Junior programmer who wants to be a senior developer

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Thabis0

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Hi guys

I've studied almost every programing language there is (C,C++, C#, Assembler, HTML, JAVA) at school, did computer eng, but I find it difficult to get a job, can anyone advice me where I can apply to gain experience in the developement sector which platform must I take which is mostly used.
 
Im currently working and I ended up doing what what I didn't study just to complete my studies because you need expereiencial learning to get your qualification
 
Build a portfolio.

The easiest way to stand out in a programming interview is if you can show "This is a website I made, it focuses on xxx and was developed using xxx and xxx", or bring a laptop and show off a program you made in C++ etc, then show your source code so they can see you have good coding practice.

I only use html/php but that is how I would do it. No better reference then one of your website's with 1000 users.
 
Get hacking there is lots of open source projects that could use your skills.
 
Thabis0 said:
I've studied almost every programing language there is (C,C++, C#, Assembler, HTML, JAVA) at school, did computer eng, but I find it difficult to get a job, can anyone advice me where I can apply to gain experience in the developement sector which platform must I take which is mostly used.
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First off, to me this means you've got (some basic) theoretical knowledge - this does not mean (to me) that you'll be able to code in a certian language.

Usually the two "main" routes people follow is either JAVA orientated or MICROSOFT ( .NET)... There is some other (interesting) routes you can go, for instance SAP (but thats another ball game and the courses cost you the price of a new BMW :-) ). Google is your friend if you want more information on Java VS Microsoft.

Getting your first job can be daunting... All I can suggest is 1) to make sure you're CV is top-notch (there is loads of information on the net that can help), 2) "advertise" youself everywhere: ITJobs.co.za / careerjunction / sadeveloper.net etc...

Good luck
 
I finished studying and got a job doing something I did not study and now 9 years later I am pretty bleak with the choice. I would keep trying until you find a job doing what you want to do, even if you have to keep working in the wrong one as a temporary one until then. Phone a few recruiters and get them looking for jobs for you, I would register with at least 3 recruiters and they should get you some leads. Also as fonoi says, build a portfolio or start a blog with code snippets and examples of your work. Nothing better than getting a CV and you are able to look at the candidates work and you will know staright away if the person knows their a$$ from their elbow.
 
There's also websites out there where website owners / companies post freelance work. You could sign up, do a few small jobs in your spare time for little money, and as your reputation and experience grows on these sites you can demand more.

Or start your own website and write loads of little scripts that webmasters might find useful.
 
Thanks guys, but at the rate things are going, I think i'll end up being a just a technician, i'm now self studying JAVA
 
Thabis0 said:
Thanks guys, but at the rate things are going, I think i'll end up being a just a technician, i'm now self studying JAVA
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Then you will be a technition for ever.. Why ? because 2 weeks in a development envoriment with other developers is like 2 years of self study.. and while what you learn from the books is valuable in theory it is only really when you apply it that you will give it serious thought.
 
greggpb said:
Then you will be a technition for ever.. Why ? because 2 weeks in a development envoriment with other developers is like 2 years of self study.. and while what you learn from the books is valuable in theory it is only really when you apply it that you will give it serious thought.
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+ 10
 
But what do I do if there aren't any company out there to hire you without experience, or i'm gonna start using my skills to hack an stuff, i heard Linux is a great way to start learning your hacking skills
 
there are plenty of jobs out there they are just not high paying in the begining.
 
Make yourself look attractive.
Contributing to your favourite Open Source project is usually a good idea.
Stating that you've had x patches accepted to a popular Open Source project on your CV is pretty damn impressive. It shows that your code has passed peer-review, and thats a good thing.
Knowing the theory is one thing, but proving that you can walk the talk is another thing.
 
guy. its all about showing what you have done. and knowing your topic. if you really like compooters... you will (or should have already) have a pile of demos and funny code hackery lying around.... perhaps even finished applications. get a blog. write some clever **** on it. put up a photo of you in a tshirt. and voila... job application accepted. : )
 
Thabis0 said:
But what do I do if there aren't any company out there to hire you without experience, or i'm gonna start using my skills to hack an stuff, i heard Linux is a great way to start learning your hacking skills
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I started out with a salary of R800. Are you willing to work for a salary of R800? No? Then that's the wrong attitude...

The reason I say this is because (as a Senior now) most of the Junior's i had to interview with no experience, fresh out of varsity, had unrealistic expectations of starting salaries. You have to start somewhere, and sometimes you get a nice break with a decent employer willing to give you a decent salary as a start... but then you REALLY have to spark and show him you're worth it and not toss about for months on end not learning a thing and keep ****ing up.

How many jobs have you applied for between your first post and the last reply? 1? 4? ... in an average DAY when I'm looking for work, I send out 50-75 CV's... sometimes I get lazy so that average over a period of a couple of weeks may sink down to about 20 a day... but the handful of people who come back to me with interview opportunities are usually serious and I walk away with 1 or 2 offers that I can consider. With no experience you have to be even MORE willing to do this.

And brush up on your English (I'm not trying to be nasty). If you can articulate yourself well over an email (which should be a small, custom introduction for the company you're applying for, and not a generic "FWD: attached find my CV" email), you're more than likely to get some interest in actually opening up your CV than the confused looks as they try to make out what you meant by "expereiencial learning"
 
Thanks, I have a few, watch out for my demos, it's not something big, but it'll sure shake a few people. Which software carrer do you think is the best, security or developing software or web applications?
 
daffy said:
Make yourself look attractive.
Contributing to your favourite Open Source project is usually a good idea.
Stating that you've had x patches accepted to a popular Open Source project on your CV is pretty damn impressive. It shows that your code has passed peer-review, and thats a good thing.
Knowing the theory is one thing, but proving that you can walk the talk is another thing.
Click to expand...

He should work on his soft-skills. That always helps.
 
Thanks AcidRaZor for the advice, I do apply a lot, and I do get replies, but most of them are not willing to risk for someone who doesn't have experience, I just came here looking for advice on how programmers application or CV should look like when applying. I also thought of lying because right now i'm helping some who has a programming job but forgot most of the basics, that's the experience i'm getting right now.
 
Thabis0 said:
Which software carrer do you think is the best, security or developing software or web applications?
Click to expand...

Is BMW better than Merc?

There is no "best" - it depends on you! I know hard-core developers who prefer to code 24/7 and hate sitting with clients. I prefer the exact opposite.

IT careers usually start off in some kind of development environment - be it application or web programming, report writing etc... After gaining some experience choices are usually presented in many forms. By the time this come, you'll know what choice is going to be best for you. Don't think too far ahead, but always keep *realistic* goals aligned to your choices.


Thabis0 said:
I also thought of lying because right now i'm helping some who has a programming job but forgot most of the basics, that's the experience i'm getting right now.
Click to expand...

Lying on your CV is like robbing a store and dropping your ID on the counter on the way out... you WILL be caught out, the wheel turns and it will seriously affect your career (if you have any left)! Even if you do manage to secure a job this way it will be tainted, and lying on your CV (which produced an offer of employment) is grounds for immediate dismissal.

I saw a couple of adverts on the job sites past couple of days for inexperienced programmers - hang in there, something will present itself!

All the best!
 
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