Getting into full time Android development?

youcancallmeal

I've been working in Java enterprise development for almost 2 years now. I still have a lot to learn but I do enjoy what I do for the most part. I started learning Android development in my spare at the start of this year and I'm really enjoying it, much more so than JEE! I'm getting made redundant soon so I'm starting to look around at jobs, seems to be a lot of JEE related roles around which is good but I'm sort of tempted to try and get into Android development.

If there is any full time Android developers out there I'd appreciate if you had any input on any of the following:

- Would I be wasting my time applying for something this? Junior Android developer jobs appear to be non-existent or else just blatant recruiter CV fishing.
- Is it essential to have a portfolio of apps? At the moment I've only got one decent working application.
- Are you worried that you will get pigeon-holed into one specialised area and find it hard to move into something new in future?
- Is salary comparable to other software developer type roles?

Atomic Pineapple

I've two apps myself, one basic one and another more in dept one and I find getting interest from recruiters and companies is easy enough, they generally look for apps that cover much of what you'll be doing in the job.

I think aiming for a senior development position with only a few months mobile dev under your belt might be a bit of an ask, I do know that Distilled Media were looking for a junior mobile dev so maybe contact them with a CV and cover note anyway showing interest in the company. If you want PM, I have a HR contact.

Personally I am a little worried I will get pigeon holed but to counter that I do my own personal projects outside the mobile realm also, including HTML5, PHP, Python, database stuff etc...

My salary is awful but that's only because I've got myself stuck in a rut at the minute at a company that doesn't offer great terms, in looking at other positions salaries are comparable.

youcancallmeal

Thanks for that, yeah there is a lot for me to consider. I might apply for a few roles and at least even if I am not successful in the interview I might get a feel for what kind of stuff is out there?

Atomic Pineapple

Yeh even the interviews will give you a good feel as to what level you need to be at to get a job.