I'm thinking about changing to sending out CV's to companies asking for unpaid work as I'm happy to work for free, have stopped web development for now as wanted to get back into college (anything to get me out of this rut), would this be a better option than going through the usual route of indeed, I'm not really willing to do an apprenticeship as I just think that's going back.

 

I also think that although I do have basically all the skills that they are looking for that there will always be candidates that are going to be much more skilled, so it will be ages before I get a start, i'm totally happy working for free, anything to get me going in web dev.

 

I did in fact used to send out letters to companies through email when I was going for a job in EE, but half the time there's no reply and usually if there is they weren't hiring anyway, I go through indeed because I know they have something to offer, problem is everyone knows about this job and hence so much competition.

I got my first job by going out and talking to people. That's still how I get a lot of my work

I got my first job by going out and talking to people. That's still how I get a lot of my work

 

Like who? People you know that are close friends?

Down the pub, at social events, out walking the dog. Just talk to people. I picked up a job to build a website last week after talking to someone on the train.

 

And I get regular work from a hotel chain in Hawaii after doing a plugin for one of the manager's daughters.

For my first job I was sending out emails for weeks. Eventually one of them replied. Never looked back since.

 

More experienced devs will not be going for junior roles so as long as you know all you need to know for a junior role and can articulate yourself well you should be fine.

I got my first client, by making a phone calls to companies.

Don't send email, conversion is almost null

Make a meeting

 

I got my first client, by making a phone calls to companies.

Don't send email, conversion is almost null

Make a meeting

 

The OP stated he's looking for a job not looking for clients. But yeah I'd agree with you if we're talking about clients.

 

For a job email has worked well / applying directly. Using a (Good) recruiter is also a decent.

 

Employers advertise on Linkedin, Stackoverflow etc.

its simple upload your updated profile on naukri then definately you will get call from companies and go and attend those interviews and if you have good knowledge then 100% u will get........................

 

The OP was not looking for a job in India...

word to mouth, when you start it is truly the best way, tell everybody you know, they will find the job for you

I think it is possible to look for the job suggestions on different forums (web development related). Sometimes people make posts looking for a web designer/web developer, I saw a lot of them. But if you are looking for a job at a big company (not as a freelancer), I don't think my suggestion will help you.