Your old job turned out to be unpromising, boring, or low-paying. You’ve read a few books, learned something new, maybe even completed a course — and now you’re ready to enter the job market. Go for it!

Define your goal

First, decide what kind of work setup you want. It could be full-time employment with one company, project-based work for several organizations, or full freelancing with independent client acquisition. Which is better? That’s up to you. It depends on your comfort level and your long-term goals.

1. Work for experience

If you’re looking to gain experience, working with one or two small agencies can be a great option. A manager will handle finding clients for you, and your task will be to deliver your part of the project — often under the supervision of a more experienced mentor. You probably see this as a temporary step. As soon as you feel confident, you’ll fly the nest.

It’s not hard to land this kind of job — if you have basic skills, you can easily join a “young and promising team of like-minded people,” even without experience. The only downside is the typically low pay. But if experience is your main goal, it’s worth it for the sake of your skills and portfolio. There are no special tricks here — just send your resume to every company you think might be a fit. You’ll probably even get to choose from a few offers. Say yes to everything — this is just the beginning. The only real requirement is that you’ll be able to use your work in your future portfolio.

2. Full-time job at a company

If your goal is to get a position at an IT company with all the legendary perks and career growth opportunities, things might be a bit trickier. You can start with step 1 and gain experience at a simpler firm before applying to big corporations.

But you can also try going straight for it. Many companies hire juniors and train them into pros — it’s often cheaper and easier than finding a senior-level specialist. Still, competition is tough even among beginners — so don’t show up empty-handed. Prepare yourself. You might not have experience, but you can show potential. Highlight your ability to learn, your drive, and your understanding of the role. If you’re a web designer, check out our tips in the article “9 Questions to Help You Ace a Web Design Interview” — though the advice is helpful for many roles.

3. Freelancing

Even if you’re mainly focused on options 1 or 2, we still recommend registering on freelance platforms. Here are the top three reasons:

Where to look for work

Don’t rely on just one method — it’s best to use as many channels as possible:

What you need to get started

Your resume and cover letter are your first step and one of the most important. You need to know how to present yourself and grab the attention of a potential employer or client.

No matter your path, you’ll also need a portfolio. Be sure to read our practical advice on the topic: “How to Create a Portfolio Everyone Wants” . Of course, beginners don’t have major commercial projects to show off — but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your own. At the very least, try creating a few diverse mock projects to show your level, creativity, and enthusiasm.

Freelancers can also stand out with a personal website. Ditch the boring emails and present yourself with a real webpage — list your skills, showcase your work, your experience, maybe even a blog. It’s your digital business card.

You can create portfolio projects as part of a WAYUP educational program. That’s one of the best options for beginners because your work is guided by a mentor, reviewed, and polished to a professional standard. Not to mention the valuable knowledge and experience you’ll gain. Plus, along with your professional training, you’ll learn a lot about freelancing and how to make money with your skills. Our programs are built by practicing specialists and prepare students for real market conditions — so they’re a great way to start.

And it’s not just for designers — developers can build their portfolios through training too. For example, in the online coaching program “JavaScript: Next Level” you’ll complete impressive projects. Want to gain skills and a strong start in your new career? Enroll now.

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