Getting a Coding Job For Dummies

Getting a Coding Job For Dummies explains how a coder works in (or out of) an organization, the key skills any job requires, the basics of the technologies a coding pro will encounter, and how to find formal or informal ways to build your skills. Plus, it paints a picture of the world a coder lives in, outlines how to build a resume to land a coding job, and so much more.

Coding is one of the most in?demand skills in today?s job market, yet there seems to be an ongoing deficit of candidates qualified to take these jobs. Getting a Coding Job For Dummies provides a road map for students, post?grads, career switchers, and anyone else interested in starting a career in coding. Inside this friendly guide, you?ll find the steps needed to learn the hard and soft skills of coding?and the world of programming at large. Along the way, you?ll set a clear career path based on your goals and discover the resources that can best help you build your coding skills to make you a suitable job candidate.

• Covers the breadth of job opportunities as a coder
• Includes tips on educational resources for coders and ways to build a positive reputation
• Shows you how to research potential employers and impress interviewers
• Offers access to online video, articles, and sample resume templates

If you?re interested in pursuing a job in coding, but don?t know the best way to get there, Getting a Coding Job For Dummies is your compass!

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 2

Icons Used in This Book 2

Beyond the Book 3

Where to Go from Here 3

Part I: Getting a Job in Coding 5

Chapter 1: Seeing the Big Picture 7

Chapter 2: Exploring Coding Career Paths 19

Chapter 3: Working as a Coder 33

Chapter 4: Understanding Key Coding Concepts 47

Part II: Technologies Used When Coding 55

Chapter 5: Creating a Website 57

Chapter 6: Programming with Ruby and Python 83

Chapter 7: Creating Mobile Apps 93

Chapter 8: Analyzing Big Data 101

Part III: Getting Your Coding Education 111

Chapter 9: Coding on Your Own 113

Chapter 10: Going to Boot Camp 131

Chapter 11: Exploring Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees 151

Chapter 12: Training on the Job 165

Part IV: Launching Your Career Path 175

Chapter 13: Building Your Portfolio Site 177

Chapter 14: Networking for Opportunities 191

Chapter 15: Interviewing and Becoming a Star 203

Part V: The Part of Tens 217

Chapter 16: Ten Interview Questions Decoded 219

Chapter 17: Ten Job Search Strategies 229

Chapter 18: Ten Coding Myths 239

Chapter 19: Ten Coding Job Websites 249

Talk the Talk 257

Index 265

• Size of market: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 300,000 coding/programming jobs in the U.S. with projections to add another 30,000 jobs over the next 10 years.

• Who are we targeting: This book focuses on those interested in pursuing a job in coding who have not set an initial course toward that goal. This audience includes students interested in the opportunities in the field as well as those looking to make a career switch or update.

Nikhil Abraham is a former Codecademy associate who has helped millions prepare for jobs in coding. He also helped launch ReSkillUSA, a Codecademy extension that helps people gain the skills to start coding careers. Nik wrote Coding For Dummies, and focuses on corporate coding training and seminars.