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Career Guide

How to Land a Software Developer Job: A Step-by-Step Playbook

From skills and projects to resumes, interviews, and offers. This guide outlines exactly what to do and in what order.

See the Steps Read the FAQ

Updated September 2025 - 12 to 16 minute read

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1) Set a clear target

Decide the role family (frontend, backend, full-stack, mobile, data/ML) and the industries that interest you. This determines which skills to emphasize and which projects to build.

  • Pick 1-2 primary languages and a realistic stack (e.g., TypeScript + React + Node; C# + ASP.NET Core; Python + Django).
  • Curate a short list of companies by size and domain to guide your portfolio choices.

2) Learn the core skills

Focus on the fundamentals that show up repeatedly on the job.

Language + Ecosystem

Syntax, modules/packages, testing, package managers, debugging, performance basics.

Web Foundations

HTTP, REST/JSON, HTML/CSS/JS, accessibility, security basics (auth, OWASP Top 10).

Data + Services

SQL/NoSQL, ORMs, caching, queues, cloud deployment basics (Docker, CI/CD).

3) Build portfolio projects

Three strong, maintained projects beat ten half-finished ones. Aim for real users, clean READMEs, and tests where appropriate.

  • Ship a CRUD app with auth and payments or external APIs.
  • Add a performance or accessibility case study to show engineering depth.
  • Write short posts explaining technical decisions - great for interviews.
Pro tip: Make each project "resume-ready" with a demo URL, screenshots, tech stack summary, and a clear "What I built" section.

4) Polish your resume

Use impact statements with metrics (what you built, why it mattered, the measurable result). Keep it one page unless you have 7+ years of experience.

  • Quantify: "Reduced build time 43% by parallelizing CI."
  • De-jargonize: focus on outcomes and customer value.
  • Tailor to the role: mirror the job description's language and priorities.
When you start applying: use Resume Retriever to instantly tailor your resume to each job description and generate ATS-friendly wording that highlights the right skills.

5) Optimize your profiles

Recruiters search. Make it easy to find you.

  • LinkedIn: headline with target role + stack, featured projects, open-to-work toggles, recommendations.
  • GitHub: pinned repos that mirror job requirements, clean commit history, helpful READMEs.
  • Personal site: a simple landing page with project highlights and a contact form.

6) Apply strategically

Blend volume with precision. Use referrals where possible, and batch applications so you can iterate on what works.

  • Target roles that match your projects and stack; include 20-30% "reach" roles.
  • Track outreach, applications, interviews, and feedback in a lightweight spreadsheet.
  • Send concise, value-first messages to hiring managers or engineers.

7) Prepare for interviews

Practice the four pillars: coding, systems, behavioral, and role-specific domain questions.

  • Coding: practice problems in your interview language; time-bound and verbalize.
  • Systems: design APIs, caching strategies, and data models; trade-offs over buzzwords.
  • Behavioral: craft STAR stories about conflicts, impact, and learning.
  • Portfolio: be ready to whiteboard architecture for one of your projects.

8) Close with offers

Ask for written offers, clarify responsibilities, level, compensation, and growth. Negotiate respectfully with data from market ranges.

  • Compare opportunities on learning, team quality, and business momentum - not just title.
  • Negotiate once, holistically (cash, equity, sign-on, remote, start date).

What recruiters notice first

  • Clear target and consistent story across resume, LinkedIn, and GitHub.
  • Evidence of ownership: shipped projects, real users, measurable impact.
  • Signals of collaboration: PRs, issues, docs, and communication clarity.

FAQ

How many projects do I need?

Two to three relevant, polished projects are plenty if they closely match the roles you apply for and demonstrate depth.

Do I need LeetCode for every role?

Most product companies expect basic algorithmic fluency; prioritize coding interviews for new-grad/junior roles and system design for mid-level.

Should my resume be one page?

Yes for junior to mid-level. Keep it focused on impact and omit low-signal details.