I agree with everything here with the exception of:
> A big part of landing a job is lying or embellishing to get to the interviews.
To the OP: I _strongly_ advise against this. I expect people to embellish. I distrust people who lie, and generally avoid working with people who I can't depend on doing what they say they can or will do.
If I interview an entry level candidate, I'm looking for the following:
1. Enthusiasm for the work and/or position.
2. Some indication of work ethic. If you have school or personal projects to show off, I care less about what they do and more about if they've been completed and if someone can discuss, in detail, the process.
3. A non-toxic personality. Most jobs in software require that you work with other software engineers and various employees with skills or expertise in things that aren't software or technology. Demonstrating strong soft skills (explaining complex thoughts in simple language, strong written communication skills, etc.) is critical especially in the post-COVID remote-heavy workplaces we find ourselves in.
Finding the first job is always the hardest. It's a numbers game. You haven't had time to build experience to differentiate yourself from other candidates.
Engaging with the community of people who work at the companies you want to join is a great way to find people to champion your application and gather intelligence about what a prospective employer needs.
Don't be afraid to admit your inexperience--it's expected. Demonstrate that you're trustworthy, enthusiastic, and won't cause problems and that'll get you through most interviews.
Good luck. Reach out via the email in your profile if you want to discuss more--hiring and training software engineers is a topic I'm passionate about.
> A big part of landing a job is lying or embellishing to get to the interviews.
To the OP: I _strongly_ advise against this. I expect people to embellish. I distrust people who lie, and generally avoid working with people who I can't depend on doing what they say they can or will do.
If I interview an entry level candidate, I'm looking for the following:
1. Enthusiasm for the work and/or position.
2. Some indication of work ethic. If you have school or personal projects to show off, I care less about what they do and more about if they've been completed and if someone can discuss, in detail, the process.
3. A non-toxic personality. Most jobs in software require that you work with other software engineers and various employees with skills or expertise in things that aren't software or technology. Demonstrating strong soft skills (explaining complex thoughts in simple language, strong written communication skills, etc.) is critical especially in the post-COVID remote-heavy workplaces we find ourselves in.
Finding the first job is always the hardest. It's a numbers game. You haven't had time to build experience to differentiate yourself from other candidates.
Engaging with the community of people who work at the companies you want to join is a great way to find people to champion your application and gather intelligence about what a prospective employer needs.
Don't be afraid to admit your inexperience--it's expected. Demonstrate that you're trustworthy, enthusiastic, and won't cause problems and that'll get you through most interviews.
Good luck. Reach out via the email in your profile if you want to discuss more--hiring and training software engineers is a topic I'm passionate about.