How do I know if I can handle an experienced developer position which overlapps with a junior position

Question

Hi,

One company whose recruitment section I was looking at is hiring graduate developers and also "Experienced developers" with 1 to 3 years commercial experience. I fit in this category (with roughly 10-12 months experience, even if I lack, practising stuff at home makes up technically and in my current job there are plenty of politics to make me know enough, socially), but I could also get a graduate role as I am young enough and still deemed as lacking commercial experience.

How can I know if the experienced developer role is one I can handle? At worst I would be given work which is for someone with 3 years of experience (and I am not sure what sort of complexity that level of experience would assume).

Of course I can answer interview questions for juniors and experienced devs (feel free to send them over I have read all the old, but useful, threads on here), but that probably isn't enough to judge.

When I say overlaps with a junior position, I have been in a junior developer position which asked for 1 years commercial experience (which I didn't have), and which I didn't find very hard (only the web design/css stuff was a little), but technically what I did at home covered all the bases.

Thanks

Answer 1

My husband always says to me: "Fake it til you make it!"
Seriously, though, if nothing else, interviewing will be good practice for you. I don't know many people (myself included) that couldn't benefit from going on an interview. I'm usually at a job for about 3 years, and always dread interviews when it's time to find something new.

Answer 2

You find this out in the interview, or when talking with the company/agent.

Answer 3

First, this should probably be marked as a community wiki.

That said, I would go into the interview with the attitude that you're trying to determine if the job is right for you as much as they are trying to determine if you are right for the job.

In my experience, I've had people with years of experience be worse coders than some hobbyists, so I would say the best answer to your question is to feel it out. Ask questions about the type of work expected, what types of projects they're working on, etc.

Probably you'll do fine in the more advanced position.

Answer 4

In your current role do you help your colleagues? Are you comfortable figuring out what needs to be done for yourself? Do you feel that you have had 12 months experience, or 3 months experience four times?

If you can sense that you have grown, go for it!

Answer 5

Training is expected in Junior positions. That's not to say that Junior positions mean beginner or entry-level. I wouldn't be concerned with getting a job intended for someone with 3+ years of experience - you have your probationary period & they will assess what you do & how capable you are. And some tasks will be given with the expectation you will rise to the challenge.

Just apply - it's overthinking to be concerned until you get called for an interview. Let the company decide - they know what they are looking for, and it's easy for you to say no if the position doesn't suit you.