In today’s virtual world, applications have become an integral part of our daily lives. Applications, in a nutshell, are software that enables users to perform specific tasks. These include your web browsers such as Google Chrome, video games, and media players like iTunes. Without them, your phones and computers are basically over-glorified paperweights.
Aside from entertainment and utility, applications have also become avenues for businesses to promote their products and services. Not only are apps more convenient for users, but they also have a wider reach thanks to the internet. Combine this and the appearance of the pandemic, and it’s easy to see why online application developers are highly in-demand.
Online application developers are responsible for designing and coding functional programs and applications. Its subtypes include the Android Developer and the iOS Developer. Their duties and responsibilities include:
- Understanding client requirements for applications.
- Collaborate with a team of IT professionals, such as software architects, to set specifications for new applications.
- Design creative prototypes based on specifications.
- Write high-quality source codes to program complete applications.
- Conduct functional and non-functional testing of your applications.
- Troubleshoot and debug your applications.
- Evaluate the existing deployment and updates of software applications to see if they need to be reprogrammed and/or what features to add.
- Develop technical documents.
Because of the demand for online application developers, their salary range is pretty high. A junior-level full-time app developer’s salary ranges from Php 28,000 to Php 42,000. Experienced app developers can earn as much as Php 80,000 to Php 120,000.
So if you’re considering a career as an app developer, now is the time to do so. To help you stay ahead of the competition, here are six essential tips that you need to remember as an aspiring online application developer.
Be Proficient in Software Engineering and Programming.
Let’s start this article with perhaps one of the crucial skills you should have as an app developer. And that is knowledge in software engineering and programming. Yes, this should be common sense. Emphasis on the word should. But possessing basic knowledge in coding and app development is not enough these days.
To stand out among other aspiring online application developers, you will need to show that you’re skilled in designing, developing, and deploying applications. This is something that takes time and effort to achieve and continues even after you get hired. So forget about watching some Youtube how-tos and then winging it from there. Because that won’t work.
But aside from college, how else can you improve your skills in software engineering and programming? Youtube tutorials are a good starting point, but don’t just stop there. There are plenty of online courses that you can attend to gain firsthand knowledge from experts in the field. And of course, you can also purchase and read e-books as well.
Hone your Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills.
Aside from proficiency in software engineering and programming, an aspiring app developer should also possess critical thinking and analytical skills. It is not enough that you know the theoretical in designing and developing an app. You must also be able to implement them in practice as well.
Go back to your duties and responsibilities. Have you noticed that a large part of them includes problem-solving and evaluation? Honing your critical thinking and analytical skills enables you to perform these tasks effectively and efficiently. They allow you to utilize your knowledge to solve any problems you may encounter and adapt to ever-changing situations while you’re working.
Make sure to Thoroughly Test your Apps before Publishing Them.
A common mistake made by new online application developers is rushing the production of their applications. Maybe your client only gave you a short amount of time to fully develop your app. Or, perhaps there were delays in the app’s development, and you need it published as soon as possible. Whatever the reason may be, producing an unfinished app is never a great idea.
Not only will a buggy app reflect poorly on your reputation as an app developer, but it will also affect your client’s as well. To avoid this problem, make sure to thoroughly test your apps before presenting them to your clients and the public. If necessary, double-check or even triple-check your app for bugs and glitches, and see if every feature works as intended.
Once your app is published, be sure to update it regularly to fix any issues you may have missed. Doing this ensures that your app remains functional and relevant long after it has been published.
Remember your Deadlines.
This tip is connected to my previous one. One of the reasons why some novice app developers rush the production of their apps is because they sometimes forget their deadlines. Because you don’t have a physical supervisor in a remote work, it’s easy to procrastinate and lose track of your deadlines.
If you’re having difficulty remembering your deadlines, you can try noting them down in a planner or use sticky notes. Doing this allows you to organize your deadlines and know which ones to prioritize. In addition, avoid procrastinating so that you can accomplish your tasks on time and have the spare time to do last-minute revisions to your work.
Learn to Communicate with your Co-workers and Clients.
My next tip for aspiring online application designers will be about communicating with your co-workers. Yes, Talking to your co-workers is so crucial to your work that I’ve dedicated a section for this. An excellent app developer isn’t just proficient in doing their tasks; he’s also a capable team player as well.
The first step in establishing proper communication with your co-workers is setting a good first impression. Present yourself as someone they can rely on and is open to criticism and feedback from your co-workers. Additionally, don’t just hog all the conversations within your group. Make sure that every member of your group can voice their opinions.
Take Breaks if you Need to.
And for my last tip, let’s talk about breaks. For some reason, many Filipino workers believe that they need to work harder in a remote work setup. Perhaps they’re still finding the right work rhythm for them in this new setup. Or, they don’t want to look like they’re being lazy at work because they don’t have physical supervisors anymore.
Working hard is admirable, but constantly doing it without taking a break can also be bad for you. So if you feel that you’re struggling with your work due to exhaustion, don’t be afraid to take a much-deserved break. Breaks allow you to reorganize your thoughts and look at your problems with a new perspective, and of course, reduce stress as well.
Conclusion.
And there you have it. Here are six essential tips that aspiring online application developers should know. These tips will help you be more productive in your online job. Not only that, but these skills will also help you outside of work as well. Take critical thinking and problem-solving skills, for example.
And of course, these tips are only as good if they are practiced. Knowing what to do and doing it are two very different things, after all. Sure, getting the hang of doing these tips may take some time, but they are more than worth it.
