CS major applying to jobs. Need advice (REPS)

[conics]

I am a huge dumass for not applying while in college or post college. I didn't know gaps wer a bad thing, good thing at least covid is going on so employers a lil more lenient, but i need to get a job asap.

So, i graduated last may 2020. I didn't even apply and still haven't applied. I was working a full time unrelated job(uber) to cs and now that im almost 3 months away from a year since graduating, the fact that I haven't touched coding/cs related stuff, forgot a lot of stuff.

Currently, i started reviewing some stuff and am basically relearning some stuff I knew. Basically what i learned about cs is to never take a break from coding as you forget it easily, maybe it's just me.

Also, when doing cs undergrad myself, i struggled a lot as i finished the degree in 1.5 years by taking all the classes at once basically. Also got a lot of help, i struggle a lot in coding.

So, my question is should I just apply to entry level cs/Swe jobs right now or when I am comfortable with the knowledge I have relearned/learned from the gap I had and apply then. The reason I am considering applying after reviewing/learning some of this stuff is because let's say i get an interview.

I am just worried I wont pass that interview due to the gap of forgetting a lot of stuff/ won't pass the coding test so my chance at this job is gone. but if i am more prepared, learned/relearned/studying i have a better chance of passing that interview. Another thing, I am not sure if companies blacklist and only allow you apply once, because i don't want to fail right now and want to apply when I am at my best. Now, let's say i fail now by applying anyways, but what i want to know is if the company would still let me apply in a few months from now for the same job/diff job in the same company when i feel more prepared.

I am also not sure how long my learning/relearning process will take. it might take a few months or maybe even more, depending on how much I am struggling. However, this will extend my gap even more. Hypothetically, let's say my gap ends up being more than a year now due to this, is it bad? I know nothing can be done about it but If i am learning in the gap/trying to improve myself and know the skills by the time I am ready to apply, will the employer consider the gap still and reject me due to that? Is it important to have the grad date in resume, like right now it says spring 2020 can i just say 2020 and not specify the semester or leave it out entirely. I know i can use covid as an excuse for gap, i also was very sick last year for 3 months, may even have had covid.

so basically i am asking if i should apply right away to as many jobs as possible or wait till i feel comfortable with passing interviews and feel as a fresh grad/have more experience/relearned the stuff i forgot.

Also, i currently have a job in IT help desk which is not related to cs at all for the next 4 months, since i have this job, am i still in the gap period since it's not cs related or has my gap ended?

Also, how important is it that i know algorithms, as the semester i took that class it was online so it was basically very easy and i didn't learn anything, another thing i will have to relearn/learn properly.

I am basically reviewing c++, then data strucutures, algorithms, LEET CODE, java.

Any advice is appreciated.

cliffs:
- graduated with cs degree a year ago, forgot everything/ alot,
- don't have any related experience (working IT help desk job atm)
-wondering what next steps are to get a SWE role with the gap i have

[jtaylor2010]

Instead of making the same thread every week why don’t you just make one, sub to it, and then bump and follow up on the guidance you get along the way?

[conics]

Instead of making the same thread every week why don’t you just make one, sub to it, and then bump and follow up on the guidance you get along the way?

cuz this is a diff question unrelated to last one

[BulkingIsHard]

#justlearntocode

Why are you asking if you should start applying to entry level jobs? Just do it. Most likely though you'll get almost no responses. The entry level saturation and job market in general is ****ing aids for the past year.

What you should do is research a generic role/technology you are interested in, and build 2 or 3 solid projects related to it (published prototyped web/mobile app or hardware with API integration/cloud service/backend). Look at a bunch of job postings and find what is interesting and relevant to your degree.

"CS job" is too general, you need to specialize. Even "Software engineer" might be too general, you need to decide what kind of system you are going to be working on, and what technologies you'll use (frameworks, languages, etc.)

Algorithms are overrated. You only need a superficial understanding of them so your code isn't unoptimized af and retarded. If you are applying to a highly competitive company (Amazon, Google, Microsoft, etc.), then yes algorithms will be extremely useful for their coding tests, although just getting your foot in is ridiculous enough.

[Cartiac]

If you actually want to do coding then start applying for jobs if for nothing more than getting experience interviewing for coding jobs. Coding isn't about memorization. Especially at the entry level, it is more important to demonstrate your ability to conceptualize a complex problem and break it down into logical steps than knowing complex details of specific languages.

If you need to get more hands on experience, start picking up some freelance coding jobs that match your skill level and build from there.

[jn677]

You need to apply so you can get some interviews and get some tests. You need the practice and you need to understand how far off you are. Ask for feedback.

I also agree you can try and pick one language and try and specialise but usually people don't do this for a first job, usually people just take the first or best job they can get right out of uni and then they get pushed into a language/tech stack based off that job. That's how it happens for like 90% of people.

[jn677]

Also forget about Google and similar. You sound like you struggle quite a bit with the basics and also lack confidence. You will never get into Google right now. Maybe your skills will improve in the future but if you weren't like in top 5% of your class then no point applying to Google right out of university. Build some skills get some more practice and wait until you start excelling then you can look at places like Google.

[MaximumCapacity]

you can always apply to those indian contracting firms salary is low 50k-60k