Java Developer – Page 2 – Talent500 Blog

How to become a good game developer?

Posted on July 21, 2022July 21, 2022 by vallish

Video games are not just a fun pastime but part of a mammoth market with over $85.86 billion. In the second quarter of 2020, gamers spent a record $11.6 billion on video games.

The market is enormous, and demand is massive; that is why a career as a game developer can be rewarding. The need for game developers is expected to increase by 21% by 2028. If you possess comprehensive knowledge of gaming systems and have strong technical skills, you can become a game developer. In this article, we explore the career path of a video game developer.

What do game developers do?

Game developers are professionals who combine software development with mathematics to bring games to life. The responsibility of game developers is to write highly robust code to implement all the features and functionalities. Additionally, they need to work with highly skilled game designers to create visual content for a game. Even after publishing a game, video game developers are continually engaged in development to accommodate new game feature requests and improvements. A distinctive skill game developers must know about artificial programming intelligence is to create non-player characters.

Game Developer Responsibilities:

While the exact responsibilities you will be handling depend on the type of game you will be working on, here are some standard requirements for a video game developer.

Set up and manage Linux servers and HTTP servers
Writing scalable code with proper OOP practices
Lead workflow resolution by effectively routing information to appropriate queues
Develop systems with sufficient flexibility to handle exceptions
Provide support for any existing AS2 legacy code
Develop animation units for the game web pages using AS2
Work with ZendAMF and PHP to create flash communication
Communicate and partner with senior engineers and game programmers
Perform QA for games
Implement APIs to support hardware-specific features

Game development skills you will need

Strong IT skills

As mentioned before, strong technical skills are mandatory to become a competent game developer. With each passing year, video games are becoming more realistic. As the gaming features and visuals enter Photorealism – a new era of the realistic physical rendering of video games – you have to demonstrate IT skills beyond coding. Graphics and animation play an essential role in video game development which is why you need to improve your designing skills.

Creativity

Game developers don’t just write code; they create incredible virtual worlds that immerse the gamers. To come up with original video game ideas, you will need creativity, which is much needed. The video game market is saturated with sameness. The competitive advantage of a game lies in its uniqueness.

Video games are not like other software; they are a cultural product with cultural tastes and preferences. This article from The Atlantic elaborates that game developers need to understand human psychology and culture to capture and retain players’ attention.

Problem-solving skills

Resolving technical glitches and overcoming challenges will be a routine task for you as a game developer. You will require grit and patience to solve problems and debug code. This is why problem-solving skills are essential.

Time management skills

Today’s video games are highly complex products with hundreds of thousands of components. To pull all the pieces together, companies require multiple teams of technical and artistic professionals. To be a successful game developer, you have to learn to work well under pressure, collaborate effectively, and follow project deadlines.

Top countries in the world for game developers

Unlike other programmers, game developers are benefited from choosing a location when it comes to building a career. Most game publishers and studios still work with in-house teams at the office.

Here is a graph representing the best countries for game development jobs based on the number of game developers.

Challenges you need to know

Game developers often have to take criticism from the gaming community if the game or a new feature they incorporate is glitchy or brings down the user experience. It will be essential to take a step back and take criticism. Furthermore, gaming industry technologies change lighting fast. You must be ready to learn not to get outdated. Keeping up with trends is also essential. At present, mobile games are a rage, but soon, AR/VR driven metaverse powered video games might be the norm.

Conclusion

The video gaming industry is enormous, and the demand for quality game developers is high. If you genuinely love video games, you can create a successful career in the industry with a bit of planning and determination. Game developers must have an innate understanding of gaming systems and strong technical skills, as listed above. We hope this article will serve as a guiding resource to build your career in game development.

Talent500 is the hub for the best Indian IT talent to find the best opportunities in the industry. We are a global platform used by Fortune 500 companies and startups to build their remote teams. Join us today!

4 Great tools for asynchronous communication among developers

Posted on July 21, 2022July 21, 2022 by seoteam

The communication architecture of a team decides how productive and efficient it is. Excessive communication through video calls, instant messaging, and phone calls can create bottlenecks countering productivity. It is why companies are adopting asynchronous communication tools to maintain the overall efficiency of teams.

Asynchronous communication offers many benefits for teams-from greater flexibility to more thoughtful project collaboration-integrating asynchronous methods of communication will make team members happier and more productive. This is especially true if the teams are hybrid or remote.

This article will explore the asynchronous work environment and communication tools best suited.

What is asynchronous communication?

Before we understand asynchronous communication, let’s explore the communication challenges faced by remote and hybrid teams.

When employees are scattered over different time zones or working remotely, synchronous communication is difficult. If you require instant responses for employees to adhere to, there will be immense pressure on them. Also, too many workplace interruptions result in context switching as developers will be shifting between code editor, browser, and messengers. Asynchronous communication provides relief from all this communication overhead.

Asynchronous communication refers to the setup in which two or more are available simultaneously for a conversation to take place. The communication does not happen in real-time so that each team member can communicate in their own time.

Companies can adopt some of the best asynchronous communication tools to provide a better work-life balance.

Here are the four great tools for asynchronous communication that can help teams be more productive without wasting too much time on communication.

1. Twist

Constantly distracted employees experience poor productivity and have a higher risk of burnout. Twist is a unique messaging tool against the current status quo of real-time communication between teams and team members. It is an excellent asynchronous communication tool that allows users to focus on productivity rather than responsiveness.

Twist eliminates the need for a constant presence on communication apps. Workers can take complete control of notifications using Twist. Employees can create channels to organize chats by subjects, projects, or departments. They can further micromanage notifications to decide when, how, and messages they want.

Another highly usable feature of this tool is its advanced search. Twist organizes your inbox into a searchable threaded conversation. You can find the relevant information with a simple search without scrolling through random chatter.

2. Yac

Yac is an audio-first asynchronous communication tool giving workers freedom from the always-on trap. You do not have to be always present to collaborate more efficiently on projects or to have more productive discussions.

Rather than having endless scrum meetings on Zoom, managers can use Yac to record a quick voice message about the project to keep their teams in sync. The tool offers many options for the most efficient communication.

Suppose an idea or component is too complicated to be explained in the text; you can clarify the concept by recording your voice and screen. Then, you can send the message directly to your colleagues from Yac. You can even create a shareable link of voice notes that you can attach with emails or share on Slack.

3. Stepsize

An excellent asynchronous communication tool for issue tracking, Stepsize is designed for developers. It allows developers to share issues and collaborate on fixes by directly adding codebase issues from VSCode and JetBrains editors. Stepsize will enable developers to add code comments, bookmark, and send notifications to other Project Management tools.

For instance, if your team is working on a web project involving frontend and backend developers. Stepsize can streamline communication between them by allowing developers to comment or bookmark issues referred by other developers. Engineering teams can reduce technical debt and improve coding standards using this tool.

4. 360learning

Learning and knowledge sharing are essential for developing teams and a company’s growth. However, onboarding and training new employees can be challenging with remote teams. For this purpose, you can use 360learning. A collaborative learning management system allows teams to work asynchronously on the internal knowledge base and learning resources. People with different expertise can contribute to the same course individually in their own time.

Suppose you are working on a new learning course for a new tool your company has developed. Using 360learning, designers, developers, and managers can asynchronously share their insights in the course without working together synchronously.

Takeaway

Asynchronous communication offers many advantages, especially for remote teams. The goal of communication is to make teams more productive. Using asynchronous communication tools listed here makes sense to allow teams to work more and spend less time getting distracted by notifications, calls, and messages.

Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing startups trust Talent500 to hire, build, and manage their global remote workforce. Join our elite pool of talent today and discover career-redefining opportunities.

5 Tips & tricks to fast-track your Java learning

Posted on July 20, 2022August 5, 2022 by

Learning a programming language today is much easier with the availability of many internet resources. If exploring too many resources overwhelms you, even before you start, you need to find a way to plan your learning.

If you are learning Java and exploring ways to accelerate your learning, this article can help. We are about to share some top tips and tricks that can help you overcome the most common challenges that slow down Java learners.

Aide the learning with an exciting project

Programming is best learned with practice, so you must not depend on cramming through books and theory but get your hands dirty by working on code. And when we say work on code, we don’t imply the end of chapter exercises but a real-life Java project. Nothing excites a learner more than trying to achieve a well-functioning application at the end. There are several benefits of learning by working on a project. You get to put all that you read to practical use. You do not feel the monotony of just reading through texts and it keeps you engaged. This approach helps you learn your strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, if you worked on projects during Java upskilling, you can mention them in your resume. Companies prefer candidates who have worked on at least a few coding projects.

Practice, there’s no alternative

If you’re not practicing, you can never master a craft no matter how many Java learning resources you go through. Textbook knowledge never made great programmers; writing code again and again did.

One of the best tips we have to share is to use the 80-20 rule to accelerate your learning. Invest 80% of your learning time in writing code and practical training, while the rest 20% on theory. Start learning new concepts through books and online resources in small portions. Then, master what you learn by repeatedly practicing with a code editor before you move to the next concept.

Being pragmatic is essential to fast-track your Java learning. You can try several tools to learn Java through coding exercises. We recommend:

CodeGym is an excellent resource for beginners to learn Java. There are over 1200 tasks that teach you Java through step-by-step lessons. All the tasks are supported by virtual mentors who evaluate your code and provide instant feedback to improve it.

Codechef is a competitive programming website where you can find exciting challenges to learn Java through. Once you have gained the basic knowledge of Java through CodeGym, you can move ahead by practicing challenges here.

Seek Support

Java upskilling on your own is an uphill challenge, and it can be tough to stay organized and consistent. A problem you are stuck on might often compel you to end your learning process. The best approach at this point is to seek support from other learners. Throughout learning Java, you must keep an open mind and not be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t know where to find like-minded Java learners, here are some active communities to find them:

Reddit channels r/java and r/javahelp.

No Pain — No Gain: don’t set the bar too low

While the tips we shared here for Java learning will simplify the process for you, don’t limit yourself to the most straightforward problems. Keep progressing through the exercises as you start getting comfortable with your skills. Learning Java is easy, but being job-ready requires more than just familiarity with the basic concepts. You must endure the pain and take up challenges.

But remember, do not try to learn too many programming languages or take several courses simultaneously. It is not going to fast-track your Java learning, instead, it will confuse you. Start with one or two resources and stick to them. Finish nailing down the concepts you learned with repeated coding assignments before moving on to other Java learning resources.

Keep learning sessions long

Experienced programmers agree that too many breaks or frequent breaks can hinder learning. You have to make your learning sessions long enough to spend at least an hour on coding.

One hour of pure coding implies spending 2 to 3 hours on learning Java every day because when you account for time spent searching resources, looking up references, and Googling answers, it all adds up. You have to be quick with learning. In the IT industry, skills change fast and frequently. It will also serve you well in your career when you must quickly take up a new job skill.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned tips for Java upskilling will hopefully make it easier and quicker for you to master Java. But being a programmer means a lifelong learning mindset to anticipate market trends and stay afloat by honing your coding skills.

Talent500 is the platform top Indian talent uses to upskill and be job-ready. We connect you with the best employers globally, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Join us here.

Top 5 JavaScript UI frameworks and libraries for 2022

Posted on July 18, 2022July 19, 2022 by venkatesh

JavaScript has grown to be the language of web development, with over 90% of websites using it in some form. If you are a front-end developer, then you already know how important this programming language is for web applications. JavaScript has all the features that make a website or application interface interactive and responsive.

JavaScript is essential for web development, but it would be very time-consuming if developers used it to create features and UI from scratch. To accelerate client-side development, professionals use JavaScript frameworks and libraries.

Frameworks or libraries are code blocks containing components that can be directly integrated into a project to build an application. JavaScript libraries also have widgets that can be combined with any environment.

This article looks at a list of the top JavaScript UI frameworks and libraries developers can use. Our experts picked these frameworks based on their popularity, editing features, presence of documentation, and regularity of updates.

Webix UI Library

If you spend most of your time with JavaScript frameworks like Angular and Vue, you will be surprised to use the Webix UI library. While the former are full-fledged JavaScript frameworks that are not just limited to UI, Webix is primarily focused on front-end design. The library is rich with over 1000 widgets. There are 13 complete single-page applications for web developers to create one-page UIs easily.

Suppose you want to create highly interactive web interfaces. In that case, you can use the Webix JavaScript library to create turnkey web functionalities straightaway or more customized projects per your requirement. This JavaScript UI library is fully compatible with Angular and Reach environments. Some popular Webix widgets are Gantt, File Manager, Pivot, and Kanban. You can use the Webix Jet microframework to combine two or more widgets.

Ember.js

It is interesting how few developers are aware of the robustness of the Ember.js JavaScript library even when its features are comparable to any JavaScript UI library. Ember.js was first launched in 2011 and since then, it has grown to be a reliable solution for user interface design of web projects based on JavaScript.

One of the reasons why developers prefer Ember.js is its lightweight rendering. The UI built with Ember.js is HTML driven, so you work with HTML templates for the most part. When building apps in Ember.js, you can use the built-in development environment that supports auto-reload and test running. There is also a built-in Ember router that supports nested URLs.

DevExtreme

DevExtreme is a JavaScript library that offers a complete collection of powerful components that you often find with Angular, React and Vue. If you are looking for an alternative to these JavaScript frameworks, try DevExtreme and you won’t be disappointed. It has essential data components like TreeList, Charts, DataGrid, Maps, PivotGrid, and Forms. There are over 50 tools included in this JavaScript framework to help you build applications fast. You get a built-in Theme Builder to create custom themes and support for touch screen devices. There are enough demos and examples available to help developers get started. If your project is developed in React, Angular or Vue and you need to extend its functionality, you can explore the components of DevExtreme.

DHTMLX

If you are working on a complex web or mobile application, you need JavaScript frameworks with essential components for the usual tasks. DHTMLX is a JavaScript library that includes most HTML5 Material Design components for UI development. From Gantt charts to Canvas Grids, there is a component for any UI design. Like other JavaScript libraries on the list, this one is also compatible with Angular, Vue and React. A distinguishing feature of DHTMLX is its support for TypeScript, which is rare. Excellent technical support and outstanding performance are additional features to consider.

Backbone.js

What makes Backbone.js stand out from other JavaScript frameworks is its short learning curve. The ease of learning makes it easier for developers to use its features in their projects to incorporate complex functionalities with less code. It is an open-source JavaScript library, so a community of experienced JavaScript developers supports it. It also follows the Model and View approach, similar to JavaScript frameworks.

We recommend Backbone.js for applications that have robust APIs. The framework has a rich API of enumerable functions that you can connect with existing application APIs using the standard RESTful JSON interface.

Conclusion

JavaScript libraries and frameworks are essential for accelerating web or mobile app development. As a web developer, you must know the best JavaScript libraries to help create interactive and intuitive UI. The JavaScript libraries we have listed above serve the goal of being practical UI-building components.

Talent500 is the platform for front-end developers to find career redefining opportunities with global companies. Join our elite pool of talent today.

Why employee referrals are crucial for hiring in tech, and how to get them

Posted on June 23, 2022 by temp

Tech companies are in a tussle for talent like never before. Back in 2018, a LinkedIn study highlighted the industry’s Achilles heel: a chart-topping turnover rate, 13.2% at the time. With the pandemic easing, the problem seems to have resurfaced and compounded. Multiple sources now reveal Indian IT majors grappling with an attrition rate upwards of 20–25%. Nevertheless, the silver lining, experts suggest, is that the massive churn in the employee talent pool should settle down as 2022 progresses.

Hiring teams find themselves amidst considerable buzz and tension in the job market. Employees who may have earlier not considered changing alliances, now aspire for value in different shapes and sizes, be it a fatter paycheck or a flexible work schedule. They are open to jumping ship. Simultaneously, the rapid pace of digital acceleration juxtaposed with the sparse availability of highly-qualified, domain-specific talent means that hiring managers must act swiftly and smartly.

There may be no way to entirely ‘short-circuit’ the hiring process. However, treading the plank of employee advocacy has proven benefits: better talent, shorter hiring time, reduced cost per candidate – the works! Here’s why employee referrals are too crucial a hiring method to be left underutilized in 2022.

Why do employee referrals work?

Statistics show that employee referrals amount to a large percentage of any given company’s total hires. Data by Gary Crispin published on SHRM pegs this figure at 28–30%, and this can rise to about 45% if more emphasis is placed on the method.

From the perspective of the candidate, a referral establishes an element of trust. Job listings and company websites provide a minimal amount of data about working in the organization. Getting invited by someone who’s ‘been there, done it’ can create a crucial bond between the potential hire and the company. It’s similar to booking one hotel rather than the other, if for no other reason than the reviews. Candidates are likely to go where they have good reason to believe they will succeed.

From the perspective of the employer, a referral means the candidate is, to some extent, already pre-qualified. The fact that a candidate is referred to the company by someone privy to the work culture and demands can drastically improve the quality of the hire. In other words, candidates coming through employee referral programs are vetted by more than the HR team.

It’s a win-win for candidates and hiring teams, and this is reflected by the fact that referrals enjoy a much higher job-offer rate than regular applicants.

Top advantages of employee referral programs

88% of employers agree that employee referral programs are the best source of recruitment, backed by data from Zippia . Here are some reasons why:

Larger talent pool

An employee referral program grants instant access into the employees’ networks. The best talent may very possibly lie outside the company’s reach, and employee networks can help expand the talent pool exponentially. Moreover, many potential employees may be “passive” about wanting a new job and so, may simply not appear on job boards, search engine ads, career pages, and so on.

Higher conversion rate

Data from software company Jobvite shows that referred candidates enjoy a conversion rate of around 40%. Having such a high number of successful placements vis-à-vis the jobs available is extremely beneficial to the budget. It means spending less on the recruitment process. What’s more, compared to the copious amounts of résumés received through other channels, employee referrals are normally few in number. Companies have access to high-potential candidates through referral programs.

Quicker turnaround time

In a tech world of fierce competition and unrelenting product development deadlines, time is not just money – it’s survival. Here’s where a referred candidate can be gold. The fact that a referral makes candidates and recruiters confident of success translates into a more pleasant recruitment process. Statistics reveal that it implies a shorter recruitment time: 21 days versus the 39-day average, according to data from software company ERIN.

Longer service tenures

Statistics from ERIN also reveal that referred employees stick around longer. Compared to those who come through job boards, nearly double the amount stay committed to a company for double the time frame. Why do referred employees budge less easily? It is probably because they have the inside scoop before joining. They know what they are getting into and make an informed choice to join the company.

Better culture fit

Job listings seek to match technical skills with project requirements. However, will the candidate fit into the team? How will the candidate fare in the company in the long run? A current employee who knows both the company’s culture and the candidate’s personality can help bridge this divide. In fact, recruiters see this culture fit reflected in a high level of employee engagement.

Lower costs per hire

Multiple sources agree that employee referrals are less costly than other sources of recruitment. Companies sidestep the fees they’d encounter along the traditional hiring routes. More importantly, when putting together domain-specific skill, a low time to productivity, and a high retention rate, the result is a better quality employee – at a cheaper price tag!

How to inspire great employee referrals?

Invest in the program

Employee referrals are cost-effective, but they aren’t free! Here’s what companies can offer.

Cash bonus: Keep it attractive and inclusive. That is, the amount should incite action, and it may be beneficial to open the program up to all levels of employees, be it executives or interns.
Non-cash rewards: Incentives such as a ‘paid vacation’, ‘raise in seniority level’, ‘public recognition’, or ‘dinner with the leadership’ can work better than cash equivalents. They build the referrer’s interest in the company and strengthen the company culture

Keep it simple

Devise a referral program that does not have too many terms and conditions. If it is overly complicated, employees will not participate as eagerly. Moreover, create a straightforward process for candidates to be referred: an online form is great. If the referral program can integrate with social media, even better!

Question and respond

Employee referrals are no magic handshake. They don’t have to work: they can fail! Because the quality of the hire depends on your current employee’s experiences with your company and with the candidate, it can be beneficial to get some data on this during the referral process. This will help sift high-quality referrals from those of a lesser grade.

On gaining a referral, respond to the candidate and referring employee promptly. This keeps all parties interested and the program rolling. A quick response gives the candidate the preferential treatment they may expect. Updates to employees tell them their work is valuable.

Employee referrals are extremely valuable, but cannot be the sole plank. They can suffer from low data and a lack of diversity. Ideally, employee referrals should complement other recruitment methods. For instance, when you partner with Talent500, you get access to over 200,000 pre-vetted professionals gunning to fill the ranks at quickly-growing start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. Our AI-powered tools provide access to 5x faster hiring, data-driven profile matching, and multichannel sourcing. Schedule a consultation and learn how to put top-draw talent from renowned talent hubs across the globe within your reach today!

Bias in AI recruitment: four ways to solve it and pave the way forward

Posted on June 23, 2022 by naveen

AI adoption was well underway far before 2020, and leaders across industries were finding ways to incorporate it into the operational model. But as the pandemic came around and forced large-scale digitalization, a PwC study reported that 52% of companies saw this as a catalyst for AI adoption.

This seems only logical, as AI is arguably the best technology for a world forced digital. What’s more, there are obvious upsides, namely better productivity, heightened innovation, and more efficient problem-solving. In fact, a 2021 report by Gartner suggested that the global AI software market in 2022 will total $62 billion. This will be a nearly 21% increase from 2021 and indicative of the fact that AI adoption isn’t slowing any time soon.

Naturally, the use of AI has trickled down into HR processes. Now a notable part of the recruitment process, AI offers many benefits including a faster interview process, increased objectivity, improved quality, heightened experience for candidates and reduced costs. A significant advantage is AI’s ability to provide objective results and eliminate common human errors in the recruitment process. But like any technology, it has its bugs. Research suggests that AI recruitment algorithms can increase the bias against women.

While gender bias is one form, other types of biases in AI recruitment can harm an organization’s goals and success. But as AI maturity sets in, organizations can successfully implement AI in recruitment for the right outcomes. To understand these vulnerabilities for bias in AI recruitment, how organizations can tackle them, and its potential going forward, read on.

Bias in AI recruitment

A key reason for AI recruitment technologies to result in biased results is that humans primarily train these algorithms. Algorithms defined with bias can neutralize the positives that AI brings to the table. For instance, algorithms can pick up on cognitive bias, such as confirmation bias, gender bias, or affinity bias. Here, the main vulnerability is during the assessment of poor prior decision-making. Both past and present decisions can lead to bias in AI recruitment.

When AI algorithms look to learn from prior decisions, it looks for patterns to form the basis for future decisions. Studies reveal that AI predictions based on past hiring decisions can reproduce the same patterns of inequality in all recruitment strategies, even when sensitive characteristics get eliminated. As a result, HR professionals relying solely on the outcomes and predictions of AI will unknowingly make biased decisions.

For instance, bias appears when the algorithm scans and ranks the applicants based on specific traits present in the original data. When an application demonstrates certain traits that are different from the original input, the algorithm can downrank the candidate, even if the traits are irrelevant to the job.

Strategies to tackle AI recruitment bias

Companies can successfully use AI for recruitment with strategic planning and implementation. These strategies can help organizations identify the source of the bias and deter it from spreading further. Here is a breakdown of these tactics for deeper insights.

Maintain meaningful human supervision

According to research, organizations can improve performance when machines and humans work together. While implementing AI in recruitment protocols, organizations need to ensure that their AI software is human centered. This is because employers can add the human quotient and pick on the cues that AI cannot detect.

This enables informed decision-making that isn’t solely reliant on the technology’s insights. For this to be effective, employers need to be conscious of the bias they bring to the table and ensure that it doesn’t play a role in their decisions. Ideally, companies should have a diverse committee responsible for catching bias occurrences that would otherwise slip through.

Rely on proven techniques and AI models

Tried-and-tested techniques can assure organizations that the AI model they rely on will work favorably. While these do require a fair bit of tailoring, proven AI techniques can help organizations reduce bias as well as make it more cost-effective. Proven AI techniques can help the hiring team receive relevant and unbiased data, as well as allow them to focus on other characteristics during the interview. This includes non-verbal cues, body language, and other things that AI can’t yet analyze accurately.

A successful example of such a tactic in motion is the hiring practice at Unilever. The organization uses brain games and AI to compare and analyze candidates’ skills. This can help the company significantly improve diversity in the workforce. This works for Unilever because despite the new technology, they have adapted it to work with a traditional and effective technique.

Perform audits and rectify the data

AI algorithms left unchecked are a major cause for concern. They can reproduce the same biased decision, effectively hampering the organization’s efforts to eliminate bias from the recruitment process. This is why it is imperative to perform regular audits. These help managers pick up on problems that hinder the algorithm’s ability to procure desired results. One of the top reasons AI bias creeps into the recruitment process is inaccurate or incomplete data used for training purposes.

Leverage AI-supported models in the metaverse

As the metaverse gains popularity, it is important to consider that this can be an avenue to reduce unconscious bias in human behavior. Unconscious bias becomes challenging to eliminate because the recruiter is not even aware of it. Generally, such bias is based on cues like voice, physical appearance, gender, age and more. In the metaverse, these sensory cues can be stripped away because of the avatars.

When sensory cues are hidden from the interviewer, it decreases the chances of a biased decision. Moreover, organizations can use the metaverse for sensitivity training and work towards reducing bias and biased practices. With AI, the metaverse can also allow HR employees to experience things from a different perspective, which can come in handy when training to eliminate their unconscious bias.

Future outlook of AI in recruitment

Research suggests that AI will shape the future of the workplace in many different ways. With employees and AI working parallelly, AI can ease the load of routine tasks and give employees time to devote their focus on cognitive tasks. A 2020 report also suggested that while AI will displace nearly 80 million jobs, it will create around 95 million more jobs. However, effective and productive use of AI in business processes is only possible when organizations understand its limitations.

Conscious planning, while important, helps successful implementation, but it is also easier said than done. Thankfully, nearly 67% of HR professionals believe that AI in recruitment can benefit these processes.

From the candidate POV, a survey by Talent500 found that 85% of the candidates value their interview experience while evaluating job offers. AI technology is known to enhance this journey when done right. To leverage AI in the recruiting process and ensure it works advantageously, partner with Talent500. Our AI-backed solutions ensure that you get the right match from the pre-vetted talent pool. We also ensure improved engagement and efficiency, with up to 5x faster hiring capabilities and 60% higher recruiter productivity. Schedule a consultation to know how we can tailor these services to suit your needs and leverage AI in recruiting effectively.

How to converse effectively with clients as a front-end developer

Posted on June 17, 2022July 21, 2022 by venkatesh

For front-end developers, communication is an essential skill. In contrast to backend developers, they have the active participation of stakeholders in their work. Whether working on a small website or a large-scale application, you will actively communicate with clients.

Speak with confidence

Confidence in your communication is a must to subconsciously convey to the client that you are an expert in your domain. Front-end developers have a lot to discuss with clients, project scope, design, timeline, cost, etc. Everything must be conveyed with the clear objective of informing the client.

If you are wondering how front-end developers include confidence in their communication, here’s an example:

Suppose you have a feature that will make a client’s site faster, then your tone must reflect that you know what you are talking about.

“I think it will help make your site faster” is an unappealing statement. Instead, you should use “By reducing the number of HTTP requests to the browser, I will significantly improve site performance.”

Here the difference is that you sound confident, and the client knows precisely what you will be doing and how it will affect the project.

A word of caution here is to keep in mind to be respectful. During large web projects, there will be thousands of elements and components to work on. Something will slip through the cracks, do not be accusatory. Gently discuss with clients about project requirements or missed tasks.

Communicate roadblocks with a strategy

Clients are an essential part of a business. To get them on the same page, you need to structure your conversations around their needs. It is vital to keep them informed and included in the development process.

Most front-end developers tremble when they have to communicate roadblocks with the client. But it is not that difficult; think of it the same as creating a website’s front page.

You think about the action you want the visitors to take. In this case, navigate the client through the issue without aggravation.

Have a call-to-action ready that speaks to the client and paves the way for communication.

Design the rest of the page, i.e., the conversation around getting the visitor (the client) through the conversion funnel (talking through the issue).

Let’s see it through an example. Suppose you face difficulty with a component design and think you can achieve it with another programming language. It would help if you initiated something like this.

“I have completed the registration module, but we should make the KYC process faster. Right now, you have suggested Vue.js, but it is limited in its scope in performance. We should use Node.js, which is much faster and can be deployed faster.”

Here you are making clients stick to the path you want to take, cementing your authority and expertise.

Set expectations

Establishing boundaries around the project’s scope, turnaround times, response times, and support is crucial. The first step towards this goal is to make the expectations clear from the beginning.

Define the expectations as accurately as possible. It will help the client be clear about the scope of work you will be doing and the timeline. Discuss the project’s timeline with the client before starting the project to minimize the risk of future disagreements.

Most clients like to work with developers who stick to their agreement and put in the hours promised. Set up a proper communication channel and time when you will hold meetings with the client for effective communication. Avoid engaging clients outside this time unless it’s necessary.

Be transparent about your pricing

Be it a rate-based project or fixed hourly rates, the project’s pricing is always the elephant in the room. The final project pricing depends on the complexity of the project and the features you are going to build. Not all features are created equal, and if you do not communicate this to the client, there will be a misunderstanding later on.

Eliminate any scope for miscommunication by putting your pricing in writing. Mention what features you will be working on and that any additional features will cost extra. Be open to the demands of the clients and their budgets. You can compensate for less pay by using technologies that offer better automation and faster delivery. For instance, if a client wants static pages in a JavaScript page, you can use GatsbyJS, which has ready-made static page templates.

Conclusion

Front-end developers are not the awkward, bespectacled geeks who fail to communicate with clients; they are professionals who deliver on clients’ requirements keeping them in the loop throughout the development process.

We hope these tips will enable you to talk to clients professionally about everything related to the project. The key here is to prioritize the needs of the client but demonstrate your value as well for a sustainable partnership.

Talent500 is a platform for front-end developers to explore remote work opportunities with fast-growing startups and Fortune 500 companies. Sign up today to join the pool of elite talent.

Java developer toolkit: Important skills, learning resources, interview prep & more

Posted on May 2, 2022May 2, 2022 by

Since 1995 when it was first released, Java remains one of the critical languages for application development. The compiled object-oriented programming language is popular because of its cross-platform applications that allow backend developers to create web apps and write server-side code. Java can be used to develop web applications, android apps, applications for the cloud, and deploy Machine Learning and Internet of Things solutions.

Core Java skills: Java is versatile, and to fully utilize its potential, a backend developer must understand some basic concepts of core Java. Object-oriented programming or OOP is a concept that Java developers must master. It bases programming around data and objects instead of logic. Abstraction is a concept of OOP used to make Java code modular using abstract classes. Serialization makes Java code portable by transporting objects between Java virtual machines. Developers must know how serialization works in Java.

Design patterns: Java developers must know the concept of design patterns that help find solutions for frequently occurring problems during coding. Creational, Structural, and Behavioral are the three most important design patterns for developers to learn. These patterns help find a solution to frequently occurring problems during coding.

Understanding of SOLID principles: SOLID is an object-oriented programming concept that improves the quality of the code.

SOLID stands for:

Single responsibility: Making classes responsible for one item each to avoid interconnected problems in the code.

Open-closed: Making functions, classes, and modules open for a call by extensions but not for modifications.

Liskov substitution: According to this principle, a Java developer must replace related superclasses with subclasses.

Interface segregation: In a program design, developers should focus on creating interfaces specific to one client to avoid irrelevant interfaces. It helps develop applications that are cohesive and secure.

Dependency inversion: Java developers should create dependency objects as abstractions instead of specific items. Furthermore, developers should avoid making high-level modules dependent on low-level modules.

Code Version Control: Version control is an integral part of software development. Developers use version control systems to record and control changes happening in code over time. Several version control software tools exist such as GitHub, GitLab, BeanStalk, and BitBucket. Among these, GitHub is the most popular VCS tool.

Web Frameworks: Java makes it possible to build enterprise-level web applications and mobile applications with minimal code. Spring MVC and Play are two of the most powerful Java frameworks for web apps. Spring is made on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) framework developers prefer for its simple syntax, excellent object injection capabilities, simplicity, and automated testing tools.

Java testing tools: Java developers will also be part of processes, apart from writing code. Testing tools allow backend developers to test their code for bugs without using the production database. Most companies prefer Java developers who know testing tools like Selenium and TestNG.

Top 25 Topics and Resources to Crack Java Developer Interviews in 2022

21 Essential Java Interview Questions

Tips for Writing Cleaner Unit Tests in Java

How To Advance In Blockchain As A Java Developer

10 Ways Java Developers Can Upskill

Top 5 Java Microservices Frameworks Architecture

16 Tricky Java Developer Interview Questions And How to Answer Them

Essential Skills to Become an Ace Java Developer

Official resources

Java Official Docs

Official Java YouTube Channel

Inside Java

Online courses & tutorials

Object-Oriented Programming in Java Specialization by Coursera

Java Programming: Solving Problems with Software by Coursera

Java Programming Masterclass covering Java 11 & Java 17

Java Fundamentals: The Java Language

Java In-Depth: Become a Complete Java Engineer!

Books for Java developers

Java 11 and 12 – New Features

Java in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference

Java Performance: In-Depth Advice for Tuning and Programming Java 8, 11, and Beyond

Murach’s Java Programming

Effective Java

Online communities for Java developers

Oracle Java Forum

DreamInCode Java forum

Coderanch

Podcasts for Java developers

Simple Programmer Podcast

Java Pub House

Bus318 – Business Programming In Java

Java Off-Heap

Soft skills for Java developers

Competent developers have excellent technical skills, but they also have soft skills crucial to leading project development teams. As part of a team, you participate at all stages of development. Following are some essential soft skills to focus on.

Time management: Java developers work under deadlines, and it is essential to stick to a well-defined time frame. You must access the time required to complete each phase of the development process. Time management skills ensure that you meet every step of the application development cycle.

Communication skills: Constant communication with team members is part of software development. Keeping up with clients and following up with stakeholders will be a routine job. It is why developers should have strong written and verbal communication skills.

Adaptability: Java developers should be willing to adjust. As the technologies upgrade, developers often have to upskill and adapt to new features and tools. Java has been around for over three decades. It is one of the earliest languages to build enterprise applications and software. Being adaptable will keep you flexible such that you can easily handle any changes in the development environment—regardless of your initial background.

Checkout some soft skill improvement resources for developers:

Six soft skills that still impress employers in 2022

7 Most valuable soft skills of exceptional software engineers

Upskilling: a complete guide for professionals

Conclusion

Being a good Java developer is an act of balance between hard skills, good knowledge of Java’s ecosystem, and essential soft skills. While technologies are constantly updated, the core skills listed here and soft skills will remain important for Java developers. We handpicked these resources to help you become a great asset to a software development team.

Talent500 is a platform where top Indian tech talent finds the best career opportunities at some of the fastest-growing startups and Fortune500 companies. We help Java developers brush up their resumes, upskill, and prepare for interviews. Join us today.

Node.js vs. Django: How to pick the right development tool

Posted on December 9, 2021December 9, 2021 by vallish

A good web app or website interacts with users seamlessly, attracting them and keeping them engaged. This makes choosing the right developing tool a critical first step. However, this is no simple task, especially when you have to choose between two equally resourceful, robust, and popular technology stacks.

Node.js is a JavaScript-based cross-platform that can run on both the client and server sides. On the other hand, Django is a Python-based cross-platform that eliminates repetitive tasks, enabling speedy and agile web app development.

Both Node.js and Django are popular open-source frameworks, replete with unique features and functionalities. Choosing between the two can be difficult. To make a sound decision, take a look at this comparative analysis of the two frameworks and make a decision that best suits your needs.

Django

Django is a free, python-based web development framework that is open-source and designed on the model-view-controller architecture. This enables you to develop a powerful back-end to your web application speedily.

Popular web apps developed using Django

YouTube
Bitbucket
Spotify
Mozilla
Instagram
Dropbox
Disqus

Advantages of Django

Django is a resourceful framework that is not only easy to implement but also easy to learn. Anyone with basic knowledge of Python can master this framework in no time.
Django offers several in-built frameworks that enable the quick and easy development of web applications.
It offers strong security provisions.
Its resourceful framework is capable of running several complex and high-level processes.

Disadvantages of Django

While easy to learn and implement, Django is extensive and requires several lines of code. It may become infeasible for websites with low bandwidth.
Django is ideal for big, interactive, feature-heavy web applications. The performance of a small website with fewer features based on the Django framework deteriorates over time.
The framework can only support single-layered applications.
Django is not built to handle numerous individual requests simultaneously.

Node.js

Designed in 2009, the Node.js framework is based on C, C++, and JavaScript. Similar to Django, Node.js is an open-source platform, using which you can write on the client and server-side. The code is accessible outside the web portal, making Node.js a light and fast tool to build scalable network applications.

Popular web apps developed using Node.js

eBay
Medium
Uber
PayPal
NASA
Netflix
LinkedIn

Advantages of Node.js

It is a flexible and robust framework used to develop both the front-end and back-end of a project.
Node.js helps develop platforms that can be scaled both vertically and horizontally.
It is easy to use with minimum complications.
Node.js is a popular web development tool that has a widespread global community. As such, it is easily accessible and promotes easy troubleshooting.

Disadvantages of Node.js

It requires highly skilled web developers.
Its API changes frequently, resulting in effort-intensive code changes.
Node.js is not as secure.
It does not support coordinated programming, making it complicated for many developers.
It cannot handle intricate CPU-based tasks.

Decoding how Node.js and Django are different

Which developing tool should you choose?

Your choice of developing framework can define the success or failure of your web application. While both are robust and highly advanced frameworks, choosing one comes down to your web-app requirement and your preference. Using the above-mentioned information regarding various parameters, make an informed decision that aligns with your project requirements.

For example, if you require a web app with tight security features and have a short development window, choose Django. On the other hand, if you want to build a highly flexible, feature-heavy, and customizable web app, opt for the Node.js framework.

Remember, there is no wrong answer here! Choosing the one that helps deliver a successful project is pertinent. With enough experience and learning, you can make the right choice and deliver highly satisfying projects. These are the makings of a developer innovating at leading and renowned companies.

Another way to get there reliably is to sign up for Talent500. Join a global network of talent, upskill efficiently, and position yourself for success amongst the top Fortune 500 companies. Get started today and sign up now!

Top 13 programmers and developers to follow on Twitter

Posted on September 13, 2021September 13, 2021 by jagriti

Every second, there are around 6,000 tweets going live on Twitter, making it one of the many hotspots on the internet. While social media is a great tool to connect with friends and acquaintances and share experiences, it can be quite a useful tool to educate yourself too. Twitter is an excellent platform to find information, but one of its main benefits is networking. As a programmer or software developer, you can connect with various industry-based experts and gurus via this micro-blogging site.

Whether you’re an aspiring developer, a seasoned programmer, or someone looking to branch out into coding, there’s a world of opportunity here. With the right information, you can hone your skills and follow in the footsteps of industry leaders and trailblazers. If coding, programming, software development, and modern technology excite you, consider following these 13 programming and software development experts on Twitter.

Jason Fried – 289.7K followers

https://twitter.com/jasonfried

Jason is the co-author of the book ‘Rework’, a New York Times bestseller. He has also co-founded 37signals, a web application company that builds tools like Basecamp, Highrise, Backpack, Ta-da List, and Writeboard. He is currently the founder and CEO of Basecamp, the makers of HEY. He identifies himself as a non-serial entrepreneur and a serial author having given a Ted talk on his revolutionary ‘rework’ ideas. Apart from valuable blogs, his tweets contain practical advice for developers.

Jeff Atwood – 281.5K followers

https://twitter.com/codinghorror

Jeff Atwood is an American software developer and co-founder of Discourse, Stack Exchange, and Stack Overflow, an online community for developers to grow. He is also an author, blogger, and entrepreneur. He writes for his popular blog, Coding Horror, where he discusses software programs and their users. His coding anecdotes are insightful, interesting, and quirky, offering a unique perspective of this cutting-edge profession.

Scott Hanselman – 268.1K followers

https://twitter.com/shanselman

Scott Hanselman is a programmer, teacher, and speaker with experience of over two decades in coding. He is an expert in coding, writing, speaking, promoting, braiding, learning, and listening. He’s maintained a blog for over 10 years and continues to spread coding and OSS knowledge. The blog is a treasure chest of information for both novice and expert developers. He works at the Web Platform Team at Microsoft and has been podcasting for the last 5 years. The open web is what interests him the most among his list of other pursuits including community, social equity, media, and entrepreneurship.

Addy Osmani – 264.3K followers

https://twitter.com/addyosmani

An engineering manager at Google Chrome, Addy Osmani works as a leader of the Speed team with an aim to make the web faster. He has created various open-source projects including TodoMVC, Yeoman, and Material Design Lite. He has also authored the book ‘JavaScript Design Patterns’. He shares helpful tips on JavaScript and web development and provides great solutions for improving page speed and web performance.

John Resig – 259.3K followers

https://twitter.com/jeresig

A JavaScript expert, John Resig is the creator of the JavaScript Evangelist for Mozilla, the JQuery JavaScript framework, and the jQuery JavaScript library. He currently works as a Chief Software Architect at Khan Academy and co-authored the book ‘The GraphQL guide’. With over 125 informative talks under his belt since 2006 and an impressive number of followers, he is definitely worth following, especially if you are a budding JavaScript developer. He shares tips and links to resources that can make a big difference in your approach.

Joel Spolsky – 176.9K followers

https://twitter.com/spolsky

Joel Spolsky is currently the CEO and founder of Stack Overflow. He also founded Fog Creek, Trello, Glitch, and HASH. He is the mind behind some of the favorite tools of the developer community. He has been associated with projects including Microsoft Excel, Visual Basic, and Fog Creek Software. Besides authoring ‘Joel on Software’, he shares interesting blogs and links for developers and programmers.

Amanda Rousseau – 159.6K followers

https://twitter.com/malwareunicorn

Amanda Rousseau runs a Twitter account with the name ‘Malware Unicorn’. She is an Offensive Security Professional at the Facebook Red team. She has worked as a Senior Malware Engineer at Endgame, Inc. and has been a speaker at some of the biggest cyber security conferences around the world. Security, malware, reverse engineering, and fashion are the fields that interest her. Her Twitter handle is the account to follow if you’re looking to learn about the growing field of cyber security and reverse engineering tools.

Brendan Eich – 152.3K followers

https://twitter.com/BrendanEich

Brendan Eich is the creator of the famous JavaScript language. He is presently the co-founder and CEO of Brave Software and Basic Attention Token. Besides this, he is the co-founder of Mozilla and Firefox. His experience and contributions to the tech world are reason enough to follow him. There’s a lot to learn from legends like Brendan, so make sure you don’t miss out!

Rasmus Lerdorf – 55.4K followers

https://twitter.com/rasmus

Well-known as the creator of the PHP coding language, Rasmus Lerdorf has affiliations with the eCommerce company, Etsy. He has previously worked at Yahoo! for seven years as an infrastructure architect and contributed to many open-source projects. His tweets are motivating for budding developers, and link back to ground-breaking technology that can easily put you ahead of the rest.

Sara Ownbey Chipps – 49.5K followers

https://twitter.com/SaraJChipps

Sara Ownbey Chipps is a co-founder of ‘Girl Develop It’, a non-profit organization aimed at encouraging and helping women become software developers. She co-founded and was the CEO of Jewelbots, which focuses on and uses hardware to surge the number of girls opting for STEM fields. Having been in the software and open-source community for two decades, she worked as an engineering manager at Stack Overflow, a leading Q&A resource for software developers around the world. A New York-based developer, she now works with LinkedIn and is a role model for women programmers and all those looking to make a difference in the world.

Chris DiBona – 40.2K followers

https://twitter.com/cdibona

Chris DiBona is the director of Open Source and Science Outreach at Google. He also contributed to the game ‘Fractured Veil’. Prior to his stint at Google, he was a writer/editor at Slashdot and had co-founded Damage Studios. He specializes in many fields including open source and related methodologies, C++, Python, game development, marketing, and public relations.

Bryan O’Sullivan – 11.7K followers

https://twitter.com/bos31337

Bryan O’Sullivan is the engineering director leading the Developer Infrastructure team at Facebook. He builds teams by promoting collaboration, team spirit, setting bold goals, and executing them to build responsive and delightful products. He also lectures at Stanford University and has authored a book ‘Real World Haskell’ besides co-authoring in ‘Mercurial: The Definitive Guide’ and ‘The Jini Specification.’

Jennifer Dewalt – 10.9k followers

https://twitter.com/jenniferdewalt

Jennifer Dewalt is the techie who built 180 websites in 180 days – a feat of pure skill and intelligence that very few are equipped to do! She has immense knowledge in coding and is an inspiring personality for any coder. She founded multiple startups including ‘Zube’, a project management platform for agile development teams.

There is no dearth of influential and innovative tech-wizards on Twitter, but these 13 should inspire you to think big. Many of them started small and are now impacting real-world change. Following these frontrunners and learning from them is a proactive approach to growth, which is a necessity to stay ahead of the competition. Another way to give yourself an edge is to achieve your potential with Talent500.

Our skill assessment algorithms align your profile with the right job opportunities at Fortune500 companies across the globe. With our assistance, you can work with the best in the world, contribute to innovation, and maybe someday, even feature on a list like this one! To get #twostepsahead and take control of your career, sign up today.