Finding entry-level software engineering jobs can be an intimidating task for new graduates. The job hunt brings its own set of challenges, from the fierce competition to the “experience required” catch-22. According to The Wall Street Journal, 43% of college graduates fail to secure a college-level job in their first job after school. Additionally, about two-thirds find themselves underemployed for the next five years.

Securing your first role as an entry-level programmer can be particularly challenging since most job openings are for mid- or senior-level engineers with many years of experience. This is because employers view hiring entry-level developers as a risky investment due to significant onboarding and training costs, which can amount to upwards of $30,000 before they’ve even started working.

What does “entry-level” mean?

A study conducted by LinkedIn found that, since late 2017, about 35% of job postings labelled as “entry-level” actually required prior relevant work experience. This requirement was even more prevalent in the software and IT industries, where over 60% of entry-level job listings demanded three or more years of experience, which begs the question: Are entry-level jobs actually meant for people who are just now entering the workforce?

Good news: there’s a way out. We’ll give you tips and resources to guide you through the job search process, providing you with strategies to help you land that coveted entry-level software engineering position. Some companies rely on partners like WeAreDevelopers (that’s us!) to find the best talent. We’re the #1 developer community in Europe, so if you’re looking for an entry-level software engineering role at top firms in Germany, Austria, France, and beyond, you can start your job search by going through our exclusive job listings.

The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market → 

Joining online communities

Tapping into online communities for job hunting is non-negotiable. These platforms offer many opportunities and resources to make the job search process much more manageable. One platform that’s a game-changer for tech newbies? GitHub.

Aside from being a platform for sharing code, GitHub is a fantastic resource for jobseekers because it’s ubiquitous. Consider it your access point to the inner workings of the tech industry, and a very quick way for anyone to check up on you. One high-school student was recently featured in many newspaper stories because he wrote the code that allows Android users to send messages to Apple users while keeping blue bubbles. The startup using his code validated that he was telling the truth because he had uploaded it to GitHub. He’s now a contractor (he can’t be a full-time employee because he’s underage). That’s an entry-level job success story.

But let’s assume you don’t have any projects. In GitHub, you’ll still find a hub for collaboration and an extensive repository of job opportunities. 

Repos like New-Grad-2024 can be a goldmine of job opportunities for new grads. These repositories curate a comprehensive list of entry-level job openings specifically for software engineering, quant, project management, and other tech roles.

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More online communities

These communities can provide networking opportunities and job leads shared by industry insiders. Platforms like Reddit, GitHub, and Dev.to have active communities where you can engage with fellow developers, ask questions, and stay updated on job openings.

• Discord — The Programmer’s Hangout - An inclusive community for programmers of all levels. TPH allows you to connect with fellow developers and check memes.

• Reddit — r/VueJS - For those specialising in Vue.js, this subreddit allows you to tap into a network of professionals sharing out which sectors are looking for mobile framework developers.

• Github — Companies-Hiring-Remote-Devs - A list of job openings from tech companies that are hiring software developers who can work remotely or in hybrid mode. This one is a keeper.

• Dev.to - A coding community where tech professionals can connect and collaborate with other developers and programmers. 

• Stack Overflow - Yes, Stack Overflow — it’s popular, it’s everywhere, it has awesome surveys and offers the best advice. So why not try to get a job from it? Some users leave their contact information. If you’re good-mannered and assertive, they could eventually offer help. Keep it in mind.

• Hashnode - A community of programmers where you can share ongoing projects, ask questions, and give answers. It also offers technical blogs.
  
  
• Indie Hackers - Focuses on sharing revenue numbers. A company with good revenue is more likely to hire you.

Leveraging job boards

Here are some top job boards to explore in your search for entry-level roles:

• Indeed - A job search engine that combines job listings from different sources, allowing users to filter postings based on location, industry, and experience level. It has plenty of jobs for blue-collar jobseekers, and it’s heavily marketed in the United States, but they claim they’re global. Good for a starting point, not so good for a second stage.
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• Glassdoor - Provides job listings, company reviews, salary information, and interview tips. It’s been under scrutiny because, allegedly, it deletes negative reviews.
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• LinkedIn - While not the best for finding entry-level gigs, you should still set up a professional profile to establish an online presence. Even though you might not actually find a job directly through LinkedIn, having an organised profile is still important as employers might review them as part of their screening process.
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• FlexJobs - This company specialises in remote and flexible job opportunities and is targeted to those seeking part-time, freelance, and flexible work options.

Exploring internship opportunities

According to an association of students and employers from the US, approximately 70% of employers offer full-time jobs to their interns, with up to 80% of students accepting these offers. Major tech players highly prioritise candidates with internship backgrounds — around 80.2% of Facebook’s employees, 78.3% of Google’s, and 70.1% of IBM’s have completed internships.

That’s right — internships aren’t just stepping stones, they’re the express lane to permanent employment. And get this: Listing an internship on your CV boosts your chances of landing an interview by 14%.

So, how do you tap into these internship opportunities? 

• University career centres - These hubs connect students with internship opportunities. And employers who send their ads know that candidates will have little to no experience. So they won’t be surprised by it.
  

• Student-specific recruiting programs - Tech companies offer student-specific recruiting programs that provide avenues for securing internships in the industry. These programs often include specialised internship positions, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities, and an off-site trip here and there.

Steps to Get a Software Engineer Internship →

Participating in a coding bootcamp

“Bootcamps cost money. Paying to work, instead of getting paid for your work? Bad idea.” That statement is simply too accurate. It’s never a good idea to pay for one’s work. So consider this option prudently. Now, the statement is also too skewed. Coding bootcamps do get a worse rep than they deserve. Stats show that almost 80% of bootcamp participants get a job within six months of completion. That’s simply too considerable to rub it off.

And you can assume that’s an entry-level job because bootcamps are meant to teach potential devs to program from scratch and pivot their careers to coding. If you indeed land a job after a course, it’s an investment, not a price tag. Bootcamps usually match graduates against companies, so it’s a valid path.

Before joining the bootcamp, though, make sure it has a software engineering finish line. No matter if it’s in C#, Java, or CSS, programming is always programming, that’s true, but if the bootcamp’s too tilted towards full-stack development, the entry-level positions you’ll land afterwards will be as a web app dev.

Find an entry-level job with WeAreDevelopers

Despite economic uncertainties, Europe’s tech job market remains active, presenting solid employment opportunities, especially for entry-level gigs.

And the best part? When it comes to experience requirements, around 54% of tech job postings in Europe seek candidates with only 0 to 2 years of work experience. So, with the right approach, entry-level software engineering jobs in Europe are within reach. 

At WeAreDevelopers, you can access an active developer community and jobs for every shape and size. While we offer many opportunities for senior developers, we also feature entry-level positions for those just starting their careers. Explore our job board to browse positions provided by European companies that match your expertise and preferences. Good luck!