What I look for when hiring junior developers: It's Not Just Code

If you're a new developer looking for a job, you might wonder what hiring managers like me really want. Many think it's all about knowing a lot of code or doing well in technical tests. Yes, tech skills are important. But as a tech manager, I look for more than just code when I hire junior developers. This post will tell you about other important things that can help you stand out and show you can grow. If you want to know what we really look for, keep reading!

1. Good Basics & Always Wanting to Learn

New cool tools are nice, but knowing the basics well and really wanting to learn new things are key for new developers.

• Thinking Clearly and Solving Real Problems: I often ask about real-life problems, not just textbook ones. You might know how to make something work in class. But in a real job, with many users and not many resources, how do you make sure it works well for everyone? This shows you can think clearly and find smart ways to solve problems with what you have.

• Being Curious – Wanting to Know "Why": I like it when people want to know why things work the way they do. Did you try to understand why your past team chose a certain tool or made a certain decision, even if it wasn't your main job? That kind of curiosity is great.

• Wanting to Learn – Shown by What You Do: What you do in your free time shows you love to learn. Side projects, even small ones, are a good sign. They show you spend your own time learning new things and getting more experience. This effort to learn on your own is very helpful.

2. The Right Attitude: It's Important!

Skills can be learned, but a good attitude from the start helps a lot. Here’s what I look for:

• Being Proactive & Taking Responsibility: Don't Just Wait I like it when new people take initiative. Did you learn about our company before the interview? Do you ask good questions that show you're interested? That's being proactive. When you have a job, it means doing your tasks and also looking for other ways to help. Maybe you offer to help with a hard task or see a small problem and suggest how to fix it. When you take responsibility for things, even small ones, it shows you care.

• Learning from Mistakes & Feedback: It's OK to Learn Everyone makes mistakes, especially when starting out. What’s important is how you react. Can you take advice? Can you talk about a mistake and what you learned? Being willing to learn from feedback is very important. I want to see that you can learn and grow. A developer who learns from feedback and doesn't give up easily is great for the team.

• Being a Team Player: We Work Together Good software is built by teams. I look for people who understand this. Do you talk about team wins? Do you say "we" more than "I"? Do you respect others? A good team player helps make the team better. They share what they know and help others. This makes everyone work better together.

3. Talking and Listening Skills: They Really Matter

You might be great at coding, but talking and listening well can make a big difference, especially when you're new.

• Explaining Yourself Clearly – In Talking and Writing: As a new developer, you’ll need to ask for help or explain your work. It's important to say what you mean clearly. For example, if you're stuck, "My code isn't working" isn't very helpful. It’s better to say, "I'm trying to do X, and I get this error. I've tried Y and Z." This makes it easier for others to help you. This is also true for writing. Good notes, clear messages, or simple guides help everyone and save time.

• Asking Good Questions & Listening Well: How You Learn Fast Don't be afraid to ask questions! But try to think a bit first. Instead of just asking "How do I do X?", maybe say, "I'm trying X, I read about Y, but I'm stuck on Z. Can you help?" This shows you're trying. Listening well is also very important. When someone explains something, really listen. This helps you learn faster and fit in better with the team.

4. Yes, Code Still Matters – And What It Shows About You

Even though I've talked a lot about other things, your tech skills are still very important. But how you use code and understand it tells me a lot.

• Understanding "Why" and "How," Not Just Making It Work: I want to see that you understand what your code is doing. For example, can you explain basics like how HTTP works, the difference between POST and GET, or what SSL is for? This shows you're curious and really interested in coding.

• Knowing Basic Code Ideas Shows You're Interested: Understanding basic ideas like how sorting works or what a list or map is used for is important. It’s not about knowing every complex detail, but showing you understand these core ideas. This tells me you have a good base to learn more and that you like solving problems.

• Good, Clean Code: Of course, I look for good basic coding habits. Can you name things clearly in your code? Are your functions simple? Do you know how to use Git? These basics help with teamwork.

• Your Own Projects: These are a great way to show your passion and that you take initiative. They show me what you're learning and how you solve problems on your own.

Conclusion

So, that’s it. Your coding skills are the start, but they're just one part of it. When I meet new developers, I get excited by a mix of things: good basic knowledge from real curiosity, a positive attitude, being willing to learn, good communication, and a clear love for coding.

My advice: yes, work on your tech skills. But also, stay curious, practice explaining your ideas, see feedback as a way to get better, and always be ready to learn and work with a team. Being a developer means always learning. If you show you're ready and excited for that, you’ll do great.

What do you think is most important for new developers? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!