Whether you are a recent graduate or you are looking to change the direction of your career, it is a good idea to do a bit of research into the industry that you are hoping to get into. If this happens to be software engineering, you might have seen some things that are actually not true. Below, we take a look at - and debunk! - four of the most common misconceptions around getting a new grad software engineering job.
4 Common Grad Software Engineering Job Myths
Myth - Your CV Means Everything
A lot of people make the mistake of assuming that their CV means everything, but that is not always the case. A lot of companies are now looking for candidates with specific skills, and many are carrying out skills tests instead of focusing on your experience and qualifications. Though you have probably been told that a CV is extremely important, a lot of grad software engineering jobs are awarded based on skills based assessments. After all, why should what’s on your CV matter when you can write flawless code? Instead of spending a long time perfecting your CV, focus on improving your coding abilities and overcoming coding challenges.
Myth - Getting a Job is All About Luck
It’s a common misconception that getting a grad software engineering job is all about luck. Though there is a certain amount of ‘luck’ involved in someone seeing your CV and you securing an interview, the interview itself should be structured and predictable. Companies that are dedicated to hiring the right person for the job don’t want to hire someone based on luck, they want to hire someone talented and skilled. When you are interviewing for a grad software engineering job, the entire process should be structured and consistent. This means you can ask who you will be interviewing with, what the interview will entail and what questions you should prepare for. You could even go as far as to ask what coding platform they will be using in the interview.
Myth - You Need to Be a Confident Coder to Succeed in Software Engineering
It’s common to feel a little bit out of your depth when you’re preparing for a software engineering interview, especially if you aren’t confident in your coding skills. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that they need to be a coding expert to secure a grad job, but that isn’t always the case. There is a lot of room for learning and developing as a grad software engineer, so having the fundamentals is often enough to get your foot in the door. There is nothing wrong with having to refresh your skills or remind yourself of a coding technique, it’s something that even the most experienced software engineers have to do from time to time. There is a lot of learning in the world of software engineering, and you aren’t expected to know everything before you start. A lot of employers are more concerned about how you can grow and develop as part of the team, rather than focusing on what you are currently capable of.
Myth - There’s a Lot of Competition and Not Much Support
In many industries, there is a lot of competition and everything can feel cutthroat. However, software engineering is somewhat different. Software engineering requires you to collaborate with a lot of different people and there is a real community feel around the industry. Instead of struggling with a coding or technical problem alone, there are a whole host of people out there who can help you solve things. It’s the same in a software engineering job interview, the interviewers want to find the ideal person for the job and they are hoping it’s you. It’s not the competitive industry that a lot of people assume it to be.