Networking As A Junior Developer – Why and How?

Here’s a thing. Networking as a junior developer is more than randomly adding people on your LinkedIn profile. That’s where most people go wrong – right at the starting line. 

Networking is about creating a shared bond with someone, having similar goals, values and interests. This can be professional goals and learning, shared sports and social interests or anyone you find yourself spending any significant amount of time with.

Successfully building your network as a software developer can lead to many great things, such as mentorship, opportunities, professional development and career growth. 

Bad networking is, however, something we’ve all experienced. That person that upvotes or likes everyone’s post in the hope that these simple reactions lead to love. Maybe they take it a step further and add a comment to a post. Quite often, these comments are one-word responses like “nice” or even just a thumbs up emoji.

Is this effective networking? The key factor here is the level of effort it took to do something.

You Can’t Build Relationships Without Putting In The Effort

You need to participate. Sitting silently at a meetup or at an event is not participation. You aren’t adding value to the conversation. You need to get in there and make yourself known. But this can be scary, right? I know. 

The point is you need to make connections, and that involves conversations, adding value, or helping people. There are no shortcuts, I’m afraid.

The power of networking is not just meeting people. It’s about those people introducing you to more people. You never know where the connections might end.

But, in order for someone to recommend you, your services, or your company to a friend or acquaintance, there needs to be a certain level of trust and reputation along with that recommendation. Think about your own network. How likely are you to recommend someone?

Work Carefully On Your Appearance

If you’re lucky enough to be recommended or introduced, think about what that person sees. 

Ask yourself these questions: Does my portfolio, LinkedIn profile and personal website convey the right message? Is it obvious where my skills and passions lie? Do I appear to be knowledgeable and approachable?

If you’re not exactly satisfied with the answers, then you need to work on it. Build a web developer portfolio that will help you stand out from the crowd and be sure to showcase your skills. And while you’re at it, work on your personal brand! Everyone wants to network with thought leaders and authoritative people. By creating a personal brand, you’re establishing yourself as an authority even at the beginning of your career. 

Use Networking As A Junior Developer To Create a Personal Brand 

When done tactfully and effectively, networking can take your personal brand to the next level, which in turn can boost your career. Step outside your comfort zone, be intentional about meeting others in the same industry and be of value to your connections whenever possible. It could lead to a relationship that might change the direction of your life.

Build Authority By Blogging 

Blogging on a regular basis is yet another strategy to build an authority in your niche circles. Blogging exposes you to others who care about the same issues you do.

For example, by sharing your expertise through blogging, you can inspire other junior developers and have a two-way conversation with them. To get on other developers’ radars, you might also start reading their blogs, adding relevant comments and sharing their posts to your network.

Networking As A Junior Developer: Know Your Audience

Before you can begin building your network, you need to consider who your audience is and where they can be found.

This might seem basic or second nature, but so many people begin putting out content and attempting to join conversations in the wrong places. 

For junior developers, a classic example is hoping to court the attention of recruiters and employers in places where developers hang out. You might think this makes sense as, surely, this is the first place they would come looking for developers like you? 

The problem is they often make the same mistake. Recruiters and employers hope – or even believe – that you put your best self forward on LinkedIn because that’s where the recruiters and employers hang out. So, go where they are. It’s what most developers won’t do.

If you’re a remote junior developer looking to make connections with employers, tech recruiters, and hiring managers, make LinkedIn your homepage. 

Is there a Slack group for your chosen technology or subject? Perhaps a real-life meetup or upcoming industry event you can attend? Really anything you do online – and offline, as well, at times – can turn into a networking opportunity. 

Join developer communities and online groups and engage rather than simply being a member.

And remember, this is not an overnight game

To build sustainable connections, you have to invest in getting to know them. The relationships with staying power are those which develop through a gradual, intentional process that can take months or even years of consistent engaging with one another.

Wrapping Up Our Networking As A Junior Developer Guide

In summary, you need to put yourself in the right place. You need to be saying the right things, contributing to the discussion, and positioning yourself as someone who is talented, dependable, approachable, positive, and friendly. Ideally, a combination of all of the above.

Results will come, but not on the timeline of your choosing. The employer might not be in the market for a developer right now. The recruiter might not have a role that matches your skills. When they do, however, your name will be well regarded.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article, and I do hope it helps you become better at networking! Until next time!