Newly graduated software engineer? What’s next?

First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Laura and I’m a Distributed Systems Engineer at Workday 🤓

I am a complete newbie both to the industry (just approached my two year mark as a full-time engineer) and writing but hey we all start somewhere right? 🙂 I’ve finally decided to bite the bullet, fully immerse myself in this wonderful industry and start writing about my experiences, challenges and everyday learning snippets throughout my career. What better way to learn than to teach someone else right?

For my very first article, I’ve decided to touch on a recent experience that is very close to my heart and that is navigating through the ups and downs of finding your first “perfect” role in the industry coming fresh out of college.

So without further adieu let’s get into my Top 5 Tips for Finding your Perfect First Role ℹ️

Options, Options, Options

Luckily, our industry is filled with opportunities which makes this chapter of your life both less and more stressful all at once. I started applying for positions when I was still in my final year in University (Dublin City University, Ireland) as that was the norm in Ireland. Most graduate positions started offering positions to candidates during the winter months and you had a great shot at having secured your first job before you even finished your degree! Amazing right? Yes, and no. On top of trying to study for your final exams, maybe trying to complete your final year project, you now also have to navigate through hundreds of job descriptions, write another 100 CV’s and do another 100 interviews. It’s a stressful time.

However, this is where we get to the advice bit.. I always found that the more options you open yourself up to, the better! This is not the time for you to doubt yourself (I’m not good enough to apply for that) or stress about finding the perfect role in which you will stay for 10 years. This is your time, to experience interviews, talk to companies and recruiters, get a taste for the industry and really put yourself out there. I don’t believe there is a perfect first role for you, so don’t fret. Apply some minimal criteria to a job (ie. salary cutoff, location, preferred tech-stack) and apply to as many jobs as you can!

Yes, rejection sucks but believe me, the calls back you get, the interviews you do, the people you meet from the opportunities that do come along, will be invaluable. They will allow you to build a picture of what you want, clear some of that fog and help you lean about yourself. Besides, if you’re like me and navigating through jobs while still in university, you won’t have time to stress about that one rejection when you’ve got 20 assignments due the next day 😉

Variety is Key

When looking for your first position, I believe the most important key to consider in each role is this: LEARNING POTENTIAL. Ideally, you want a job that will allow you to grow, show you the ropes, gives you the room to learn and improve, explore and be true to yourself. What I mean is, don’t get stuck on a speciality or area of expertise at this time. Look for opportunities that will allow you to experience not one technology, but many. Look for opportunities where work shadowing is an option. I cannot emphasise this enough, your first job, if you’re lucky, should be all about experimenting, learning and seeing different roles and opportunities.

To summarise, don’t try to specialise in at this point. Aim for variety. Ask about the companies strategies on learning, shadowing, knowledge share sessions and the likes.
I promise you, you may walk into a role thinking you're destined for one area (perfect it’s what you loved in university), only to be exposed to 100 different areas which naturally attract and excite you instead. Take this time to be selfish, explore and learn.

What are your values?

Do you know your values? If so what are they? Do they align with the companies you are interviewing for?

These are the type of questions that are really important to ask. I never truly understood the importance of a good environment and culture to work for until I started working for Workday. Having great people around you, that support you and want to see you grow, are essential. This will be clear in the interview process. Are you treated as just a number on a list? Or are you treated as an actual individual? Do they seem interested in what you have to say? Are they making eye contact? (I’ve had interviews where people didn’t even bother to use my name, look up from their clipboard of questions or even give me a call with the offer).

As you’re going through this learning period, it’s going to be really important to have a support network by your side and this will be your team and your company. Don’t underestimate the power of a good working culture to help you grow.

Interview the interviewer

Continuing on from the last point on values, the interview is a critical time for not only the interviewer to make their judgements about you, but also for you to make your judgements about the company. I understand it’s a stressful time and you sometimes feel like you want to just get in and get out but don’t. You are in the driver seat just as much as the person in front of you. Do they relax you? Make you feel at ease? Are they interested in your answers and have follow ups? How were you treated on entrance to the building? Would you work with this person?

I said it once and I will say it again, be selfish. This is your time to find you the best fit. You are motivated and don’t have the pressures of past experiences to cloud your judgement. At the end of the day, if you are motivated and you are passionate, work is going to become a big part of your life. Do it with the right people.

Go with your gut

Let’s say you are battling with a few offers, all sound just as appealing and you’re confused, stressed and tired. Firstly, don’t hesitate to talk to the recruiters about your troubles. I had two great offers, both with very different advantages and disadvantages and then an amazing thing happened.. A recruiter from one of the companies called me, listened to me stress and mumble about my options. Did she tell me I should go with her company? No. She spoke to me as she would her daughter or her friend. She gave me advice, calmed me down and assured me that either choice I make it will be the right one for me. I knew in my gut there and then that was the choice for me.

Don’t underestimate the power of your gut feeling. 99% of the time it’s right and if you’re the 1%, so what. You tried, you learned, you missed, you learned and now you can try again with this knowledge. Deep down, you know what to do. Listen to it. Embrace it.

Wow who knew I could ramble for so long? I truly hope this helps even one person make the right decision, although I don’t think there is really a right and wrong here. Explore, do what feels right, aim to learn and enjoy the process (easier said than done I know) and don’t be so hard on yourself. I truly believe everything happens for a reason and if it didn’t work once, well you’re a-lot more equipped to make it work next time.

Hope you enjoyed. Please don’t hesitate to comment below, share your experiences and ask absolutely anything 💛