Job market for software developers

[Specialk92282]

I just graduated with an MS in CS and I've been looking for a job for the past month. After 60+ applications, I've gotten 2 phone interviews and nothing past that.

My grades are very good, I have a few years of relevant experience, and I know my stuff, so it's hard for me to understand what the issue is. I've followed up on applications, sent thank you letters for interviews, and included targeted cover letters for each application. I've done just about everything that has been recommended and nothing seems to be working.

Sometimes I think the MS could be hurting my chances of getting an entry level job, but I really don't know how it is for BS grads, so I can't say.

Is the job market really this bad for software developers?

Also - I know there are a lot of professional software devs in here pretty regularly. Would anyone mind looking at my resume and offering some feedback? I would post it, but the internet usually isn't kind to publicly posting private material...

 

[Markbnj]

I don't think the MS is hurting you. In fact in the area I live in there are a lot of financial firms that would rather their devs have advanced degrees. You have a couple of things against you at this time. First, yes, the market is pretty damned bad and getting worse. Not bad compared with, say, bond traders . But compared to the last ten years it's pretty abysmal. Second, you're new, and probably don't have a ton of real-world development experience. Third, it's only been a month. Figure on an average of 3-6 months to land a new job in this market.

Feel free to email me your resume at mark _at_ markbetz.net. I'd be happy to take a look at it.

 

[imported_Dhaval00]

For what it's worth I don't mind looking at your resume, too (PM me if you need an extra pair of eyes). I am fortunate enough to have a job, mostly because we work on federal and state projects - if spending gets cut, people here might also get the boot.

Don't give up. I have had lengthy discussions with a whole slew of friends about their interview experiences after graduation. We have all agreed that the first month is simply a huge learning experience! By now you should have a master list of "common questions." You should know the norms. However, times are definitely tough, it sounds (that's why I asked you, Mark, to share your experience earlier in a different thread) - I remember about 2.5 years ago, when I graduated, I had about 19 (I kept count) or so interviews.

Also, I hope you're willing to move and you're a US citizen/resident? Most people ignore and forget about posting their resumes for county/state/federal jobs. For example, I know there is a lot of movement in the Seattle area around a few energy firms which have the blessing of Obama. One way I usually research county jobs is by going to Wikipedia and looking at a state's counties and then googling the counties' job boards. For example, you have California Counties and then you have the Job List.

 

[Markbnj]

However, times are definitely tough, it sounds (that's why I asked you, Mark, to share your experience earlier in a different thread) - I remember about 2.5 years ago, when I graduated, I had about 19 (I kept count) or so interviews.

I haven't forgotten, and when the experience is over I may have something to say about it .

 

[SJP0tato]

Lots of good advice so far.

I'll echo what has been said with my experience:

I graduated with a bachelor's in 06, went on probably a dozen interviews (and applied to probably 40-50+ jobs). I finally landed my first after 4 or so months of searching. With the economy and unemployment rate as they are, I would expect it to be even more difficult. Keep trying, best of luck!

 

[presidentender]

But hey, look on the bright side. It'll get better as more people drop out of the race and look at different industries... right?

(I'm lucky. My company does a lot of work for the state. Our jobs are safe; company's actually still growing.)

 

[Aikouka]

Mmm I think it depends on where you look. The defense industry is doing fine overall, so you could try looking into there.

 

[scorp00]

The first one is the hardest. I spent a year looking for my first job in 05. I got my 2nd and 3rd jobs easily without even trying that hard. I'd recommend defense too, there's a lot of demand for programmers.

 

[Specialk92282]

Wow, great advice. Thanks everyone.

I guess I'm a little anxious to start working since I have a lot of student loans waiting to be paid off. I'm also trying to get my house ready to put on the market and the economy isn't good for that either :/

@Mark - Resume sent.

@Dhaval00 - Yes, I am a U.S. citizen and I am looking to relocate.

 

[Markbnj]

Got it. I'll take a look at it this evening and drop you a PM.

 

[troytime]

do you program for fun?

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: troytime
do you program for fun?

If not, you should

 

[Specialk92282]

Originally posted by: troytime
do you program for fun?

Yes, definitely. I write vb .net apps for fun and have been trying to follow the popularity herd into iPhone development. A lot of the people I graduated with were the 9-5 programmer types, and I am more of the live, eat, and breathe code type.

 

[Red Squirrel]

programming can be hard to get into. Problem is, everyone outsources it these days it seems. I'm sure there's still stuff out there. Have you thought of just making a big program and trying to sell it or give it free but sell support? That might be an option too.

 

[troytime]

Originally posted by: Specialk92282

Originally posted by: troytime
do you program for fun?

Yes, definitely. I write vb .net apps for fun and have been trying to follow the popularity herd into iPhone development. A lot of the people I graduated with were the 9-5 programmer types, and I am more of the live, eat, and breathe code type.

that right there proves you to be a better hire than most the programmers i've talked with and interviewed over the last 8 years.

 

[Aikouka]

Heh, I used to code for fun... that all stopped after I started getting paid to do it .

 

[JasonCoder]

On the coding for fun thing... if you come up with even a halfway decent app you can use it in interviews. I remember interviewing a guy for a web dev position and he showed us this faux pizza ordering site he had done. It impressed us, might work for you too.

 

[troytime]

i'm a big fan of the coding for fun thing.
if you code for fun, it means you actually like programming
you can be the best programmer in the world, but if your heart is not in it - your code, your intuition, and your creativity won't be as good as could be