I've been trying to break into the tech field but haven't had any professional experience yet. I've been building my portfolio and learning new skills, but currently, I'm volunteering for a friend's startup where I'm helping with both an iOS app and a web app. I've labeled this experience on my CV and LinkedIn as a junior full stack developer since I work on both ends of the stack, but there's only one other developer, and we have similar levels of experience. This isn't the same as a typical graduate role where there's more mentorship involved. I'm starting to wonder if calling myself a junior might be misleading. What's the best way to represent my experience accurately? Would it be better to say I'm volunteering instead? I'm located in the UK, by the way.
2 Answers
Since this is unpaid work, you could consider labeling it as an internship or volunteer experience. It’s more honest since you're not officially employed. Plus, leaving out 'junior' might let potential employers gauge your abilities better based on your actual projects and skills rather than a title that might misrepresent you. Just make sure to showcase your contributions clearly!
It really depends on the jobs you're chasing! If you're applying for junior or graduate roles, labeling yourself as 'junior' isn't necessarily a bad thing since it helps clarify your experience. Just be aware that 'junior' means different things at different companies. It might help to highlight the specific technologies or languages you're comfortable with and maybe skip the title altogether to avoid filtering issues during hiring. But also, make sure you’re getting compensated for your work. Volunteering is great, but don't undervalue your skills!
Exactly! You need to make sure you're being recognized for your skills, even as a volunteer. Maybe keep the 'junior' title but clarify your contributions in your CV.
Good point! I think the focus should definitely be on what you’ve done instead of just a title. Let your projects speak for you!