Tips and Tricks for Choosing Your First Job as a Developer
Developers should prioritize discovering their professional passions before pursuing financial gain. I have emphasized growth over higher-paying roles since 2018, and I’d advocate junior developers adopt this same mindset.
Money
While compensation seems vital initially, it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Earning money is not the most important part of your life.
Early career roles provide a low-stakes opportunity to explore interests without major consequences. Long-term fulfillment outweighs short-term salary boosts for entry-level positions.
Personal Development
Seek companies offering advancement pathways or training budgets aligned with your responsibilities. This investment generates greater returns than marginally higher wages early in your career.
Atmosphere
Talk directly with current employees—not recruiters—about workplace culture. A supportive environment where people feel comfortable expressing concerns matters significantly. Hesitation to arrange such conversations is a red flag.
Development Process
Growth accelerates within teams featuring experienced developers who conduct thorough code reviews. These practices build the foundational coding skills necessary for sustained development.
Don’t Expect Everything
Prioritize strategically among five factors:
- Personal development
- Technologies used
- Development process
- Atmosphere
- Money
Your Time Is Valuable
Employment consumes roughly 22% of your annual hours. Poor job fit wastes considerable life energy. Aligning positions with your values maximizes overall satisfaction.
Understanding your priorities increases your chances of landing a fulfilling first role. While perfection remains impossible, matching positions to your personal checklist substantially improves outcomes.