How to Become a Highly Paid Corporate Programmer

By P. Harkins

Book Overview

Written for those gifted coders and programmers who get wrapped up in how complex their code is and forget the basics of how to be successful in a corporate culture, this guide will help put these programmers on the fast track to promotions and raises. Programmers fresh out of technical school are shown how to make the transition into a corporate setting by managing the interview process, learning from the programmers already in the workplace, and learning the business side of programming. Seasoned programmers are provided with tips on how to please supervisors, how to maximize their worth in corporations, and how to develop mentoring relationships. Advice on moving out of the corporate world and becoming an entrepreneur either in the consulting arena, in writing package software, or in founding a software development company is also provided.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158347045X
• ISBN13: 9781583470459
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: MC Press
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The Inside Scoop on the Business World

An awful lot of the best programmers I've ever met are true geniuses. Unfortunately the genius aspect only goes so far as to programming. Many of then have "discovered" that late in high school or early in college they know more than their professors and quite school to get a programming job that pays a lot more than flipping burgers. What they don't understand is that programming something is just the tip of the iceberg. They now have to compete in the regular business world. The salesman calling on a prospect wants to take a teckie along with him to help explain the details. The long haired high school drop out wearing Army fatigues and a few earrings who doesn't know how to put a sentence together isn't going to be a help. Here is an analysis of the business world written for programmers. The book has four sections: 1. Starting a Successful programming Career 2. Thriving in a Competitive Environment 3. Mastering the Corporate Culture 4. Beyond Programming. In this last section, there are a few chapters on starting your own business. By no means is this a complete how to on starting the next Microsoft, but it is at least a few hard cold facts. This book just may help you break out of the mold in which you find yourself.

A new job already

After purchasing this book I immediately changed my entire attitude and philosophy towards my programming job. In fact, I rearranged my resume, applied for new jobs and start my new programming job next week! (Must I mention my significant salary jump?) This book is full of useful and practical tips for every programmer (and beyond!).

Corporate Programming Made Lucrative

I'm the CEO of Scherrer Resources, Inc. developers of the popular Web Ally CRM software (www.WebAlly.com) and I wish all our staff had read this book years ago. Why? Because I continue to tell our staff that I am not the person who hires them; they work for the customer... listen to the customer and you will have a lucrative programming career. Paul Harkins, the author, understands this and puts it into perspective in this concise, easy to read manual on becomming a highly paid corporate programmer. I've seen my share of bad code, yet improving the code doesn't always make the customer happy. It's the logical convergence of good coding and meeting the need that makes for success; and Paul's book makes it clear and provides case studies that drive home the message. Our developers will read this and our next versions of Sales Ally, Advisor's Ally, Broker's Ally and Web Ally will come to market with better functionality, improved user interface and Paul's special mix of tips and tricks on how to meet customer needs. The "Harkins Trace" is wending its way to market and ten years from now we'll all look back and wonder how corporate consulting programmers would have been able to dig through such mountains of spagetti code without the Harkins Audit Software product. Move over Peter Norton, here comes Paul Harkins! Paul has built a set of programmers utilities in the same fashion that Peter Norton got his reputation for PC utilities. The only difference is that Norton built for end users and Paul is building for professional programmers. Maybe it shouldn't be "move over" Peter Norton, maybe it should be that they team up, and as a dynamic duo they continue the pace of improving the use of computing devices with their special blend of experience, knowledge and mentoring.

Ready to improve your career?

Great book. I wish I had this knowledge years ago.After reading the first section I reorganized my resume. Despite what you may think, the languages you code with account for only a small part of your job. Find out what your boss really wants from you (you'll be surprised). Learn the six most important questions to ask on a job interview. Discover which type of vendor supplied software package will likely get you the highest compensation. See what types of productivity tools you should have. Included are tips on interacting with the new corporate culture, dealing with end-users, what to do when you get a really bad boss and knowing when it's time to move on. Also covered is what to expect when moving into management, consulting and going into business for yourself.The author worked for 21 years at IBM and has more than 40 years experience as a corporate programmer giving you advise you cannot afford to be without.