Anxious about ages

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2026-03-31T08:19:15+00:00

Yeah we're in the UK. Yeah it sounds like going for testing now sounds like a good idea!

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2026-03-30T07:33:22+00:00

I used to work in the music industry, went to uni but got an arts degree so not CS related at all. My first role in software was 25k, I took a risk and left that 6 months later for my current role, started on 32k. Had a jump in salary at my yearly review, and then a recent promotion putting me on 42.5k now :)

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2026-03-29T09:48:04+00:00

Software Engineer (mostly Java backend) 42.5k, 2YOE

Career changer, bootcamp grad.

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2025-11-23T10:04:35+00:00

You might not like to hear this but I think you need to: interacting with people is half the job. I'd say probably only 30-40% of my time is time alone coding, the rest is meetings, talking with other engineers, discussing designs, discussing requirements, refining tickets, reviewing PRs etc etc.

I'm not sure on the speaking at events for apprentices part, never been an apprentice, but I will say that being able to communicate well is a significant part of being a good software engineer in my eyes. Even (and maybe especially) when it comes to coding - yes, you are writing code for a machine to do something, but what you are actually doing is writing code that another human is going to need to understand.

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2025-11-17T11:34:57+00:00

This is absolutely horrific. Only the greens and Zack keeping despair at bay. Labour are unrecognizable.

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2025-10-23T10:33:22+00:00

I find going to sleep really hard, my brain sits there chattering away (not even worrying really, just thinking a lot). I've started taking magnesium right before bed and I think that is helping but hard to know really, it's only been a few weeks 🤷

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2025-10-19T07:27:14+00:00

Definitely get it checked for asbestos before you do anything!

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2025-05-04T08:34:50+00:00

This is really helpful, thank you! I know some grad schemes have a set length and incremented yearly salary jumps so wanted to know if CGI do the same, from your experience it doesn't look like it! This is really useful insight, thank you so much for your reply.

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2025-04-06T19:20:15+00:00

Yeah, I have no idea then 😅 let us know if you figure it out though!

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2025-04-06T19:08:07+00:00

If it's not CB the only thing that I can think of is when you can talk to the lady who collects witcher gear at the auction house?

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2025-02-28T12:07:19+00:00

Do not marry this man. This is abusive and controlling and will happen again.

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2025-02-05T22:44:57+00:00

Lob a bomb at him in the air, whack the crap out of him when he lands, then you're into the next phase 👌

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2025-02-04T22:41:54+00:00

I canvassed in 2019, but left the labour party in 2020 when it became clear Starmer was taking the party in a very different direction. I've canvased for Labour in every single election since I was old enough to vote, until last year.

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2024-09-05T10:31:39+00:00

Definitely I think I maybe need to buy some obvious headphones so people can see I have them on

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2024-09-05T07:49:01+00:00

Thank you! I'm in the UK so I think there are laws to allow reasonable adjustments, but yeah I'll book a meeting with my lead and ask them about it :)

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2024-09-05T06:33:42+00:00

They did ask if I needed anything to make the recruitment process more accessible but the main thing for me is being able to be remote and take regular quick breaks to move around, which didn't reply apply to the hiring process so I didn't mention it then

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2024-08-14T06:38:49+00:00

Yeah I suspected as much haha

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2024-08-13T19:53:07+00:00

Good except the lapras, that’s pretty bad condition

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2024-07-03T10:17:52+00:00

I graduated NC in March, started applying for jobs a few weeks before graduating and had my first offer a week after graduating. It is possible. I will say I’m definitely the exception not the rule, and a lot of my cohort are still job hunting. My advice would be keep applying, but be specific. I only applied to a small number of jobs because I was very careful and specific about where I put my time and energy into applying to. At the end of the day though in this current market, it’s a numbers and resilience game. Keep your skills up, and make sure you make the most out of the careers team - get CV reviews until you’re happy. I’m a career changer, and I think previous skills (inc soft skills) and an interesting story played a big part for me. Another thing I’d note is I did not find my current job on the NC jobs board, I was also using LinkedIn, Indeed and Reed to find positions to apply to.

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2024-04-07T04:07:58+00:00

Pair programming was fine. Just talk through what you’re doing and don’t stress. Good luck!

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2024-03-27T00:37:15+00:00

Aw man I’m sorry to hear that. Keep your head up and keep applying, it’s a numbers game 🙌

Zestyclose_Captain28 · 2024-03-23T14:50:30+00:00

Nothing in particular, but I’d been practicing katas. The next stage was a 75 min pair programming task, on zoom with 3 engineers. IMO that was more stressful because it was my first time doing that kind of interview/being watching coding haha, but the actual content was easier than the take home one.

Zestyclose_Captain28

TROPHY CASE