Hello newcomers! What’s new in the developer’s world? Internet access for users of computers and mobile devices is carried out using a special program that receives data from servers located on the Internet. In most cases, such a program is a browser – application software designed to view web pages, computer files and directories, the content of web documents, web application management, as well as to solve other tasks. The functionality of browsers is constantly expanding and improving due to competition between their developers and the high pace of development and implementation of information technology. That is why more and more attention is paid to the development of web applications. such programs can run on devices running any operating system that has a browser installed, making them more convenient to use. For several years, statistics on the popularity of various IT technologies have been published annually in the public domain. JS and React consistently occupy leading positions, each in its own category. More and more vacancies appear on the labor market, and courses offer to quickly master a new profession. So that your readers don’t google: ‘Getting started with ReactJS developments and how to enter in a company’ – I wrote this review material.
ReactJS is a JavaScript library, the source code of which was opened by Facebook in 2013. This framework is great for creating huge web applications where data can change on a regular basis. React is much easier to learn due to the simplicity of its syntax. Engineers just need to remember their HTML writing skills and that’s all. It has a high level of flexibility and maximum sensitivity. A virtual DOM (document object model) allows you to organize HTML, XHTML, or XML documents into a tree that is best suited for web browsers to analyze various elements of a web application. In combination with the ES6 / 7 ReactJS can easily work at high loads. This is a 100% open-source JavaScript library that receives many daily updates and improvements according to the feedback of developers around the world. A programmer working with React, before and in the process of studying the library, manages to master a number of related technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, npm, git, ES6, Babel, WebPack, and Redux. You cannot become such a developer without knowing the basics – layout and JavaScript.
Requirements of IT companies for React developers of levels: Junior, Middle, Senior. Requirements for developers depend on the company. Therefore, the best option is to go through as many interviews as possible. Often, even this process itself significantly improves the beginner, because he understands what he is missing and can tighten the base until the next interview. Before interviews, it is worth pumping up your skills in the technologies listed above and creating a portfolio. The importance of the latter can hardly be overestimated – even if the works in it do not relate to the topic of the vector of work of the selected company, the diligence and desire to develop will still be appreciated. It is often beneficial for the employer to take on a team of charged newcomers who are ready to develop and try to move towards the goal on their own. Do not forget about soft skills – the development takes place in a team, which means that the improved skills of interaction, load distribution, and conflict resolution will be as relevant as possible.
Junior React Developer. Usually, such programmers are issued courses. They know the base and may even have worked as layout designers or JavaScript developers. Chances are they already have some kind of portfolio. It is important for a junior to find an internship or a job where he will be accompanied by a mentor – in this case, he will pump faster and be able to move to a new level. At this stage, you need to continuously develop and try to delve into the selected technologies as much as possible. You can become a junior-level React developer in a few months or six months if we talk about courses.
Middle React Developer. A middle-level specialist is a person who is ready to turn from a “hand” into a “brain” and begins to move in this direction. That is, he already sees the needs of the customer and can solve them. Development of web applications and other products becomes a task for him, starting with understanding the goals of the client. Often, it is at this moment that there is an urgent need for knowledge of the English language since a specialist begins to be entrusted with presentations of the work done, but this greatly depends on the company – some may not work with a foreign market, while others may entrust presentations only to seniors.
Senior React Developer. In addition to the ability to create a well-built architecture, he also needs soft skills. Team building, mentoring and management skills will be especially relevant. Often it is a trained programmer, and not a separate mentor, who becomes a teacher for beginners.
What should a ReactJS developer know? In addition to the library itself, a specialist must be proficient in technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, npm, git, Babel, WebPack, and Redux. Skills of working with other tools can also be useful, but this already depends on the job. But the main thing is not the hard skills that a person has already mastered, but how quickly he can learn new things. So, if a developer has improved this skill, he can prepare for any position or come to the company and learn a lot in the course of work. A react developer’s salary directly depends on how quickly he absorbs information.
Let’s move on to the main question of this article ‘How to enter in a ReactJS Development Company?’ The IT market is overflowing with such applicants, and therefore you need to seriously prepare for a job search and tune in to numerous interviews, testing and, including refusals. And the most important thing here is a positive attitude and patience. Each profession has its own career ladder. You will have to start with small salaries and, often, the boring work of an ordinary coder. Just because you are a junior. You will take part in solving practical problems, and gain knowledge and experience. In the end, you will get the line in your resume that is so coveted for a career – “worked in such and such a company from… to…”. And if you do not have a super interesting offer during the first job, it is advisable to hold out there for at least a year. Even if it’s boring. This is a big plus for the future.
What is expected of a self-taught junior? In most cases, employers-programmers who are looking for employees without the help of “personnel officers” show interest in programmers without a diploma and solid experience. The reason is obvious – HR specialists cannot assess your knowledge and skills. They are guided by work experience, diplomas, courses, etc. However, there are exceptions here. But it is better to build your search strategy based on the fact that experienced colleagues will evaluate you.
What they pay special attention to:
- Knowledge of programming languages. No one expects a beginner programmer to know many different languages. Moreover, if you include such an extensive list on your resume, chances are good that they will think of you – “knows nothing about everything”. Choose your specialization wisely (now we are talking about ReactJS development). Specify only those languages where you can really show something. Just imagine that during an interview you were asked to sketch some code in C #, and you listed it simply because you read a tutorial. The End. The interview failed. And if you list only those languages where you are really ready to demonstrate knowledge, the likelihood of a positive decision will increase significantly.
- During the learning process, you most likely wrote something. Let it be for yourself. Feel free to show your solutions. Including open source. The more such works will be, the better. The employer will be able to assess your level of knowledge and ability to find original solutions to problems.
- Often when looking for junior employees, a test is run as the first step. This is normal practice, allowing you to weed out those who will not write the test at all, and also write illiterately. Be sure to write tests, practice will only benefit you, and the employer will be able to assess your advantages based on reading the code.
- Take the time to study the basic rules of your resume and approaches to its preparation. First, you need to show the ability to draw up documents in accordance with the standards. Secondly, there are many approaches to resume writing that allow you to show the pros and hide the cons. Use examples from experienced colleagues and advice from HR specialists on the Internet. You need to understand: that your resume will be read initially, most likely, by a secretary or an ordinary HR officer. And even if it goes straight to the table of the programmer manager, it will still be viewed “diagonally”. Therefore, it is very important to draw up this document so that the information about your advantages is in plain sight.
Interview: how to behave? Hooray! You have been called for an interview. The usual reaction of a newcomer to the profession is fear and self-doubt. Well, if you “stutter” and get confused in the basics of the profession because of a nervous reaction, most likely, you can forget about this job. Therefore, we pull ourselves together. Remember the basic rule of the labor market: not only you are chosen, but you too. Employers are the same people. They also sense the psychological state of the applicant. And if you show self-confidence, the attitude will be much better. Of course, self-respect is never rudeness. Even if you are insanely scared, do not slip to this level. As well as the level “please take me.” An ideal job seeker, even a junior one, will correctly and competently answer questions. At the same time, he will not be afraid to ask his own – about salary, social package, probationary period and even what kind of coffee awaits him in the office. It’s okay to know what’s in store for you. And refuse if you don’t like something. If the employer sees that you are calm and interested not only in getting any job, but asking questions about your interests, this is an additional plus. The employer gets the feeling: “apparently, the person has other options, so he is worth it”.
Working in an IT company: The company has the opportunity to communicate and exchange experiences with professionals in different fields. Due to the variety of accounts and domains, you can learn more about building architecture on different projects. This helps both in the work itself and in further development if you suddenly decide to try a new programming language or switch to another unit. Corporations can afford to invest in training, unlike startups, which cannot afford to train young people. Corporations almost always have internal training courses or schools. The company also has mentoring programs for positions of any level. Their essence is that more experienced specialists share knowledge and give advice on the development of young people. You can become a mentor after undergoing special training. The work schedule in a large company is stable, which allows you to “reboot”, relax physically and mentally. This saves you from overwork and burnout. After work, there is personal time that can be planned and organized. Also, “switching” is facilitated by the possibility of rotation between projects. A more intense load can be before the delivery of the project when it is necessary to tighten all the tails. If you are a young programmer, your main task is to gain experience, a startup is not suitable for this. If you are already an accomplished specialist, analyze your expectations from the company, form interests, draw up a growth plan and determine the desired work schedule. There is no one-size-fits-all recipe for an employer, but understanding your priorities and market feedback will help you make a decision that suits you personally.
Conclusion
Small companies are more lenient with a lack of experience. But you still need to prove to them that you are worth something. Look at yourself through the eyes of an HR manager and ask – would you hire yourself and why? If not, why not? Where are the gaps? Where do you lack experience? Only you can force yourself to move forward. Don’t complain, don’t talk about it, don’t think about it, just do it. Write code, create something, learn something new and keep posting your resume. No experience? This is your chance to create it yourself. The main thing is to keep creating and knocking on different doors. As a result, you will find the right company. I hope this article was interesting and useful for you! Wish you good luck in ReactJS development!