What's one thing you wish you knew in your first year as a developer?
Could be technical, about people, about money, or about choosing your first company. What advice would you give your younger self?
c/careers
Careers · Job search, CVs, promotions, switching jobs and growing as a developer.
Weekly career questions thread — 12 Oct 2026
Ask any career question this week, big or small: job offers, CVs, promotions, switching stacks, dealing with a difficult manager. If you can help, answer someone else's question. Sort by New to find unanswered ones.
How do I move from QA to a software developer role?
Team FAQ: this question comes up often, so we've answered it below. Add your own experience, or a different view, in the comments. Many developers start in quality assurance. What's the best way to make the switch?
Are certifications like AWS or Azure worth it for developers?
Team FAQ: this question comes up often, so we've answered it below. Add your own experience, or a different view, in the comments. Cloud and vendor certifications are everywhere. Do they actually help you get hired?
How do I explain a career gap in a developer interview?
Team FAQ: this question comes up often, so we've answered it below. Add your own experience, or a different view, in the comments. Gaps happen for health, family, study, layoffs or burnout. How should they be handled?
Should I learn many programming languages or master one?
Team FAQ: this question comes up often, so we've answered it below. Add your own experience, or a different view, in the comments. Beginners often wonder whether learning several languages makes them more employable.
How do I get a referral if I don't know anyone at the company?
Team FAQ: this question comes up often, so we've answered it below. Add your own experience, or a different view, in the comments. Referrals clearly help, but what if you have no contacts at the companies you want to join?
Is it bad to change jobs after only one year?
Team FAQ: this question comes up often, so we've answered it below. Add your own experience, or a different view, in the comments. A common worry: will short stints at companies look bad on a CV?
Do I need a computer science degree to get a developer job?
Team FAQ: this question comes up often, so we've answered it below. Add your own experience, or a different view, in the comments. Many people ask whether a degree is required to work as a software developer, especially those who are self-taught or coming…