Why It’s So Hard to Land an IT or Programming Job as a Fresh Grad Today

Why It’s So Hard to Land an IT or Programming Job as a Fresh Grad Today

So you’re an IT student, freshly armed with your diploma, confident that your coding skills are sharp. You’ve spent years studying Java, Python, and the latest programming frameworks. You hit up JobStreet, LinkedIn, and other job portals with your resume, thinking you’re going to secure a developer job quickly. But weeks, then months, pass by, and nothing happens. The excitement of graduation is quickly replaced by anxiety and frustration. What went wrong?

Here’s the harsh truth: being a fresh graduate in IT or programming isn’t as easy as it once was. Here are reasons why landing that first job can feel like climbing a steep mountain, and what you can do to stay ahead.

The Rise of AI is Stealing Entry-Level Jobs

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Back in the day, fresh graduates would typically start with simple, repetitive coding tasks to ease into the industry. But now, with tools like ChatGPT and other AI models capable of writing, debugging, and optimizing code in seconds, companies don’t rely on juniors for these basics anymore. AI does the job faster and cheaper. To stay competitive, fresh grads need more than just foundational programming skills—they need to understand how to collaborate with AI and make the most of these tools. Employers are already leveraging AI to streamline their workflows, so if you’re not incorporating AI into your development process, you’re quickly falling behind. The learning curve is steep, not just because of the technology, but because the pace of change is rapid.

For more insights, check out The Rise of AI: Will Junior Developers be Left Jobless? by Peter Varadi, which explores how AI is reshaping the role of junior developers.

High Expectations from Employers

Gone are the days when knowing just one or two programming languages could land you a job. Nowadays, employers expect familiarity with a range of tools and technologies, including front-end frameworks like React, back-end tools like Node.js, and cloud platforms such as AWS. The job market has become incredibly competitive, making it tough for fresh graduates to stand out. Those with only basic knowledge from school are at a significant disadvantage.

As software development becomes more complex, aspiring developers must adapt and gain real-world experience. Employers want candidates who can hit the ground running, but if your training hasn’t extended beyond classroom basics, securing a position may be difficult. This challenge is intensified by the rapid evolution of technology. For more insights into how the increasing complexity of the field impacts job readiness, check out this article on developer challenges: Complexity is Killing Software Developers.

Imposter Syndrome is Real

A young professional immersed in job preparation, with a laptop and books on his desk, symbolizing dedication and focus in finding a job

Even after landing a job, a lot of fresh grads still feel like they don’t belong. The tech industry can be pretty intense, and with experienced developers and advanced AI tools around, it’s easy to feel like you’re not measuring up. This often leads to what’s called “imposter syndrome,” where you question your skills and worry you’re not good enough, making it tough to prove yourself.

Job hunting as a fresh grad can make these feelings even stronger. With so much competition and plenty of candidates with similar backgrounds, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Plus, many grads find they need to brush up on their technical skills and communication abilities, which are super important in interviews. Finding a mentor and embracing the learning curve can really help boost your confidence and make those early career challenges feel a bit more manageable.

Online Job Applications Are a Double-Edged Sword

Applying for jobs is super easy these days thanks to platforms like LinkedIn and JobStreet. You can send your resume to 50 companies in just one day! But here’s the catch: so can a ton of other fresh grads. With so many applications flooding in, it’s tough for yours to stand out. That’s why it’s important to find creative ways to grab attention and make your application shine in this crowded job market.

Recruiters Don’t Understand IT

Two women engaged in a job interview discussion over a laptop in a modern office setting, showcasing teamwork and professional communication.

Many companies now outsource their hiring to headhunting agencies, but there’s a catch: these headhunters often lack a programming background. As a result, they may not fully understand what to look for in an IT candidate. Instead of focusing on technical skills, they frequently filter applicants based on communication abilities, such as polished English. This means that many IT students, who might excel at coding but struggle with communication, often don’t even make it to the technical interview stage.

Ironically, the part of the job application process that many IT students find most challenging is the one that has little to do with programming—effective communication. While coding is a universal language, companies also seek developers who can clearly explain their work, collaborate with teams, and produce proper documentation. Unfortunately, initial screenings often favor candidates with strong communication skills, inadvertently excluding technically talented students who may not be as fluent in English.

Too Many IT Graduates, Too Few Jobs

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Thanks to initiatives like free tertiary education in the Philippines, the number of IT graduates has skyrocketed in recent years. According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), there were over 60,000 IT graduates in the Philippines in 2021 alone, a significant increase from just a few years prior. This influx of graduates has created a perception that IT is a “get-rich-quick” profession, as many believe that a degree in information technology guarantees high salaries and job security. However, this perception has led to intense competition in the job market.

Now, when you graduate, you’re not just competing with your classmates; you’re up against thousands of fresh grads from various universities across the country. With more individuals entering the field each year, employers can afford to be choosy, often prioritizing candidates who not only have technical skills but also practical experience. As a result, it’s not uncommon for graduates to find themselves facing a crowded job market where standing out becomes increasingly difficult. Nearly 70% of recent IT graduates reported struggling to secure a job in their field within six months of graduation, underscoring the challenges posed by the sheer volume of applicants. Conversations on platforms like Reddit reflect this reality, where many job seekers share their frustrations about the competitive landscape, including discussions on how long it takes to land a job after graduation.

Too Many Candidates from Other Fields

On top of competing with your fellow IT grads, you’re also going head-to-head with people from other fields who are making the switch to tech because of the attractive salaries in programming. This surge of talent means entry-level jobs are even tougher to snag. And even once you land a job, the challenges keep coming. Many companies put new hires on a six-month probation period, so you have to adapt quickly to the job’s demands. If you’re still trying to find your footing, you might end up back on the job hunt. While it’s totally normal to write imperfect code as you learn, the fast-paced environment doesn’t leave much room for mistakes. If you don’t get regularized or if your contract ends, you’ll be right back in the mix, competing against fresh grads all over again, making the job market even tougher.

Your Internship Choice Matters More Than You Think

Many students end up in internships that don’t offer real programming experience. If your OJT was spent doing data entry at a local government office, you likely missed out on the hands-on coding practice you needed. While it might seem like any work experience is good, it doesn’t compare to an internship where you actually write code, debug, and work on development projects. When you’re up against someone who did real programming work during their internship, you’re at a disadvantage because they’ve already faced and solved real-world coding problems.

It’s easy to settle into a comfortable internship, thinking graduation is still far off, but by doing that, you’re only prolonging the struggle. Choosing an OJT that doesn’t align with your career goals delays your growth as a developer. When you graduate, those who pushed themselves during internships will be ahead, while you’ll still be catching up. That’s why it’s crucial to seek out OJTs that challenge you and help you develop your coding skills early on, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.

The “Easy Route” Undergraduate Thesis

A serious college student working on a laptop at home, preparing for job applications.

In college, it’s common for IT students to outsource their thesis projects to third-party developers. Sure, this might help you get your diploma, but it leaves you unprepared for the real world. The job market is tough, and employers can easily spot when you lack a solid understanding of coding fundamentals or problem-solving skills. Let’s be honest—aside from your thesis, where else would you have gained hands-on coding experience? Internships rarely give fresh grads access to a company’s codebase, so your thesis project becomes the most critical part of your portfolio. If you didn’t personally write that code, you’re applying for jobs without any practical experience. And while companies do hire based on potential, they’re taking a gamble if you can’t show you’ve actually built something.

Plus, you can’t fool a technical interviewer. If you didn’t code your thesis, they’ll know, and so will the other applicants you’re competing with. As a fresh grad, you’re already at a disadvantage because you’re entering the field with little to no real-world experience. Outsourcing your thesis only makes that worse. A smart approach, though, is to turn the outsourcing situation into a learning opportunity. Find a mentor in the developer you hired for your thesis, and ask them to guide you through the process with pair programming. This way, you’re not just handing off your work—you’re actually learning how it’s done. You get the knowledge you need to pass your thesis and develop the skills to land that first job. Ganun diskarte namin noong college, and it worked like a charm.

Remote Jobs Aren’t Easier to Get

Remote jobs open up the market to global competition. You’re not just competing with candidates from the Philippines anymore, but from all over the world. Talented developers from countries with strong IT industries are also gunning for the same jobs, and some may have more experience or are willing to work for lower pay. This makes applying even more difficult because suddenly, the pool of candidates isn’t just your local peers—it’s much, much bigger. The competition is fiercer, and you have to really stand out to land a job.

A determined job applicant reviewing his resume on a laptop while a recruiter examines resumes with a magnifying glass, illustrating the focus and diligence in job application and interview preparation

The False Promises of the IT Industry

There’s a huge misconception that getting into IT means instant success and high salaries. While IT professionals can earn well, the path to that point is far from straightforward. A lot of students enter the field with unrealistic expectations, and when reality hits—low entry-level pay, intense competition, and the need for continuous learning—it can be discouraging.

How to Improve Your Chances as a Fresh Grad

A young Filipino woman smiling confidently while reviewing a resume during a job interview.

Now that you know what you’re up against, here’s how to boost your chances:

  1. Learn AI Tools: Mastering AI tools like ChatGPT will make you more efficient. Don’t see AI as a competitor—make it your ally.
  2. Build a Portfolio Early: Start working on side projects and internships that showcase your skills. The more hands-on experience you can gather, the better.
  3. Polish Your English: Communication matters. Take time to improve your English speaking and writing skills, as these are often evaluated during the hiring process.
  4. Network and Attend Events: Networking is key. Join IT communities, attend conferences, and make connections. It’s often not what you know, but who you know.
  5. Seek Real OJT Opportunities: If your school assigns you to an irrelevant internship, push to find a more technical role. Real-world experience is crucial.
  6. Take Control of Your Undergraduate Thesis: Don’t outsource it—tackle a real-world problem that will give you hands-on coding experience.
  7. Stay Updated: The tech world changes rapidly. Stay on top of the latest trends, frameworks, and tools. Don’t stop learning just because you’ve graduated.

Conclusion

The road to landing a programming job as a fresh graduate is harder than ever, but it’s not impossible. Between the rise of AI, oversaturated markets, and online hiring hurdles, you’ll need to be smarter, faster, and more prepared than ever before. By learning to use AI, gaining hands-on experience early, and improving your communication skills, you can rise above the competition and secure that first job in the industry.

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