Software Engineer at UCELL on what IT recruiters look for in candidates

Renat Mavlyutov, 42 years old, city — Samarkand, software engineer at Ucell

About myself

I work as an engineer. For the past two years, I have been engaged in Backend development for the mobile operator Ucell. I also write web applications in Python.

About my path in IT

I studied in the "Electronics and Microelectronics" department of the physics faculty. In the early 2000s, the university's base was already outdated. We were not taught new technologies that could be useful. Without experience and skills, it was difficult to find a job.

After graduation, I was invited to work at the school that I myself had graduated from. From 2004, I taught physics and computer science. At that time, there were no computers yet, and I explained everything on the board.

After some time, a trend towards studying computer technologies emerged in Uzbekistan. Competitions for creating websites and applications for students and teachers appeared. I liked the idea and started participating in them. Moreover, it brought a small income. Thus, I sometimes created websites for other computer science teachers at their request.

Later, I decided that I needed to increase my income. This could not be done at the school, so I quit. By then, I already knew how to create websites in PHP and started looking for clients. I went to boutiques on the main street of Samarkand and asked if they needed a website. One of the owners agreed, and I created a web page for a chain of flower shops. After that, I got a job as a programmer at a factory, where I mastered Python. Since then, I have mainly used this programming language.

About duties and learning the profession

My duties include writing the Backend part for various company services: a mobile application, a CRM system, and an internal testing service.

Many are interested in whether a diploma is needed to work in IT. I believe that this is not the most important factor — I was not asked about having a higher education during interviews. Usually, recruiters are interested in work experience and existing skills.

I learned to create websites by reading books — for example, A Byte of Python, and watching YouTube channels. I took courses on Coursera: Introduction to Python, Using Python to Access Web Data.

Beginner developers can find good resources on Stepik: "Python Generation: a course for beginners" and "Programming in Python". This is a great alternative for those who cannot afford paid lessons.

If you know English, you can sign up for free training from EPAM. After completing the course, there is an opportunity to receive an invitation for an internship at the company.

About getting hired

Always tell the truth in interviews. Do not add things that you have not actually done. This is easily checked.

Candidates are valued for their activity, cheerfulness, and interest. Recruiters like it when a person shows that they are ready to develop and want to do so. If a person is closed and does not show initiative, most likely they will be rejected.

Difficulties

Difficulties often arise with communication. In large companies, interaction between employees involves a lot of bureaucracy. At Ucell, each worker is responsible only for a specific area of activity. Rules prohibit doing anything other than one's specialty. Thanks to this, an employee can focus and not make mistakes. And in smaller companies, multitasking is valued.

Necessary skills

It is impossible to do anything without love. If you do not like what you are doing, you will have to work "under the stick," and it will not be possible to stay long like that.

There are complex tasks and cases for which there is no information in books and courses, and you cannot find an answer in any way. At such moments, you do not understand why you need this, and you want to "give up." But if there is attachment and love for the matter — you will be able to continue and try to figure it out.