DEVOPSdigest

College graduates entering the software development field once had a wealth of entry-level career opportunities at their fingertips. But job postings for software roles have plummeted 28%(link is external) since 2020 — and the shifting market poses a significant challenge to new tech talent.

The recent economic downturn led many organizations to prioritize hiring senior-level developers for their experience and independence, causing entry-level roles to grow more scarce and more competitive.

The good news is that employment for software roles is projected to grow 25%(link is external) from 2022 to 2032, meaning new opportunities are on the horizon.

To increase their odds in a highly competitive job market, aspiring software developers must understand exactly what employers are looking for in candidates — something I've dedicated much of my career to figuring out.

Finding the right role is difficult in any job market, let alone in one as competitive as today's software environment. But with the right approach and the ability to showcase your talents, you can position yourself as a standout candidate and secure a role that aligns with your experience and interests.

1. How can I find roles that align with my skills and experience?

Curriculum vary across colleges and universities, and not all educational pathways align perfectly with real-world careers. For instance, a school's computer science program might emphasize more theoretical explorations of programming languages, programming constructs, or hardware systems. While important, this knowledge doesn't automatically translate to the more practical aspect of entry-level software development roles, much of which is web-based and data focused.

To avoid pursuing the wrong opportunities, identify the focus of your curriculum and search for jobs that match. Look for similar skills and language reflected across job boards, employer websites or networking platforms like LinkedIn. This approach can also help you identify gaps in your resume.

Filling skills gaps has never been more accessible given the growing number of online boot camps and massive open online courses (MOOCs). If there's a specific career path you're interested in, pinpoint areas to hone your knowledge (e.g., working with SQL) and take advantage of online resources to round out your resume.

2. How can I demonstrate my experience during interviews?

Even as a recent graduate with limited on-the-job experience, you can effectively highlight projects you've completed in school or previous internships. Prepare several examples and be prepared to articulate your specific role on the project (e.g., frontend versus backend), how you overcame any challenges and the impact of your contributions.

It's also wise to discuss any experiences you have with popular platforms like GitHub or DevOps practices like pipelines and unit testing. While you may not have covered these skills extensively, they're crucial in real-world roles. Most importantly, make sure you can speak to every skill and experience listed on your resume. If you can't, employers may question your credibility.

3. What soft skills do employers currently prioritize in candidates?

Leading IT organizations consider leadership and communication(link is external) skills the most important characteristics in their workforce.

While technical skills are critical, the ability to listen to clients, understand their problems and translate technical information into simple language is also important. Without reliable soft skills, clients may doubt your ability to address their needs.

Employers also want candidates who can collaborate and work effectively in a team setting. This involves taking initiative, having strong written and verbal communication skills and being proactive about sharing status updates. Demonstrate these skills by discussing how you applied them in college extracurriculars or in the classroom as part of group project work, and how you plan to apply them in the workplace. In a highly competitive job market, doing so may set you apart from other candidates who offer similar technical backgrounds.

4. How can I navigate skills tests more effectively?

Skills assessments vary from company to company: Some are conducted live, some are take-home and most involve project-based tasks.

While you may not always know exactly what to expect, the most important thing to do is take a deep breath and stay calm. Spend adequate time understanding the questions and don't hesitate to ask for clarification (e.g., to understand a term you don't recognize). No employer expects you to know everything — that's part of why they want you to take a skills test in the first place.

If the opportunity presents itself, bring up parts of the skills test you found interesting — or pieces that play directly to your skill set — during follow-up interviews. This demonstrates your engagement during the hiring processes and introduces continuity into your applicant experience.

5. What else can I do to stand out to employers?

Research the company before applying for a role so you're prepared with thoughtful questions for your interview. For example, you might want to ask about the new hire onboarding process, professional development opportunities, company culture or specific questions regarding a project the interviewer has recently worked on.

These types of questions not only demonstrate your preparedness and curiosity, but also help you learn more about what the company offers and what the role entails — increasing your own confidence in the job being the right fit if and when the time comes.

Also, many large companies use an applicant tracking system that filters applications based on keywords, so consider tailoring your resume to the job description for these roles.

Staying resilient in a competitive job market

Perseverance is crucial as you navigate today's competitive software development landscape.

If an employer chooses not to move forward with your application, ask for feedback so you can better prepare for future interviews. And rather than viewing rejection as failure, treat every interview, informational call and skills test as an opportunity to speak about your experiences and network with industry professionals — regardless of the outcome.

By targeting roles that align with your expertise and showcasing soft skills and curiosity during the interview process, it's only a matter of time before you land a role that advances your career and fuels your passions.