Mehbub Are you a software engineer looking to unlock your full potential and increase your career earnings? You are not alone.
Research shows that there are 4.3 million software engineers in the US. As such, it is a highly competitive industry. Learning how to network as a software engineer is a key step to success.
Use the following tips to establish strong connections and gain an advantage over the competition.
7 Top Tips on How to Network as a Software Engineer
Be Active in the Developer Communities
The first step towards effective networking is to target the most relevant communities. After all, there is little point in building a large network of people that cannot help you in their career. The best developer communities include;
- Github
- Women Who Code
- Stack Overflow
- Digital Ocean
- CodeProject
Participate in Networking Events
Networking events are a golden opportunity to form connections as a software engineer. This could include a combination of online, local, and national events. A little research will highlight the best options for you. Some events, however, are;
- DPE Summit
- QCon
- Nooga Code and Coffee
- NYC AI Users
- WSDG
Set Goals for Your Networking Event
It is shown that 24% of executives outsource software development. So, there are great opportunities for you in this field. However, your networking activities won’t be effective if you are not hyper focused on a clear goal. Key objectives include;
- Building a more diverse network,
- Growing a reputation as an authoritative voice,
- Join associations,
- Gain advice and exchange information,
- Learn more about what you can do for them.
Develop an Elevator Pitch
There is no doubt that first impressions last. An elevator pitch is a 30-second speech that should engage people while giving them an insight into who you are as a software engineer. It’s a task that requires practice, and should set out to;
- Introduce yourself,
- Explain what you do as a software engineer,
- Cover your USP,
- Highlight your expertise and experience,
- Open up questions to keep the conversation flowing.
Follow Up
Making contact with someone is a breakthrough, but a follow up email is your chance to grow the professional relationship into something more. A single follow up email can boost reply rates by about 10%. There are many reasons to follow up, such as;
- Increase the sense of professionalism,
- Keep yourself in their mind when future opportunities arise,
- Guarantee that they have a way to contact you,
- Show that you are available for them too,
- Give yourself a chance to identify contacts that won’t serve your future.
Volunteer
Over 60 million Americans volunteer, but it’s something software engineers overlook. Volunteering as a software engineer can include social coder duties. Opportunities can be found remotely or at a company. It may help you;
- Get your foot in the door at a company,
- Gain a reference for your resume,
- Learn more about software engineering for a client,
- Showcase your work ethic,
- Build your network through colleagues and other volunteers.
Become a Mentor or Mentee
Building a network isn’t just about collecting people’s details. You need to grow meaningful relationships. Mentoring is one of the most effective, which is why 84% of Fortune 500 companies have mentoring programs. As a mentor or mentee, the benefits are;
- Improved awareness and self-reflection of how you can improve,
- Grow your network through their connections,
- Develop your skills through another software engineer’s experiences,
- Gain focus and direction from an experienced mentor that has achieved your goals,
- Build a deeper understanding of the industry or a specific company.
The WRONG Way to Network
In addition to learning how to network as a software engineer, you must learn how NOT to do it. People often form an impression of someone within seven seconds so it’s vital that you avoid any pitfalls that could hold you back. Here are six of the worst culprits;
- Overselling yourself/services at networking events as most people are not in the buying/hiring mindset at this time.
- Presenting yourself as someone you’re not. Even if you make a good impression, it’ll just confuse people once your authentic self shines through.
- Making it all about your connections and not being open to helping others that want to network. They could become your best contacts later on.
- Overlooking your existing network. Strengthening those bonds is often easier, quicker, and more effective.
- Asking the same standard questions everyone asks. You will not stand out from other software engineers if you do.
- Only networking when you need it. A continuous effort is far better as it removes the pressure in tough moments while not networking limits your success.
Conclusion
Knowing how to network as a software engineer is a valuable skill that can unearth new opportunities and help you climb the career ladder faster. If you’re clear about your goals and proactive in your approach to stand out from the crowd, success is assured.
