How to Become a Software Engineer without a Degree
Learn more about how to become a software engineer without a degree, including what a software engineer does, the skills you will need, and how to develop them.
August 29, 2024
Article
From writing your resume to building your professional network, find resources to support your unique career journey.
Top courses for career success
University of California, Irvine
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Professional Development, Strategy and Operations, Business Communication, Adaptability, Business Analysis, Communication, Decision Making, Project Management, People Management, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Customer Relationship Management, Strategy, Planning, Business Development, Problem Solving, Accounting, Change Management, Conflict Management, Financial Accounting, Leadership Development, Organizational Development, Entrepreneurship, People Development, Business Research, Cost Accounting, Deep Learning, Finance, Financial Management, General Accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Negotiation, Data Analysis, Employee Relations, Financial Analysis, Writing, Contract Management, Entrepreneurial Finance, Marketing, Scrum (Software Development), Estimation
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Communication, Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Planning, Professional Development, Collaboration, People Management, Conflict Management, Creativity
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Skills you'll gain: Decision Making, Emotional Intelligence, Human Learning, Leadership and Management, People Development, Adaptability, People Analysis, Persona Research, Planning, Problem Solving, Resilience
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Congratulations! If you've made it here you're ready to make a change in your career. To make it easier to take the next step, we've broken down the job search process into key tasks with a wealth of free resources to make your move easier. Bookmark this page to refer to throughout your job search—we'll be adding new resources regularly.
Resumes and cover letters
Job applications
Professional networking
Work-life balance
Portfolio projects
It’s generally not recommended to list your references directly on your resume. Instead, use that space to highlight what makes you a great candidate. As you progress through the hiring process, the hiring manager or recruiter will request your references when they’re ready to contact them.
Learn more: How to List Resume References: Guide and Sample
You'll want to avoid negative explanations, such as "I was fired." Instead, focus on what you did during that period, such as "I took time off to raise my children" or "I took time to invest in myself and develop my skills and competencies." If you had more than one reason for taking time out from the workforce, it's fine to include them all.
Different skills are attractive to different job recruiters. Technical skills often depend on the job. It might be helpful to check job listings for those most relevant to the career you are seeking. In 2020, LinkedIn cited the following as the top 10 in-demand hard skills:
The questions asked in a panel interview are usually similar to ones you’d be asked in a one-on-one interview. One major difference is that multiple people will be asking you questions rather than just one. This could include behavioral questions like, “What’s a challenge you’ve faced and how did you come up with a solution?,” or questions about your professional demeanor like, “How would your colleagues describe you?”
To prepare for the kinds of questions you may be asked, research common interview questions in your career field. For example, in an interview for a project manager position, you may be asked, “How would you create an environment of collaboration on your team?”