How to Land Your First IT Job: A Friendly, Real-World Guide

Map the IT Landscape for First-Time Job Seekers

From help desk and QA to junior developer and data analyst, entry routes differ in pace and prerequisites. Comment with the role you’re considering, and we’ll suggest starter skills that get interviews faster.

Build a Portfolio That Hires You

Ship one real-world clone, one data or automation tool, and one collaborative piece. Explain the problem, decisions, and outcomes. Drop your project ideas in the comments for feedback and accountability.

Build a Portfolio That Hires You

Treat your README like a product page: problem, features, setup, screenshots, and trade-offs. A short demo video helps. Invite readers to try it and file issues you can resolve publicly.

Resume, LinkedIn, and ATS: Your Visibility Engine

Replace task lists with outcomes: automated backups saving hours weekly, improved test coverage, or reduced ticket volume. Mirror essential keywords from the job ad. Share a bullet here for a crowd-sourced, kinder edit.

Resume, LinkedIn, and ATS: Your Visibility Engine

Write a headline tied to outcomes and tools, then an About section with a short origin story, skills, and proof links. Connect with three classmates today and message one mentor with gratitude, not asks.

Message with gratitude, context, and one precise question. After chatting, share one action you took based on their advice. Tell us who you’ll reach out to this week, and we’ll cheer you on.

Networking That Feels Human, Not Salesy

Applications with Strategy, Not Burnout

Set a small, repeatable cadence: three tailored applications, one outreach, one portfolio improvement. Share your weekly target below, then report back Friday for a mini win recap.

Applications with Strategy, Not Burnout

Scan the product, tech blog, and recent releases. Mention one insight and why you care. Maya earned her first interview by referencing a changelog entry that aligned with her capstone project.

Interview Prep and Storytelling That Connects

Crafting STAR Stories for Behavioral Wins

Select five moments showing ownership, learning, and teamwork. Structure them with Situation, Task, Action, Result. Share one draft story below for supportive feedback and sharper phrasing.

Technical Practice with Purpose

Set a schedule: forty-five minutes of problems, fifteen minutes of notes, and weekly mock interviews. Track patterns you miss. Invite a study partner from the comments to practice together.

Whiteboard, Take-Home, and Communication

Narrate your thinking, ask clarifying questions, and write readable code. For take-homes, timebox, document assumptions, and deliver a short demo. Tell us which interview stage you fear most, and we’ll share targeted tips.