If you want to master a new profession and are ready for new challenges, then one of the best options is the field of software development. There are many compelling reasons to start a career as a developer in Europe. Strong experts can count on stable employment, high income, and flexible schedules. Statistics show that nearshore software development Europe is in high demand. There are thousands of companies and startups here that may need your professional help.
On the other hand, interest in the software development industry is constantly growing. As a result, there are more and more candidates who could take your place in a new company. So don’t delay! In this article, we will outline the key steps for beginners to start their journey in development and gain their first work experience!
Step 1. Prepare a Strong Portfolio and CV
The first thing potential employers see is your CV. Most recruiters simply won’t contact you if your CV doesn’t impress them. So, what do you need to know about creating an effective CV? We’ve put together a few key points below:
- Make your resumes brief, simple, and to-the-point, preferably not more than one page in the case of junior positions.
- Be descriptive on skills, technologies, and projects that demonstrate what you can really develop.
- Include links to GitHub or a portfolio site or apps that you have already completed so that an employer can take a quick look at your work.
We advise you to customize your resume instead of applying the same resume to all jobs. What else? Write about outcomes and tasks, rather than about abstract expressions and commonplace buzzwords. A good CV must make you look like a serious problem solver. Employers would like to receive facts that you are able to use your knowledge in practice, to cooperate with modern tools, and to share your experience explicitly. Relevant and sincere application documents can greatly enhance your probabilities of being interviewed, particularly in an already competitive job market in Europe.
Step 2. Decide on a Country
Working as a developer in Europe is probably the dream of thousands of people across the world. However, you need to decide where exactly you want to operate. For this, it is best to look at countries that are leaders in the field of information technology. In this context, we can highlight Germany, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Poland, Ukraine, and the Netherlands. These countries have a high level of digital technology development, which attracts new software development companies.
However, there is another option where you do not need to belong to one country. You can find employment with a company that provides nearshore software development services in Europe, working remotely. One striking example is N-iX, an agency covering most countries on the European continent. This is an excellent option because, in theory, you will be able to reach more potential customers from different neighboring regions without being tied to a specific country.
Step 3. Explore Local Companies
Nowadays, you can find hundreds of options offering different employment conditions. IT services market statistics show a steady increase in the number of new companies, so this is a great opportunity for all newcomers. On the other hand, such a wide variety of players on the market can make your choice significantly more difficult.
Europe is highly diverse in terms of software employers! There are startups and outsourcing companies, product companies, and international technology offices. So, you should examine their profile, employment trend, product, and degree of English or local language required. This study will make you write better applications and not waste your time on inappropriate matches.
Step 4. Submit Multiple Applications at the Same Time
Waiting to find one ideal job is one of the most prevalent errors candidates make. Applications are made to multiple positions simultaneously to gain interview experience and stand a higher chance of receiving a reply. The procedure of hiring in Europe may be tardy, and therefore, using a single application may result in unwarranted time wastage.
This does not imply that you should send the same generic CV all over. Be efficient, not careless! Write a good foundation for your resume, portfolio, and cover note and tailor them to every job. Prepare a basic spreadsheet to record your applications to ensure that you know where you applied, how far you got in an application, and the response.
Step 5. Get Ready for a Code Test
IT companies avoid wasting their valuable time. Therefore, you should be prepared for a test assignment as the next stage of the hiring process. Coding exercises, technical interviews, and structured interviews are all common with many European employers. The companies also consider your way of thinking and communication skills, as well as how you comprehend simple engineering decisions.
Before the test, read fundamental concepts like algorithms, debugging, APIs, databases, Git, and clean code. You should be able to practice solving small problems with time pressure, but you should also learn to explain your reasoning in your own words step by step. In the case of live interviews, you should be prepared to describe your own projects in more detail.
Final Thoughts
First things first! That’s why you should start by creating a strong CV and filling your portfolio with projects (if you already have some experience). Otherwise, you should focus on companies that are looking for specialists marked as “trainees.” These are vacancies that do not require experience and imply training from the company. For example, many European nearshore software development providers, such as N-iX, offer a comprehensive onboarding process for beginners (even those without professional experience).
Next, you should decide on the country where you want to work and find the best job offers on the market. Research these companies and the conditions they offer. To increase your chances of being invited for an interview, we recommend submitting several applications at the same time. Next, you will have a test assignment and an interview, where you can show why you deserve a place on the team.