3 ms·
Ask HN: What's the minimum software experience required for a real dev job?
I have a few friends that have been to web development school and now have a few months of programming under their belt. I'm curious as to the minimum amount of time learning to program it would take to get hired at a software-focused company, whether it's a credible startup or major tech company, and whether they went to a school or just learned on their own.<p>Measured in days, or perhaps hours if someone kept track or had a reliable way to estimate hours.<p>Something like: "I know this guy who did a three month development program, spent three more months programming and then got hired by XX".
- lerdorfsghosts 13y agoI've spent at least a year after a 3 month course until I've felt that I wouldn't get lost in a programming job. But my own standards are rather high and I wasn't looking for a job where I also need to do dirty deeds like photoshopping and fixing windows boxes. It did quite a lot freelancing in my first years. I got my first paid position after 3 years iirc. After around 8 years I got my first senior position. Someone more progressive can get there faster. I wouldn't expect any company with a serious software department to hire someone with less than 2 years of experience. Internships are possible, of course. Things that may change that: * awesome references (hobby projects, github etc.) * background that overlaps the companies domain * proven uber talent * FoaFs Either look for companies with low standards or paid internships. Also freelancing is a good opportunity to get yourself started.
- HeyLaughingBoy 13y agoDepends on the job, depends on the business. Here at a medical device manufacturer, a minimum 4-year degree in a technical subject with enough experience to show you know what you're doing. Or a CS or Engineering degree and no experience and having good software dev. skills coming right out of school. In theory if you don't have a degree but do have the experience we're looking for, we might hire you, but I have yet to see a resume with no degree cross my desk. Even for a phone screen. If only I could get back all the time I've wasted interviewing people who couldn't even write a for... loop properly I'd probably be adding years to my life!
- phantom_oracle 13y ago>"I have yet to see a resume with no degree cross my desk." >"If only I could get back all the time I've wasted interviewing people who couldn't even write a for... loop properly I'd probably be adding years to my life!" Putting these 2 together tells me that your company is hiring CS or Engineering grads who don't know the basic foundations of programming? Something doesn't add up there.
- HeyLaughingBoy 13y agoClose, but not quite. We interview people at all levels of experience, many of whom can't program their way out of a paper bag. Happily, those generally don't actually get hired.
- phantom_oracle 13y agoOkay, I guess the word hiring wasn't a good fit there. However, aren't CS grads supposed to know what a for loop is? That seems like first semester CS100 to me.
- eddyparkinson 13y agobe able to write 1000 line of good quality code. have seen enough code to know what good code looks like. able to learn how to use a new api without any help. although the best way is to get a friend with good coding skills to recommend you.