Software Development Industry
Software development industry, nowadays, is thriving with brilliant opportunities along with immense competitive demand. Therefore, for individuals interested in transitioning into technology or if someone has recently graduated, pursuing an entry level software developer job is a commendable first step. From working with artificial intelligence to websites, to app building- opportunities of careers as a developer are immense.
This blog will navigate you through every detail you need to understand about landing a job as an entry level software developer, how much you can expect to earn, the necessary skills plus experience and much more.
What is an Entry-Level Software Developer?
Those who are new to this field but have the required necessary skills to integrate with a software development team, fall under the category of an entry level software developer. Graduates or those who have spent time learning coding through various camps or internships go under this category.
Duties such as writing clean and easy to comprehend code and fixing easy bugs that may be present in the software are the main responsibility of entry level software developers, however, these duties can also drastically change based on the employer along with the specific tech services enlisted.
Senior developers and team members often work alongside each other, fostering collaboration.
Team members assist as necessary with the completion of software testing and the assurance of quality.
During the span of the project, emerging technologies and programming languages will be implemented to ensure all requirements are met.
Further Criteria for Bilateral Software Developer Job Openings
As an entry-level software developer, you are expected to acquire an understanding of the programming world to ensure you gather sufficient technical knowledge to succeed. The immediate skills will often change with the designated organization or the project, however, there are necessary common skills and languages that are required variously:
Programming Languages:
- JavaScript:Â Utilized mostly for developing web pages and also for building frontend applications with React and Angular frameworks
- Python:Â A back end programming language that is extensively used in data science and machine learning applications.
- Java:Â This programming language is commonly used for creating applications in enterprises.
- C++:Â This programming language is best suited for system software development, games, and other performance-based applications.
- Ruby:Â Its main focus is web development, especially through Ruby on Rails.
- C#:Â This programming language is mainly used for Unity game development and building enterprise applications.
Web Development Fundamentals:
A front-end engineer should be able to understand HTML, CSS, and JavaScript languages, and for server-side engineers, knowledge of technologies for example Node.js or PHP would be useful.
Version Control (Git):
Programmers need to know Git and GitHub or GitLab to be able to work with other software developers on the code.
Database Knowledge:
MySQL, PostgreSQL and also NoSQL systems like MongoDB are some databases that entry-level developers will learn to work with.
Problem-Solving and Analytical Thinking:
Developers must be able to decompose a problem into its constituent parts and find solutions to the components.
Communication and Collaboration:
Good communication skills are vital in every profession and as a junior developer you will work with others and will need to communicate effectively.
Familiarity with Agile Methodology:
Most of the software development teams practice agile methods. So it is a good idea to grasp the basic concepts of Scrum and Kanban.
Gaining Experience for Entry-Level Software Developer Jobs
However, if you do not… or want to look beyond a degree in computer science. There are coding boot camps, online courses and even coding projects that are self-initiated that provide learners with valuable experience. Experience is better than a piece of paper, so don’t underestimate the great work that you do. This will get you started. Here’s what to do to gain understanding and experience:
- Build a Portfolio:Â Joining employers ask for proof of your skills. They want you to build a portfolio of projects you participated in, be it personal projects, open sources, internships, boot camps, etc. Websites like GitHub can be used to showcase your work.
- Internships:Â Obtaining experience while working at a company may require some people to compete through an internship. There are opportunities that provide the firm decision that one is fully capable of working at their establishment.
- Open Source Contributions:Â This is the best starting point and after such things may consider following up on contributions to an existing open-source project on Github where you could collaborate with people and get exposure to real coding tasks.
- Networking:Â Look for tech communities and follow tech professions online, attend meetings etc. This allows one to know the possible job opportunities and how experts in the field approach the same issues.
- Online Coding Platforms:Â Attempt coding on LeetCode, HackerRank and on Codewars to improvement of problem solving skills and also prepare for the technical interview.
Entry Level Software Developer Salary Expectations
Codes vary depending on the region, the industry and even the skills one possesses. Regardless of this however, here’s an estimate of what one should expect approximately:
- USA: Seeking for one’s first developer position can usually expect between US$55,000 and US$80,000 a year depending on the region where the company is located.
- India:Â In this country, the lowest can expect to earn around 3Lakh INR and the highest within the range of 7Lakh INR a year.
- U K:Â London finds itself in a good position with the average salary of a newly employed developer earning within the 25 thousand to 35 thousand pounds a year.
- Canada:Â Entry-level software developers should look forward to earning CAD 45,000 to CAD 65,000 annually.
Job Titles for Fresh Graduates in Software Development
As an entry-level software development candidate in Canada you are more likely to find the following job positions based on what you have acquired in relation to the job that you are applying for:
- Junior Software Developer
- Associate Software Engineer
- Frontend Developer (Junior)
- Backend Developer (Junior)
- Full Stack Developer (Junior)
- Web Developer (Entry Level)
- Mobile App Developer (Junior)
- Software Engineer (Entry Level)
Be on the lookout for how companies set their job titles and how they list their specifics as it may vary.
Useful Tips For An Aspiring Software Engineer On How To Get Hired
There is a lot of competition when it comes to hoping to land an entry-level job as a software developer in the Canadian market, but through keeping in mind the following tips, you would be able to boost your chances of being hired:
- Adjust Your CV:Â It is always best to build a resume based on the requirements and job requirements and tools mentioned in the description so try to showcase where you have succeeded in regards to fulfilling their needs.
- Coding Interviews:Â For many software developer roles, the interview will include a coding interview which consists of solving a few technical problems. Thus, make sure to get prepared ahead of time by solving coding problems and being ready to discuss your approach.
- Show Enthusiasm and a Willingness to Learn:Â As an entry level candidate, employer understand the fact that you might not hold substantial experience, hence Showing an outstanding learning attitude is definitely a way to go.
- Apply to Multiple Jobs:Â Get the picture of being turned down several times in your mind and get over it. Apply at more than you expect, so that you get a good probability of reaching an interview stage.
- Stay Updated with Industry Trends:Â The tech world is not static