I'm working on building an API for getting AIS data for ship tracking. I built an app a few years ago for tracking local ferries and getting the data was a nightmare, so I'm trying to build a simpler alternative.
> How can a junior developer stand out enough to find a role in large companies that only want seniors?
Search for jobs on aggregator sites, not by going to a handful of company’s career pages.
Don’t bother applying to explicitly senior roles if you have 0-2 years of experience. Companies are flexible around job requirements, but not that flexible. You’re not going to “wow” them into changing their hiring program around and searching for mentors to accommodate you in particular.
What sets you apart from every other entry-level employee on the job market? Ask yourself that question and try to highlight it in your applications. There are plenty of junior positions on the market, but that doesn’t mean companies will rush to hand those positions to you without good reason.
Work on building your skills and setting yourself apart. Take advantage of resources to review your resume, practice interview skills, and be matched up with internships or opportunities. In my experience, nearly every recent college grad I’ve worked with could use a lot of work on their interviewing skills unless if they haven’t already received help somewhere.
Finally, don’t become cynical or overly dramatic. Yes, it’s easier to find a job as a senior with a track record but it’s an exaggeration to think that no companies are hiring juniors or that the software world is conspiring to exclude you. We all started in the same position and worked our way up. You can too.
