Landing that first job right out of school can be tough. You may or may not already have real-world work experience, or perhaps you’re unsure how to best present your internship and project skills to the company you’re targeting. And what about programing languages and technical skills – do you need to learn them before getting the job?
We got the answers to those questions and more from Microsoft University and Technical Recruiter Trisha Lydon, who spends a lot of time talking to recent grads.
What tech skills do I need as a recent grad applying to work at Microsoft?
We hire new grads into a number of different roles at Microsoft, from the very technical to those more focused on business functions. For technical roles, we’re looking for software developers who not only have a deep understanding of programing fundamentals (data structures, algorithms, etc.), but also have a passion for more specific areas. We’re rarely concerned with a candidate’s knowledge of specific languages. We’ve found that if you have some experience with a few core languages (Java, C++, Python, maybe C#), along with those fundamentals, you’re likely to be able to pick up a new language or technology quickly.
How can I make my social media presence reflect positively?
Your social media presence is a great way to highlight awesome projects you’re working on or post articles that interest you. We want to see what you’re passionate about. I also think it’s great when candidates engage with companies and groups that they’re interested in, it’s just one more way for me to know about you and the things you’re drawn to.
What do I do if I haven't had a lot of real-work experience yet?
If you don’t have relevant work experience for a technical position, I recommend growing your resume with projects you’re passionate about. I love seeing unique apps and creative games on resumes because it lets me know a candidate is self-motivated and excited about a project they’re working on - key qualities we want to see in a future hire.
What kinds of internships should I be doing to help me score a job?
When deciding on an internship, I think the most important thing is that the position demonstrates your passion for technology. Work on things you love! Whether the internship is at a Fortune 500 or a small start-up, you should try to find an experience that helps you achieve the skills you’ll need in your dream position. It’s important to remember that internships give you the opportunity to temporarily dive into a company, so use the time to evaluate what is important to you and your career path.
What's unique about your hiring process?
We believe finding a job is personal and we never want you to feel like a number. During our first interaction with a candidate, we not only get to know your technical acumen but we find out what truly excites you. We want people doing work they’re deeply passionate about, so it’s really important for us to root this out, and align you to your dream job.
Is there one question in particular that helps you determine someone's abilities?
I ask a few different questions to start the conversation and get to know a candidate. I often ask, “Where did you learn this?” as I want to know how the candidate gained a particular skillset. If the candidate is a sophomore in University but they have four years of Java experience, I’m going to be interested in how they gained these skills. It’s important to see a mix of experience coming from inside and outside of the classroom.
Any tips for what someone do on paper or an application to make their skills stand out?
It’s important to think about your resume throughout your time in school. It should reflect your interests, technical projects and the skills you’ve acquired. If you’re updating your resume the night before a career fair, it probably won’t capture all the cool projects you’ve worked on or the last hackathon you attended, but these things are important to a recruiter. When you are applying online, it’s important that you read the posted job descriptions and use that information to show why you’re a fit for the job. Your profile doesn’t need to be a perfect fit for the position but it should clearly demonstrate your qualifications and some work that you’ve done that demonstrates those skills.
What are some of the most in-demand skills for working at a tech company today?
There’s a wide range of technical skills we value, many which have been important for years. While these core skills remain important, we’ve seen an increased appetite for specific skills in data science, machine learning, mobile development and design. More than anything though, I think most companies value someone who is versatile and can pick up new skills relatively quickly.
