Hey there! I just graduated last month and I'm on the hunt for junior developer roles. I've been applying to various positions but haven't had much luck getting responses yet. My tech stack includes React and Next.js for the frontend, and Node.js (Express) or Java (Spring Boot) for the backend. I'm familiar with both SQL and NoSQL databases, which I've used in my personal and academic projects. Currently, I'm expanding my knowledge in the Spring ecosystem and building a full-stack application that I hope to showcase in my portfolio. I'm looking for any advice on breaking into the Canadian tech job market as a new graduate, or if anyone knows of any open junior positions, I'd really appreciate the help. Thanks!
2 Answers
Honestly, the job market is pretty rough right now, especially for junior positions. You're up against a ton of competition. My advice? Make sure to leverage your connections because while they can’t guarantee you’ll ace the interviews, they can help you get noticed. Apply to any positions that align with your skills—even if the job description mentions C# or Angular, your Java or React skills may still apply. Keep working on personal projects to differentiate yourself from the academics; real-world coding can be quite different. Get comfortable with both traditional coding and AI coding tools, as familiarity with AI is increasingly expected in the industry. When you interview, take note of any topics or questions you struggle with and study them—there's often overlap in what companies ask. It’s challenging out there, but don’t lose hope! It may take time to land something, but persistence pays off.
I feel you! I graduated back in August, focusing on frontend stuff, and started applying in November. It took some time for me to get up to speed with React, JavaScript, and CSS basics. I’m also in a competitive tech market in the US, and like you, I’ve applied for a bunch of junior roles without landing any yet. Companies like Nvidia and Waymo just set up operations here, so there's definitely opportunity, but the competition is tough. It would be interesting to see what other folks suggest too!
Wait, you graduated without knowing JavaScript and CSS fundamentals? What was your program like?
Junior jobs are pretty scarce. Honestly, if you can, consider exploring other fields or even going back to school for a trade. The junior segment seems pretty messed up right now.