Most companies have realized the importance of having software developers on their payroll or regularly outsourcing their services. We live in a digital era, and so we cannot ignore the relevance of technology to your brick-and-mortar and eCommerce business.
If you are a software developer wondering where you can find opportunities or a recruiter looking for the best talent, the good news is that there are numerous platforms where you can find jobs and showcase your capabilities.
Below, we will detail the different channels you can use to find a job as an IT developer, the pros and cons of each, and real-life examples of each platform:
- Social networks
- Job boards
- Communities’ websites/specialized social platforms
- Hackathon
- Employee referrals
- recruitment companies
- Matchmaking platform
1. Social networks
Social media platforms have gradually become recruitment channels for all sorts of jobs. Companies are always putting up ads on their social media accounts announcing vacancies in their organisations. The most common platforms are Facebook and Twitter.
With Twitter, you can use hashtags to find the top or most recent tweets on the tech stacks for which you are hiring (in case you are a recruiter), or if you are in search of a job, you can use hashtags with the skill-set you possess or the field in which you are best suited.
On Facebook, you have the option of looking for job postings by companies on their page or joining Facebook groups. These are communities of like-minded people who share information and build networks. You can join an IT development group with fellow software developers, perhaps in your location, and discuss your passion and simple to complex IT challenges.
With any luck, you may end up in a group with recruiters or employers who appreciate your IT skills and experience.
LinkedIn is a platform that is unlike Facebook and Twitter. While the latter is more about socialising and sharing thoughts with friends, family, and strangers, LinkedIn is considered the ultimate professional networking platform. Employers, job seekers, and recruiters from numerous fields join this site and set up profiles so they can easily connect with and source candidates for their either freelance or permanent employment needs. LinkedIn allows you to put up your resume on top of your profile. This gives potential recruiters a chance to see your work experience and skills before they even contact you.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Job boards are websites that enable organisations to source employees, mainly freelance or part-time ones. They allow companies to post vacancies they need filled and job seekers to set up profiles. These job boards bridge the gap between job seekers and recruiters.
In most cases, the applications for these open positions have to be made directly through these boards to avoid any conflict or malice. Also, payment is made through them, and they are entitled to a cut.
Job boards come in two types: general job boards and niche job boards. The general boards have no specific field they specialise in. They range from writers to software developers to designers, teachers, and nannies. On the other hand, niche job boards focus on specialised candidates for particular industries.
Examples of general job boards
|
Examples of niche job boards for IT developers
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
3. Communities’ websites/specialized social platforms
These are large trusted online communities for developers to learn, connect and share their programming knowledge. Professional and enthusiastic programmers can join this platform to exchange ideas, challenges, and solutions. The most popular platforms are GitHub, with over 65 million developers contributing to over 30 million projects, and Stack Overflow, with over 50 million developers.
These platforms have developers, programmers, coders. You name it. They are a great starting point for any IT developer looking for employment because you have the facilities to establish profiles that include their names, email addresses, current employers, talents, a signal indicating if they are looking for a career move, and a list of projects they are working on.
Pros
|
Cons
|
4. Hackathons
This is a social coding event that brings together computer programmers, coders, developers, and recruiters to build new software programs or solve software challenges. These are excellent recruitment places for fresh talent because the best and most unique minds are always in attendance.
The wonderful thing about these 'codefests' is that judges, mentors, recruiters get to see first-hand what these IT developers can do, how quick they are on their feet and how creative they are. You can also see how they behave under duress and in a group environment. If you happen to see potential in any IT developer, you can approach them or even poach them.
5. Employee referrals
Employee referrals are still some of the most trusted methods of recruiting new employees in companies. This is because their competence and skill are personally vouched for by reputable members in the industry. They are usually the best fit especially for sensitive fields like software development, because the referee keeps in mind both your company and their expertise and how well they would mesh together.
Pros
|
Cons
|
6. Recruitment companies
Professional recruiters are a great help when it comes to finding that perfect fit for your company. They relieve you of much of the work when it comes to hiring your IT developers. They take up the role of finding applicants, interviewing them, short-listing, and finally hiring them after someone in-house has also done their due diligence. They are more experienced in asking the right questions, observing and evaluating applicants.
Pros
|
Cons
|
These are just some of the channels that an IT developer can use to find freelance or remote work to kickstart their career. There are many more ways to find paid opportunities, especially virtually. From the above suggestions, find the option whose cons you can manage and get started. For instance, while professional recruiters are expensive, job boards might be considered outdated. Pick your poison!
