Stephen Sage’s Post

Getting your first job in software engineering may be the biggest challenge you face when starting your career writing code. Exception is if you start your own company, but that's another story. I've always recommended the following: - Side/pet projects - put on resume. What problem did you have, what did you do to solve it and what did you use, and the result. Reference the public repo. - Social - blog, stream, record your coding adventure. It gives insight into who you are, how you think, and how you communicate. There is also added exposure here. - Open source projects - volunteer, do documentation, fix bug. - Network - user group, meetups, conferences. Get people familiar with seeing your smiling mug. I realize it's tough to handle life and do all of the stuff. But if you are in a large demographic of entry level devs, and one person is doing all the stuff and you're not...well... Anyone else have any advice?

Hey friends, if you're hiring for roles in tech, I'd like to take a moment to chat about something I’ve been noticing in the web development world. There are a lot of incredibly talented people out there with 20 or even 30 years of experience who are struggling to find jobs. Why? Because they don’t have a degree. And honestly, that just feels a little off, doesn’t it? When these folks started out, there *wasn’t even such a thing* as a degree in web development. They’ve been in the trenches, coding and creating since the early days of the internet. They’ve seen it all, learned through trial and error, and probably forgotten more about web development than many new grads have learned. I know, because I am one of them. I built my first website in 1996 while earning a degree in something else entirely. But this isn't about me, so... These folks are being shut out by companies that won’t even consider a candidate without a degree. It makes me wonder — are you missing out on some amazing talent by being too focused on formal education? If you’re in a position to hire, I’d love to share a few thoughts: * Look Beyond Degrees: Think about what really matters for the role. Is it a piece of paper or is it the skills, experience, and problem-solving abilities that someone brings to the table? * Try Skill Assessments: Instead of relying on degrees, why not give candidates a chance to show what they can do - look at their extensive portfolio of work, or hire them for a short test project. It can be a great way to see their skills in action. * Celebrate Lifelong Learning: The tech world changes so fast, and those who’ve been in the industry for years have developed a knack for picking up new things quickly. They wouldn't have lasted this long without constantly learning new things. * Rethink the Job Description: If the role doesn’t absolutely require a degree, maybe consider leaving that part out. Focus on what really matters — the ability to do the job well. At the end of the day, it’s about finding an outstanding and capable person for your team. And sometimes, that person might not come with a degree, but with a wealth of experience and knowledge that can’t be taught in a classroom.

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗯𝘀 Here’s how to improve your chances of getting hired as a developer 👇 1. Networking: - Attend Industry Events: Participate in meetups, conferences, and hackathons to connect with other professionals and potential employers. Networking can lead to job opportunities and valuable industry insights. - Leverage LinkedIn: Build a strong LinkedIn profile and actively engage with the community by sharing content, commenting on posts, and joining relevant groups. This increases your visibility and demonstrates your expertise. 2. GitHub Profile: - Showcase Your Work: Maintain an active GitHub profile with a diverse range of projects. This demonstrates your coding skills and commitment to continuous learning. - Collaborate on Open Source: Contribute to open-source projects. It not only builds your portfolio but also shows that you can work collaboratively in a team environment. Projects: 3. Build Relevant Projects: - Develop projects that align with the technologies and skills in demand in the job market. Focus on quality over quantity, ensuring each project is well-documented and demonstrates a specific skill set. - Create a Personal Portfolio: Host a personal website showcasing your projects, skills, and experience. This serves as a comprehensive showcase for potential employers. Knowledge (including Data Structures and Algorithms - DSA): 4. Master DSA - Strong knowledge of data structures and algorithms is crucial for technical interviews. Practice problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and CodeSignal to sharpen your problem-solving skills. - Stay Updated: Keep up with the latest industry trends and technologies. Follow tech blogs, take online courses, and participate in coding challenges to stay current. 5. Soft Skills and Communication: - Develop Soft Skills: Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills are highly valued by employers. Participate in group projects and seek feedback to improve these skills. - Prepare for Interviews: Practice articulating your thought process during technical interviews. Mock interviews and interview preparation platforms can help you get comfortable with common interview questions and scenarios. —— #programming #coding #jobs #interviews

Top 10 pieces of advice for anyone who wants to retrain and get into tech! 1. Find your tech niche: The tech world is vast! Explore areas like coding, cybersecurity, data analysis, web development, or UX/UI design. Consider your interests, skills, and the job market. 2. Start with the basics: Many fields have core skills. Learn about programming fundamentals, software operating systems, and basic networking concepts. Free online resources abound! 3. Choose your learning path: Online courses, coding bootcamps, or even a college degree are all options. Consider time commitment, budget, and learning style. 4. Practice makes progress: Don't just learn theory. Practice coding, build projects, or participate in online challenges. Sites like GitHub offer version control and project collaboration. 5. Embrace the community: Connect with other tech enthusiasts! Online forums, meetups, or local coding groups offer support, knowledge sharing, and potential networking. 6. Never stop learning: Technology is constantly evolving. Stay updated with new trends, attend workshops, and read tech blogs or publications. 7. Build a portfolio: Showcase your skills! Create personal projects, contribute to open-source projects, or build a portfolio website to demonstrate your abilities 8. Tailor your resume and cover letter: Highlight your transferable skills! Show how your past experiences translate into valuable assets for a tech role. Focus on achievements that demonstrate problem-solving, analytical thinking, or adaptability. 9. Prepare for technical interviews: Many tech roles involve coding challenges or technical questions. Practise common interview problems beforehand, research the company and position, and be ready to showcase your problem-solving approach. 10. Focus on continuous learning: Learning doesn't stop after landing a job. Tech companies often offer internal training programs, certifications, or educational stipends. Take advantage of these resources to stay relevant and advance in your career. Don't get discouraged by setbacks: The tech industry can be competitive. Landing your dream job might take time. Embrace rejections as learning experiences, analyse where you can improve, and keep applying with perseverance. Your hard work and dedication will eventually pay off! #sydney #melbourne #australia #OpenToWork #education

When Jorge Téllez sent me the article "Junior tech workers can't find jobs" from Fast Company, I thought surely this is a year-old article. It's not. https://lnkd.in/gZ_wWb_e The original title included the question "Are Coding Bootcamps in Trouble?" You'd better fucking believe it! To ask the question now is like walking up to someone in the ICU and asking "is everything ok?" No, it's not ok! Through 2022 and 2023 students and grads have struggled. Great programs across the country have downsized (including Turing School of Software & Design) or shut down. Launch Academy, Inc pausing enrollments is a perfectly reasonable choice for their business. Getting a job in the field is not a guarantee. As the article links to on Reddit (https://lnkd.in/gKbiRy8g), it's easy to find many people who will say "these programs don't work. Get a CS degree!" Hop over to CS Majors (https://lnkd.in/gdYW8ASW) and you'll find people lamenting how hard the job hunt is, even with a degree. At Turing we've continued to wrestle with these big questions -- what are the most responsible choices for the students you have today and the ones who you'll have tomorrow? When we enroll a student it's a question of "where will things be in 7-10 months when they graduate"? It's a prediction, a guess, and a often a hope. Then I look at the outcomes. Since the beginning of February I've posted over 196 employment updates. About 25% of those are anniversaries of folks thriving in their roles, 25% are new jobs for experienced alums, and about 50% are grads finding their first jobs in the industry. As the market continues to warm up, we're on pace for more first jobs this year than students graduating from the program -- catching up from a tough 2023. Are there jobs out there? Yes!! Does it take smart, hard work to win one? Yes!! Are bootcamp programs struggling and dying? Absolutely! For every individual who makes it through, works their way into their first job, sees it through to five years where the average salary hits $160K, and increases their lifetime earnings by over $5 million -- WE FIGHT ON.

Unlocking Opportunities: Open Source contributions could be game changers for college students! 📚🚀 As a student, open-source contributions could help elevate your career prospects in many ways.🌐🎓 🌟 Real-World Experience Open source could be your gateway to the real-world tech landscape. You could gain practical experience by working on projects that extend beyond the classroom and are used by the global tech community. 🚀 🧠 Skill Development Open source allows you to enhance your skills in a hands-on environment. When solving any problem you are not just coding but collaborating with peers, these experiences are invaluable for personal & professional growth. 🛠️ 🌐 Global Networking Connect with a diverse group of developers worldwide! Open-source projects provide students with a unique opportunity to collaborate and build a global network that goes beyond geographical boundaries. 🤝 📈 Resume Boost Stand out in a competitive job market! Open source contributions on your resume demonstrate initiative, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous learning. Employers value these real-world experiences. 💼 💡 Learning Beyond Textbooks Open source exposes students to varied technologies, coding styles, and project structures. It's a chance to apply classroom knowledge to real projects and learn best practices directly from the open-source community. 📚 🌍 Social Impact Contribute to projects that make a difference! Students can use their skills for social good by participating in open source projects with a positive impact on society, contributing to a better, more inclusive world. 🌈 Ready to embark on your open-source journey? Start small, explore projects aligned with your interests, and don't be afraid to ask for guidance. The opportunities are endless! 🚀 Share your open-source experiences in the comments below – let's inspire the next generation of contributors! 🌟 #OpenSource #Community #Collaboration 🎓

One important lesson I've learned in my 8+ years as a developer is never to ask a senior engineer, "What should I do?" without doing your own research first. For example, if your task is to improve the performance of a slow service, here's how you should approach it: 1. Understand how the service works and identify bottlenecks. 2. Look for patterns, error messages, or delays to understand what's slowing things down. 3. Experiment with caching, database indexing, or code refactoring approaches. 4. Evaluate the impact of each strategy in terms of complexity, performance, and cost. 5. Present your findings and suggest what you think is the best approach, then ask for feedback. Here’s the thing: doing your research shows initiative and helps you learn and grow as a developer. It deepens your understanding and prepares you for similar challenges in the future. Yes, sometimes there will be things you can learn with quick questions. In that case, feel free to ask. Make it easier for others to help you. That’s also a good skill to learn. In the end, it's about finding the balance between self-reliance and smart collaboration. -- P.S: If you're a SWE looking to crack your first job in tech, I've launched my first E-book that has every resource you will need on your journey: - 1000+ questions for your practice and coding interviews - Guidance on DSA, system design, technical interviews, full stack development - In-depth coverage of resume building, internships, networking, and building in public Here's the link: https://lnkd.in/gMtVz-qT (Running a 20% discount for the first 100 people, Only 50 spots left)

🚀 Unlocking More Job Opportunities for Software Developers: Tips and Tricks! 🌟 Are you a software developer looking to take your career to the next level? Here are some tried-and-true strategies to maximize your job opportunities: 1️⃣ Build a Strong Online Presence: Showcase your projects on GitHub, contribute to tech blogs, and maintain a professional LinkedIn profile. 2️⃣ Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and trends. Certifications and courses add value to your profile. 3️⃣ Networking: Attend tech meetups, conferences, and webinars. Networking opens doors to hidden job opportunities. 4️⃣ Portfolio Development: Create a portfolio that highlights your best work. It's a powerful tool to impress recruiters and showcase your skills. 5️⃣ Master Your Skills: Deepen your expertise in programming languages, frameworks, and tools relevant to your target roles. 6️⃣ Soft Skills Matter: Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are as important as technical skills. Develop them to stand out. 7️⃣ Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter: Customize your applications to match the job requirements. Show how your skills align with the role. Remember, persistence and consistency pay off. Keep refining your skills and expanding your network. Opportunities are waiting for those who are prepared! #SoftwareDevelopment #CareerAdvice #JobOpportunities #TechJobs #LinkedInTips

Are 'traditional' educational backgrounds slowly becoming less important for Software Engineering roles? In 2020, a LinkedIn Workforce Report stated that coding bootcamp graduates, or those that were self taught, made up 10% of new hires in Software Development/Engineering roles. Fast forward to 2022, and a survey by Stack Overflow stated that 23.8% of respondents, classed either a bootcamp, or self teaching, as their primary learning method. I don't actually have any figures from 2024, however in my experience working in TA, it's clear that the trend reflects how accessible education in coding is becoming, outside of a traditional Computer Science degree. It also highlights the growing acceptance in the tech industry, to interview and hire, candidates from an alternative learning path. If you're a company that doesn't already do this - you're missing out on some very talented people. Drop me a message and I'm sure I can change your mind. If you're a company that already does this - Great! - iungo Solutions has a pool of Software Development Bootcamp graduates, ready to jump into a new role. iungo does NOT charge for introductions to our participants, so if paying recruitment agencies for candidates is eating into your recruitment budget, let's chat. #iungosolutions #freecandidates #norecruitmentfees

Almost six weeks ago, I launched my first-ever e-book for software engineers. One of the first-ever buyers of my book was Kirandeep Kaur I asked her for feedback, and this is what she wrote to me to put on display: “I have known Ishmeet for almost three years. I don't remember how I connected with him, but it was probably one of the best things I did on LinkedIn. When I came to Canada, I was so worried about how things would be, and I remember he was the first one I told about my anxiety. He answered my questions very calmly, and I appreciate him for that. He is always an inspiration for me because he writes about small yet very important things to follow to become successful in the tech industry. I always catch his posts. Even if I am in a hurry, I save them and read them later. We need more people like him. “ I couldn’t be more grateful to have an impact and help people in the community. I put together the guide because I used to miss out on so many DMs because of work. So far, 40+ people have bought the guide; I didn’t expect this great response. If you don’t know about the guide, here’s the problem it can solve for you: This guide is for anyone looking to crack their first role or has 2+ years of experience. → What’s included in the guide? - 4 detailed PDFs, combined 300+ pages - A full curriculum and all the resources you will ever need - 1000+  questions for your practice and coding interviews - Guidance on DSA, system design, technical interviews, full stack development - In-depth coverage of resume building, internships, networking, and building in public I am offering a 20% discount for the first 100 people. The links to the guide are below. Consultation Call And Guide: https://lnkd.in/gGwFEzsb The Guide Alone: https://lnkd.in/gMtVz-qT – P.S: If you have any doubts or queries, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.