Why your Linkedin account is the most important asset in the tech job hunt
Especially when you are an entry-level software developer.
Two years ago, I started looking for a job as an entry-level software engineer.
As a former lawyer who switched careers to IT, the first thing I thought back then is to get myself a nice, professional-looking CV, where I showcase my skills.
Oh lord, I was so wrong.
The job hunting strategies that might work in other areas like law or medicine, won’t do quite well in the tech market.
Especially if you are looking for an internship or entry-level position in the tech field.
Here’s why.
Nobody wants to hire a junior.
Juniors need training, which means the company has to invest in him/her, so they need to pick the candidate they trust and cherish soooo much that they could determine to pull in their extra financial resources and time.
Here comes Linkedin.
Linkedin can showcase that you are trustworthy
Some juniors might have a false image that the most important thing the employees are looking for when they are deciding on the candidate is their coding skills.
To be honest, all entry-level junior developers write shitty code.
You can be the best among your junior peers, but when it comes to writing a high-quality production code, juniors don’t shine :)
And that’s normal.
Companies are looking for a junior colleague which is kind, easy to work with, who is honest, and trustworthy.
Trustworthy enough the company could invest in him.
If they land on your Linkedin profile and see that you are actively talking to other developers, engaged in tech-related discussions, and trying to learn new things on your own, I can’t think of a better way to show that you are in this game for real.
Linkedin allows you to search for a job in a passive way, which is only a positive thing
Think of this: you have your CV, nice and polished.
And what do you do?
You send it over and over to many companies, keeping your fingers crossed and seeing your hair turning into fifty shades of gray.
Now think this: you have your Linkedin profile, nice and polished.
And then you grab yourself a coffee, chit-chat with the people you are curious to learn from, actively engage in various tech-related discussions with the developers who work at the companies you’d like to work at, and BOOM.
You get a message from the HR in your dream company, asking you if you have time to come over for a chat.
Sounds surreal, but this is exactly what happened to me.
I followed the company I loved to work at.
I got acquainted with the developers who work there and they, later on, referred me to the company’s HR, which called me on a sunny Tuesday morning asking if I would like to talk to them about working for them.
I could go on and on about the awesomeness of Linkedin and its super features that are designed to help you land your dream job in IT.
This is why together with the devMentor team we put together the webinar where we will have two recruitment specialists who will share their tips and advice for career-switchers to make your Linkedin account your best job-generating asset.
The webinar is free and open to anyone, so why not jumping in?
