3 Projects You Can Code in 1 Week to Get Hired

Summary

In this video, the speaker guides viewers on creating coding projects that stand out to employers. They outline the importance of clean, well-documented code, avoiding unnecessary complexity, and deploying projects live. The video also highlights three essential projects for full-stack developers: a front-end project consuming an API, a back-end CRUD API, and a full-stack project with authentication. Tips for quick development include using tutorials as a foundation and making the project unique. Finally, building a landing page and sharing projects online are recommended to boost visibility and demonstrate initiative.

Takeaways

• 😀 Clean, well-documented code is critical for standing out to employers.
• 😀 Simplicity often trumps complexity when building coding projects.
• 😀 A portfolio should include clean, modular, and documented code with a clear README.md.
• 😀 Employers appreciate deployment – make sure your projects are live and accessible.
• 😀 Show independent thought by solving a problem that resonates with you personally.
• 😀 Tailor your technology stack to match the skills employers are looking for.
• 😀 Choose projects that demonstrate your skill set without overwhelming the codebase.
• 😀 Front-end projects that consume APIs are great for showcasing your skills in a practical context.
• 😀 Building backend CRUD APIs is another essential project to demonstrate your capabilities.
• 😀 Combine front-end and back-end projects to build full-stack applications with authentication.
• 😀 Build a landing page for each project to show initiative and help define its purpose.

Q & A

Why is it important to have clean and modular code in your projects?

Clean and modular code is crucial because it makes the project easier to understand and maintain. Employers will review your GitHub, and messy or poorly structured code can be a huge red flag. Keeping the code neat, modular, and functional ensures that others can easily work with and understand it.

How does documentation contribute to the effectiveness of a coding project?

Documentation, such as clear comments and a well-written README.md, helps others understand what the code does, especially when working with a team. It simulates a real-world coding environment where you'll be working with others' code, and it also showcases your technical writing skills, which are important to employers.

What does the speaker mean by 'complexity does not equal better' when selecting projects?

The speaker emphasizes that complex projects aren't necessarily more impressive. Simplicity is often more effective in showcasing the skills you're aiming to demonstrate. For example, a simple CRUD app is a better showcase of basic development skills than an overly complex project like Facebook.

Why is deployment an important part of the project process?

Deployment is essential because it allows employers to interact with your project and see it in action. Simply having the code locally doesn't reflect real-world scenarios, where deployment is a key aspect of development. Being able to share a live link to your project adds credibility and shows that you understand how to deploy applications.

What is the significance of showing independent thought in a project?

Independent thought in a project shows that you can solve problems creatively and add a personal touch to your work. Employers appreciate candidates who not only follow instructions but also think critically and apply unique solutions. It also helps you speak more enthusiastically about your project during interviews.

How should you choose the technology stack for your coding projects?

To choose the right technology stack, look at job postings for roles you aspire to. Identify the technologies commonly listed, such as React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL, and align your projects to demonstrate those skills. This makes your portfolio more relevant to the job market and helps you stand out to potential employers.

What are the three projects the speaker recommends to build in a portfolio?

The speaker recommends building three projects: 1) A front-end project that consumes an API (e.g., displaying data from a fun API), 2) A back-end CRUD API that handles data operations, and 3) A full-stack project combining both front-end and back-end components, ideally with authentication and database integration.

How can you speed up the development of your projects?

You can speed up development by following tutorials that teach the core functionality of a project. Once you've gone through the tutorial, modify the code to make the project unique to your needs. This allows you to leverage the tutorial as a foundation while customizing the project to make it your own.

Why should you avoid building overly complex projects?

Overly complex projects can lead to cluttered and difficult-to-manage code. It's better to focus on demonstrating specific skills in a simple, clean project. A smaller, well-executed project that highlights key skills will be more impressive than a massive, overly complicated one.

What are two tips the speaker gives to make your projects stand out even more?

The two tips to make your projects stand out are: 1) Build a landing page for each project that clearly explains the problem it solves and its purpose. 2) Share your projects on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to increase visibility and attract attention from potential employers or collaborators.