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Everything You Need to Know About Software Engineering Jobs

Research the job role, duties, and application tips for working as a software engineer.

If you’re looking for a job in engineering and tech, consider applying to a software engineering role. Software engineers get to It’s a great role to have as you figure out where you want your engineering career to go, some companies even have remote software engineering jobs.

As a software engineer, you’ll be able to put your analytic and technical skills into practice. You’ll be programming and critically thinking about the future of technology and innovation.

What is a software engineer?

Software engineers program, analyze, and test software that run on your computer, phones, and other systems.

Some general duties of software engineers include:

  • Analyzing and interpreting website or product data
  • Predicting the needs and outcomes of their projects and modifying accordingly
  • Monitor system performance and functions

What is the job outlook for software engineers?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the role of software engineer is supposed to grow about 21% from 2018 to 2028.

How much do software engineers get paid?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for software engineers was $50.77 as of May 2019, but can be more depending on where you live. That’s about $105,590 per year.

Where can I work as a software engineer?

On the list of employers hiring on Handshake, there are many companies hiring software engineers:

  • Accenture
  • Palo Alto Networks
  • Microsoft
  • Facebook
  • Deutsche Bank

Other places to apply for “software engineering jobs near me” in your city include:

  • Tech companies
  • Banking establishments
  • Software publishers
  • Electronic production companies
  • App developers

What should I put on my resume?

Many places hiring software engineers are looking for similar skill sets in resumes, but what makes the right candidate is listing the right skills and projects.

List your past experiences

Even if you’ve never held a software engineering position before, you definitely have skills from past experiences you can offer. From part-time work and school projects that you did–there are always skills you can pull from your life that apply. As a new employee, those hiring want to know that you can apply what you’ve learned previous to their role and expand on it.

Consider listing some of these soft skills that might make you a better candidate:

  • Ability to predict needs and assess outcomes
  • Organization
  • Accountability
  • Works well with others
  • Thoughtful communication
  • Attention to detail

Technical skills

If this won’t be your first role as a software engineer, then you may have some technical skills from previous jobs to add to your resume. It’s always a good idea to mention that you have strong programming/coding skills, know how to balance projects, or have had experience leading and working with others. Even in your work from home software engineering job, your employer will want to know you’re capable of providing great support in and out of the office.

What should I write in my cover letter?

Though you might be applying for an entry level software engineering position, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t others trying to secure the same position as you. It’s important in your cover letter to stand out and show what you can offer as an employee. Not only is it recommended that you list skills and experiences you’ve had, but also the willingness to learn and adapt to the role. By letting the hiring manager know that you’re motivated to get started, they might be more inclined to meet you in person and see if you’re the right fit.

Check out this article with proper formatting techniques and more in depth information about the perfect cover letter.

What is it like to work in software engineering?

Similar to other jobs that work with programming and software, software engineers spend a majority of their time fixing and identifying issues in systems. Working as a software engineer means a lot of hands-on work and collaboration with the rest of your team.

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

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