I've been teaching myself to code for around 10 months now, and I've come across a lot of advice about how important it is to have a strong portfolio, especially if you don't have a computer science degree. I'm wondering, is it crazy to think that if I build a significant project that relates directly to companies I want to work for, like those in the tech scene in Australia (think Realestate.com or Canva), it might actually help me land a job there?
7 Answers
Honestly, the reality is that having a great project can be important, but with only 10 months under your belt, it might be overkill to dive into something huge. Focus on building a diverse portfolio with several projects instead!
Building a huge project isn't a guaranteed path to a job. Different companies have varying standards, and some may care less about your portfolio while others ask in-depth questions about your projects. It’s more about how you can discuss what you've done confidently in an interview than the portfolio itself, which often just serves as a conversation starter.
It’s totally not a crazy idea! I've seen self-taught devs get hired for impressive projects. A polished, high-quality project can indeed carry more weight than multiple less-organized ones, and the experience can be invaluable.
Will this really matter? If I can create something relevant to what a company does, won't that actually improve my chances of getting hired?
Absolutely! Building your project or portfolio can definitely make you more hireable. Just make sure to focus not only on the size of the project but also on its relevance and quality.
I think you should start with something smaller than a massive project. Also, don’t forget to share your journey! A blog or updates on platforms like LinkedIn can reach people and make them more inclined to check out your work.
Great idea! I’ll start posting updates on LinkedIn!
It's a big challenge to create something that attracts users, though. You'll need to think about what you're building, how you plan to achieve it, and how you'll get users interested. It's a lot to manage, but definitely doable!
Yeah, getting users to engage with your project is crucial!
Do you think I should aim for multiple smaller projects instead of one big one?