How to Get Your First Job (No, DSA Won't Save You!)
So, you want your first job in tech? Great! But let’s get one thing straight right away—don’t waste your time grinding Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) endlessly. Yeah, I said it. And I know, I know, some YouTubers will tell you that DSA is the holy grail, the secret sauce, the only way to get hired. But let’s be real—they hype it up because it gets them views and followers.
The Real Challenge: Getting Your Resume Selected
You might be solving 500 Leetcode problems, but guess what? If your resume doesn’t even get picked, it’s all useless. And here’s the bold truth: Cracking big companies as a fresher is simply not possible (unless you have a referral, insane luck, or some crazy achievements). No matter how talented you are, these companies prefer experienced candidates.
So, What’s the Plan?
Target startups and small companies. Unlike the tech giants, they don’t care about how many Leetcode problems you’ve solved. What do they care about? Projects. Real, working projects that prove you can actually build stuff.
Step 1: Start Building Projects
This is your golden ticket. Work on projects that showcase your skills. Contribute to open-source projects. Build a portfolio. Trust me, as soon as you enter any company, you’ll gain a ton of experience, and that’s what truly matters in the long run.
Step 2: Apply Smartly
Don’t just blindly spam your resume. Customize it for each job. Highlight your projects. Show that you can solve real-world problems. And most importantly—network! Engage in developer communities, attend hackathons, and connect with people who can refer you.
Step 3: What About DSA?
I’m not saying DSA is completely useless. It has its place. But for your first job? Prioritize projects first. If you still want to know how much DSA is actually needed, check out https://bit.ly/dsa-is-useless (because I don’t want to leave you totally hanging!).
Want to Work on Real Projects in a Community?
If you're interested in building projects where your contributions will be directly visible, join us on Telegram at @smpcn. Let’s build something awesome together!
So, what are you waiting for? Stop grinding Leetcode and start building stuff! Your first job is waiting for you—just go get it!