Entry Level Programmer/Software Developer
Hi, I have been trying to make a career change into the I.T. field, Programming/Software Development specifically, and I have put in applications and my resume in to numerous companies and internet job sites (Monster, GlassDoor, Indeed, Startwire, etc..) and I have gone through all the major recruiting agencies like Robert Half, CyberCoders, TekSystems, Mitchell Consulting, Nigel Frank, etc., and I have applied at most of the big name player companies who have had openings posted that I qualify for like Leidos, Boeing, McDonnell-Douglas, etc., as well as many smaller niche software companies with zero luck. When I rarely do get a call from a recruiter or HR person, as soon as I tell them that I don't have any professional work experience and that I am straight out of school with only personal projects and school projects for a portfolio, their whole tone changes instantly and then they practically hang up on me in a professional and polite manner. But then I never hear from them again. None of them ever offer to give me any skills testing or even look at my portfolio. Several companies even came to our school and told us to come and apply, which I did, but to no avail. So my question is, how do these companies ever expect anyone to GET experience if they won't hire any 'newbies' to start off so that we can build up some experience? And another question, why do I keep seeing the same ads and postings for the same word-for-word positions/jobs, month after month and yet never hear from anyone about setting up an interview or something at least? I've had recruiters tell me that they just run those postings on an ongoing basis to draw people in even when they don'y have openings. I haven't even gotten an interview in over a year and I've applied to at least 2-300 positions in that amount of time. Many of the so-called 'Entry Level' jobs even want you to have 3 years experience or so. What gives? Do these people really want to hire people or are they just scammers? Please help.
Have you thought about Consulting firms that specialize in IT?. Some of them will not require previous experience and hire college grads. And you can list any school projects you worked on as experience as well as any home services you have been involved with.
Why don't you show 3 years of programming and Software Development that you have done at home
Hey Richard I am going through the same thing as you. Its like they want an entry-level programmer with experience. I even asked one of my interviewers what entry-level meant to him and he could not reply with a clear answer. If you find the secret please pass it on buddy.
Hi Richard. First of all, you have my complete sympathy. I've been in IT for over 20 years so I know where you're coming from because I've been there (and am still there, for that matter). The problem is, the IT employment market is saturated with highly-competent, well-educated, superbly-qualified people; consequently, its a tough market to gain admission to (and by the way, I don't know about other industries, but in IT, you aren't just competing with other Americans. You're competing with the best and brightest from around the world, courtesy of the US Visa program). Most employers can have their pick of the best-qualified candidates, right down to people who are experienced in the most obscure and archaic of languages, operating systems, hardware, software, etc. Additionally, Hiring Managers aren't in business to provide entry-level workers with their big break, They are there to get the best talent they can for the lowest cost. Hiring managers have no interest in humanitarianism, fairness, equity, empathy/sympathy or in anything else other than contributing to maximizing their company's profits, One of the ways in which hiring managers go about maximizing corporate profits is by keeping the wages of the workers like you and me as low as possible (while conversely providing executives with extravagantly lavish compensation packages!). So that means that even if you're qualified AND experienced, you're almost invariably competing with someone who is willing to work 12 hour days 7 days a week for a bowl of gruel, a daily ten-minute bathroom break and minimum wage. If you're looking to get your foot in the door of the IT industry, I recommend starting with a temp/placement agency. I highly recommend Manpower and TekSystems. Now, keep in mind that the name of the game in a capitalist, free-market economy is exploitation. What that means is that the temp/placement agency is going to exploit you as best it can by paying you as little as possible. However, exploitation is a double-edge sword that cuts both ways. You exploit the agency by taking work and then trying to get hired on as quickly as possible by the employer. Keep in mind that temp/placement agencies almost always have one or two short-term contracts that need warm bodies. Typically, these short term contracts don't have very stringent experience requirements. These contracts are ideal vehicles for individuals seeking entrance to the industry. Once you've been assigned to a contract, try your hardest to impress the employer. A lot of contracts offer temp-to-permanent hire opportunities, so if an employer likes what they see, there's a pretty good chance they'll hire you directly from the temp agency (that's happened to me a couple of times). In the meanwhile, don't give up! Keep sending out those resumes and network, network, NETWORK! Also, be sure to attend job fairs. With every job fair interview, be sure to get a business card from the interviewer/representative and WORK that person's email. Send the rep a weekly email inquiry asking about newly announced or planned employment opportunities with his/her company (I know a guy who did this with IBM. After about 3 months the hr manager got so tired of Fred calling in every Friday that when a position opened up he made sure Fred got first crack at it). And above all else, KEEP SWINGING!
What kind of school did you graduate from. What kind of degree? Was it IT related. List your school projects on your resume. Go down to Robert Half and take the tests and get your scores in. List the areas you are strong in the standard out of school resume format. If you have a BS degree from a university in Computer Science, you could expect an offer based on your school projects. If you didn't co-op in college and work with an employer in the community during your last year of school it will be difficult but not impossible. You are facing a lot of stiff competition but keep training, keep trying, and don't give up.
Best to you, David