I'm applying for a junior backend role: should I include side projects in my portfolio?
I'm currently preparing to apply for a junior backend position, and aside from school assignments, I don't have anything worth showing.
People around me say that even a three-month project that you've actually deployed is better than five assignments. Is that still the general sentiment these days? Or is it safer for a junior to focus on selling CS knowledge and fundamentals?
I'm curious what stands out most on a resume from the perspective of people working in the field.
6 answers
I agree—properly deploying one project is way better than five assignments, isn't it?
Honestly, saying "I've deployed something" alone won't set you apart. Every time I look at a resume, everyone has a few toy projects. So what I look for is troubleshooting records, the rationale for why you chose that technology, and whether you can explain your own code. Even a 3-month project is fine as long as the logic is clear. But deploying a single CRUD app and writing something like "prepared for large-scale traffic" actually counts against you.