I've been in my journey as a developer for about 20 weeks now, and I keep wondering what the baseline skills are for junior roles. I know the job market is tough, and even highly qualified candidates are struggling, but I want to gauge how prepared I am. When I recently interviewed for an entry-level position, I was told my technical skills weren't strong enough compared to others, which left me feeling a bit lost.
Here's where I stand: I can create CRUD applications with REST APIs using JavaScript and Python, and I'm familiar with setting up environments using Node, Express, and Django. I'm comfortable with both asynchronous data management and error handling, and I've also dabbled in React, managing state with Vite. Deployment on AWS EC2 is another skill I've picked up, alongside version control using Git. My question is, what else should I aim to learn as a junior? What should I focus on, and how much should I have under my belt before applying?
3 Answers
Your background in business could actually be an asset, believe it or not! It shows you have a diverse skill set. Since you’ve been self-teaching for about two years, try to develop personal projects that incorporate both frontend and backend elements. Playing around with different frameworks or doing small projects can help a lot. And yeah, skip the leetcode if it doesn’t vibe with you—focus on practical skills instead!
Typically, junior developer roles expect a college degree or equivalent experience in programming, so it’s hard to compete against those with formal education if you don’t have one. Make sure to highlight any relevant experience or projects to set yourself apart. Keep learning and don’t get discouraged—every bit of knowledge you gain counts!
It sounds like you've got a solid foundation! In interviews, they often look for specific problem-solving abilities, so it's helpful to be prepared for questions that test those skills. It might make sense to review the common technical questions asked in junior dev interviews and see where you can improve. Focus on practicing your REST concepts and debugging more thoroughly—it can make a big difference! Learning to explain your thought process during interviews can also help convey your understanding.
Exactly! It's not just about knowing the concepts, but being able to articulate them. Also, dive into some hands-on projects that challenge you creatively. They can really boost your confidence and convey enthusiasm, which employers love to see.
Yes! Personal projects don’t have to be huge, just make sure they showcase your learning and skills. Sharing them on GitHub can really help your portfolio stand out!