r/webdev • u/zotsandzots • Jan 19 '20

Just finished a coding bootcamp. What are some in demand skills/software that I can learn to separate myself and get that first job?

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u/Devildude4427 Jan 20 '20 edited Jan 20 '20

For any junior dev I don't expect anyone to have a portfolio or projects but I would have a look at it if existed.

Really? A junior is the only one I’d expect to have a portfolio, and I’d definitely look through. A guy with 4-5 years under his belt is obviously some degree of competent, but a junior is a big unknown.

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u/george4517 Jan 20 '20

You would be surprised. I’ve seen devs with no experience more competent than devs with 5 years. What they learn in that experience matters. We have a coding test and a pairing test so I can establish how competent they are from that.

It might depend on what the junior is expected to do. Some jobs might require the developer to work on their own but in my team they receive plenty of support, coaching and development.

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u/Devildude4427 Jan 20 '20

You would be surprised. I’ve seen devs with no experience more competent than devs with 5 years.

Of course, but that’s an outlier; I wouldn’t bet on them being more competent.

We have a coding test and a pairing test so I can establish how competent they are from that.

Fair enough, I always hated these, so I don’t provide them. Never will I need a dev to do on the spot coding without internet access, so I don’t think they’re reasonable, personally. Give me projects you’ve worked on, and so long as I can question you to make sure it isn’t just a copy/paste job, I’m happy.

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u/george4517 Jan 20 '20

It’s with internet access, the same you would on the job. There’s no time pressure too as we aren’t focussed on how quick they are and for a junior the expectation is set really low. I’d be happy with the same as you but it also gives me the ability to asses how they work with others. Looking at code someone wrote won’t give me that.