Coding tests aren’t the only way to gauge your skills.

For more on this, watch the video at the bottom of the page.

A while ago I applied for an Android Developer position with a new company. After reviewing my resume, they sent me a coding test. Business as usual. However, the entire test was in Kotlin!

Now, at the time, I didn’t have ANY Kotlin experience. Surely I knew what I was getting myself into. Kotlin is the basic tool for modern Android Development. What’s the big deal?

I took a moment to review the job posting. Just to make sure I didn’t misread anything. Sure enough,
the post specifically asked for an Android Developer with experience…in Java

I sent a response to the recruiter to let them know they made a mistake. Since I already made time for the test, figured I might as well get to the bottom of this.

They told me to “do my best”.

That’s right, they were hiring for developers with Java, but tested me in Kotlin.

I learned two things that day: always sharpen your skills, and learn Kotlin!

Just kidding about Kotlin. But in all seriousness, take your learning into your own hands. These coding
tests try to take software development and put it in a box and you’re expected to jump in and fix something. But this field is about more than that.

Software development is a way to express an idea by creating a tool. Come up with an idea, and build it.
Creativity is the seed of development and it’s something that can’t be measured in a 90 minute exam.

That being said, you need the right skills to express these ideas.

Just as a painter has their brushes, you too need your tools for expression. Spend time practicing what you know and growing your skill set. I guarantee you won’t find this on any test.

For more on this, watch the YouTube video below.

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Coding Fanatic

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