If you already have programming skills or want to start anew in programming, you are in the right place. We will introduce you to everything you need to know in order to find a job as a programmer and also help you ace a programmer interview.
This is a very specific line of work that requires a particular set of skills and knowledge. As such, the job requirements in this field can be incredibly specific.
If you would like to learn about what it takes to be a programmer and how to apply for such jobs, continue reading below.
Education and Training Requirements
Most programmers obtain a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or Computer Science. Some might also have degrees in any other computer-related fields. Further still, some programmers only have a high school diploma. However, in this latter case, they have extensive experience in programming.
If you do not have any certifications, it is also possible to earn certifications from product vendors or software businesses, thus demonstrating your know-how in computer languages or other programming fields.
It is essential to understand that, as a programmer, you need strong computer skills to generate coding and perform complex tasks. Furthermore, you are also required to interview your clients, understand what you are supposed to do, and communicate the details in a non-technical conversation that can be understood by someone without a technical background.
Problem-solving skills are also a must for programmers. The main reason is that, as a programmer, you will often find yourself in many situations in which you need to troubleshoot issues when software does not function to an optimal level. This also means that you need to be detail-oriented, with a strong focus on creating projects that suit your clients’ needs.
How to Find a Job
If you want to land a job, you should consider showing your prospective clients a few actual programs or software that you have developed. For instance, web-based portfolios containing programming projects can be shared with employers to facilitate the process of acquiring the job.
Once you have your portfolio ready, you can access specialized IT websites, such as Dice, to find potential clients. General job sites like Indeed, LinkUp, and Simplyhired can be used by searching for keywords like “programmer” and even certain programming languages to find a list of job targets.
Another great idea for finding new jobs is to generate a list of ideal employers you’d like to work for. Then, you can visit their websites and look for the career section, identifying their job offers. If you are unsure what companies to check, you can research, for instance, the “top IT companies to work for” and select what interests you.
How to Ace Your Programming Interview
Having a list of potential jobs does not help you much unless you can ace the interview.
If you are familiar with the regular interview, you need to realize that a programming interview is nothing like a traditional one. Recruiters might require you to explain technical issues to test your understanding, problem-solving skills, and even how efficiently you can communicate.
Some interviewers might even present you with a hypothetical problem to which you need to generate solutions. For instance, some of them might ask you how many cars would typically pass on the George Washington Bridge in a day. They are more interested in your reasoning, rather than how correct the answer is.
The best thing you can do is check the website before you attend the interview; in other words, always make sure you research as much as you can. Some companies might have community sections where candidates share their best advice on how to prepare, how to dress, and other information.
Summary
All in all, getting ready for a job in IT is not so straightforward as any other job. The key to finding a job and obtaining it is to research the company and get as much information as possible to be prepared for it.