There are several skills that a junior developer is expected to have. In this section, we will highlight a few of them. It must be emphasized however that the skills listed in this article is not exhaustive and one can come across job postings where other skills not listed here will be required. Nevertheless, this list is undoubtedly a good way to start.
Technical Skills
- Java
It is expected that you are already familiar with Java programming language. Java language, in combination with Android Studio or Eclipse as your IDE is very important for the development of native Android apps, although there are a lot of other technologies that are in use. Familiarity with Java means you should be conversant with basic syntax and programming structures. You must have a decent knowledge of variables, loops, control structures, and object-oriented concepts.
- The Android SDK
This is another indispensable skill that is required of you as a developer. You must understand a lot of Android concepts such as user input, storing data, action bar, layout, and views, getting data from the web, etc.
- Working with APIs
Getting information from the web is quite a fundamental requirement for android app development since such a substantial number of applications have a web-based part. This is not essential for all categories of app development; however, numerous postings assume that the designer should most likely work with their own API or some other outsider API. These will, as a rule, be JSON/REST APIs, however, XML/SOAP is still also in use. It is better to concentrate on JSON/REST and just learn XML/SOAP if you really think you need it.
- Back-end Skills
Occasionally, job postings require that the Android designers additionally contribute toward the back of their framework. This might be challenging to add to your range of abilities when you are simply beginning as the back-end innovations fluctuate. In addition, it is important to talk about it because it comes up frequently enough for it to be discussed.
Non-Technical Skills
Below are some of the non-technical skills you should acquire
- Enthusiasm
Businesses are regularly searching for “energetic, inspired and enthusiastic” workers.
Passion is such an ambiguous word. Do not fret if you cannot give a clear definition of your passion. A lot of people are in your shoes. It is volatile and can change from time to time.
- Collaboration and Communication
A joint effort with a group is crucially vital in most engineer positions. Regardless of whether you are the main designer dealing with an item, you should work together with other individuals in the team – designers, executives, and clients, etc. You must be guided in your dealings though because constantly offering your work to other people would breed criticism and gossip.
- Writing
This is intertwined with communication but it shows up alone frequently in job postings that we ought to talk about it as an independent skill. As an engineer, you might be relied upon to compose things like specialized documentation, outlines of your work for non-specialized colleagues, client confronting content inside the application, and customary correspondence by means of visit, email, and so on.
Other Common Requirements
There are a couple of other general necessities that show up in many employment postings. They include:
- A Minimum of One Published App
- A College Degree
Conclusion
While these skills might seem to be numerous, it is very easy to master them even quicker than you expected. All you need is to learn the basics and then put them into constant practice. You would be surprised that in no time you have already mastered the skills.
