You want to change careers to mobile development. How can you use your existing skills?

1 Assess your skills

The first step is to assess your current skills and identify the gaps you need to fill. Mobile development requires a combination of technical, design, and business skills. Depending on your background, you may already have some of these skills or you may need to learn them from scratch. For example, if you have experience in web development, you may be familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are also used in some mobile frameworks. However, you may need to learn new languages, such as Swift, Kotlin, or Dart, to develop native or cross-platform apps. Similarly, if you have experience in graphic design, you may have an eye for aesthetics and usability, but you may need to learn how to adapt your designs to different screen sizes, orientations, and devices.

2 Choose a platform

The next step is to choose a platform that suits your goals and preferences. There are two main types of mobile platforms: native and cross-platform. Native platforms are specific to a device or operating system, such as iOS, Android, or Windows. Cross-platform platforms are frameworks or tools that allow you to write code once and run it on multiple devices, such as React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin. Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the features, performance, and compatibility you want to achieve. You should research the pros and cons of each platform and decide which one aligns with your interests and skills.

3 Build a portfolio

The third step is to build a portfolio of mobile apps that showcase your skills and creativity. A portfolio is essential to demonstrate your abilities and attract potential employers or clients. You can start by building simple apps that solve a problem, provide a service, or entertain a user. You can also follow tutorials, courses, or books that guide you through the process of building a mobile app from scratch. You should aim to create apps that are functional, user-friendly, and visually appealing. You should also test your apps on different devices and fix any bugs or errors. You can publish your apps on app stores or platforms, such as GitHub, to share them with the world.

5 Apply for jobs

The final step is to apply for jobs that match your skills and goals. Mobile development is a diverse and competitive field that offers a variety of roles and industries. You can look for jobs that are specific to a platform, such as iOS developer, Android developer, or Flutter developer. You can also look for jobs that are related to a domain, such as gaming, e-commerce, or education. You should tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experience. You should also prepare for the interview process, which may involve technical, behavioral, or situational questions. You should showcase your portfolio and explain how you developed your apps, what challenges you faced, and what solutions you implemented.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?