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This guide will help you score that job interview. No experience? No problem!

10 minutes

Searching for a job in the tech industry can be intimidating if you don’t have coding experience. One of the biggest challenges for those who are new to coding is getting a job interview without real world coding experience. It can seem like an impossible task, but it isn’t!

Are you looking to enter the tech industry but don't have any coding experience? Don't be discouraged; it is still possible for you to land a job in this competitive space. With the right attitude, skillset and preparation, anyone can get a job interview without coding experience.

Whether you're a newcomer to the job search or a switcher with a dream of honing a brand-new skill set, the job search frequently feels exciting and nerve-racking. Your dream job is within reach but receiving it so handily can come with a learning curve.

Getting Started

Anyone looking to enter the exciting world of coding may feel discouraged and may find it tough if they lack experience in the field.

Here’s a common case scenario:

You’ve been applying to jobs but aren’t getting any callbacks. You might be wondering what you’re doing wrong. Chances are, it’s not anything you’re doing wrong. The job market is tough and there are a lot of qualified candidates out there. It can be really frustrating. I know how you feel. I was there a five years ago. I was a software engineer, and I couldn’t seem to get a job interview.

But don’t give up just yet! While the competition is fierce and it seems like everyone has more experience than you, a lack of experience doesn’t mean you can’t land a job. It just means you have to go about the job search strategically.

But how do you get your foot in the door even without any real-world coding experience?

If you're stuck asking yourself this question, this guide is for you.

Here, you will discover five simple ways to get a recruiter to call you, including some tips on how to stand out from the competition and impress potential employers.

These tips have been crafted to help you do just that. Let's score you an interview!

Build a Strong Online Presence

Nearly everyone is on the internet these days. Because of this, having a strong online presence is more important than ever. If you're not active online, you're missing out. Even if you do have an online presence, it is important to make sure that it is strong. A strong online presence is key for making your job search breeze and of course, landing a job interview.

Post your work on different channels and make sure that you are updating each platform often. The best one to be on is Twitter. While it is the easiest platform to get started with, that is also where all the developers hang out. By sharing what you are working on with other professionals on twitter, you can gain valuable feedback, insights, and connections. Furthermore, sharing your work can help to build your credibility and expertise in your field.

Companies understand the power of social media — when you are influential, recruiters will start reaching out to you. If you want to get more followers or likes on social media, don't be afraid to learn in public. Try to be active and share what is happening in your life in real time. Let’s go!

Polish Your Resume

For many entry-level candidates, landing a job is about much more than simply being the most qualified candidate. Landing a first job also requires a well-thought-out resume.

Your resume is the first thing a hiring manager will read to get a sense of your experience. “It’s a sales pitch to the hiring manager.” Your resume needs to convey to the prospective employer that you are not only qualified but also ready for the job — this is your opportunity to highlight the value you can bring to your next employer. It also needs to be written in a way that showcases your skills and experience.

With that in mind, here are some key things you can do to make sure your resume is as effective as it can be. You shouldn’t have a “generic” resume. Instead, tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. Here’s some quick simple steps to tailor your resume:

Create a “master” resume with the qualifications, experiences, and skills you feel need to be highlighted in the type of position you are interested in - This process will help you to narrow down your experiences and target specific employers. Once you have created your master resume, you will be able to use it as a template for tailoring your resumes for specific jobs.
Once you have identified positions that interest you, Break out your skills into different sections. Technical, Backend, Frontend, Soft Skills.
Add a project section with two of your best projects - If you don't have any previous projects, consider adding a personal project or two. Make sure to include a brief description of the project, your role, and the technologies used.
Tailor your cover letter - emphasize the skills and experience you highlighted in your resume. Then apply and repeat for future positions.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

If you're looking for a way to stand out from the competition and get noticed by potential employers, then it's time to optimize your LinkedIn profile.

In a job market that is more competitive than ever, your LinkedIn profile is one of your most powerful tools. It’s the first impression people have of you — so it should be as good as it can be. By taking the time to optimize your profile, you can make sure that you are putting your best foot forward and increasing your chances of impressing potential employers

The most important thing you should do is to make sure your profile is complete and up-to-date. On your profile, make sure to include a strong thesis statement that tops the rest of your summary, and highlight your skills and experiences. This includes your work history, education, skills and experiences.

Don’t forget to include a professional profile photo that makes you look good!

GETTING STARTED: Crafting a Linkedin Profile Resources

There are many resources to help you craft a resume. Here, are some of the best:

Network, Network, Network

The tech industry is one of the most promising and lucrative sectors to enter. However, it can be difficult to break into without the right connections. As the tech industry continues to grow, so does the need for networking. With so many different companies and products, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends. That's where networking comes in. In order to be successful in the tech industry, it is essential to network. By building relationships with other professionals, you can gain valuable insights, learn about new technologies and trends, and open doors to new opportunities.

You are most likely to find your first developer job through networking verses blindly applying to jobs. As a developer, you should be looking to meet people in your industry who can help you make connections and make yourself more marketable.

Remember how we talked about building an online presence? In a world where we are constantly trying to make connections, it can be difficult to know where to start. One way you can make those connections is by attending events and networking on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. These platforms provide a way to connect with others online and potentially develop relationships that could lead to job opportunities.

But it's not just about meeting people - it's also important to know how to network effectively.

Focus on Your Developer Portfolio

A great way to make sure your resume gets noticed by potential employers is to have a strong developer portfolio. Your portfolio should showcase your best work and highlight your skills and experience.

Let’s say you have spent countless hours practicing and learning how to code. But are you in the position to show off what all your hard work? After graduation from bootcamps, many students find themselves with little or no experience while on any job search. People with little exposure can use their portfolios to effectively demonstrate their skills, so share them. The more work you publish, the more you’ll be able to show off to potential employers

As a job seeker, you are looking for ways to stand out from the competition and get more job interviews. One way to do this is to focus on your developer portfolio.

Companies like to employ developers of your caliber. Your portfolio is your chance to show employers that you are capable of performing well on the job. It is important to make sure that your developer portfolio is up-to-date and includes your most recent work — An up-to-date developer portfolio will not only help you get more job interviews, but it will also help you impress potential employers.

Here are some tips on what to include or check out the full detail list here:

Come up with one or two noteworthy projects and add them to your portfolio.
Have a detail page that describes the team structure. Even if it was just you.
Give yourself the title of Software engineer.
Provide details of what you have contributed to each project. Show the hiring manger that you are a great problem solver.

You’re almost there!

Getting a job interview with little or no coding experience is possible if you target the right opportunities. You should be willing to put in the work to learn and express your enthusiasm for the field. Fortunately, there are many tactics and strategies you can use to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Take advantage of online resources and use them, build a portfolio that showcases any relevant skills, and network with professionals in the tech industry who may be able to provide introductions or referrals. Remember not to neglect the importance of preparation - it just might be the key to landing your dream job. Wish you luck! With commitment and dedication, it is possible to make your dream of working in software engineering a reality.

Consider applying at smaller companies that may not require as much experience. Network with people in the industry who can recommend you for positions or point you to potential openings. Don't be afraid to apply for jobs that are slightly out of your skill level — you never know what might happen. It's important to remember that you never know what might happen if you keep going. You might be surprised to find that you're more qualified than you thought, or that the position is more flexible than it initially seemed. Either way, it's always worth giving it a shot - after all, what do you have to lose? So next time you see a job posting that seems a little bit out of your league, go for it. You never know what might happen!

Do you want to make sure you are prepared for your next programming interview?

Here’s a list of useful websites and sources available to aid you in preparing for programming interviews.

Popular websites like Leetcode and HackerRank are on my list of sites I used. I have found them very useful for understanding and solving programming interview questions. Along with other sites, these platforms also include an explanation of coding problems and techniques on how to solve each problem. Overall I have became a better programmer by practicing and solving many coding problems asked in actual interviews.

What are you waiting for? Download the list now and save it for later use! 😉