Summary. We reviewed real candidate profiles to learn the best path to become a java developer. We'll guide you through the education, experiences, and skills hiring managers look for in a java developer.

  • Most companies require a java developer to have a bachelor's degree degree in a related field, such as computer science or computer engineering.

  • It's important to have relevant work experience, with typical job requirements ranging from 2-4 years in related fields.

  • Common job titles before becoming a java developer include java/j2ee developer, software engineer, and software developer.

  • Hiring managers expect a java developer to have soft skills such as customer-service skills, creativity, and detail oriented.

  • Once you have all the required skills and experience, it takes an average of 3-6 months of job training to become a java developer.

  • Getting a certification as a Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) will help you to earn more as a java developer.

How to become a Java Developer in 6 steps:

  • Step 1: Explore java developer education
  • Step 2: Develop java developer skills
  • Step 3: Complete relevent training/internship
  • Step 4: Get java developer certifications
  • Step 5: Research java developer duties
  • Step 6: Prepare your resume

Key Steps To Become a Java Developer

  1. Explore Java Developer Education

    If you're interested in becoming a java developer, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 75.3% of java developers have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 22.2% of java developers have master's degrees. Even though most java developers have a college degree, it's impossible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

    Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a java developer. When we researched the most common majors for a java developer, we found that they most commonly have computer science, computer engineering and electrical engineering.

    Java Developer Degrees

    Bachelors

    75.3 %

    Masters

    22.2 %

    Associate

    1.0 %

    Java Developer MajorPercentages
    Computer Science42.30%
    Computer Engineering11.90%
    Electrical Engineering11.60%
    Information Technology9.20%
    Other Degrees25.10%

  2. Develop Java Developer Skills

    It'll be a good idea to develop java developer skills before applying for a job. Here are some skills commonly requested in java developer job descriptions:

    SkillsPercentages
    Java17.25%
    Spring Boot5.17%
    Database3.70%
    Web Application3.07%
    HTML2.88%

  3. Complete Relevent Training/Internship

    Java developers spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. During this time, new java developers learn the skills and techniques required for their specific job and employer. The chart below shows how much time it takes to gain competency as a java developer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real java developer resumes.

    Average Amount Of Time At Training

    None

    Less than 1 month

    1-3 months

    3-6 months

    6-12 months

    1-2 years

  4. Get Java Developer Certifications

    Certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for this position. They can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a certification, having one may help you stand out in an application. Plus, the process of getting a certification can teach you new skills that you can bring to your work. We determined the most common certifications for java developers. The most common certification is Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP), but Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer I (OCP) is also frequently seen in java developers resumes.

    1. Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP)
    2. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer I (OCP)
    3. Java Development Certified Professional
    4. Sun Certified Business Component Developer (SCBCD)
    5. Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I
    6. Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II
    7. Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC)
    8. Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer Certification

    More About Certifications

  5. Research Java Developer Duties

    When you decide to become a java developer, It's important to know what duties and responsibilities are required for this position. Some common responsibilities are a part of most java developer jobs. Here is a list of the main duties that define the role:

    • Involve in creating an ant task to automate the above process.
    • Manage connectivity using JDBC for querying/inserting & data management including triggers and store procedures.
    • Manage maven environment by setting up local, remote and central repositories with require configuration in maven configuration files.
    • Develop UI using JavaScript, JSP, HTML and CSS for interactive cross browser functionality and complex user interface.
    • Experience in Java coding for JSON access in the eclipse IDE and saving the data in the database.
    • Design UI using JSP and HTML and validate with JavaScript for providing the user interface and communication between client and server.

  6. Prepare Your Resume

    Finally, when you already have checked the skills and responsibilities for this role, you can start creating your resume. Everything that goes into creating a perfect resume can take hours, days, or even weeks. No worries, we created a resume builder to make this process as easy as possible with tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and a summary.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Java Developer Resume templates

    Build a professional Java Developer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Java Developer resume.

    Java Developer Resume
    Java Developer Resume
    Java Developer Resume
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    Java Developer Resume

  7. Apply For a Java Developer Job

    With your ready resume, it's time to start searching for a new job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

    Java Developer Jobs

  8. How To Become a Java Developer
    How To Become a Java Developer Career Overview

How To Become a Java Developer Without A Degree

Becoming a java developer without a degree is possible with the right approach. One way is to start as a assistant software engineer or hadoop administrator, where you can learn the ropes and gain practical experience. You can also seek out mentorship from experienced java developers, participate in online courses, or earn java developer certifications. Building a strong network, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and having a positive attitude can also increase your chances of success in this career path.

With the right courses, you can start a successful career as a java developer.

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