Pages
Stay In Touch
More
© 2012 HOW TO BECOME A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER
Computer Programmer Skills in High Demand
CSharp (C#) software developers with as little as six months of computer programming experience can get full-time jobs, consulting or contracting positions from any state, province or city.
C# developer salaries range from $60,000 to six figures. Though, six figure salaries are more common for C# software development consultants than full-time employees, they are still available for really good C# developers.
Why CSharp (C#) Skills Training?
C# programming skills are by far the top-paying, in-demand computer programming skill. C# programming skills are in-demand in most cities or states because C# is a modern, object oriented programming languages (OOP).
C# is used in software development projects for a wide number of Microsoft or Windows products (SQL Server, Microsoft Access, ASP.NET, Microsoft Office, Web Development with ASP.NET, Microsoft SharePoint for Collaboration, Document Sharing and Intranet Development and a wide number of other products.
The C# programming language also supports mobile or PocketPC development and Windows or Desktop development. The demand for C# programming skills is still high even in the current economic climate … a fact you can verify on Dice or Monster or CareerBulder or any of the top job sites
How to Become a C# (CSharp) Computer Programmer
The The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To High Paying Computer Programmer Careers is the e-book that provides you with a blueprint for learning C# (CSharp) programming or studying the C# programming language on your own.
Bonus C# Lesson Included In the Computer Programmers Book
The bonus C# Quizzes or C# Practice Tests included in the Computer Programmers Book are designed to improve your comprehension, recall and retention of the C# programming language.
The bonus C# training in the Computer Programmer Book includes:
-
A Bonus C# Lesson: The bonus C# Lesson is a downloadable C# lesson available separately from the C# practice quizzes
-
A Bonus C# Practice Quiz Session: The bonus C# practice session includes a private, secure, personal login to our training portal or learning management system (LMS) and a C# quiz that allows you use to perfect your understanding or mastery of some C# topics.
How To Become an Expert C# Software Developer Easily
The way to become an expert C# software developer easily is to practice your C# programming skills repeatedly until C# programming becomes second nature to you. That is exactly what the bonus C# lesson and skill development session will help you to do.
Who Gets The Bonus C# Training Lesson?
The bonus C# training is available to all buyers of the The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To High Paying Computer Programmer Careers.
How Do You Get The Bonus C# Training Gift?
Go to this link and place an order now for The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To High Paying Computer Programmer Careers and you will be given access to both the C# lesson training lesson and C# skills practice sessions.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
You can become a computer programmer by going to college to study computer science and beginning an entry level computer programming job after college.
However, if you cannot afford to spend years in college before you begin your programming career, you may also gain knowledge of computer programming from software developers or teach yourself computer programming using reasonably priced textbooks, training courses or software developer mentoring programs.
In this article I will show you how to become a computer programmer without having to invest a fortune in a college education.
What Type of Computer Programming Credentials Are Employers Looking For?
Getting your first computer programming job without a computer science college education is not as hard as you may think.
This is because when it comes to computer programming, employers put more emphasis on your ability to write good quality code than on your educational credentials.
Many professional computer programmers have taken advantage of this to forgo college and focus on developing their computer programming skills to the best of their ability.
What Are Software Development Managers or IT Employers Hiring For?
If you have prepared a programming resume, sent it over to software developer hiring managers and are now getting ready for your programming interviews, you may first ask yourself this question:
“What are prospective employers looking for in computer programmer resumes?“
Whether you taught yourself computer programming or learnt how to program in college or in a correspondence training course, employers are looking for superior software development skills more than anything else.
After you are hired as a computer programmer, employers also expect you to document and design software applications and write good quality code, regardless of how or where you learnt computer programming!
It Is Easy To Study Computer Programming or Get a Software Developer Job?
One of the best kept secrets of becoming a computer programmer is that you can learn computer programming at home and advance your skills to a competent level without first getting a programming job.
When I realized this more than 15 years ago … that I could just buy a computer, connect it to the internet and learn as much computer programming as I wanted without having to get a job first, I was so excited … that I went ahead and did just that!
Of course, I also realized that I still needed to invest in computer programming books, buy software development tools and invest in software developer training packages that would allow me to learn programming on my own.
However, I figured out that the total cost of my investments in computer programming training would pale in comparison to how much I would earn as a computer programmer or how much more time it would take me to study medicine or law in college.
So, I took my developer training and got a well-paying contract programming job within 6 months, an opportunity I knew I could not have had with any other high paying professional career.
How to Get a Computer Programming Job without a College Degree
What you need to emphasize when looking for a computer programming job is your software development knowledge, coding skills and any programming experience that is related to the job you are interviewing for.
If you don’t have a college degree emphasize the other skills you have acquired, like your ability to learn technology quickly or your ability to keep up with technology or solve real programming problems.
In other words, you have to prove to prospective employers or hiring managers that you can do the job well if given the chance.
Make sure that your prospective employer sees the list of software development projects you have completed by yourself, live web sites or software application programs you designed or coded as well as the list of current or future projects you are planning to work on.
Show your prospective employer that you have a beautiful mind and make the case that you are an asset to any one who hires you!
Where Does This Leave You?
This leaves you without an excuse for not taking action. I am granting you the opportunity to purse your interests, your aspirations and your personal desire to learn or master computer programming. I take pride in being an computer programmer mentor, software developer mentor or IT Consultant who has worked with people that have overcome all sorts of obstacles, personal situations or challenges to begin their computer programming career.
By coaching, mentoring and training individuals who want to transition to a software developer career or become an expert computer programmer, I’ve observed or learnt that success in computer programming boils down to how skilled you are at software development and how much experience you have in solving real-world computer problems. If you gain a lot of practical computer programming skills or real-world, hands-on programming experience then your software development career will go into overdrive.
If you want to improve your programming skills and take your career to the next level, I encourage you to read the book “The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide to Computer Programmer Careers”.
It goes into detail on “how to learn software development in as short a time as 24 weeks.
It will shave years off your learning curve by showing you how to learn programming fast, how to prepare your resume so you get noticed by hiring managers, how to prepare and excel at programming job interviews so you get job offers more quickly and how to consistently gain the kind of programming experience that gets your career moving forward.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
… The Fastest Way To Learn Programming … 100% Guaranteed!
I Have An Amazing Gift for You. I have simplified the process of learning computer programming so it won’t be intimidating anymore. You can stop forking-over so many thousands of hard-earned dollars to pay for tuition expenses. You don’t have to waste time studying poorly explained programming concepts and feeling completely discouraged by a slow pace of learning after weeks of toiling.
How To Literally Catapult Your Programming Career
My name is Kingsley Tagbo, and I want to get you started down the faster, easier, less expensive track that delivers on programming success. A decade ago, I was learning computer programming in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In my first month, I mastered a programming language, tested at 93% in my technical job interview and after a few weeks landed a $75,000 entry level programming job.
From that turning point, I discovered, tested and documented fundamental strategies that work in The Computer Programmers Book – A Street Smart Guide to High Paying Computer Programmers Career. A step-by-step plan that will take you from novice to skilled programmer, faster than you believed possible before today.
INTRODUCING:- The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers
#1: The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers
-
How to overcome the classic lack of experience barrier and gain the real-world industry experience you need for well-paying programming positions.
-
How to quickly master sought-after computer programming languages.
-
How to code faster, better and smarter, out-perform on the job, impress your employers and advance rapidly in your career.
-
What you need to know to become a contract developer or full-time employee. And the pros and cons you need to consider before choosing.
-
What the top paying career tracks available are and what they mean to you.
#2: Learn Programming Faster
-
Programming languages, databases and software to master to become a professional computer programmmer. And the right order for learning them.
-
How to choose your first or best programming language. And more than 10 guidelines for determining the best programming languages for your projects.
-
How to learn a new programming language fast and accelerate your career from novice or entry level to competent, highly skilled or expert programmer.
-
Career action planning for novice, junior and experienced programmers.
#3: Quick Start Career Guide For Computer Programmers
-
The training, education and hands-on practice paths for becoming a programmer and how to choose which one is best for you.
-
Information, techniques and tips that will dramatically shorten your learning curve so you can master computer programming and get your resume to hiring managers faster.
-
The process of becoming a professional computer programmer. And the resources, tools and important concepts to have or master.
-
Hard to find information that takes years to discover otherwise. Including how to master the basics of programming and how to work with recruiters.
#4: Effective Study Skills For Computer Programmers
-
How to keep your programming skills current through constant study without being overwhelmed by the large volume of information available.
-
How to make the most effective use of your time and study more programming topics in less time.
-
How to effectively research and review the best practices for solving programming problems.
And Yes, This Plan Will Work for You Too … For Five Good Reasons
-
From learning a language to finding a job, programming is made less complicated for you.
-
You learn from professional computer programmers knowing it’s better to study successful people.
-
Your life is made simple as you study from the comfort of your home, at your own convenient pace and time.
-
You save a ton of your own money because you have no expensive tuition to pay.
-
Your learning curve is dramatically shortened. So you can get your resume to hiring managers quickly and get paid!
So, begin right away to instantly discover programming success
“I was earning $8.25 per hour as a sales representative. After putting what I learned
from you into action, I got a $15 per hour job as a Computer Analyst within 3 months.
It didn’t stop there, within a year, I was earning $38 per hour as a Computer Programmer.”
– M. A., Florissant, Missouri.
Here’s How to Fast Track to a High-Paying Computer Programming Career
If top paid computer programmers wrote to you about how they achieved their career success, would you pay attention to what they have to say? This is your opportunity to go from your current job to a high paying programming job in a few months!
Are you interested in understanding EXACTLY what it takes and the action items you need to perform to become a highly paid computer programmer? I will like to show you how to literally catapult your career to the next level. Yes, you!
If you are not earning a minimum of $70,000 per year with recruiters calling you about new job openings or you are bored and fed up with your current career, what stops you from considering a career in software development?
Beware Of The Obstacles That Can Stop Your Computer Programming Career!
1. Believing that you need a college degree to be employed as a computer programmer.
2. Not knowing the rapid self-learning path that takes you to lucrative computer programming jobs in months instead of years.
3. Not knowing how to get the real world experience that qualifies you for high paying computer programming jobs.
4. Not knowing how to find jobs that pay a minimum of $70,000 per year.
5. Not understanding the traits employers value highly in contract programmers or wasting your time on programming skills that are in low demand.
6. Disqualifying yourself by assuming that all computer programming jobs require a math, engineering or technical background.
7. Not realizing that you can earn a fortune as a computer programmer without spending a fortune to become one.
Do You Believe The Myths About Computer Programming!
Many people look at the world of highly paid computer programming and say,
“I could never earn that much money. I’m not smart enough. I don’t have a degree in Computer Science.
I don’t have strong technical skills. I’m not a computer geek.
All the good computer jobs have been outsourced. I am not good at Math.”
They have believed the myths!
IT IS TIME TO DEBUNK the Myths about Computer Programming Jobs
Myth #1: Computer programming is for technology geeks.
The reality is that the Project Manager, Business Analyst, Tester, Manager, Sales Executive, Recruiter, Technical Writer, Web Developer, Web Designer and other roles in the programming industry require different personality types and there is no
one personality that fits all the roles or jobs.
Myth #2: You have to be good at math to be a programmer.
The reality is that the majority of computer jobs do not require a math background.
They require logical, problem solving skills which can be learned.
Myth #3: You have to study computer science in college to become
a programmer.
The reality is that professionals with backgrounds in English, Arts, Music, Sales, Engineering, Mathematics, Psychology, Retailing, etc. are employed as computer programmers and there is no one formal degree required for employment in computer programming.
Myth #4: The job market is saturated with too many programmers.
The reality is that if you have marketable computer programming skills with real world experience, recruiters will be calling you with job interviews and job offers.
Myth #5: Most of the computer programming jobs have been out-sourced.
The reality is that there is such a high demand for computer programmers in the USA, that programming jobs go unfilled every day.
Myth #6: Computer programming takes years to learn.
The reality is that it only takes years for those who are not following a well thought out plan based on real world experience. If you get a copy of the “The Complete Guide To A Successful Programmer Career “, you will learn how to become a professional computer programmer in months.
Myth #7: Computer programmers only work with computers, they don’t get to work with people.
The reality is that programmers need good people skills because they have to interact with both the users of their software and their team members. The truth is that people skills are highly valued in computer programmers.
So, is one of the above the reason why you are not pursuing a rewarding career in computer programming?
These myths are simply not true!
My e-Book “The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers” will show you step-by-step how to create your own destiny as a Computer Programmer, earning the pay you want.
“The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers” goes beyond how to get the technical skills you need to become an in-demand programmer. It explains how to find high paying computer programming jobs, how to gain real world programming experience, how to ace programming interviews, how to prepare killer resumes that get the attention of hiring managers, how to acquire new tech skills without spending a fortune. You can go from from zero knowledge of computer programming to a computer programming job in months and not years, based on the information in “The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers”.
You Can’t Do What You Don’t Know
There are many exciting career opportunities available to competent computer programmers.
I am offering you the chance to become a highly paid professional and learn highly sought after skills without leaving your current job or racking up thousands of dollars in loans. Will you accept this offer and learn from seasoned programmers
who have been in the industry for years, how to start a high paying computer programming career?
Earning money in Computer Programming does not take money or connections
It simply takes following a career plan and learning from highly paid professionals.
A plan is even more important if you want to keep your job while learning a new career. Why? Because of your job, bills, family, friends and hobbies, you have limited time and money to invest in learning any new career. So, not following a proven
and reliable plan for achieving results quickly will not only frustrate you, but will eventually cause you to fail!
The Author’s Guarantee
The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers will be different from any book you’ve ever read on “How to Fast Track to a High Paying Computer Programming Career”.
From the moment you get started until the minute you finish, The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers will give you more useable, practical information than you will get from any person, book or training on “How To Become A Highly Paid Computer Programmer“. No small print.
Would you like to hear from my customers? Here is a recent e-mail:
“There is such a wealth of information out there that it can be overwhelming to someone trying to figure out what they need to know.
I mean, when you look in your local bookstore you will see a huge section of programming books to help you learn how to code, but what you won’t find is the insider information that will teach you exactly which languages are the most profitable and what techniques you absolutely must know.
You also won’t find any resources that will give you the inside information about how to write a resume specific to programming that will make you stand out from the crowd. You also won’t find the inside information about what interview questions to expect and more importantly – how to answer them!
Kingsley supplied all this information and more. And not only that, but it was structured in such a way that it was easy to learn. Each step builds on what I learned in the previous step so I never get overwhelmed.
You have given me the keys that have allowed me to unlock my potential as a professional programmer – and I will forever be grateful.
Anyone considering a career in programming simply must get your material. It would be a bargain at 10 times the price!”
Matt
Saint Louis, MO.
Click Here To View More Testimonials
OK, I’m Interested … But What Is It Going to Cost Me?
The better question is: “How much money will you lose if you don’t start now?”
You may literally lose tens of thousands of dollars in income by putting off downloading your own copy now. What will it mean to you, if you start earning more than $70,000 for several years based on your investment in my e-Book?
What if it was free, would you take action now?
What if I told you that “The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers” pays for itself? What if I told you that you WILL NOT get this offer anywhere else in the industry? Seriously, here are some significant bonuses that guarantee your investment in the book.
SUPER Bonus #1
Thirty days (30 days) free online Computer Programmer Career Coaching.
You get an INSTANT one (1) month free Computer Programmer Coaching Bonus on the Silver Membership Plan! valued at $399!
SUPER Bonus #2
$90 discount off the Computer Programmer Career Kit. You get 3 additional BONUS e-Books within 1 month of today’s order for zero ($0) dollars.
These 3 BONUS e-Books will further jumpstart your computer programming career. These ebooks are valued at $90!
Comparable Coaching Sessions or Training Programs go for $1000 and more!
I would like to invite you to learn the secrets of fast tracking to a high-paying computer programming career now. This is your chance to prove how serious you are about transforming your career!
“TAKE ACTION knowing that if you order today, you get additional bonuses valued at $489.”
How to Order Your Copy:
Click here to order your copy now
Once your order is approved, you will be taken to a page where you can download “The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers”.
So, What Will You Do Now?
You have only two choices if you’ve come to this website. You can either do nothing or you can make the decision to spend a little bit of time and money to start a “High-Paying Computer Programming Career”. You don’t have anything to lose.
BUT, now it’s up to you. This may be one of the best things that ever happened to your career.
Why You Have To Order Now!
-
$399 Computer Career Coaching Bonus Gift
This bonus gift enables you to submit questions on any aspect of your programmer career 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 30 days without paying a dime!
-
$90 Computer Programming Career Kit Bonus Gift
If you place your order today, you will receive 3 additional Computer Programming e-Books within 30 days. These 3 BONUS e-Books are:
-
The Computer Programmers Quick Start Career Guide
-
How To Learn Computer Programming
-
Effective Study Skills for Computer Programmers
-
-
Personalized Career Road Map:
You will discover how to develop a step by step Career Action Plan that takes you from your current skills and experience to your High Paying IT Career.
Many career transitions fail because they lack a personalized action plan.
You must learn how to create your individual career action plan. Order now! -
Actionable Information:
You gain PRACTICAL STRATEGIES that will put you over the top in your computer programming career. These strategies will shave years off your learning curve, enabling you to become a master computer programming in months instead of years.
-
Increase Your Productivity:
You become more productive as a computer programmer by learning how to achieve results for your company quicker and faster.
The techniques you learn will help you develop software applications faster, making you more valuable to your employer. -
Ace Job Interviews:
You will discover how to prepare for programming interviews and WOW your interviewers.
-
Secrets of a Marketable Resume:
You learn how to develop a resume with the skills, technologies and buzzwords HIRING MANAGERS are looking for.
-
Spend Less and Earn More:
You will learn how to become a computer programmer and land a well paying job without spending a great deal of money. This is because I have made “The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers” affordable for anyone who is really interested in having a successful software development career.
-
Unique Learning Opportunity:
This is your chance to learn from computer programming professionals both the technical and business aspects of computer programming.
Don’t miss this opportunity!
-
How to Become a Programmer:
You will learn how to develop websites and business software applications using modern computer programming languages and databases.
Here is Your 100%, “You Must Be Blown Away” Money-Back, Guarantee
GUARANTEE: You get a totally unconditional guarantee that you will be MORE than satisfied with the “How To Become A Computer Programmer” e-Book. I want you to read it for up to 8 weeks as much as you want. If you don’t get the results I promised or for ANY OTHER REASON, you just want your money back. You got it
So, if you’re not absolutely blown-away by the information in this handbook, then just ask for your money back – you’ll get it back with no questions asked.
So you have peace-of-mind. Think of this as a free trial. Get the “The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programmer Careers” eBook and try it out for a full 8 weeks. Then get your money back if you want. The risk is all mine.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE “Computer Programmers E-BOOK”
THIS OFFER MAY NOT LAST ANOTHER DAY!
Dear Friend ,
Are you really interested in a “High Paying Computer Programming Career”?
If you answered yes, then take the opportunity I am offering you now! I am offering you a comprehensive system that takes you from NOVICE or any SKILL LEVEL to that of a Skilled, Well Paid Computer Programmer in months and not years.
Right now, I am only asking you to invest in yourself.
On another day, “The Computer Programmers Book – The Street Smart Guide To Computer Programming Careers” could go for $149, I may not be giving away $399 of my private Coaching and the 3 bonus e-Books I am offering you today for zero dollars ($0), could be on sale for $90.
So, don’t miss this opportunity to Jump Start Your Programming Career IN MONTHS And Not Years,
ORDER YOUR COPY HERE.
I look forward to your SUCCESSFUL HIGHLY PAID COMPUTER PROGRAMMING CAREER!
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
The Business Analyst Career Training Book is now available. It covers
- business analyst interview questions
- business analyst job descriptions
- how to write a business analyst resume
- business analyst salary ranges
- business analyst training requirements
- business analysis certifications
- business analysis skills
- software used in business analysis careers
- tools used in business analysis jobs
- how to get business analysis training
- business analyst careers
- business analyst certification
- business analyst classes
- how to become a business analyst consultantÂ
- how to take business analyst courses
- how to prepare a business analyst cover letter
- how to prepare a business analyst cv
- business analyst job definitions
- business analyst job description
- business analyst duties      Â
- business analyst education
- business analyst employment opportunities
- business analyst interview questions
- Where to find business analyst positionsÂ
If you want more information go to the Business Analyst Website Â
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
The Programming Interviews book that covers:
- how to write resumes for programming job interviews
- how to ace technical job interviews
- how to get computer programming jobs easily
- how to negotiate software development or full-time software developer job offers with recruiters or hiring managers
- how to find software development jobs fast
- how to market your computer programming skills
If you want to get a programming job or prepare for computer programming job interviews get the programming job interviews book.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
THE BENEFITS OF BEING A COMPUTER PROGRAMMER
Many people who have taken an interest in tinkering with computer programming as a hobby or side project eventually end up pursuing it as a career full time. This applies even if the person‘s previous field of specialization is something that has nothing to do with computers, such as history or the theater. The reasons why a person diverges from his or her career path and dives into computer programming instead are as varied as they come. Mostly, however, these reasons have a lot to do with the benefits a computer programmer usually gets as part of his or her job.
Money is a big factor. Whether we admit it to ourselves or not, tech careers pay more than any other jobs out there in the market. Being a computer programmer is one of the more highly paid jobs to be had on the block right now. Contract programmers, or computer programmers who go freelance and work with companies on a per-project basis, for instance, get paid anywhere from $100 to $400 per hour. Computer programmers who are tied to a specific company as a full-time employee get paid less than contract programmers but the difference is not really that big.
Another factor that makes shifting to being a computer programmer so attractive is the flexibility it offers and the telecommuting possibilities available to the computer programmer. A contract programmer, for instance, has the choice of working on a project that he or she likes, and with a company that he or she likes. The work involved does not have to be confined to the office; it can be done at home, at the coffee shop, or anywhere that is convenient to the contract programmer. And if the work can be done outside the office, it can be done anytime the programmer pleases as long as the deadline is met. The same goes for most computer programmers fully employed by a specific company.
And yet another factor that makes being a computer programmer a great choice to start a career on or for shifting career paths is the fact that entry requirements are low and the training period involved can take as little as six months. A person looking into getting a job at computer programming can teach himself or herself the skills and the computer languages needed for the trade, or he or she can take a few short courses. A degree in computer technology or in computer science can provide an edge over the competition, but it is not really a requirement. The qualifications that most companies look for when hiring computer programmers are experience and mastery of one or so programming languages, and mastery of a programming language actually comes with experience.
Most importantly, people work to build careers as computer programmers because the demand for computer programmers never wanes. Developments in computer technology flow at a very fast rate, and there is no sign in the horizon that this pace is ever going to slow down. As long as this society of ours is dependent on technology, there is and always will be a high demand for a skilled and qualified computer programmer.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
HOW TO HANDLE A TECHNICAL JOB PHONE INTERVIEW
Those of us who have been through the job hunting process know that there are many companies out there whose recruitment procedures have multiple layers, which are all meant to screen their possible candidates like a sieve. These layers are supposed to weed out the qualified from the unqualified, as well as to bring out the one most suited for the job among those who are qualified.
In the period that you are seeking a job in the tech industry, there will be times that a person from a company you submitted your resume to would call you up at home or on your mobile to ask you a few questions about the information you have put in your resume. This is a technical phone interview. It does not matter whether you are expecting this phone call or not, but it is important that you should take this phone call seriously. This is a part of the screening process of the company to which you applied for a job.
The technical phone interview can take you by surprise, but it is possible for you to breeze through it and get to the next stage of the process, which is the face-to-face interview. Here are pointers you need to bear in mind when doing a technical phone interview.
1. The person calling you would want to put a gauge on what computer programming language that you know and how well-versed you are in the software development process. As thus, you should be prepared to answer a number of basic technical questions about your chosen programming language. You do not have to recite your textbooks to your interviewer. If you know your subject matter and if you speak with confidence, you will be able to wing it.
2. Your interviewer would also ask you a few things about your resume, as if to verify some of the information you have put in there. Your interviewer may also ask you to elaborate on some points in your resume that he or she may have found interesting. So, it is important that you should be familiar with everything you wrote on your resume. Perhaps nothing is more embarrassing in a job interview than forgetting what you have put in there. Forgetting the contents of your own resume may also turn off your interviewer and score you negative points.
3. Because you are speaking over the phone, it is possible for the reception to be garbled. This is especially true when you are using a mobile phone or an Internet call client like Skype. Regardless of the case, you should speak clearly when talking with your interviewer. Do not mumble or eat your words, and get to the point of what you are trying to say. Doing this will not only prevent any difficulties with communicating with each other. It is also a show of your respect for your interviewer’s time, as you may not be the only applicant he or she has to call for the day. Also, smile during the phone interview. Your interviewer will not see you smile, but he or she will hear it in your voice.
4. Being in a job interview does not mean that you will be the only one peppered with questions. Take this opportunity to ask questions about the job you have applied for. Not only will you learn some essential points about the job that you may use to compare with the other positions you have angled for, but it will also show your interest in the job the company that your interviewer represents may have for you.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
HOW TO HANDLE A TECHNICAL JOB FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW
Once you have submitted copies of your resume to the companies that you would like to work for, the next thing in store for you is to play the waiting game. That is, the next thing you should do is to wait for these companies to give you a call for an appointment for a job interview.
While the purpose of your resume is to introduce yourself to your prospective employers and to create a favorable first impression of yourself to these people whom you would like to work with, the job interview is the time you are supposed to nail what your resume has supposedly achieved for you. This is the one opportunity you have to convince your possible employers that they need not look at any other candidate for the job, and that the one they are looking for is sitting right across them. The job interview is your chance to shine with your future employers.
Many people get nervous with their job interview, and they have cause to be so. The job interview can be a tricky process, and although there are many sources on the Internet listing likely interview questions for a technical job interview, you would never really know what to expect. You should therefore prepare yourself for your job interview.
To up your chances of scoring high with your job interview, here are a few pointers you may want to keep in mind:
1. Look presentable. It is not just your knowledge and your competence that will be tested during your job interview. It is also how you present yourself. You will be selling yourself at your job interview, and packaging counts a lot. You would not buy a pack of noodles at the supermarket with lousy packaging, would you? There is no reason why your possible employers should, as well.
So, on the night before your job interview, make sure you get enough sleep so you would look fresh, rested and relaxed on your appointment. Wear a conservative business suit; make sure that your suit is clean and neatly pressed. If you are a woman, the job interview is not the time to wear your flashy clothes and jewelry. A few toned-down pieces of accessories would do, but do not overdo it.
2. Do your homework. Before you show up at your job interview, be certain that you are armed with as much information as you can get about the company you are doing this job interview with, as well as the requirements of the job and the technical aspects that make you qualified for it. Letting your interviewer/s know that you know what they are all about and what is to be expected of you should you be hired gives you confidence and eases the flow of the conversation during this appointment. It also signifies that you are really knowledgeable with the job, as well as competent and a self-starter.
3. Ask and be asked. During the job interview, you should expect yourself to be asked unusual questions. These questions may throw you off a little, but that is the purpose of these questions. They are supposed to test how you will behave when faced with unusual situations, which you definitely will encounter in the course of your career.
Remember that in job interviews, you are not only supposed to answer questions about yourself. You are also supposed to ask questions about the company that granted you this job interview as well as the job itself. Asking intelligent and insightful questions shows that you are really interested in the job.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
HOW TO START A NEW CAREER AS A WEB DESIGNER
Designing the overall look of a website and balancing this look with the supposed function of the website is the responsibility of the website designer. It is the job of the web designer to create pages that make up the website, putting in the images and the text, incorporating features such as community chatting and forums, search engines, e-commerce applications, animations, applications that will allow visitors to interact with the website, and other such features and add-ins. While balancing the overall look and function of the website, the web designer is also supposed to make sure that the website will remain accessible to users regardless of the computer and browser they are using, as well as compatible with the technologies that support it. The performance of the website, whether it generates traffic and sales, depends on the quality of work the web designer put into it.
Typical Activities of the Web Designer
In order to accomplish a job, the web designer typically does the following tasks:
1. Take part in planning sessions with the website development team and the client to discuss the requirements for the website
2. Collect articles, images and other material for the website
3. Write up code that will generate the pages to be put up in the website
4. Test the performance of the website and participate in monitoring the said performance
5. Provide user support for the website
6. Update the website content on occasion
Industry Prospects for the Web Designer
In the nineties, during the dot.com boom, many people thought that the limits of the Internet have already been reached. But while the dot.com startups that had their heyday back then have mostly fizzed out, the Internet continues to grow by leaps and bounds. There are millions of websites on the Internet, and that figure is yet to grow a lot further. We are still on the tip of the iceberg that is the Internet; as long as the Internet continues to grow, there will always be work for the web designer.
The challenge for the web designer is to keep abreast of the development of technology surrounding the Internet, and to keep updating his or her knowledge on the different extensions that support HTML.
The average salary pegged for web designers in 2006 was $54,159, with average bonuses at $1,066.
The Necessary Skills
Web designers often have a background not in computer programming but in fine arts, graphic design and publishing. It is necessary for them to know how to work with software like Dreamweaver, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and other such software. How to work with Flash, XHTLM and XML programming and other such applications are also a must. Web designers also need to be familiar with working with different kinds of operating systems, i.e. Windows, Macintosh and Unix. The ability to work within a team, as well as good communication skills when interacting with clients and the team, are also skills that the web designer must cultivate.
Finding the Job
There is no lack of work for the web designer as more and more companies decide to put up their own presence on the Internet. Web designers can find job postings in classified ads on print media and on the Internet itself. Personal networking and job fairs work as well. If you are a budding web designer, one great way of advertising your work is by putting up a website that showcases your work.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
HOW TO START A NEW CAREER AS A SOFTWARE TESTER
A software tester is an IT person who is involved in checking the integrity and functionality of a software as it goes through the various stages of the software development cycle. In a nutshell, a software tester is someone who analyzes code in order to catch bugs.
Although a software tester is often a part of the team responsible for software quality assurance, it is not always his or her responsibility to assure the quality of the software, unless he or she is specifically tasked to do so. The job of a software tester is to ensure that the software will be running smoothly and efficiently.
Typical Activities of the Software Tester
A software tester usually does the following activities on the job:
1. Develop designs, tools or procedure for testing software and update them on a regular basis
2. Take part in product designing and reviews to check for possible problems in development
3. Create a schedule for testing software
4. Test the compatibility of software with programs, network environments, hardware or operating systems
5. Document and report bugs found during testing to the software developers
6. Create and maintain a catalogue of bugs and defects that were discovered during software testing
7. Monitor efforts in removing and correcting bugs in software
8. Monitor software performance
9. Look into problems reported by users of the software as referred to by the software’s technical support
Industry Prospects for the Software Tester
As our society becomes more and more dependent on technology and its uses, and as the end users of software become more and more demanding and discerning about how their gadgets and their software should work for them, the need for good, high-quality software becomes greater. Such software that answers to the growing needs of people nowadays, however, is also growing more and more complex. The need for software testers who can skillfully wade through pages of code to catch whatever bugs in them remains great.
How much does a software tester earn catching bugs in code? The average falls at around $73,412, with bonuses amounting to around $4,802 as of the fourth quarter of 2006.
The Necessary Skills
Because it is a software tester’s job to catch bugs in code, using bug-catching software that he or she probably designed, the software tester needs to be a master of one or two programming languages, just like any computer programmer. It is also necessary for a software tester to have a good grasp of the software development cycle, the different methods and tools of software testing and the current trends in the industry. An analytical mind and the knowledge of proper documentation, as well as the ability to communicate and to work with other people within the team, are also skills that a software tester needs to cultivate. Report writing and technical documentation, and working with word processors, spreadsheets and HTML documents are also needed.
Finding the Job
Where can a software tester find a job? There are many headhunter websites on the Internet that a software tester can go to in order to find work. Websites that provide resources for software testers are also dedicated to listing job openings for software testers, whether on a permanent or contractual basis. An example of these websites is softwaretester.com. Many colleges and universities also offer internship programs that can lead to hiring.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
HOW TO START A NEW CAREER AS A SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGERA software project manager is someone who acts as the leader of a team made in charge of developing a particular software project, which is usually a large endeavor. He or she oversees all the aspects of the development of the software project, from the planning stages to the implementation stages. The software project manager makes sure that the project is worked on according to plan, schedule and budget. He or she also acts as a liaison between the team and the head honchos of the company that commissioned the software. Making sure that the project conforms to a certain level of quality is also the responsibility of the software project manager.
Typical Activities of the Software Project Manager
The usual tasks that a software project manager undertakes are:
1. Acts as liaison officer between the team and the company management for the project.
2. Drafts a working schedule for the planning, completion and implementation of the project, as well as the budget and materials needed
3. Writes reports and documentation concerning the project
4. Draws up a budget schedule and ensures that this schedule is met
5. Participates in the testing of the software and addresses quality issues
6. Participates in the training needed for end-users of the software
7. Keep abreast of industry trends
8. Provides technical support for the software developed when needed
Industry Prospects for the Software Project Manager
As consumers’ needs and demands for the software they are using become more and more complex, it is becoming necessary for the software project manager to be versatile. Not only should the software project manager know the technical side of the software project he or she is managing, but he or she should also have a good grasp of the business side of the deal. Being a software project manager is not an entry level position. Typically, the people who are called in to become software project managers come from software development. The more experienced a software project manager is, the more desirable he or she gets for the job. Project management certifications are also the norm now for software project managers.
In 2006, software project managers earned an average of $89,766 for the entire year, with bonuses amounting to around $7,222. Software project managers are highly compensated and very much in demand.
The Necessary Skills
Software project managers need to be a master of one or two programming languages, with an excellent grasp of how coding and the software development process works. In addition to the usual computer programming skills necessary, software project managers need have leadership, training and management skills. An analytical and critical mind is essential to the job, not to mention a wide experience in software development. The ability to work with people, to communicate with them in both verbal and written means, is a must. The knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications, basic Internet operations and documentation is also needed.
Finding the Job
The position of software project manager is not an entry level position. People get this job through promotion or through personal networking. There are, however, many headhunter websites that post company openings for this job.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
HOW TO START A NEW CAREER AS A DATABASE DEVELOPER
Database developers or administrators are IT people who create or otherwise use software that are meant to sort out, store and manage information in such a way that these information can be easily retrieved and hard to lose, thereby adding to the productivity and efficiency measures of the company for which the database developer works for. The database that database developers form is supposed to work like a paperless filing system. The database developer is responsible for keeping this filing system accessible whenever it is needed and at the same time secure against unwanted access. The database developer is also tasked to update, back up and fine-tune the database on a regular basis. While most database developers work alone, in some companies, the database developer is made to work with a team of programmers in order to come up with a database system that is suited to the needs of the company he or she is working for.
Typical Activities of the Database Developer
The activities of the database developer often encompass the following:
1. Writing code for the database
2. Coming up with the necessary specifications for developing the code
3. Drafting the design of the database systems
4. Making sure that the database is reliable and running smoothly at all times
5. Performing administrative functions from time to time
6. Ascertaining that the integrity of the database is secure and cannot be breached
Industry Prospects for the Database Developer
Because many companies are now putting emphasis on databases rather than on paper-based filing systems, it is not unusual to find a database developer working in various field, be it in retail, in government, in schools, in financial institutions, in manufacturing – in virtually any place where the maintenance of a paperless database is seen as necessary. The work of a database developer is not very demanding, and while this work requires the database developer to sit at his or her desk for most of the week, many database developers are required to travel on the job every once in a while.
In 2006, the average salary for the database developer was pegged at $79,098 annually, with bonuses amounting to around $2,466.
The Necessary Skills
A database developer needs to know the following skills:
1. Mastery of a computer language
2. SQL programming
3. Oracle DBMS
4. Data modeling and warehousing
5. Database design and administration
6. Database performance tuning
7. Database security
A critical and analytical mind is a requirement for all database developers for them to be able to come up with an accurate and efficient database system. While database developers often work alone, it is not unusual for them to be placed within teams. Thus, the ability to work and coordinate within a team, as well as the capability of communicating easily both verbally and through written documentation is a must.
Finding the Job
Database developers are entry level positions. Many colleges and universities offer internship programs in database development that gravitate naturally to being hired by the company where the internship was spent. Many job placements for database developers are also found in headhunter websites and job fairs.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
HOW TO MASTER A COMPUTER PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
Computer programming jobs are high-end jobs that are always in high demand. There is always a great need for skilled and qualified people who can take on the challenging work of being a computer programmer. Knowing how to read and write code, however, is not enough for you to get ahead if it is your choice to pursue a career as a computer programmer. Mastery of a computer language is necessary if you want to get ahead in your career path. Mastering a specific computer language is not as difficult as you may think. If you want to master a computer programming language, here is how you can do it.
1. You must first decide on which sector of the computer programming business you want to specialize in, whether on gaming, database, website development, small business applications and whatnot. Making this decision will help you figure out what computer programming language to master because each field uses its own language. Many, however, use Java and C++ so those two are safe choices.
2. Train yourself in this language of your choice. This should be easy if you already have the rudiments of the language, and you probably already do. However, you should still try to stretch your knowledge on this language as far as you can. Review your programming books or do a number of projects on your own. If you have the time, you can enroll in a refresher course.
3. Grab every learning opportunity you can get. Buy or borrow as many computer programming books dealing with the language of your choice as you can lay your hands on. Study every line in them, and learn how all the commands and the syntax works. Use what you have learned to solve programming exercises and challenge yourself by making and solving your own projects.
4. Find a study buddy. You do not have to undertake your learning on your own. Having a study buddy is handy. You will have someone to compare notes with on how some programming problems ought to be handled and to check up on your progress. Finding a study buddy can be done by joining a programming user group in your local college or university.
5. Join a computer programmer’s community forum on the Internet. Community forums have many links and resources that could be quite handy with getting your mastery on the computer language of your choice. They are also frequented by experienced computer programmers who are often generous with dispensing their knowledge to the greener members of the community. You will certainly find a treasure trove of knowledge there.
6. Take a certification test. Taking a certification test will force you to study harder and enroll in review classes. The effort is certainly worth it. Passing a certification test is a sure sign that you have achieved a level of mastery in the computer programming language of your choice. It certainly adds to your credibility as a computer programmer and makes a nice and impressive entry in your resume.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
HOW TO GET COMPUTER PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCE
Gaining experience counts a lot towards getting ahead in a career at computer programming. The more experience a budding computer programmer gets in his or her chosen field, the higher his or her expertise level rises. With greater expertise come more jobs, and eventually a higher level of expertise will enable the computer programmer to command a higher pay rate.
Practice makes perfect, and perfection takes work. If you are seriously thinking of launching a successful career in computer programming, the more work you do enables you to hone your skills some more until you achieve mastery of your chosen field.
How do you get your licks in computer programming? Everyone has to start with baby steps, and so do you. Your first step towards gaining experience in computer programming has a lot to do with doing your homework diligently and completing all the programming exercises and projects that you can find in your books on computer programming. Challenge yourself and gleefully dive into the harder projects as your degree of knowledge in computer programming gets further. Discover new ways of solving a programming exercise if you can.
Once you start feeling that the computer programming problems you find in your books are becoming rote to you, then it is time to begin putting your knowledge to the test. Get yourself into an internship or apprenticeship program where you will find opportunities to apply what you have learned and have someone see how far you have come in your studies. Eagerly seek feedback on your work and maintain an open and positive attitude towards whatever criticism the person coaching you may have on your output.
And then, once your internship or apprenticeship is done and you have come to believe that you have learned enough to start stretching your wings, you can start presenting yourself as a volunteer computer programmer for a non-profit organization and work on whatever computer programming projects they may have for free. Of course some non-profit organizations do give some sort of allowance, payment or a token of gratitude to people who have worked with them, so you may end up not leaving empty handed after your stint with a non-profit organization. But then again, the experience you gain from working with them should be reward enough, because that was why you did work for them in the first place.
After you have gotten a handful of feathers in your cap in terms of small computer programming jobs with non-profit organizations and when you feel that you can stretch your wings even further, you can start shooting for low-fee computer programming and consulting projects. You can find postings for these projects on college and university bulletin boards, in recruitment websites and in freelancing websites.
Getting experience as a computer programmer is a step-by-step leveling projects that you should not really rush through. Take your time with your learning process and absorb all the information that you can through your hands-on experience. Soon enough, you will be able to tackle even the most complex computer programming project without even blinking.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Information technology experts have pegged computer programming jobs to be among the more highly paid professions in the market today. Despite economic hiccups experienced by the United States’ economy in the previous year, the salary rates of computer programmers and other IT professionals still went up by an average of %3. There is definitely money to be had in computer programming, with entry level positions earning an average of $65,000, along with performance bonuses and other perks.The problem is that few people actually possess the qualifications that they need to fill in these computer programming jobs. The few people who have managed to gain the necessary skills are in high demand and they know it. They will hire out their skills to the company that can pay the most for them, and once they see a better opportunity, they will not hesitate to make a grab for it.It hurts a company to lose a truly skilled computer programmer. The companies that can afford it will try to make sure that the computer programmers residing in their stables are happy with their jobs, enough to stay there. For companies that cannot afford to match whatever package is being offered by competitors trying to pirate their workforce, they resort to other measures, such as outsourcing and hiring H1-B workers.Outsourcing: Taking the Job Elsewhere
Outsourcing is one of the hottest issues wracking the IT industry in the United States today. Instead of matching the price of highly skilled computer programmers, or even hiring green ones, they engage freelance computer programmers from overseas who can work on their projects for a lower price. These computer programmers are paid only on a project-to-project basis and they do not have to pay these outsourced computer programmers any perks.
Most of these computer programmers from overseas are skilled enough, but according to the FAQ sheet published by Computerworld.com, the total education and training of a computer programmer from overseas amounts to only an Associate degree from a school in the United States. It can be said that companies that outsource their computer programming projects may be shortchanging themselves. Outsourced computer programmers will still need a local lead programmer who has the expertise to oversee the work coming in from overseas.
Hiring Skilled H1-B Workers
In order to fill in the need for computer programmers in the market, many companies bring in skilled computer programmers from overseas into the United States to work for them for a short period of time using H1-B visas. This has sparked a hot debate in the IT community. It is claimed that the shortage of computer programmers locally is not that much of a problem and companies are only using this excuse to employ computer programmers at a cheaper rate. Nonetheless, it is not a guarantee that these H1-B computer programmers are as skilled as purported. The expertise of a local programmer will still be needed.
What Can Be Done
The excuse companies use to outsource computer programmers, or even bring them from overseas using H1-B visas, is that there is a lack in the home field for the skilled computer programmers that they need. The people who do have these skills come for a price that these companies cannot always afford to pay for.
If you are a person studying to be a computer programmer, what can you do? The industry needs computer programmers who are masters in a particular programming language and specialize in a specific field. To gain an edge over outsourced or guest personnel, gain the mastery of a specific computer language. And then, think of what kind of place you would like to work in, whether in banking, finance, education, medicine, and know what computer programming needs are required there.
Read part 1 of the computer programmer job outlook now
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
There are hundreds of computer programming languages out there, with each language having its own particular use.
While a specific computer programming language is developed for a purpose, new ways of using a programming language are eventually found. The more uses a programming language has, the more popular it seems to become. Many computer programming languages are also “children†of a previously existing programming language and have features that are improvements or embellishments of the parent language.
There are hundreds of computer programming languages out there, with each language having its own particular use. The question is, how can you as the budding computer programmer choose which programming language you should focus on?
Here is a rundown of how you should choose the right programming language to study.
1. You should decide on the direction of your career path as a computer programmer. Will you go into computer game or video game programming? Does your interest lie in embedded technology, or is it along the lines of small business applications or enterprise applications? The direction that you want your computer programming career to take will dictate what programming languages you should learn. That is because, as stated earlier, every computer programming language out there was developed for a purpose, and each sector of the computer programming industry makes use of its own set of programming languages. Your decision as to where to go will tell you what you need to learn to get there.
2. Flexibility and versatility is a key trait that many IT companies look for in the computer programmers that they hire. Regardless of the computer programming language that you master in, it is important for you to have a full grasp of the foundations and the basic concepts of computer programming. In that way, you will not find it difficult to learn a new programming language or understand how another programming language works. Also, when faced with the code written by another computer programmer, you will be able to follow it fully no matter how many twists and turns this code takes.
3. If you are thinking of doing freelance work or becoming a contract programmer, it is best for you to gain mastery in computer programming languages that are in high demand and have many applications. Such computer programming languages include C++, Microsoft C# and Java. These programming languages are very popular and have many uses. You will not lack for projects to work on when armed with the knowledge of these popular languages.
4. Even if you have gained mastery of a particular computer programming language, never limit yourself with what you can learn. Knowing a little bit of this and a little bit of that can be very helpful as you live through your career as a computer programmer. Arm yourself with knowledge of other programming languages. It would also help a lot if you know how to work with a couple or so database programming languages like Oracle.
Specialize in a computer programming language according to what you want to do with your computer programming career, but be knowledgeable with other languages too.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
When you are actively searching for a job as a computer programmer, one of the things you should be taking care of is your resume. Your resume is the document you hand out to your prospective employers. It serves as the tool by which you sell yourself to your prospects and convince them that you are at least worthy of being interviewed for the computer programmer position that you want.Because your resume is your selling tool, it is very, very important that you put some considerable effort on writing your resume. Your resume should do four things for you, and these four things are:
1. Make a good first impression to your prospective employers on your behalf.2. Relay to your prospective employers the reasons why they should hire you as their newest computer programmer.
3. Let your prospective employers know what skills that you have, what courses you have taken and what projects you have completed that make you qualified for the job.
4. List down whatever special accomplishments you may have that will impress your prospective employers.
Your resume is a reflection of yourself, so you should take care to make it neat and orderly. It should be typed out perfectly, without any typographical errors. The top of your resume should contain your name, address, contact numbers and email address.
Divide the body of your resume into four main sections – objective, education, work experience, and accomplishments – with headings set in boldface or centered. Do not use italics or all caps because this typeset is hard to read. Use only one font, preferably Times New Roman or Arial, and set it to size 10 or 12. Also, set a margin of one inch. Use short phrases to describe entries in your resume and use sentences in the active voice to encourage further reading of your resume.What skills should you put on your resume? It depends exactly on what kind of computer programming job you are in the hunt for, but generally, you list the skills that are most relevant to the job description of the position that you want. You can enumerate the number of programming languages that you are familiar with, which programming language you specialize in, what operating systems you are able to work with, what kind of machines you can handle.
If you already have gained some experience from a previous job or from a project you have handled, list them down and describe them using short phrases in active voice, as stated above. State what each job or project was all about and include in the description what your role there was. Also include the outcome of the job or project as well as the results.
You should make note whenever you upload your resume to a headhunter website or email it to your prospective employer, it is likely to end up in a searchable database. So, in order for your resume to gain a bit of an edge over those of your competitors, insert relevant keywords that you think possible employers are likely to use when searching their database or the headhunter websites they subscribe to whenever they are hiring.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
As a Programming Career Coach, one of the questions I often run into from people considering the challenging and exciting field of computer programming is “Do You Have to be Good at Math to Become a Computer Programmer?â€The excitement of being a computer programmer and the potential for high pay draws many people to shift the course of their professional lives to this direction. However, one thing daunts them and prevents them from actually pursuing this path is the idea that computer programmers need good and possibly even expert mathematical skills.
The Short Answer
Do computer programmers need good math skills? The answer is: No. If you are thinking of building a career as a computer programmer, it is not imperative for you to have exemplary math skills. All of the mathematics that you need to know to become a good computer programmer, you should have learned already in high school. A healthy grasp of math and logic taught at high school level is enough for you to get through learning how to become a computer programmer.
Business Application Programming
The demand for Business Application Programmers to support corporate functions at every level is the area where the greatest demand is for developers. Unlike specialized areas of programming such as Data Mining or Statistical Analysis, regular software developers can perform all of their job duties with an average level of math skills. Visual Software Development
With the advances in Visual Software Development (Visual C# etc) growing at such a fast pace, it is guaranteed that there will always be room for growth for good problem solvers who are thinking of venturing into the field of computers. Computer programmers will always be in demand to create and develop new software that will provide answers to needs that are becoming increasingly complex by the day.
Other Considerations
While Math is not everything when it comes to being a computer programmer, programming is not a career that makes no demands. There are many other things that you would need to focus on if you are serious about becoming a computer programmer.
- You must be well-versed in various programming languages and methods, enough to be able to create your own software design. Not only must you be able to create your own software design, you must be knowledgeable enough to be able to wade through pages and pages of code, yours and those made by other programmers, without getting hopelessly lost.
- If you want to be a good computer programmer, you must learn to work with people. Rarely is a computer programming project done by just one programmer; usually, a company hires a group of them to work on a project. Teamwork is an essential skill for a computer programmer. Also, with teamwork comes flexibility, the ability to perform and deliver despite mounting pressure, the capacity to take the initiative in performing tasks, and responsibility.
- There is a small number of companies out there that prefer the programmers they hire to have knowledge in mathematics that is a little more advanced than high school level. It would not hurt to augment whatever skills you may have in order to get ahead of the competition if you are thinking of becoming a computer programmer and possibly venturing into data mining, statistical analysis, financial analysis etc.
- You should enjoy programming. Period.
You don’t need an expert level of math skills to become a programmer. A good computer programmer is more of a problem solver and logical thinker than a math buff. And besides, the industry is peppered with many successful computer programmers who do not really know much about mathematics. You would be surprised to find out that there are many computer programmers who have done well with their careers and yet came from other, totally unrelated disciplines such as history, literature or theater. They just found their passion and niche (not to talk of good income) in computer programming.To learn more about becoming an expert programmer in months without math skills so that you can begin your computer programmer career begin to read “how to master computer programming.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
During the years of the dot.com boom, the computer industry saw a rise in the demand for talented computer programmers to form the backbone of these lucrative organizations. The demand was high, the competition was tight and the prizes at stake are more than generous. But as these dot.com corporations fizzed out by the early 2000, many people thought that the need for computer programmers has all but died down.These people could not have been more wrong. At no other point in the history of information technology has the need for experienced computer programmers even been greater than today. The challenge for computer programmers, in order to find the job in the industry that suits them the most, financially and otherwise, is to develop a specialization and to find their own niche.Computer programming: still the hottest on the marketJust recently, CNN.com published a survey done by the staff of Business 2.0 magazine, which lists, among others, the five hottest jobs on the market based on their percentage share of appearances in online job-hunting websites. Which job sits on the top of that list? The answer is: computer programmers.
Despite the hiccups faced by the United States economy in the previous year, computer programming jobs remain as one of the highest paid jobs out there in the market. According to the 20th annual salary survey released by Computerworld.com late last year, a programmer/analyst just starting out at an entry level position had an average base salary of US$65,030 in 2006, with additional bonuses averaging US$3,525. The percentage increase of these figures compared to the figures presented in 2005 is 2.6%.
These are just the figures for the entry level positions. Computer programmers in middle management positions made as much as US$96,938 in 2006, while senior managers and CEOs have earned twice that amount.
Many are called, few are qualified. There is obviously a lot of money to be had in being a computer programmer. If the money is not enough to make for a suitable bait, most companies offer additional perks such as travel, free training and skills enhancement, performance bonuses and a lot of job flexibility. The problem is, while there are a number of fish in the ocean, a scant few are really qualified to bite the bait.
It is no longer enough for a computer programmer to just know how to code. Nowadays, it is necessary for a computer programmer to master a specific computer language, be knowledgeable in a few others, and to specialize in a certain seemingly unrelated field, such as pharmaceuticals, education, banking and finance, and the lot. Many would-be computer programmers are daunted by the requirements, but those who persevere certainly reap the rewards.
The competition among companies to recruit the right computer programmer that they need is stiff, and so they dangle a lot of dainties to snag the best of them. These companies also work their damnedest to keep the people that they have because they know that if a better offer comes looming in their horizon, they will certainly make a grab for the greener opportunity. It always hurts a company to lose a good computer programmer.
Read part 2 of the computer programmer job outlook nowÂ
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Getting an entry level job as a computer programmer is not really as hard as it may seem. If you are on the lookout for a good entry level job in computer programming, what you need to do to land one only takes a little homework and preparation on your end.
Here are the things you need to do to get yourself a good entry level job as a computer programmer.
1. Get the necessary skills and experience.
A good computer programmer is versatile and has a good working knowledge of various computer programming languages such as Java, C++, Perl and Microsoft C#. A thorough understanding of the platforms and operating systems available out there will also be very helpful. You may want to specialize in a specific programming language if you wish. You may study on your own or you may enroll in schools offering courses on these computer programming skills. A certification or a degree in computer science is looked upon more favorably by many headhunters.
2. Prepare a good resume.
Your resume is your tool to selling yourself, your tool to telling your prospective employers who you are and to convincing them why they should hire you. When you write your resume, it is very important that you generate a very positive first impression. A neat resume that is easy to read and to the point will earn you a lot of brownie points with your prospective employer. Do not fail to include in your resume your list of skills relevant to the position, as well a list of any special accomplishments that you may have.
3. Search for possible employers.
Searching for possible employers may take a bit of work for you. If you served an internship period with a specific company, you could ask them later if they have openings for which you can apply. You could also go to job fairs. A popular way of searching for jobs nowadays is browsing headhunter websites and posting a resume therein. Do not forget to leave your contact numbers whenever you get in touch with possible employer so they would not have a hard time finding you if they decide that they like what you put in your resume.
4. Ace your job interview.
Your job interview is your chance to make a follow-through with what you put in your resume. When you finally get an interview set up for you, take care that you present yourself well with your prospective employer. Dress neatly and sharply and do not be late. No matter how nervous or scared you may feel, project yourself as a calm and confident person.
Job interviewers have many techniques under their sleeves which are designed to get as much information from their interviewees as possible. Whatever formats your interview takes and whatever questions your interviewers throw at you, go straight to the point when you answer them. Remember to make eye contact. After the job interview is done and you felt that it went well, do not forget to send your interviewer a neat and well-written thank-you letter.
5. Never stop selling yourself.
The act of selling yourself and your capabilities as a good computer programmer never stops at the moment you get hired. It is a continuous process, and it is your task to assure the company that employed you that they made a good choice in adding you to their ranks. Be diligent and enthusiastic with your work and always be a team player.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Becoming a computer programmer is one of the more well-paying jobs in the market today.
Our society is becoming more and more dependent on technology and the people who choose to be part of those who cater to this need and pursue computer programming as a career are expected to be highly skilled and more than able to handle the demands and complexities of coding.
But while computer programmers are people who generally receive better than average wages, even within that field, pay rates are stratified between those who are fully employed by one specific company and between those who do contract programming.
Contract programmers earn more than full-time employed computer programmers.
Contract programmers are contractors who work on a per-project basis with a company or companies for a specific duration.
Contract programmers are also called programming consultants and are considered experts in their chosen field. Just how much is a contract programmer paid?
Contract programmers are paid by the hour, and their hourly rate typically starts from $35 per hour and can go up as high as $400.
An independent (1099) contractor will generally bill on the higher end of the spectrum while a W2 Contractor will be on the lower end.
That rate, however, depends on many factors such as the budget of the client, which is the company hiring the contract programmer; the broker or agency with which the contract programmer is affiliated; and the complexity of the project and the programming language required.
Contract programming jobs are negotiated. Some clients regardless of size can have deep pockets and are willing to pay much to get a certain job done.
Conversely, there are clients who stick to what they think is a fair price for the project they are contracting. Naturally, the more complex a project is and the programming language it requires, the more expensive it is and the higher the rate that the contract programmer may demand.
Eventually, the fees paid to the contract programmer are a result of the project negotiation. The fees paid to the contract programmer may or may not go to the programmer in full; if he or she is affiliated with a broker or an agency, this broker gets a cut for finding the work for the contract programmer.
Contracting can be the best way to go if you would like a large income while needing a lot of flexibility with your work situation.
You should think carefully before making a decision about going full time vs contract programming. As implied, there are contract programmers who work with a broker while there are those who fully work on their own.
Contract programmers who have brokers are called W2 contractors; those who do not are 1099 contractors. These terms are based on the IRS forms these contractors fill up during tax time.
W2 contract programmers are almost like full employees in that their brokers deduct the taxes from their salaries and do the paperwork required by the IRS on their behalf, the way companies do with their full employees.
The broker may also grant the W2 contract programmers with health benefits and the like, but these benefits are not at par with those received by full employees.
On the other hand, 1099 contract programmers, while more highly paid and get all their fees in full, have more work in store for them.
Since they do not have brokers, they have to do their own networking, negotiating and paperwork. They will also have to obtain their own errors and omissions insurance and other business liabilities.
To learn more about finding a contract programmer position, negotiating the best hourly rate or increasing your current hourly rate, begin to read “how to master computer programming“
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Becoming a contract programmer is a career path that is attractive to many people who have chosen to become computer programmers, whether they are still green or they already have a bit of experience to speak of.
The life of a computer programmer may seem to have a little more freedom than that of a programmer employed in a particular company on a full-time basis.
For one, contract programmers are paid more than full-time employees. They also get to choose whom to work for and what projects to undertake. Also, they can take as much time off as they want in between projects.
The money that a contract programmer typically earns, which ranges from $35 to $400 per hour, is enough for many fully employed computer programmers to switch gears and get into contract programming.
Becoming a contract programmer, however, needs a lot of work and preparation. Contract programmers specialize in one particular field, and they are considered to be experts in that field.
To be a contract programmer, a computer programmer must choose a specific field and programming language to focus and gain an expertise on.
To gain expertise on a field, a computer programmer has only one course of action to take and that is to study the said field of his or her choice.
In order to gain mastery, a contract programmer wannabe can either enroll in courses that deal with the specific field and programming language that he or she wants to tackle. He or she can also get the necessary training online through the various resources on computer programming available on the Internet. He or she can also go through a self-learning process by reading technical books on the field that he or she wishes to specialize on.
Learning the field and accumulating knowledge about the field only leads the contract programmer wannabe halfway through the road of mastery of the field. So he or she could test his or her knowledge of his chosen field, a contract programmer wannabe must always put what he or she has learned into practice and gain some real-world experience. As they say, practice makes perfect.
The contract programmer wannabe should take on projects that will further hone his or her skills. Through constant practice, the computer programmer wannabe will get to learn new methods of programming and figure out which ones work, which ones work best, and which ones do not work at all.
Once the contract programmer wannabe begins to feel confident about his or her knowledge of the chosen field of expertise and has gained enough experience in it, the next logical step would be to take certification tests.
Passing a certification test will not only give him or her bragging rights but will also legitimize his or her claim to being an expert. When all that studying is done and the necessary certification tests were already taken and passed, it is then time to cash in on the investment.
The newbie computer programmer should write his or her resume and send them to contract programming brokers. These brokers will have their own websites; they also often post openings in job recruitment websites, as well as in college or university networks.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
If you want to be a computer game programmer or a video game programmer, now is the best time to venture into the industry. The industry is hungry for new talent that can bring a lot of new ideas and perspectives on the table, what with the accelerating development in computer technology and with the success of previous best-selling games like Half Life, MYST, The SIMS and Starcraft leaving consumers hungry for more. The computer gaming industry is as competitive and as challenging as it has never been before.
The challenge and the excitement of being a computer game programmer or a video game programmer has attracted many people into thinking of building their careers in that direction. If you are one of them, you should ask yourself first if you have what it takes to survive in the industry and if you are willing to put out the hard work needed to build up the skills that you lack.
Areas of Computer and Video Game Development
First consideration, programming is not the only function in video game development. There are video game designers, artists, animators, producers and testers too. Before diving into the programming area, make sure that this is the aspect of game development you are interested in.
Job Description
A computer game or a video game programmer is generally responsible for generating computer code that is supposed to make the game function smoothly. A typical job for a computer game or a video game programmer has him or her working with a team for ten to 12 hours in a day, with workdays sometimes stretching to a whole week. Most of that time is spent writing code and checking for possible bugs. Pressure can be intense. A lot of times, computer game or video game programmers are also found playing games, usually their competitors’ products, not for fun but to sniff out competition and to keep themselves updated with the latest trends.
Pay or Salary
The pay scale for a game programmer can be anywhere between US$40,000 to US$125,000 a year, averaging US$70,000 annually.
Getting Started
To be a successful computer game or video game programmer, you will need to be well-versed in various programming languages and methods. You will also need an exceptional understanding of how gaming engines are built. Being a regular programmer first before elevating yourself to the level of computer games will help a lot because it will let you hone the skills that you need.
A college degree is not really required to land you a job as a computer game or a video game programmer as long as you possess the necessary skills in plenty. However, with the tight competition nowadays, holders of a degree in computer technology, animation, design and in related fields have an edge on those armed with only high school diploma.
But beyond the skill, you will need to learn to be able to work as a team. Teamwork is a must in the computer gaming industry because it takes a team to develop a highly complex game that sells. With teamwork come exemplary communication skills, initiative and the capability to complete tasks with minimal supervision.
In order to land a good job as a computer game or video game programmer, the best way to start is to get into internship programs to gaming companies. Another good way is to attend job fairs and to leave your resume in headhunter websites specializing in careers in computer technology. Or, if you have a specific company in mind, visit their website and see if they have openings, or simply email them your resume with a great cover letter.
To get started in your game programming career start reading “how to master computer programming“
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
A person who has chosen to pursue a career in computer programming has a number of options he or she can take in order to get ahead with his or her chosen path.
A computer programmer can choose to take full and regular employment with one particular company and enjoy a set salary bracket along with the entailing benefits of being a full and regular employee.
It is often the safe and stable route to take in career-building. However, if the computer programmer is ambitious enough and detests being confined to a regular office setting, he or she can choose to be a contract programmer rather than a full-time employee.
Contract programmers are independent entities who work with clients on a project-to-project basis.
They are tied to their client company only for the duration of the project they are working with.
Sometimes, a contract for a project will last only for a month or so, but there are projects that will give contract programmers a steady job to work on for a full year or more.
Contract programmers are referred to as consultants who specialize on a certain type of project or programming language.
They are considered as experts in their chosen specialization, and it is for their expertise that their clients hire them for the projects that they needed done.
They are also paid on an hourly rate that can range from $35 to $400 per hour.
Contract programmers fall into two general types: the W2 contract programmers and the 1099 contract programmers.
These terms are based on the forms individual contractors have to fill up with the IRS when tax filing time comes.
The difference between a W2 contract programmer and a 1099 contract programmer is subtle but vast.
A W2 contract programmer works with a broker that acts as his or her agent.
The broker is the one who finds the client for the W2 contract programmer and does the necessary paperwork needed before the W2 contract programmer can start with the project.
The paperwork that the broker does includes filing taxes and providing insurance for errors and omissions.
In return for all that trouble, the broker will get a fee above the payment given to the W2 contract programmer.
On the other hand, a 1099 contract programmer is his or her own agent. They generally earn more from the projects they work on, but that is because they do not have brokers to share their fees with.
However, as much as they get paid higher fees, they also get to do their own networking and their own paperwork. Contract programming is a perfect line of work for computer programmers who love to be independent and despise the typical office setting.
This frees them up from whatever corporate politics brewing within their clients’ premises. Aside from being paid more than a regular and full-time employee, they can also take as much time off as they want in between projects and their work is not confined to a single location.
They get to travel to wherever their work takes them.
But inasmuch as contract programmers get paid more and get to have more time off at their choosing, the one thing that a regular employee has over them are the typical benefits like health and dental insurance.
Networking is also crucial; if they do not land any clients to work with, they will not get any money to live on.
A bad feedback from one client can also destroy a contract programmer’s reputation if he or she is not careful, and this will limit his or her options for work.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Ah yes, it is beginning to dawn on you that your resume is the reason why you’re not getting programming interviews no matter how hard you try.
And when you call recruiters, they give you the run around!
Someone should have been kind enough to tell you that your resume is killing your career!
Now begin to face the truth that your resume sucks because you are doing too many things wrong!
For example:
- You have several years of non-programming related experience on your resume!
- You added your entire college results to your resume!
- You don’t have one programming job where you worked for at least 6 months on your resume!
- And to cap it, your resume screams somebody hire me please (because you have been out of work for a long time)!
It’s time to stop this madness.
Get with me now and I will help you straighten out your resume quickly so you can get it into the hands of hiring managers fast, get hired and get paid!
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Contract computer programmer’s bill anywhere from $30/hr. to $65/hr. or more depending on the location of the programmer, the programmer’s skill level, the programmer’s experience, the size of the software project and employers demand for the computer programming skill in question.
- Experience: The more experienced a programmer is in a specific programming language, the higher a salary or bill rate the programmer may command. Contract computer programmers are not paid based on their total programming experience but only on how recent ot cutting edge their programming experience is. So, a contract programmer with 20 years of experience in 5 different programming languages can earn less than a programmer with 5 years of experience in a hot, in-demand programming language.
- Location: Some cities and countries pay more than other cities and countries. For example, programmers in the U.S. tend to be paid more than those in third world countries.
- Market Demand for Programming Skills: Some programming languages command more money than others. For example, Visual Basic .NET programming skills commands more pay than Visual Basic (Classic VB) programming skills or Microsoft Access (MSAccess) programming skills.
- Negotiation Skills: It is possible for two computer programmers with the same years of experience in a hot programming skill like C# to bill two widely different rates. For example, the more confident programmer may bill at $45/hr. while the less confident programmer bills at $35/hr.
- Employers: The pay a programmer gets is set by the employer. For example, one employer could compensate programmers at $50/hr. while another employer wants to compensate programmers for the same skills at $30/hr. , difference of $40,000 in annual compensation.
In this tutorial I reviewed some of the reaons why computer programmers earn widely different salaries. In estimating what you want to earn as a computer programmer, use this article as a guide to come up with a fair and reasonable billing rate or salary for your programming services.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Which careers and jobs offer high school graduates without a college degree or job experience the best opportunities for professional advancement? And where can high school graduates with little or no job experience and college education earn significantly higher income?
The one thing that high paying careers have in common is skills that fetch top dollars in the marketplace. Simply stated, how much you earn as a high school graduate without a college degree is determined by the market value of your skills.
What do I know about low paying jobs you ask? I will tell you what I do know. Before I became a contract programmer in Oklahoma, I was working an $8/hr. sales job which I hated ever minute of. I had to clock-in to start my shift and then clock-out at the end. I even had to clock-in and clock-out to use the restroom. I was on the phone fielding calls every minute of the day. Repeating the same scripted conversation to every single caller in an attempt to make a buck! I couldn’t even play my iPod at work and there was literally no break in between phone calls. You can’t believe how agonizing my day was! Finally I couldn’t take it anymore and I quit. 6 months later, I was making $76,000/yr. as a contract programmer in the same city. So, don’t ask me what I know about low paying jobs. I have been there, done that and bagged a t-shirt okay!
As you can see from my story, all I had to do to earn a significantly higher income was to change from a career in inbound sales to a contract computer programmer career. Â
You are not really a stranger to this fact of life are you? That your ability to comfortably pay your bills, take vacations, pay your home mortgage, buy new cars, provide medical benefits and take care of your family is pre-determined by the career you choose! Well, another fact of life is that high school graduates without a college degree do not have access to some high paying careers in the legal, medical, engineering and financial industry. In other words, a high school graduate may not be a medical doctor, lawyer, or engineer without a college degree.Many of the entry level jobs available to high school graduates do not command a high pay in the job market. For example, compare the average entry level starting salary for chemical engineers with a college degree ($54,813) to the average salary for high school graduate working as:
- an in-bound sales representative in Saint Louis ($10/hr.)
- a telemarketer in Tulsa ($8.50/hr.)
- a gas station cashier in Madison, Wisconsin ($8.00)
- a grocery store clerk in Chicago ($8.00/hr.- PayScale)
What does this tell you? That it is illogical, unreasonable and statistically weird to expect a high income from a career that typically pays low wages. It is like expecting apples to grow on orange trees. It rarely happens because if you really want to eat apples, you have to look on apple trees and if you want oranges you have to pick orange trees.
So to earn a better salary, escape the minimum wage trap or make more money, you need to be in a career that offers a higher income.
WHY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES DO NOT BEGIN HIGH PAYING CAREERS.
- Most high paying careers have stringent, required educational exams. There are requirements for examinations, certifications, and years of schooling in medicine and law
- Preparing for high paying careers requires many years of college education. Years that may not be spent earning significant income)
- Going to college to learn a high paying career can be expensive. Tuition costs can run into six figures and may require taking on hard to pay back school loans)
- Not all high school graduates who can afford the high tuition costs for high paying careers will be offered an admission. Because of the pre-defined, limited number of credentialed and certified academic institutions, competition is usually very high among and only a minority of applicants will be accepted)
- If you were not near or at the top of your class in high school, your chances of being accepted into college is limited by stiff competition from other high school students with better academic scores )
Enter computer programmer careers. The one hidden high paying career that still provides a steady dependable source of job wealth, high income and top pay for high school graduates. A hidden career thanks to the common myths lies and mis-conceptions spread about the computer programmer career)
WHY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES BEGIN HIGH PAYING COMPUTER PROGRAMMER CAREERS
- There are no stringent, required or mandatory exams that must be passed to practice computer programming. You don’t need to be registered, certified or degreed to begin programming
- You don’t need a college degree for beginning programming. You don’t have to spend years learning programming in college without earning an income and you can start learning programming today and begin earning an income in as little as 3 to 8 months depends on how hard you work
- You don’t have to pay for any expensive sort of education before beginning programming. Of course you have to invest in resources for learning programming, but at a small fraction of what you will have to spend to go to college and learn other high paying careers
- You are not disqualified from becoming a computer programmer because of your past or present academic performance, and I mean absolutely not. Even if you only have a high school diploma or little or no college education you can become a programmer if you want to
- And you can learn programming from any location, at your own pace and convenient time. There are no rules for learning, no set exams to take and additional classroom education is completely optional. You can begin your computer programmer career at home, in your spare time by just studying 1 to 2 hours a day or a few hours per week
Now, you understand that as a high school graduate, without a college degree, your choice of career locks-in how much you earn. And you understand that most high paying careers have difficult or hard entry requirements, certifications and courses except computer programming. Finally, you realize that there are no rules on how you can become a programmer because beginning programming is simply about beginning to write good quality software code.
Dear friend, away with the lies, mis-conceptions and myths that’ve stopped you from beginning a lucrative computer programmer career. A decade ago, I changed careers to computer programming and today I am hear to help you do the same. So, don’t hesitate, just act now. Take me up on the offer to begin a high paying computer programmer career today.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
How easy it is to learn a computer programming language like C/C++, C#, Visual Basic, Java, Python, Cobol or Fortran depends on a number of factors:
- Difficulty: Some programming languages are more difficult than others. Arguably, C/C++ is more difficult than Java and Java more difficult than Visual Basic to master.
- Visual Programming Tools: The ease with which you learn a programming language is also tied to the quality of Visual Programming Environments available for the language. For example C#, Visual Basic and Microsoft Access have visual programming environments that enable and fosters rapid learning compared to other languages.
- Books and Resources: The more the number of published books, articles, blogs, forums, sample projects, etc. on a programming language, they easier is the learning curve for that language because many or of the questions you will be asking as you learn the language will have been answered in a book or some website.
- The cost of programming: Some languages have freely available starter kits, free or low cost development environments and free or low cost compilers. Since their tools are more affordable, it is cheaper and easier to program for them.
In this article, I examined the ease of learning programming languages and discussed the factors that affect how easily you will master any given programming language.
There are more factors that influence your choice of a language. More factors that influence how rapidly you will learn any programming language. To learn more about programming languages and how to master them, go here.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Finding a programming job or an entry level position is one of the most difficult challenges faced by beginner programmers.
While IT Careers pay very well and there are more jobs than qualified candidates, entry level programmers, novice and beginning contract developers will still face their greatest challenge when looking for the very first full-time or contract position.
And here is the reason why:
- Hiring managers are only interested in candidates with proven real-world industry experience
- The IT Industry is heavy on practical skills. In other words, it is not your education that matters but how much work you can get done
- The Computer Programmer Career is fast-paced. Employers want individuals with the experience and skills to hit the ground running. They want people who can come-in, get the job done and move on to another project.
Now, let’s examine these ideas in a little bit more detail.
Hiring managers and recruiters are not interested in what you know, your degree, certification, training, computer science GPA, etc. Their attitude is “Show My Your Code And I Will Show You The Money“. In other words, if you can’t write code or you don’t have a list of projects you have completed, all the computer science education in the world will not increase your chances of getting hired.
Because the Computer Programmer Career is fast-paced. Hiring beginners or entry-level programmers is usually not in the best interest of the employer because before the candidate has a chance to fully develop their skills, the projects they were hired for may be over. Also, employers run a risk of hiring entry-level programmers who may find a better paying job or position as soon as they finish their training. On the other hand, when an employer hires a senior level programmer, the employer doesn’t have to invest in their training.
Finally, if an employer hires an unproven entry-level or beginner programmer or recent computer science graduate there is always the chance that all the training in the world will not make the person into a programmer. So, why take on all these risks when the employer can find seasoned, competent programmers with a proven track record?
But entry level programmers still get jobs right? Only they have to do things differently. In “The Complete Guide To A Successful Computer Programmer Career“, IÂ give the one surefire plan that will always get computer programmers hired inspite of their junior, beginner or entry-level programming skills. This step-by-step plan works for beginner programmers with no college education, beginner programmers without job experience, high school graduates or computer science graduates. The plan is extensively described on two pages.
The first page describes “how to quickly master the kind of computer skills that employers are interested in“. The other part of the step-by-step plan fully describes “how to get well-paying entry-level computer programmer jobs“. This second plan will work for both beginning programmers and senior level programmers interested in learning:
- How to do an accelerated job search that can quickly locate hundreds of open job positions for you no matter your skill level
- How to write the kind of resume that gets employers to offer you a technical job interview no matter your experience level
- How to ace your technical job interview and make a more favorable, vivid, lasting impression on your employers mind. The kind that gets you hired.
- How to negotiate your dream salary like a seasoned professional even when you are an amateur.
So, here it is, job search help for computer programmers who want to turn their job search around in as little as 30 days. It is called the fast job search for computer programmers.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Announcing the ”How To Find Programming Jobs Easily And Get Hired Fast!” 3-DAY SPECIAL Release For programmers looking for a new job.
Never again do you have to feel over-whelmed by a job search when this FOUR-IN-ONE JOB SEARCH PACKAGE says it all. Here are the four books in this release:
- How To Create Highly Effective Programmer Resumes
- How To Find Programming Job Openings Easily
- How To Ace Technical Interviews
- How To Negotiate The Salary You Want
For the next 3 days, you can have this book for a fraction of the full price.
Read more this announcement here and please help anyone looking for a job by passing on this announcement.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
What is the toughest challenge facing your computer programming career?
For me it is finding enough work to keep me busy and occupied on my programming jobs. I find that I regularly have to apply pressure on my clients to find interesting, motivating, challenging software development projects.
What about you? Are you challenged by the location of your job, technical interviews, finding an entry level programming job, beginning programming with a high school diploma, getting a raise on the job, getting along with co-workers, keeping up with the fast paced programming industry, creating a winning resume, etc?
What is your toughest challenge of your programming career and how are you solving or planning to solve it?
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Well, you asked me to come up with a way to make computer programming less difficult, more rewarding and more meaningful.Â
I just did!
Starting from now until Wednesday Midnight CST, I am launching the new ”Computer Programmer Coaching Service” with a 48 Hour Special to accelerate your learning and help you achieve your programming goals.
Whether you desire a lucrative programming gig, or you want to become a better programmer or learn programming as a means to more personal wealth, freedom and satisfaction, discover your answer here: http://www.teachyourselfprogramming.com/48-hour-special/
Finally, you have till Midnight of Wednesday, February 7, 2006 to join with a 50% special discount at http://www.teachyourselfprogramming.com/48-hour-special/ after which I withdraw this special offer and remove this special link.
Instantly discover programming success now, go here: http://www.teachyourselfprogramming.com/48-hour-special/
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Happy New Year and Welcome to 2007.
What better way to start your new year than with a “one-time happy new year $600 super bonus gift“ that helps you become a highly skilled, marketable, well-paid computer programmer?
As your computer programming career coach, I’ll like to jump start your career success in 2007 by inviting you to my private computer programming mentoring group.
Here’s how to join my private mentoring group. Order a copy of my “Computer Programming Careers e-Book” on or before midnight of Thursday, January 4, 2007 and you get additional 3 months of my computer programming career mentoring worth $600.
The mentoring (career coaching) is on my Private Silver Membership Program at http://www.it-career-coach.com/forums/default.aspx?GroupID=5
Here’s how you can claim your $600 super gift. Order my e-Book here or read more about it.
Happy New Year 
Kingsley Tagbo, IT Career Coach
About the Author
Kingsley Tagbo is the author of “How to Become An Expert Computer Programmer”.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
It’s come to the end of the year and I’m making it easy for other people to begin their career in computer programming. Because for a while, good quality information on “how to begin a career in programming” has been hard to come buy.
However, i’ve started a new program for bloggers and website owners who are interested in helping people transition to a career in computer programming. Read the rest of this article to get more information.
You can make more money by helping others begin their programming career, learn a programming language, find a well paying programming job or become highly skilled.
Begin by joining my affiliate program and in a minute you will be earning a fat 50% commission on your e-book sales.
Here’s how to join my affiliate program
- Register with Clickbank (an independent retailer of digital products) at http://www.Clickbank.com.
- Go to this URL and enter your Clickbank ID: http://www.clickbank.com/info/jmap.htm?vendor=kdkeys
- Leave the tracking field blank if you don’t know what to put there. Clickbank will give you the URL to promote for a 50% commission on each e-Book sale. It will look something like this:
CLICKBANKID.KDKEYS.hop.clickbank.net”
    target=_top>CLICK HERE Â
.KDKEYS.hop.clickbank.net” Â Â Â Â target=_top> Â
- Replace CLICKBANKID with the Clickbank ID giving to you by Clickbank
- Replace CLICK HERE with “read this ” or “buy this book” or any promotional text/image you prefer.
- You are done. Clickbank will pay you a 50% commission on every e-Book sale.
- To learn more about my e-Book please CLICK HERE.
- Finally, join my affiliate group for more resources, tools, articles and information on how to market yourself successfully on the internet. To join, please send an email to career-coaches@aweber.com
How to make more money on the internet
- Post the URL in forums (be sure to read the rules and understand the culture of the forum… do not SPAM!). Â
- Post the URL on your blog along with your testimonial or recommendation.
- Post the URL to your opt-in email lists.
- Post the URL on websites… as long as you don’t SPAM and you follow the rules of the websites you are posting on.
- Contact someone you know who has a forum, a blog or an email-list and promote the URL to their readers.
Remember, you will make a fat 50% commission on every e-Book sale that comes through a link you posted with your affiliate or clickbank id.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Difficult relationships, co-workers or managers can cost you your job.
Relationships become strained because of several reasons including:
- Your boss or co-worker is just a difficult person
- You are a difficult or hard to please person
- You are all working under tight deadlines at work and everyone is becoming un-reasonable with expectations and demands.
- You or your co-worker is new on the team and because of that you are stepping on toes without knowing it.
- There are un-resolved differences, fights and grievances between you and someone else.
Whatever the reason, difficult or strained relationships at work can cost you your job. Learn to handle them on effectively and on time.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
What computer programming language should I learn?, is a question I receive frequently on my computer programming career coaching blog at http://www.it-career-coach.com/
Sometimes, I am asked to choose from one of these programming languages: Java, C#, Visual Basic.NET, C/C++, Python, Ruby, Perl or JavaScript.
As important as this question may be, readers of my book on “how to become a computer programmer“, know that my style to answering questions is to go in-depth.
There are several reasons why you may choose one programming language over the other. I will briefly discuss three of those and you can read up the other reasons later:
- Your Goals: What goals are you trying to achieve? Do you want to be a corporate highly paid programmer, a games programmer or do you want to work more closely for your business?
- Your Education: What is your educational background? Do you have a degree in computer science or perhaps only a high school diploma?
- Your Agenda: Do you have a compelling reason for wanting to learn a specific programming language over another? Perhaps you want to learn C/C++ because your high school buddy said that is the only language real programmers use or you want to learn Java because you read on the internet that everyone should learn it?
I listed three reasons why you may want to work with one programming language over the other. The point I want to make is that there are excellent reasons and wrong reasons for choosing a programming language. In the “Street Smart Guide to High Paying Computer Programming Careers“, I discussed in detail some of the better ways to choose a computer programming language and gave specific recommendations as to which programming languages you should learn based on your goals.
If you want to learn a computer programming language, get a copy of the e-Book and follow my recommendations or adapt them to your particular situation.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Before I became a computer programmer, i heard the story of a guy who studied computer science in college and graduated to become a mainframe programmer. At some point in his life when personal computers became popular, he was downsized and lost his job as a mainframe programmer.
The story goes on to say that because so much had changed between what this guy learnt at college, his mainframe programming skills and the new world of personal computer programming, he found himself unable to re-learn and transition into a new computer programming job. Consequently, this individual became un-employed. The conclusion of the story was that computer programming was somewhat of a risky, unstable career with an unreal requirement to acquire new skills and learn new technologies.
Inspite of the story, I went on to become a programmer and here is what I have to say to anyone who gives credence to this line of thinking.
- Self learning is now a necessary skill in life. To succeed in any career or profession in the 21st. century, one must be agile and be willing to adapt to change.
- Keep your skill current. The smart thing to do is to recognize that keeping your skills current is challenge that you can and must accept no matter what your profession is.’
- Do what you love. You will be motivated to learn new technologies or new tools in your profession if you are indeed doing what you love.
- Anticipate and embrace change. Change is your friend and not your enemy. When you see changes in your career, workplace or life, do not deny it. Accept change for what it is, a harbinger of new opportunities.
- You are the master of your destiny. Do not accept a victim’s life. Yes, unfortunate things do happen, but better still, blame no one for it and take personal responsibility for the outcome of your life.
Keeping up with the challenge of learning new technology, starting new careers and adapting to an ever changing workplace is your personal responsibility. The individual in this story could have learnt a more modern programming language before he was downsized. However, he choose not to, and by doing nothing he sealed his own fate. Learn to anticipate, embrace and thrive on change and you will have a better story to tell about your own career.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Â
This is a tale of “How Computer Programmers Become Extinct Like The Dodo!”Â
Â
Computer programming can do more than pay the bills. It seems to reward you just for loving it.
However, not everyone who is a computer programmer looks like an ambassador for the profession. You know what I mean and you probably have met them. The others, those computer programmers who have an amazing attitude and seem to give computer programming a bad reputation.
These people were once human and the question is “How do good people start out on a promising career and end up in the doghouse?”
Here are some of the reasons I found:
- You start out writing software and you discover you were not born to write code for a living, the only problem is you have no where else to go
- You really wanted to be a manager but you had no other job offer but programming
- You hear that computer programming pays well and you think that is all there is to it
- You spend all your passion talking about how Windows programming sucks and how Bill Gates does not know how to write code
- You spend all your time arguing with your colleagues about “who is the better programmer“
- You decide that since computer programming is a religion you really do not need any recreational or social life. Afterall, when you die, you will either be buried at Microsoft or Apple.
- Every line of code for you is an artist’s job. So your last software development project took six months instead of one month.
- You are not interested in your employer’s business, since you are a computer programmer all that matters is your skills.
- You believe your skills are in hot demand and that you are about to take over the world, so you arrive habitually late at work, you pay no attention to your work clothes and you spend a good amount of time surfing blogs and forums on your employer’s time.
- At meetings, while every one else is talking dollars and sense, you fire up your dell laptop and launch into a tirade about the latest DESIGN PATTERNS which your SMART SELF just discovered.
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
At this point, I have run out of steam.
If you know of better, smarter, quicker, funnier and more unique ways to shipwreck your career, please add it to the list above.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
The demand 10 years ago was for windows applications because businesses were still getting used to the INTERNET and the WEB.
Today there is a high demand for web applications. The web HAS CHANGED the nature of how we do business and how we interact with each other.
Web applications are in demand because they are easier to scale than windows applications. They are more cost effective to support, easier to deploy and vastly more accessible to humans and computers.
Because of this, make sure that most of your programming projects are web applications and not windows applications. The skills you gain as a web developer will be in high demand across a wider market than the skills you gain from Windows development.
The skills you gain from Windows applications will not be in high demand. If you have a client or employer who still thinks in Windows mode, do everything possible to convince the client to think in Web mode.
If a large portfolio of your application development is in Windows, your career may end up with skills that are not marketable and you can become extinct like the Dodo.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Do what you love and the money will follow is the summary of feel good advice about life, purpose and work.
The problem is that even though our society idolizes those words, in our daily actions we behave as though money and status are our raison d’êtreâ€.
What do I mean by that? Let’s go back in time.
- Kids: When we are kids we are told to pay attention in class and to do our homework. Our parents encourage us to be the best and when we are, they are overjoyed. Hence all the tales about how smart my kids are and all those nice stickers on the back of our cars saying “My child is an honor student…”
- SAT: Time flies and it is college admission time. We are encouraged to study hard and get the best possible scores in college admissions tests like the SAT. The brightest and smartest of us are expected to apply for careers in the medicine, law and other top paying professions. If we want to make our parents really happy, we focus our admission efforts on the top colleges like Harvard and Yale.
-
College Graduation:
By the time we leave college, we are already in debt. Some of us proudly own six figure debts. Thus the stage is set for the rest of our lives. Then, we receive one final piece of unsolicited earth shaking advice. “Take on as much debt as possible and buy the house of your dreams. Buy the kind of house that has 2 car garages with 5 bedrooms and 2.5 baths in a promising suburb. Buy the kind of house that guarantees that you will keep working for the next 30 years to pay your mortgage, after all, your house is the very best investment you can make!”.So, we do that. We purchase an oversized mortgage for our future needs from our future earnings to make mum and dad and everyone else in our social circle happy. We get married, have kids, become responsible citizens with a responsible debt to boot and resign our lives to 50-60 hour work weeks.
-
Onset of crisis:
In our 30s and 40s after a decade spent in the office, we start realizing that we are unhappy. We have worked so hard and for so long that we can’t even remember why we choose our current lifestyle. Many of us are un-satisfied with our personal lives, career choices and our jobs. Realizing that there is a large hole in the fabric of our existence, we start searching for meaning, purpose, commitment, passion, joy, excitement and life. But wait a minute isn’t that why we attend school and go to college? Why do we have to get to the end of our education and perhaps to the top of our careers only to discover that we have been placing the cart before the horse all along.
Why do we go to school in the first place if not to discover ourselves?
How then did we get to the point where are so educated and so talented and yet our lives are so empty and our own souls so thirsty for meaning and significance?
So, I digressed, in our later years, after we realize the foolishness of crowds, we start building our lives around our hobbies and we look for ways to start a new career fashioned after the real dictates of our hearts.
This ladies and gentlemen is the secret challenge facing our society. We adore the words “Do what you love and the money will follow”. In reality what we do and how we live our lives seem to be fashioned after another secret but more powerful law “Do what you love and you will starve“.
It seems that our society really doesn’t believe that doing what you love pays. What our society really believes is that money is the ultimate love.
This attitude is perhaps summed up in the words below:
We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.
Charles Kingsley – English Anglican clergyman & novelist (1819 – 1875)
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
What are the top best paying jobs in computers and Information Technology that do not require a college education in the U.S.A.?
I choose Information Technology because the industry does not require extensive formal education at the college or post graduate level.
The Information Technology industry rewards talent, hard work, and initiative and does not have a set of degrees that must be acquired before one can practice in it. Compare or contrast this to careers in medicine, law and other high paying occupations.
Read the latest article on best paying jobs and careers for high school graduates
Again the Information Technology industry does not have a set of degrees or qualifications or examinations that must be obtained before one can start a career in it.
Having said that, I must caution that the Information Technology Industry requires one to read, study and research extensively. The industry may not be suitable for those who hate reading in general. The Information Technology Industry re-invents itself every year. This means that new software applications, new technologies and new releases of existing operating systems, databases, programming platforms occur every year. To stay on top of all the changes, master the new technologies and keep one’s skill current, one has to read a lot of books, magazines and industry publications.
Read the latest article on best paying jobs and careers for high school graduates
Some of the best paying high technology (hi-tech) jobs for high school graduates in the USA include:
- Computer Programmer
- SQL Programmer
- Database Developer
- Business Analyst
- Microsoft Access Developer
- Microsoft .NET Developer
- C# Developer
- Visual Basic .NET Developer
- ASP.NET Web Developer
- Web Developer
- SQL Server Developer or Oracle Developer
- SQL Server Database Administrator or Oracle Database Administrator
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
As a general rule, there are no requirements that one must have a college degree to work with computers. However, there are some employers who may list a college degree as part of their personal requirements for their computer programming or information technology jobs.
Read the latest article on best paying jobs and careers for high school graduates
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
This is a step by step guide to starting a rewarding career in computer programming. Because I have seen these steps work for myself and my computer programming colleagues, I believe it is a reasonable practical guide to starting a computer programming career especially in the USA.
As a background, I have worked in information technology for more than a decade and the majority of my career has been in computer programming. I have done stints in information technology management, project management, network administration, web development, database development, software marketing and most recently IT career coaching. I have also worn the hats of freelance computer programming, contract programming and full time computer programming.
It is with the benefit of hindsight then that I have put together what I hope is a pragmatic, real world, street smart guide to becoming a computer programmer.
Prepare to work hard.
Computer programming is a rapidly changing field. You have to be ready to study as many books or read as many online articles as it takes for you to understand a concept. Be sure you are ready for the fast pace of innovation in the industry. Be ready to spend 3 months learning a technology only to have that technology replaced by a newer technology within 12 months its inception. Be ready to spend long hours in Barnes & Noble or Borders or other bookshops learning about new developments in the information technology industry throughout the life time of your career. Be ready to go home and peruse the latest articles on the latest buzz words after a full day of coding. Be ready for your software applications, database or website to fail just before it’s time to leave the office, causing you to spend an extra hour tracking down the source of the problem.
Find a developer mentor and ask lots of questions.
Computer programming is a very practical field, so you have to find a community or mentors who can supplement your personal home study or self learning with real world guidance and help. Mentors and their supporting communities are there to fill in the gap between theory and practice, between what you read in books and the different contexts in which they are applied in real life. So, don’t just hole up and study, find mentors and communities that are willing to evaluate your ideas and projects and give you real life feedback.
Choose a computer programming track.
Study about the several computer programming career tracks available and choose one. Some of the career tracks for computer programming include
- Database development career tracks for working with Microsoft® Access, SQL Server, Oracle or MySQL databases. Database developers can also become Database administrators or DBAs.
- Web development career tracks for developers specializing in building web applications with PHP or ASP.NET, JavaScript and HTML. Web developers often have to learn web design tools like Photoshop and Macromedia.
- Application development career tracks for computer programming generalists. These computer programmers create databases, windows, web and mobile applications. Application developers have to master at least one programming language like C, C++, Python, Java, C#, Visual Basic.NET, Perl, PHP.
Master the basics of software development.
Choose one computer programming career track and master the basic tools of the programming track. Endeavor to master the basic computer programming tools before you attempt to learn the more advanced computer programming tools used by more experienced software geeks.
If you choose the database development career track, master Microsoft Access® before you master MySQL or SQL Server and learn Oracle last.
If you choose the web development career track, master HTML with JavaScript before moving on to PHP or ASP.NET.
If you choose the application development career track, master HTML with JavaScript, then Microsoft Access® before moving on to C#, Visual Basic .NET, PHP or any other programming language. Master the more sophisticated databases like SQL Server and Oracle last.
The general rule of thumb is to take on simpler programming challenges before attempting harder, more complex challenges and to master simpler computer programming tools before learning harder, more complex or challenging computer programming tools.
This simple approach will help you to be productive with your career, master new software development career tracks faster and be more thoroughly grounded in the principles of software development.
Start building your experience and resume.
In the real world, experience is king, so start practicing what you have learnt by putting together websites for yourself and your friends. I emphasize web applications because it is easier for you to see how other people use your applications when you build them for the web. Without this sort of real world feedback, your learning will be incomplete.
Take one of the various open source software applications and create modules or plug-ins for them. Creating modules or plug-ins for open source applications is good because, you will see how other people write good quality code, you will get feedback from the open source community and a lot of peer to peer mentoring.
Web applications like WordPress (PHP and MySQL), DotNetNuke (ASP.NET and Visual Basic.NET) and Community Server (ASP.NET and C#) are well designed open source applications. By creating Plug-ins or modules that extend the functionality of these applications, you will jump start your learning curve.
Get used to commercial software development.
After you build up your experience and resume using the last set of techniques, start sourcing for free-lance computer programming projects under $500.00. These projects will come with some of the challenges of real world software development, some of which are
- working under time and budget constraints
- managing customer’s expectations
- giving customers what they need and not just what they are asking for
- taking responsibility for delivering quality software products
- taking responsibility for the failure or success of a software project
- communicating or negotiating with clients
- prioritizing software features and development work
Get certified and hit the road.
You have earned your medal of honor. The time is approaching for you to showcase your resume to an employer or a client for a major software contract or project, do one more thing, get certified. A certification in a programming language will increase your confidence, increase your skill level, and increase your understanding of the programming language. Combining your newly minted experience with a certification will help your resume stand out to potential employers and clients.
Certification is the last skill building activity because it is more productive to get certified in a computer programming tool after you have used it for several real world projects. Otherwise, your certification will be that of meaningless memorization.
Choose full-time, contract or freelance programming.
Decide what type of a software development career will fit your lifestyle. To be a free-lance or contract programmer requires taking on more risk with the promise of a higher pay. Going full-time with a firm is less risky and may provide a gentler learning curve.
Choose a model based on your personality and life-style or based on the peculiarities of the job market in your city.
Get paid and earn some real money.
It is time to get paid! Now, take the time to learn how to take job interviews by reading my thoughts on the subject at “Insider Secrets To Interviewing Success : How To Get The Job You Wantâ€
How long will this process take?
While software development can be a life long cycle of learning, the time between when you decide to become a computer programmer and when you start making your living as one depends on you. It can be anywhere from 3 months to 1 year.
If you decide to pursue this career, you are an making an excellent choice for it has rewarded countless people including me with career flexibility, job satisfaction, career growth, intellectual challenge and above average compensation when compared to the medium income from most careers.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
A question I hear frequently is “Will Information Technology (IT) certifications really help my career or help me get a job�
The answer is both yes and no. It depends on who you are and where you are in life.
Let’s look at some benefits of IT certifications:
- IT Certifications help with entry level jobs. To get your first job in a new IT career or with a new IT skill, an IT certification can help you prove to skeptical employers that you are worth an entry level job.
- IT Certifications help with technical mastery. To improve your technical mastery of UML, Networking, Java Programming, etc., you can get an IT certification. The preparation for these certification exams if done with integrity will expose you to a lot of valuable concepts worth knowing for their own sake.
- IT Certifications help with depressed job markets. In a slow job market, employers generally have a large pool of job seekers with similar experiences, skill sets and education to choose from. Your chances of getting an interview and a job in such a depressed economy or slow job market will improve with reputable certifications from companies like Microsoft, Oracle, IBM.
Let’s consider some myths and untrue assumptions about IT certifications:
- IT Certifications equate to more pay. Generally, recruiters and employers pay more attention to “on the job experienceâ€, real world skills and personality traits of the job seekers. So, your real world experience, IT skills and negotiation skills will drive your compensation much more than your IT certifications.
- IT Certifications equate to more qualified candidates. Your IT certification is not the same thing as your job performance. Also, your certification does not make you a better professional than your colleague who is not certified. In the work place, the ability to get the job done is the most important factor employers use in judging job performance and not certifications or educational qualifications (at least in the U.S. job market).
- IT Certifications prove how smart you are. It is a joke, but even monkeys can memorize a cheat sheet of questions and answers Look, these days, job seekers can buy the answers to some certification exams on the internet, memorize it and pass the certification exam. Also, you can pass IT certifications by memorizing your study material without any real world understanding or mastery of the questions posed in the certification exam.
Personally, I have noticed that IT career professionals get raises, promotions or land new jobs based on how they apply themselves to the job at hand and not based on their certifications.
Recruiters tend not to compensate certified IT career professionals more than their colleagues who are uncertified, especially in the Microsoft ® .NET Developer Community.
Certification may influence employers to look at your resume, but once you are hired, all the attention shifts to how well you do your job and not a second glance is given to your certification.
So are recruiters and employers right in not compensating certified IT professionals more or is my observation skewed?
How has IT certifications like MCDBA, MCSD.NET, OCP, MCSE, MCSD, MCP, CCNA or the lack of IT certifications helped or hindered your IT career?
My findings are that in the real world, experience and on the job performance are king.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
This is the first in a series about why I choose to become a computer programmer.
While I was in college studying Chemical Engineering, I decided I was going to pursue a career after college in Computer Programming.
Making that decision was easy because I believed that in order to make a contribution and change my world as we were so fond of discussing in those days, I had to be in a career that allowed me to do so.
Now, what do I mean by “making your mark on the world“. I and some of my colleagues wanted to have our lives count for something when we left college. We did not want to be absorbed by the shapeless workforce, get married, have kids and then die, hoping that our kids will carry out our dreams.
However, it seemed to me that my college education was gradually becoming meaningless. I liked the engineering and mathematical theory I had to learn, but I couldn’t really see what difference it made to the life of the common man as we were apt to say. I mean, in my daily interactions with the public, I couldn’t bring my budding engineering skills to solve the everyday problem that people had. The challenges faced by the common man were
- how to get a good job
- how to pay bills
- how to have better relationships
- how to reach God
- how to succeed in life
It seemed to me that my engineering career did not pose any real solution to the challenges encountered by mere mortals.
Based on that observation, I decided not to have a life where my work will be so removed from the realities and challenges faced by mere mortals. I decided I was going to have another career where my conversation and work will in one way or the other visibly impact my world in general and my community in particular.
Read more in Part 2.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
One of the challenges of software consulting is that while the recruiting firm or client may tell you that their project would last for 6 months, in reality their project may last for 1 month or 1 year. After more than 10 years in information services, I have come to the conclusion that in the U. S. job market, the only leverage that consultants, contractors and employees have is to remain marketable. This means that if you are in the market for work, you must consistently engage the kind of skills that are in demand with clients and employers, maintain a network of recruiters and educate potential new clients on how you can help create value and meaning for them.
Since the last of these “educating potential new clients†is also done through interviews, I have increased in my level of experience and comfort with the interviewing process. So, I was very surprised when a few weeks ago, I ran into a lady who has a college degree in Computer Science, loves computing but scared stiff of taking interviews even for jobs that she believes she is qualified for.
I realized after my discussions with her that her fears like many other people’s fears weren’t rational. She was educationally qualified to interview for software jobs. She loved software and computing. She wasn’t a shy person by any reasonable measure. She didn’t even have a history of failing or being rejected at interviews.
As part of my effort to help her overcome her interview jitters I put together this interview guide to help her and others who find themselves in similar situations, because one can overcome the fear of interviews by gaining adequate knowledge about the interviewing process.
Here is a summary of some of my experience interviewing with hiring managers at Fortune 500 companies and small businesses.
- Be confident. Employers want you to be confident. Look them in the eye and tell them you can do the job. It is as simple as that. If you are not confident of the value and meaning that you can create for a potential employer or client, you will find it difficult to convince them to hire you. This is because if you are not convinced that you can do the job, your potential employer or client will see the lack of confidence as an indication that you may be unqualified to do the job. The employer may start questioning the accuracy of your resume, your skills, your experience, your compensation and your competence.
Not only this, employers conduct critical reviews of their new consultants and employees during the first 3 months of their relationship. If you exhibit a lack of self confidence, the folks you report to or work with will notice your lack of confidence and will relate that back to your hiring manager which will count against you during those first 3 months that opinions and impressions are being formed about your performance. So, a lack of confidence will create obstacles for you at the interview and also when you are hired.
- Gain experience. Gain real life experience or entry level experience one way or the other. It may be harder to convince a prospective employer that you are qualified to do a job if you can’t show you are doing it already on your resume. This is one of the situations when action speaks louder than words. So, don’t just tell a prospective employer that you can do the job, show the employer that you have done the job before.
Experience, no matter how insignificant it may appear proves more than anything else a candidate’s ability and qualification for a job. Employers really do believe in the maxim that past behavior or job performance is a good predictor of future behavior and performance. Gaining experience may be easier than you think. Here is how you can do it. Break down the job you want to interview for into smaller roles and responsibilities. Then volunteer or create opportunities for you that to fill those roles. For example, if you want to interview for a sales job, you may participate in activities that involve raising money for non-profits by calling on organizations on the phone and in person to convince them to donate money to the charity.
- Show proof. Demonstrate that you are the right candidate for the job. There are many ways to prove your aptitude for the job. Use some or all of the following words to offer proof. You studied … in college. You participated in an event about … Your hobby is … You volunteered for … You worked on … You achieved … You organized … You are certified in … You have acquired skills in … You are trained in … You achieved … for …
- Dress tastefully. Dress well for your interviews. Dress in a way that portrays you as a confident successful person. Once, I interviewed for a job in Tulsa, Oklahoma over the phone. The owner of the consulting firm wasn’t too impressed according to his narrative until I walked in to meet him in person. However when he saw me, he presented me with an offer within the first 30 minutes. According to him, he felt compelled to make the offer because of my carriage, dressing and presence.
Dressing well for interviews goes beyond wearing a shirt, tie or jacket. It includes the quality of your clothing, your shoes and other accessories. It is more about how well your clothing fits on you and less about how much money you spend on your wardrobe. It is also more about cultivating a dressing style that enhances your physical presence, carriage and personality. Have a friend with good dress sense critique the dressing for your interview.
I got my own dress sense mostly from my college best friend Jude. Jude grew up in an upper middle class family and learnt how to dress simply and fashionably as a kid. He would critique my wardrobe and assist me in shopping for new shirts, ties and jackets. Today, I feel glad I listened to him, whenever people complement me about my dressing.
- Know your job. What is the point in going for an interview when you have little knowledge about the subject? Note that there is a difference between knowing a little about a subject and trying to know everything possible about the subject. You should strive to be reasonably informed about the subject. Some of the ways to get more informed about your job is to acquire certifications, subscribe to and read professional and industry magazines, join professional associations, start blogging about the industry, go to college or graduate school, write a book or an e-Book, give speeches at conferences and seminars.
- Speak up. Be prepared to speak well about topics you profess to be skilled in. The interview is often a chance to see if you can sell your position, knowledge or experience about a topic. If you can’t, you may be seen to be somewhat of a weak or incompetent candidate.
If you are challenged about speaking or presenting, join an easy fun public speaking club like Toastmasters International. Remember that the ability to speak well will make or break you at interviews more than any other ability. If you have any sort of accent (regional accent or country based accent), speak clearly and slowly to your interviewer. Bear in mind that in today’s world, your interviewer may not even be an American, or from the same region of the country as you are. Therefore, practice simple and universal rules of crystal clear speaking. Toastmasters International again will help you in that respect.
- Listen hard. Listen very well to the questions you are asked at the interview. Answer the question you are asked, and then shut up! There is no point in boring your hosts with an overtly long treatise or miss the point altogether because you weren’t paying adequate attention to the questions you were asked in the first place. When you miss the point, it may be an indication to your client that your listening skills are not up to par.
The problem is that your listening skills equate to how well you can follow instructions and execute orders at work. Poor listening skills therefore can result in poor on the job performance. Because of this, an astute interviewer could ding you for not listening well, thereby hurting your chances of getting the job you are interviewing for.
- Be prepared. Questions like, what is your most significant achievement and why or what is your least significant achievement and why, are often more difficult than their cousin “Explain this feature or this techniqueâ€, because they probe your motivations, inner strengths and weaknesses.
I remember an interview with Procter & Gamble out of college. I had delayed looking for employment by six months while I sharpened my computer skills. The HR manager on learning this fact accused me of being inconsiderate of my parents’ financial commitment in sending me to several years of engineering school by delaying my entry into the job market. I was speechless for a moment, as I considered the injustice of the accusation. Frankly I wasn’t impressed by this line of questioning. However, I summoned my wits and calmly stated that the reason for delaying my entry into the job market was to enhance my marketability and competitiveness as a Chemical Engineer by acquiring strong computing skills. Needless to say, I got the job as a Proctor & Gamble management trainee. Looking back, I realize that the Proctor & Gamble interviewer framed his questions to arouse some strong emotional reaction like anger or resentment from me. Now, I am convinced that if I had reacted emotionally, I would not have gotten the job.
- Service always comes first. This is captured by the famous American President John F. Kennedy during his Inaugural Address on January 20th 1961 – “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.†Therefore, do not attend an interview thinking of what you can get from the company. Always ask yourself before the interview, how can I be of service to this company or why should this company hire me?
Years ago, I got a foothold with my first information services consulting employer by asking myself the following two questions. What can I offer this consulting firm, coming from a chemical engineering background? What is the need of this consulting firm that I can match? I answered the question by offering my promotional skills which were better aligned with the needs of the company than my technical or engineering skills. By putting my potential employer first, I was able to come up with a win-win solution for both the firm and myself.
- Don’t badmouth your previous employer. Never say anything negative about your present position or past employers. Even if you are working for a boss from hell, try to negotiate with a prospective employer with words like “I would like to work for you because I have been researching these cool concepts and I believe I would have an opportunity to use my learning to do a…z for your firmâ€. Compare that to “I don’t like working overtime at my current job; therefore I am seeking a less demanding job with your firm???
- Small talk first! Talk politely to everyone you meet at your interviewing location even if you are not interviewing with them. Don’t be obnoxious, rude, or impatient in your negotiations or conversations with anyone at your prospective firm, at the same time, do not project timidity because both extremes are bad and point to other internal personality issues.
For example, when you walk in for your interview, be courteous to the receptionist by smiling and greeting him or her. This demonstrates a healthy attitude and respect for people and don’t be surprise if that gets you invited back to the company.
- Constant contact: Keep in constant communication or touch with recruiters. Maintain your relationship with recruiters or highly networked people even if you are not in the market for a new job. Recruiters and hiring managers are human beings, so think of how you can help them when you are not directly seeking their help. One way is by introducing your friends who are looking for new positions or keeping them informed of changes at your client or employer’s site which may impact your employment.
I hope that this guide will help you with your interviews and with getting a job.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Findings Direct, based in Saint Louis, Missouri starts a new personal development, leadership and management blog.
To subscribe to new articles or posts by email, click here.
To subscribe to new articles or posts by RSS or XML Feed, click here.
Please be sure to leave me a note telling me what you think of this blog.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Contract computer programmer’s bill anywhere from $30/hr. to $65/hr. and more depending on the location, programming skill sets, experience, size of project and the market demand for the programming skill sets in question.
- Experience: The more experience a programmer has in a technology, the more the programmer gets paid. Note that contract programmers are not paid based on their general length of experience but on their experience in programming languages in high demand. So, you can a programmer with 20 years of experience in 5 different programming languages earning less than a programmer with 5 years of experience in a hot, in-demand programming language.
- Location: Some cities and countries pay more than other cities and countries.
- Market Demand: Some programming languages command more money than their counteparts. For example, Visual Basic .NET programming skills commands more pay than Visual Basic (Classic VB) programming skills.
- Negotiation Skills: It is perfectly possible for two computer programmers with the same years of experience in a hot programming skill like C# to bill widely different rates. The more confident programmer may bill $45/hr. while the less confident programmer bills $35/hr.
- Client: Clients accomodate different billing rates for similar solutions. For example, while one client may pay $40/hr. for a senior c# developer, another client may pay $50/hr. for the same C# skills.
In this tutorial, I reviewed some of the reaons why computer programmers earn widely different salaries. In estimating how you want to earn as a computer programmer, use this as a guide to come up with what is a fair and reasonable billing rate or salary for your services
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Ah yes, you are beginning to suspect it.
Your resume is the reason why you can’t seem to get any programming interview no matter how hard you try.
And when you talk to recruiters, oh do they give you the run around!
Someone should have been kind enough to tell you that your resume is killing your career!
Now begin to face the truth that your resume sucks because you are doing too many things wrong!
For example:
You have several years of experience from careers that have nothing to do with programming listed on your resume!
You included your entire college or academic results on your resume!
You don’t even have one good programming job where you worked for at least 6 months listed on your resume!
And to cap it. Your resume says you have been looking for a programming job for a really long time (meaning nobody wants to hire you).
Let’s stop this madness right now.
Get with me now and I will help you straighten out your resume quickly so you can get it into the hands of hiring managers fast, get hired and get paid!
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Is the process of teaching yourself programming becoming a little nightmare?
Are you feeling a little surprised and over-whelmed about how much you have to learn?
Perhaps your situation is similar to that of this person:
I want to program computers so I bought a few programming books to teach myself programming.
A couple of months later I realized I have not made any real progress because the topics are boring, the material is hard to understand and I am stuck trying to install programming software and beginning to wonder what the heck is wrong.
Maybe it’s because I hated Mathematics in School or maybe I am not so smart or maybe I should have tried to learn programming when I was 12 years old.
Hey! Stop beating yourself up. You are not too old, you are not dumb and programming is not too hard to learn.
Let me show you how with my accelerated techniques for learning programming and you will master in a few days programming topics that you have been struggling with for months.
Click here to request more information on the Computer Programmers Book
Is programming proving difficult to learn?
Are you spending a lot of time learning programming with little to show for all your hard work?
Does this situation describe your problem?
“I have been learning programming for a while and am not making as much progress as I hoped and now time is beginning to run out on me.I am feeling over-whelmed by the number of books, articles, programming languages and software projects to master before I begin programming professionaly!
I have a short window of time to learn what is needed to get hired or I may have to forget my dreams and work those jobs I hate!”
If any of the above describes your situation, I have good news for you. I can help you by showing you:
1. How to master programming skills in high demand in as little as 1 to 3 months
2. How to shorten the programming learning curve dramatically
3. The few critical programming skills to learn and begin programming.
