The world of IT seems attractive, but at the same time challenging for those who are just taking their first steps in their careers. How to find a first job, what to study, how to prepare for an interview, and what awaits a newcomer in the first days in the company? Natalia Plyga, HR Director at Telesens, who has more than 13 years of experience in recruiting and HR management, talks about these issues. In this article, she shares practical tips to help young professionals make a confident start in the IT field.

If you're just starting out in IT, it's important to realize that all companies are different - the environment and opportunities can vary significantly. Here are the main types of IT companies: ● Startups. Dynamic teams where everyone is a multi-tasker. At the same time, they have a chance to grow quickly, but also a risk of burnout. ● Corporations. A clear structure, established processes, stability, and a career elevator. Less freedom, but more predictability. ● Outsourcing. Clients from different countries, new projects, technologies, but the “big picture” is not always visible. ● Outstaffing. You formally work for one company, but the project and team are in another. Suitable for those who want to immerse themselves in the customer's culture. ● Product companies. They develop their own solutions. Involvement in the product and understanding of the user is important here. ● Hybrid (like Telesens). They combine everything in one: they have their own products and external projects.

The IT industry is not just about programming. It covers many areas, and everyone can find their place among them. Here are some of the most popular specialties in 2025: Developer: ● Frontend developer - creates what the user sees on the website or in the application (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). ● Backend developer - works with the “stuffing” of services: servers, databases, logic. ● Fullstack developer - combines both areas. QA Engineer Checks whether the product works without errors. Suitable for those who are attentive to details, want to analyze, find bugs, and think like a user. Business Analyst (BA) Analyzes customer requirements, translates them into technical tasks for developers. Must have a good understanding of the business and be able to structure information. Data Analyst / Data Scientist Works with data, finds patterns, makes forecasts. Suitable for those who love math, statistics, Excel, Python, or SQL. Project Manager (PM) Coordinates the project, keeps track of deadlines, organizes the team, communicates with clients. Suitable for sociable, organized students. DevOps / System Administrator Ensures stable operation of the infrastructure: servers, cloud services, product deployment. Often has a technical background. UI/UX Designer Plans how the product will look and work. The ability to think like a user, have good taste, and work with graphic editors (Figma, Adobe XD) is important here. IT marketer (Digital Marketing, SEO/ASO, SMM) Promotes products online, manages social networks, works with contextual advertising, and optimizes websites for search engines.

A student doesn't have to be a programming or math “guru” right away. It is important to start, gradually learn, and try it out in practice. Here are a few steps: Choose a direction Think about what you are interested in: coding, testing, drawing, communicating with people, analyzing? Start with a brief analysis of each area or watch a YouTube video with an overview of IT professions. Learn the basics on your own There are a lot of free courses available today: ● Coursera, edX, Udemy have English-language programs. ● Prometheus, ITVDN, mini-courses from companies are Ukrainian resources. ● Free marathons from Ukrainian IT schools (Mate Academy, GoIT, Beetroot Academy). Find a mentor or community Join IT chats in Telegram, Discord, Slack. Communicate, ask questions, and learn how others got started. Participate in projects / volunteer Real-world practice is a treasure. Even if the project is non-profit, the experience and resume entry will be invaluable. Look for internships Many IT companies have internship programs or trainee positions. Even without experience, you can get in if you show motivation and basic knowledge. Constantly learn The field is changing rapidly. Read blogs, watch technical channels, follow the news, take mini-courses. Even 15 minutes a day is an investment in the future.

A resume is like a business card, especially when you don't have any experience, it's important to present yourself in a favorable light: Start with a short introduction. Describe who you are, what you are interested in, why you want to get into IT. For example: "I am a 3rd year student at KNU, studying Python, interested in Data Science. I have created several mini-projects of my own and want to develop in the field of data analytics." Tell about your education, even if you are still studying. This includes your university, major, and year of study. If you have taken relevant courses, list them. Add your projects or links. ● GitHub profile with code; ● Design portfolio on Behance/Figma; ● Test results, course certificates; ● Participation in hackathons and competitions is also a plus. Describe your soft skills. Even if you don't have any experience, mention your communication skills, ability to work in a team, responsibility, and ability to learn quickly. Emphasize your strengths, but don't exaggerate. It's better to be honest: “I have basic knowledge of HTML/CSS and have created my own website.” Keep it concise and neat. Maximum 1 page. No frills, just the essentials. Use templates, for example, from Canva or Google Docs.

Before the interview, don't panic. But it's better to spend a few hours preparing. Research the company. The website, social media, news - everything will come in handy. Read the job description. Read the requirements carefully. Practice questions typical of all interviews, such as: “Tell us about yourself,” “Why did you choose our company,” or “Your strengths/weaknesses.” Prepare questions for the company. This is a very important part of the interview that will show your interest in cooperation. Repeat the technical basics if you are expected to do a technical part.

So, you've been congratulated - you've passed the interview and received an offer (a job or internship offer). What's next? Here's how a newcomer's adaptation to an IT company usually looks like: 1. Onboarding ● This is the process of “entering” and getting acquainted with the company's rules and teams. ● You are sent a letter or a guide with instructions on how to prepare for the first day. ● Often, a mentor or supervisor is assigned to help you with your first tasks. ● They introduce you to the team, tell you about the company's culture, projects, values, etc. 2. Technical training ● You will receive working equipment and access to corporate tools (project management systems, messengers, repositories, knowledge bases, etc.) ● If you are a student, you will usually be given a simpler part of the project or even a test environment to practice. 3. Adaptation period (1-3 months) ● This is the time when you are gradually introduced to projects. ● Often, companies have an onboarding plan with goals for each week: familiarize yourself with the tools, take certain courses, complete the first tasks. ● You will meet regularly with a team leader/mentor, receive feedback, and ask any questions. 4. Intermediate evaluation (sometimes after 1 month) ● HR or manager conducts an interview to find out how you are doing, if everything is clear. This is a great opportunity to improve mutual understanding and say what concerns you. ● If the company sees your diligence, even with mistakes, they will definitely support you and help you grow. Tip. At this stage, it is important not to be afraid to ask questions, take initiative, and learn. Companies value not “knowing everything” but “learning quickly and with interest”.

A successful IT company is one that does not just hire newcomers, but invests in their long-term development. Starting with an education or internship Telesens has been giving students the opportunity to start from scratch for many years: ● It creates its own training programs, for example, courses in Java, QA, DevOps. ● It often cooperates with universities and participates in job fairs. ● After the courses, the best students are invited to real projects or internships. Career steps: Trainee → Junior → Middle → Senior The company has a clear growth structure: ● Trainee is a student undergoing training. ● Junior - performs basic tasks under supervision. ● Middle - works independently, participates in technical decision-making. ● Senior - leads complex projects, mentors junior colleagues. At Telesens, there are cases where people have grown from Trainee to Team Lead over the course of several years - thanks to support, practice, and a desire to learn. Internal training and support Regular internal trainings, knowledge sharing between teams. Access to educational platforms and courses. English in the company to improve your level is a mandatory part of development. Opportunity to try yourself in a new direction If you, for example, started your career as a tester but felt that you wanted to go into development, you can change direction and the company will help you with the transition. Telesens has done this more than once. Loyalty and trust Telesens has employees who have been working for 15-20 years because the company creates an atmosphere of respect, calmness, and support. There are examples when an employee went to war, and the company kept his job, supported him, and upon his return he worked in the team again.

Employers highly value technical and soft skills at the same time. To get into IT and gain commercial experience, students can take advantage of internship programs, internships, job fairs, and job search sites. It is important to prepare a competent resume (with a brief description of projects, skills, and a neat structure), prepare for the interview (know the company's information, have answers to common questions), and demonstrate motivation. For newcomers, companies usually provide orientation sessions, HR support, and regular skills assessment (certification). The main thing is to develop professional competencies and perceive work as an opportunity for growth and learning, rather than being afraid of a lack of experience.