How do you get a job as a computer programmer?

Ok so I'm a pretty decent programmer. I know C and C++. I used to know Visual Basic a long time ago. I have no official experience though.





I want to get a job as a programmer, but I've been looking on Monster.com and each one of them wants somebody with experience, without exception.





Also, it seems like they want somebody familiar with ASP and .NET and I don't know much about that stuff.





How can I get my foot in the door?

How do you get a job as a computer programmer?
First - ignore the demand for experience, its standard padding added by HR departments across the world. Apply for jobs that you have some ability with the main skills that they are asking for.





If you want to build experience, but can't get a job, then there is a large open source community out there. Find a project that interests you and get involved. You can get your code out there and improve your skills with the feedback recieved.





As for ASP and .NET, there are plenty of jobs out that which don't involve them at all, so keep looking (or learn ASP and .NET).
Reply:if you have no experience you can only rely on training. Learn as much as you can and diversify your skills. If you know most places want you to know .Net, learn it. There are places out there that are looking to hire and train new programmers, but you have to have the education for them to take you seriously.
Reply:You keep trying.


Go to companies such as Kelly Services or it's associates


and apply for jobs through them. Frequently, they will provide training in areas you may need help in, before sending you to jobsites.


Then you work at various areas to get some background history in your resume - which builds up your skills.


Once you have some background - apply for jobs.
Reply:I forsaw this problem, and that's why I went to a university with a Co-op program which pretty much guarantees you 4 to 6 semesters of paid internship experience in your field so by the time you graduate you have at least 1.5 years of experience. If you are still in high school then go this route.
Reply:Learn ASP.NET. Experienced programmers should have no trouble learning the .NET framework. The pay is also excellent - a .NET developer will, on average, earn higher than the average non-.NET peer.





Get certified. It costs practically nothing ($125 per test) and can be a good substitute for experience to get an entry-level job. Once you have experience and you are looking for more senior-level jobs, certifications mean very little (because they are not difficult to get, and aren't nearly as indicative of skill as the test administrators and certified people would want you to believe), but again, good for entry-level positions where experience is scarce.





http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/