Once you’ve got some coding skills under your belt, you’ll want to know how best to put them to use. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the best entry-level tech jobs for a recent graduate or self-taught coding whizz, as well as how to actually land that job.
Common jobs for coders
Software QA engineer
A software quality assurance engineer makes sure that a piece of software meets the standards of the company and all stakeholders. They ensure it has solutions to the problems and challenges it was originally designed for and they search for bugs and other problems that affect performance. They do all of this during development and after release.
Skills you’ll need
Coding skills, including SQL Python, Java and JavaScript, and communication and teamwork skills.
Average salary
The average salary for a software QA engineer in Spain is €30,000, in Germany it’s €49,000 and in the UK it’s €38,500.
Frontend developer
A frontend developer’s job is to build the user side of an application or website. So, everything from the fonts, buttons, images and icons. Their job is to create a functional, user-friendly layout that’s visually appealing and intuitive. They also maintain and update the UI, carry out testing and debugging, develop new tools to improve interaction with the app or website.
Skills you’ll need
A sound understanding of the three main frontend languages – HTML, CSS and JavaScript – as well as creative design skills, UX design, communication skills and problem solving abilities.
Average salary
The average salary for a frontend developer in Spain is €31,000, in Germany it’s €55,000 and in the UK it’s €40,000.
Backend developer
While frontend development is all about the part of an application or website that the user sees, a backend developer deals with the hidden side – the infrastructure on which everything is built.
Aside from building and maintaining websites and applications, a backend developer creates databases, manages hosting environments, generates statistics and analyses and integrates cloud computing.
Skills you’ll need
Python, Java, PHP, SQL, Ruby, Golang and C++, as well as frameworks such as Ruby on Rails and Laravel.
Average salary
The average salary for a backend developer in Spain is €30,000, in Germany it’s €52,000 and in the UK it’s €38,500.
Database administrator
The key employee when it comes to maintaining a successful database, a database administrator is responsible for designing, developing and implementing the entire database system. This includes creating the infrastructure, choosing the right DBMS and setting up the relevant applications to ensure the most effective database environment. Database administrators are also in charge of backups, recovery and security.
Skills you’ll need
An excellent knowledge of databases and query languages, as well as good problem solving skills, analytical skills and communication skills.
Average salary
The average salary for a database administrator in Spain is €36,500, in Germany it’s €53,000 and in the UK it’s €43,500.
Data analyst
A data analyst’s role is to take a complex set of data and remodel it in order to make it useful for making business decisions. They are an important part of the decision-making process, as their data interpretation and visualisations are key to driving business strategy.
Skills you’ll need
Good knowledge of data visualisation tools like Tableau, a deep understanding of statistics and mathematics, as well as programming languages such as Python, SQL, R and Java.
Average salary
The average salary for a database administrator in Spain is €29,000, in Germany it’s €53,000 and in the UK it’s €34,000.
Business intelligence analyst
An influential part of business strategy, a business intelligence strategist helps the company become more efficient and productive, by gathering, analysing and compiling data. They use existing business intelligence tools and develop their own to spot business trends and solve potential problems.
Skills you’ll need
A business intelligence analyst should have a firm understanding of Python, Java and R, as well as problem solving abilities, communication skills, knowledge of statistics and specific industry knowledge.
Average salary
The average salary for a business intelligence analyst in Spain is €41,000, in Germany it’s €51,000 and in the UK it’s €44,500.
*Average salaries from payscale.com
Tips for landing entry level coding roles
Showcase your talents
Having the skills is one thing, but you need to showcase them and let potential employers know what you can do. Creating your own online portfolio is a great way of showcasing your personal and collaborative projects.
Get the skills for the job
Find your ideal role and find out exactly what kind of skills are required. Then work your way into learning those skills. Master the key programming language, get to know the other languages in the tech stack and sharpen up those soft skills, which can make the difference when applying for a job.
Improve your interview skills
With so much competition in the world of tech, getting an interview is an achievement in itself. Use it as a big learning experience! Of course, you should believe in yourself when you go for an interview, but if you are not successful there’s so much valuable experience that comes from a job interview.
If you don’t get the job, ask why. Find out specifically how you can improve – whether it’s developing your technical skills further, showcasing your talents in a better way or being more personable in the interview. Good feedback is key to improvement and employers will usually be all too happy to help.
Start your tech career with CodeOp! Download our Full Stack Developer Course Guide and take the first step to your new life in tech.
