How to get a job as a Software Engineer without experience or college degree. 3 tips.

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares practical advice on how to land a software engineering job without prior experience or a college degree. The key tips include being open and honest about your situation, proactively reaching out to potential employers to show enthusiasm, and enhancing your resume with strong personal projects showcased on platforms like GitHub. The speaker emphasizes the importance of enthusiasm, hard work, and taking initiative, urging viewers to demonstrate their skills through well-crafted projects and direct communication with companies to stand out in a competitive job market.

Takeaways

• 😀 Be open and honest about your situation, especially if you lack a degree or experience.
• 😀 Emphasize your abilities, motivation, and work ethic when addressing your qualifications.
• 😀 Highlight any projects or skills you've developed, and how they can help solve problems for employers.
• 😀 Don't hide your lack of formal education—being upfront will gain trust from interviewers.
• 😀 Be proactive and reach out directly to people at companies you're interested in, especially on LinkedIn.
• 😀 Don't be afraid to send unsolicited messages to show your enthusiasm for a company or job role.
• 😀 Look for smaller, more innovative companies that are flexible with hiring and qualifications.
• 😀 Have a strong GitHub portfolio showcasing your projects and coding skills.
• 😀 Regular activity and meaningful commits on GitHub signal your commitment to improving as a software engineer.
• 😀 Make sure your projects are well-documented and demonstrate your problem-solving approach and creativity.

Q & A

What is the key focus of this video?

The video focuses on how to get a job as a software engineer without a college degree or any prior experience.

How does the speaker view the importance of education in engineering?

The speaker believes that in engineering, the abilities and skills of the individual matter more than where they went to school or if they have a degree. They emphasize that interviewers are more concerned with what a candidate can do rather than where they studied.

Why does the speaker encourage being open and honest about one's situation?

Being open and honest, especially about lacking a college degree, helps prevent the interviewer from feeling tricked. It also shows integrity, allowing the interviewer to understand the applicant's situation upfront.

What is the significance of showing passion and initiative when applying for a job?

Showing enthusiasm and proactively reaching out to people, such as on LinkedIn, helps candidates stand out. It demonstrates motivation and genuine interest in the company, which is appreciated by interviewers.

What is the importance of reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn or by email?

Reaching out to professionals at the companies you're interested in helps establish a connection and shows that you're eager to learn more about the job. It can also give you an edge over other candidates who don't take that step.

What type of companies does the speaker recommend targeting when applying for jobs?

The speaker suggests targeting smaller, forward-thinking companies that are more open to bending traditional hiring rules, as they are more likely to consider candidates without a college degree or formal experience.

What are some effective ways to showcase skills if you don't have formal experience?

One of the most effective ways is to have strong projects on your resume. These projects should demonstrate your skills and problem-solving ability. Additionally, having a well-maintained GitHub page can significantly strengthen your profile.

Why is having a GitHub profile important?

A GitHub profile is important because it allows interviewers to see your coding style, how you document your work, and your overall approach to problem-solving. It also shows commitment to improving your skills over time, especially when you have many commits.

What makes a good project demo for an interview?

A good demo should showcase both technical skill and creativity. The speaker mentions an example of a temperature sensing project where the candidate solved the problem in multiple programming languages, demonstrating both versatility and a thorough understanding of the problem.

How can someone with no experience stand out in an interview?

To stand out, it's important to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the work, be proactive in reaching out to professionals, and have well-executed projects to discuss during the interview. Showing a clear understanding of the work and a drive to contribute can make up for a lack of formal experience.