Recently I was interviewing a candidate for a Software Trainee position. After some ritualistic questions regarding academics and technology (which he wasn’t able to answer very well), I asked him, “Do you genuinely want to be in Software?”.
His answer was a robotic “Yes” (maybe he was thinking in his head that I am a moron asking this question, else why would he be here).
I asked him the next question, “Why do you think that you want to be in Software?” or I rephrased “What qualities in you are more suited for Software rather than any other line of the job?”. He had no clue about that.
This unclarity is one of the most significant problems in Software job market today.
There are thousands of students coming out of colleges and private institutes every month who are programmed (pun intended) to find a job in Software without having any idea as to why they want to be in Software rather than any other industry. They can’t even tell one quality or one skill they possess or one good reason to explain their stand.
Moreover, when these candidates coming out of colleges start looking for a job in Software, they have no idea as to what do they want to do in Software or how is Software different from Hardware or Networking or for that matter any other discipline in software. What are the various roles or different types of jobs they can choose in this industry?
Every new job seeker in this field thinks that Software means programming and every candidate walking out of college want to become one without considering their skill set, their interests, their academic backgrounds. And it’s very late in their career many of them realize that they choose the wrong profession. But sometimes it is too late, and they are stuck up with a job that they don’t like.
So if you are one of those looking for a job in Software, be sure that you are really up for it, that this is what you want.
Have clear reasons behind that “Yes” for others and more importantly for yourself as to why you are choosing what you are.
If you don’t know if it suits you, try to read about what all is involved in Software development, what different jobs you can have there, what would interest you, talk to someone who is already working in this industry. And then take a decision.
Gone are the days when only Software jobs used to pay good money and that was one of the prime reasons for people from different streams to switch to Software. Today there are various streams which offer good money and growth opportunities.
Besides, being in a job that you like rather than in one you don’t have much knowledge of or don’t love is far better even in terms of money in the long run.
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