. A big pro for in person work for me is a chance to get to know coworkers in person, and get access to in person mentorship for coworkers and supervisors rather than trying to learn everything remotely. Especially after being more isolated throughout the pandemic, I am eager for my work life to “get back to normal” as much as is possible. However, remote work also has its advantages. Remote gives me more flexibility in where I live, which can help save money on housing. It would also save me having to give up a significant chunk of my day every day to commuting. In the end, a hybrid work arrangement where working from home is possible as needed while an in-person office is still available for me to work at a few days a week seems like the ideal situation. Luckily for me, I feel that I can make whatever work, so remote versus in-person doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker for me on the job hunt.
Finding the right first job in tech and convincing a new employer to take a chance on me is a daunting task. Breaking the process into discrete subproblems and chipping away at them one day at a time helps a lot in making this process more manageable. I look forward to continuing on my adventure as a computer programmer!
