How to find your first job as a Junior Developer (Even without experience)
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Landing your first programming job can feel like the toughest challenge of your career. The struggle is real: every posting seems to demand experience you don’t yet have. But just like a successful deploy, there’s always a way to reach the expected result.
Looking for a junior developer job often brings anxiety, doubts, and even frustration. From one dev to another: everyone in tech today went through this stage, and what once felt impossible turned out to be just the first commit of a long career.
Set up your environment: CV and Portfolio as your main repository
Before applying, take time to prepare your CV and portfolio. You don’t need dozens of projects, just a few well-structured ones that prove problem-solving ability. A simple app, a clone of a popular site, or an open-source contribution can be the door-opener for your first job as a programmer.
Platforms to find junior developer jobs
The job market is wide and global, with platforms connecting talent to opportunities:
- LinkedIn: the most active network for connecting with recruiters.
- Glassdoor / Indeed: international job boards.
- GetOnBoard / Computrabajo: widely used in Latin America.
In addition, check out the open positions at Rootstack. You’ll find opportunities designed for those looking to grow in the development world.
Networking: The Net that compiles opportunities
Getting a junior developer job with no experience often depends more on connections than job boards. Joining online communities, hackathons, meetups, or Discord groups allows you to showcase projects and build relationships that can turn into real job opportunities. Sharing what you’re building (even small projects) creates visibility and shows initiative.
In fact, many of our developers have joined Rootstack after participating in our events.
Learn to read job listings without getting discouraged
It’s common for junior job postings to ask for “2 years of experience.” In many cases, this can include personal projects, university work, or freelance collaborations. What truly matters is that companies value attitude and potential as much as exact years of experience. If you meet several of the requirements, it’s worth applying.
Interviews: The final deploy before landing the role
The interview stage blends technical and human aspects. There will be coding tests, but also evaluations of communication, collaboration, and learning mindset. Explaining how you solved a personal project or handled a technical error can be as valuable as solving an algorithm correctly. Transparency and a willingness to improve are always appreciated.
Here you can learn more about how to prepare for a technical interview.
First commit toward your career
Finding a junior developer job is a challenge, but not an impossible mission. With a solid portfolio, strategic applications, networking, and an open mindset to learning, that first role will come. From one dev to another: every application is like a commit in your career’s repository. Some may fail, but the final deploy will always arrive.
Looking for a Developer Job?
Subscribe to our job newsletter and receive new junior developer opportunities directly in your inbox. You can also visit our Jobs section and make your first commit toward your next project.
Recommended reading
Starting a job is just the beginning of your career journey. Once you land your first developer role, there are key things you need to keep in mind to thrive in your position. We recommend checking out this blog: What to keep in mind for your first developer job.
It covers essential tips to grow as a professional, from soft skills and teamwork to adapting to company culture, knowledge that will help you stand out from day one.