How to start coding career

Genentech NewTech
Jul 8, 2018 17 Comments

Folks, need advice.

I have been a manual QA engineer for several years in a tech company. But I never got a break in automation. Finally, I quit my job and started to take programming classes. I did all three - Python, Javascript and Java. Python is my favorite, and JS is a close second. Java classes are harder for me, but not insurmountable. I am currently contracting until the end of the year and am hoping to find a tech job back again after that. This contract is just to avoid a gap on my resume, and to help pay the mortgage.

1) How do I prepare for coding interviews? I want to ramp up from beginner to expert level.

2) Should I target QA automation jobs, or can I hope to get developer job (even if junior level, I don't mind)? I bring a lot of "quality" expertise to my coding, planning and handling error conditions etc.

Thanks very much in advance. I love the help and camaraderie that Blind provides.

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  • Microsoft a205494
    1) Google "how to prepare for coding interviews"
    2) how do you expect anyone here to answer this
    Jul 8, 2018 5
    • Genentech NewTech
      OP
      2) I guess I'm mostly asking prospective interviewers or hiring managers... How open would they be to hiring an experienced QA engineer who is new to coding. What testing would I need to pass? I have a lot of years of tech experience, but new to coding.
      Jul 8, 2018
    • Microsoft a205494
      If you have an interview, they're open. Nobody cares what your background is, show you can meet/exceed the expectations of the role you're interviewing for.
      Jul 8, 2018
    • Genentech NewTech
      OP
      And how to position myself to get called for the interview? I suppose the recruiter would have to sell me... Most of them would likely pick experienced developers... Who would want to work extra to sell a non-proven candidate?
      Jul 8, 2018
    • Microsoft a205494
      Circle back to point number 1 and build some confidence
      Jul 9, 2018
    • Genentech NewTech
      OP
      Thanks!
      Jul 9, 2018
  • Microsoft JDwb49
    Leetcode
    You can try dev internship.
    Jul 9, 2018 2
    • Genentech NewTech
      OP
      I wonder if they would let a senior person do that? I have 10+ years QA Experience
      Jul 9, 2018
    • Microsoft JDwb49
      Apply for normal dev positions and interview. If that turns out too hard you can try lowering the bar.
      Jul 9, 2018
  • Panasonic Avionics / Eng SkyN3t
    I remember interviews where the interviewee did not care about corner cases or error handling as much as getting an agorithm right (and optimal). Putting off corner cases sound odd because it is these cases (as well as a non optimal solution) that gets you in trouble.
    Jul 9, 2018 1
    • Genentech NewTech
      OP
      Exactly! Right? I'm going hiring managers would care about it.. The interviewees might not.
      Jul 9, 2018
  • Microsoft JDwb49
    I've solved all Facebook problems on Leetcode and some related and Google ones. About 250-300 problems total. That was enough to get good offers from Google and Oracle.

    Read the Grocking the System Design Interview too.
    Jul 9, 2018 2
    • Intel apt-get
      How many easy / medium / hard did you solve ?
      Jul 9, 2018
    • Microsoft JDwb49
      85/134/64 = 283

      I have 10 years of professional experience though and much more years of programming.
      Jul 9, 2018
  • Oracle swdev
    You can check bootcamps like HackReactor.
    Jul 9, 2018 0
  • Intel apt-get
    Codingbat.com - Good place for beginners
    Jul 9, 2018 0
  • Genentech NewTech
    OP
    I am planning to start with easy sites like hackerrank.Com, and go from there.

    I just realized I have only taken programming classes, and not much else, like design, optimization etc. How do I get started on those?
    Jul 10, 2018 0