25 Tips for New Developers: Advice from a (Mostly) Self-Taught Software Engineer

Make a portfolio that stands out

Portfolios show your abilities and interests as well as your creativity. As someone who has done a lot of hiring, if someone has a portfolio site, I focus on looking through that way more than a resume. It doesn't have to have a bunch of side projects or anything like that -- just spin up a landing page with a bio, some experience, and links to other places on the web -- or your resume. It's a more dynamic way to show what you're about and what you're interested in. I still keep mine updated even though I'm not looking for a job, but I use it mostly for speaking opportunities, which are also helpful for your career!

Searching page

I've seen a few people create "searching" pages when they're looking for new roles that feature their requirements and interests in a new position. Almost like a job description but from the perspective of the employee instead of the employer. I haven't done this myself yet, but if I do a job search at some point I definitely will.

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Advice for Interviews

Toxic interviews probably signal a toxic company

If a company seems toxic, is disorganized, or makes you jump through a million hoops in the interview process, the company is probably similar to work for. Interviews are a two way street, and you should both be courting each other. Make sure you actually want to work for them too. What does 18 rounds of whiteboarding interviews really say about the company? They're selective or inefficient and nitpicky?

Spin what you don't know

If you get asked a question like "Do you know React?" and you don't, be honest. Don't lie and say you know something you don't -- it will be easy for them to figure out you're being dishonest. That being said, don't just say "I don't know it" and leave it at that. You can instead say, "I don't know React yet, but I do know Vue and I know that they both have similar component architectures", or "I don't know React yet, but I love learning new things and would be excited to learn on the job". Admit what you don't know, but express your willingness to learn.