I started writing software in 1984. Over the years I worked with many languages, technologies, and tools. I have been in leadership positions since the early 2000s, and in executive roles since 2014.
My advice is to use what you have to your advantage and understand the issues that hiring managers might be facing that you can resolve. Here are some ideas:
1) You are young and energetic. Bring your passion for learning and for technology to the table. Present yourself as ready to learn, thirsty for knowledge and ready to grow in your job.
2) When you go for an interview, do your homework. Make sure you know everything you can about the company and the product. Present yourself as very passionate about what the company does.
3) You can't bring experience, but you can bring new ideas. Companies seek young tech talent to eliminate old crusty ideas that seem to be unshakable, and if you present yourself as someone who can bring new ideas with passion, that goes a long way.
4) Seek jobs at your level in companies that have good mentors. If you find a boss who is a great technologist who is willing to grow you, it will be well worth the time and effort even if the initial salary is not great.
5) Try to figure out what you want to do long term and what your goals are. All of that can change anytime, and that's ok. Having plans based on the information you have right now is the important thing. Employers will be impressed by someone with a clear set of goals.
6) Try to stay in any job for at least two years, unless you are absolutely miserable. Jumping from job to job is not a good thing.
7) Don't worry. You can do this.
@Lorenzo, Staying in a company for 2 years where you have no mentor or is not in line with your skills (e.g. hired as a Python programmer only doing Unit Testing or babysitting old code...) is also not an alternative. Staying less than 2 years in a company is not an alarm bell unless you do it multiple times.
Good mentors are key, regardless what you earn in the beginning it can change your career rapidly in a positive sense. I noticed the biggest career-boosts when being mentored during tough times.
Interesting read btw :)
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What is your advice for people in their twenties trying to get into their first programming jobs?
My advice is to use what you have to your advantage and understand the issues that hiring managers might be facing that you can resolve. Here are some ideas:
1) You are young and energetic. Bring your passion for learning and for technology to the table. Present yourself as ready to learn, thirsty for knowledge and ready to grow in your job.
2) When you go for an interview, do your homework. Make sure you know everything you can about the company and the product. Present yourself as very passionate about what the company does.
3) You can't bring experience, but you can bring new ideas. Companies seek young tech talent to eliminate old crusty ideas that seem to be unshakable, and if you present yourself as someone who can bring new ideas with passion, that goes a long way.
4) Seek jobs at your level in companies that have good mentors. If you find a boss who is a great technologist who is willing to grow you, it will be well worth the time and effort even if the initial salary is not great.
5) Try to figure out what you want to do long term and what your goals are. All of that can change anytime, and that's ok. Having plans based on the information you have right now is the important thing. Employers will be impressed by someone with a clear set of goals.
6) Try to stay in any job for at least two years, unless you are absolutely miserable. Jumping from job to job is not a good thing.
7) Don't worry. You can do this.
@Lorenzo, Staying in a company for 2 years where you have no mentor or is not in line with your skills (e.g. hired as a Python programmer only doing Unit Testing or babysitting old code...) is also not an alternative. Staying less than 2 years in a company is not an alarm bell unless you do it multiple times.
Good mentors are key, regardless what you earn in the beginning it can change your career rapidly in a positive sense. I noticed the biggest career-boosts when being mentored during tough times.
Interesting read btw :)