How to find a programming job in Serbia

Everyone knows that programming jobs are one of the most sought-after jobs worldwide. The most interesting thing about programming in Serbia is that Serbian developers are ranked as the 5th best in the world. More and more companies choose to open offices in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš. So, what is it that makes us so good at our IT jobs? Why is there a constant need for an IT workforce in Serbia?

Well, Serbian programmers have a very European approach to work responsibilities. Additionally, Serbian educational institutions are known to be strict and students finish their studies with heaps of knowledge. Another factor is that Serbian programmers have pretty good English skills compared to the majority of European countries. Of course, lower per-hour rates and salaries are a huge bonus for companies.

All of these factors make Serbia the ideal place for IT companies to look for new programmers. As a result, more and more people are interested in finding a programming job in Serbia. In this article, we will go deeper into this topic and explore all factors regarding the search for an IT job in Serbia and the region.

Necessary education and training

Thankfully, the IT industry is home to people with different educational backgrounds. You don’t necessarily need to have a university degree in technical sciences in order to work as a programmer. People with different bachelor degrees, as well as those with informal knowledge, can also work as programmers in Serbia. However, completing a well-designed and professional IT course is of huge help in the search for an entry-level IT job. NIT Academy offers advanced IT courses designed by leading industry experts with years of academic experience. So, be careful in finding the right IT course. First of all, don’t expect to gain useful and applicable knowledge from a very cheap or free IT course. All industry experts value their time and knowledge. What you pay for is what you get, so if you want to learn from the best, expect higher prices. Don’t forget about the importance of social proof. Industry people talk to each other all the time, and at least half of them took part in an IT course once in their career. Additionally, you can find social proof on the “about us” or “client feedback” pages of the website. Apart from people who have already gone through these courses, it’s important to check the professional backgrounds of the teachers. You can find out more about NIT Academy’s teachers through our series of interviews.

Knowing where to look for a job

In order to have a successful programming career, there are certain skills and qualities that hiring managers look for. Jobflare notes the following:

• Logical thinking
• Time management and planning skills
• High attention to detail
• Troubleshooting skills
• Creativity
• Out-of-the-box thinking
• Persistence
• Communication skills

If you have most of these qualities and some programming skills, it’s time to start job hunting. So, where to look for a programming job in Serbia? There are two main ways to go about this.

Popular job search websites

This is probably the most common way a programmer in Serbia looks for a job. Websites like Linkedin, Glassdoor, and Expat are a great way to find exactly the type of job you are looking for. These websites typically work the same way. You create an account and narrow your search down to the details. Are you looking for a junior, medior, or senior position? Are you looking for a remote or office-based job? What programming languages do you know? What city or town are you interested in? Do you want to be a developer, engineer, or programmer? This way, you can find exactly the type of job for you, and all information is in the palm of your hand, one click away.

Websites of well-known IT companies

Another way to go about this is by visiting the websites of IT companies. Keep in mind that smaller IT companies don’t necessarily keep their web pages up-to-date. However, companies that are successful, fairly big and well-known, always make sure to put up job ads on their websites. Most of them have a page dedicated to jobs only, but some choose to keep the job ads on the home page. Take a look at the career web pages of two of the leading companies in Serbia: Vega IT and Symphony. You can also take a look at other companies like Ximedes, Syrmia, Continental, HTEC, and Nordeus, among others.

Make sure you are going to the right company

Knowing what a company is like before working there would typically be a difficult thing. Fortunately for the people from the IT industry in Serbia, a few people with a brilliant idea made this possible. Joberty is a website dedicated to collecting experiences from people who work, or have worked, in IT companies in Serbia. Here you can find information about salaries, management, working environment and any other comments regarding the working conditions. Joberty also has a page for IT job ads. We wholeheartedly advise everyone looking for a programming job in Serbia to visit their website.

Preparing for the interview

After finding the right job ads and sending out your CV, the interview is the last thing separating you from your dream job. Anyone who says they don’t prepare for an interview is lying! Preparation is vital for making the right impression. First of all, take your time researching the company, its major projects, ideals, and things they like. This means reading more than the “About Us” section on their website. You need to understand what solutions they provide, who their clients are, and how your job is important to them. Your goal in the interview is to convince the hiring manager that you have the right skillset and the right qualities for the job and the company. The most important thing is to show genuine interest, passion, and motivation to work and improve.
Keep in mind that most companies go for a technical test or coding challenge to check your capabilities and knowledge. In most cases, the interviewer will let you know in advance that you should expect this, but be prepared for it anyway, just in case. Remember - nobody expects you to know everything, especially when we talk about junior and entry-level jobs. Try to get into the interview with confidence and low stress levels.

Get connected with people from the IT community

Every person from the IT community will tell you that connections are everything. If you are visible and known, job offers will come to you. On many occasions, people will befriend programmers from other companies and learn about job openings there. Another common situation is when a person goes from one company to another for better conditions and asks you to come along. These things are extremely common in IT companies in Novi Sad since it’s a relatively small town with a lot of IT companies. So, what is the best way to connect with people from the IT community in Serbia?

Coworking spaces

Coworking spaces are essentially shared workspaces. They provide workers with a space to network, participate in the local IT community and get work done when needed. Coworking spaces transformed the way employees interact with the business world. Check out the best coworking spaces in Novi Sad and Belgrade.

Seminars, workshops, and webinars

Attending a seminar or a workshop is an amazing way for a company to notice you. The IT community is competitive and you can use something to make you stand out. So, what better way to do this than to show interest in what the industry experts have to tell you and teach you? Very few people show the willingness to do work-related things outside their jobs, and this can help you stand out from the crowd.

Social media

It would be crazy to talk about connecting with people and not mention social media. If you go to the right place and connect with the right people, social media can be your best assistant in finding a programming job. Linkedin, being a professional social media platform, is naturally the first place to visit. We shouldn’t forget Facebook groups either. There you can find plenty of information, start networking and even find a job.

To sum it up…

In the end, we want you to remember that sometimes all you need to do is prove yourself hardworking and intelligent, and the job will come to you. For example, NIT Academy students who perform outstandingly in their courses and showed potential have the opportunity to stay with us as teachers. This is exactly what happened to some of our former students, who are now employed as NIT Academy instructors.
We wish you the best of luck in finding a programming job in Serbia that suits your needs and wishes. If you are a beginner, don’t give up. Work hard, keep learning and you are destined to find what you have been looking for. Feel free to comment or ask us for help in finding a job in the IT industry.