Getting a programming job

[big10p]

I haven't done any coding in quite a while, but am toying with the idea of getting back into programming, with a view to finding employment. I know a few here are professional coders, so I'm after a bit of advice, really.

As I've been out of the loop (see what I did there?) for quite a while, I'm not sure what the best route to take is. I am (or at least, was) an experienced C programmer, and worked as a software engineer for a games developer, for a while. I'll need to brush up on C, but that shouldn't be too much of a headache. I never fully got to grips with C++, but I assume being fluent in this is essential these days? Or is Java a better route to take, as far as finding employment in concerned?

Just mulling this over at the mo, but any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

P.S. Is the free version of Visual Studio worth downloading to brush up my skills and generally tinker with, or would it be best to get the unrestricted full version?

 

[t-m]

Depends which area you want to get into. I work in the embedded world and C is king down there

 

[big10p]

I really don't care in what area - I'm simply looking at this as a possibility to earn a half-decent living. Tried game dev, so probably won't look into getting back into that. I was thinking possibly embedded C systems might be a good route for me. Hmmm. Cheers.

 

[Morty]

So many different areas in IT, maybe look though some job sites and see how many positions and the salary are coming up and see what you fancy?

I work with Visual Studio/C# but have worked on many different platforms, one thing i have noticed on C.V.'s coming in for positions at our place is people seem to claim they are experts on so many platforms it would take a lifetime to do and yet they have just left university!

Every job i have looked at seems to require web dev skills is another thing I have noticed

 

[big10p]

Ha yeah, new graduates - god bless 'em. Last place I worked programming (years ago now) said they had graduate applicants that couldn't do the test tasks at interview, which is a bit worrying, since they were pretty simple, I thought.

I'll have a look at what jobs are around. The trick is going to be getting my foot back in the door, I think. Cheers.

 

[jimmerd]

Find a C based role if that's what you have the most experience in as they are still in demand, ideally with a company that is able to give you exposure to C++ projects further down the road.

Embedded C++ requires another layer of understanding of how to apply the language and libraries, so

do make sure you a solid knowledge of the C++ first. There are some good books out there regarding C++ for C developers. You will end up preferring C++, but it will be a hard slog at times.

The free version of Visual Studio should be fine for your current needs.

I wish you luck!

 

[Morty]

Maybe its the change in recruitment processes over the years, unless you appear to be amazing companies don't even express an interest, when that maybe the candidate that is being truthful rather than claiming every language on earth. Also some companies seem to advertise positions and just list every language/skill they can think of and say they are all required! I look at those adverts and think after 30 years in IT i would struggle to recall someone with that skill set

As you say, much easier once you are working in IT to move around, good luck

 

[big10p]

Some good info and advice there, guys. Thanks! I do have a few C++ books, including one by Bjarne Stroustrup, I think. Always meant to get to grips with C++ properly, but just never got around to it. Think I found it had a lot of "fluff" compared to vanilla C.

Think I'll have to get brushing up and studying for a while before thinking about applying for jobs.

Cheers.

 

[joe34]

there's some various online courses you can do over at Udemy,
here's one which is 40 hours of video you can do in your own pace (full lifetime access):

https://www.udemy.com/beginning-c-plus-plus-programming/

...or of course youtube, various free lectures on there no doubt

 

[terminator2k2]

there's some various online courses you can do over at Udemy,
here's one which is 40 hours of video you can do in your own pace (full lifetime access):

https://www.udemy.com/beginning-c-plus-plus-programming/

...or of course youtube, various free lectures on there no doubt

is that a decent course for a complete novice, just looking at what this world has to offer

 

[joe34]

are you completely new to programming? (have you got any experience in other languages such as BASIC?) i'm not sure perhaps have a look at the curriculum for the course,
you could also have a watch of this below or other beginner stuff on youtube to see if it's something you can pick up ok

 

[big10p]

I'll have to check out the vids - cheers joe. I usually prefer learning from a book, though. I like to go at my own pace, going back and re-reading things, if needed, and writing examples along the way, to make things stick.

 

[John Bennett]

Depends which area you want to get into.  I work in the embedded world and C is king down there

Yes, obviously depends what area, but its C that’s the key requirement in the areas I’ve worked in (I do a lot of motor control and similar stuff).
It’s more about what you’ve done with it - experience of different processors, peripherals, communications etc.
Rather than C++, the ‘higher level’ gets into stuff like UML, standards, toolsuites etc - you get software engineers who barely write any actual code.
Just my specific experience though.John Bennett2018-08-13 19:13:51