Often, self-taught developers feel like they’re not worth as much as those with degrees. It’s a normal feeling.

Don’t let it get to you! There are ways to turn those feelings into something positive and use them as a tool to attract new opportunities.

1. Education Certificate

Self-taught coders typically don’t have an education certificate, which can make it difficult to get a job. Instead, they need to show employers that they have a solid body of work displayed in their online portfolio.

The best way to learn to code is to set goals, create a plan and follow it closely. Then, use resources like free online courses and coding forums to further your skills.

Many people, especially those looking for a career change, decide to learn to code without a formal degree. They may do this as a supplement to their current job or as a way to gain the knowledge they need to pursue a degree later.

Often, certificate programs are less expensive and take a shorter amount of time to earn than degrees. They also allow you to begin a career in the field you want while saving time and money on a degree.

2. Experience

Depending on the job you’re applying for, you might need a specific amount of experience to land a role. This might be a few months, a year or even more, but it can help you demonstrate that you have the skills required for the job.

In addition to your education certificate, you should include any other relevant work experience on your resume. This can be in a variety of forms, such as volunteering, or working on a project for a company.

You should also explain how and why you created each of your projects. This will show that you’re self-driven and able to think on your feet.

Unlike degrees, a portfolio of projects that you’re proud of will give potential employers an idea of your skills. However, it’s important to keep them organized and interesting to avoid looking too much like a dump of code that you left half done.

3. Portfolio

If you want a job in software development or UX/UI, you need to have a portfolio to show off your work. It shows potential employers that you understand the type of projects and challenges they’re facing, and how you can help them solve them.

Whether you’re self-taught or went to school, your portfolio should be organized and designed in a consistent way that displays your aesthetic, personality, and work style. It should include sections for your resume, bio, skills list, best work samples, accolades, and contact information.

It can also be helpful to create a title page/table of contents that tells the story of your career. This can be done on a separate page or as part of your overall portfolio.

4. Passion

If you are a self-taught programmer, you will probably have a lot of doubts about your ability to get a job. These doubts are often accompanied by the imposter syndrome.

This is because people often assume that all university-trained developers are able to get jobs because of their qualifications and experience. But this isn’t necessarily true.

The truth is that the passion and proactivity of a self-taught developer are a huge factor when it comes to getting a job as a programmer.

It is important to remember that this passion does not have to be 100% devoted to the job you are applying for.

However, if you want to be successful in the industry, you will need to display this passion and proactivity in a way that is beneficial to your potential employer.

One of the best ways to show your passion is by working on technology you love. Having a portfolio filled with projects that you are passionate about will stand out to your future employer.