9 Networking Do's & Don'ts for Developers

Want to boost your dev career? Master these networking tips:

1. Be yourself
2. Craft a short intro
3. Listen carefully
4. Follow up after meetings
5. Use LinkedIn and GitHub
6. Network beyond job hunting
7. Keep in touch with contacts
8. Protect personal info
9. Offer help to others

Key takeaways:

• Networking is about relationships, not just jobs
• Give value, don't just take
• Mix online and offline networking

Start now: Join a meetup, message an old colleague, or contribute to open-source. Your network is your career fuel.

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Be Yourself

Forget the mask when networking. The secret to strong connections? Just be you.

Here's why:

People smell fakeness a mile off. Pretending to be someone else? Exhausting and ineffective.

Instead, focus on:

• Your real interests
• Your actual experiences
• Your unique take

Your story sets you apart from other developers. It's your edge.

Did you know? 85% of critical jobs are filled through networking, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But these aren't just any connections - they're built on trust and being real.

"Authenticity serves as the cornerstone for building trust in any relationship." - Quardev

How to put this into action:

1. Share your journey

Talk about your coding ups and downs. It makes you human.

2. Ask real questions

Skip the weather chat. Dive into projects, challenges, or industry trends.

3. Be vulnerable

Don't know something? Say so. It opens doors to learning and deeper connections.

4. Follow through

Do what you say you'll do. Reliability builds trust.

By being yourself, you're not just networking - you're building a community that values the real you.

That's the kind of network that can turbocharge your career.

2. Create a Short Self-Introduction

A killer self-intro can make or break your networking game. Here's how to nail it:

Keep it short and sweet - 30-60 seconds max. Start with the basics: your name and what you do. Then, hit 'em with your skills and a recent win. Wrap it up with what you're after and a question to keep the convo flowing.

Here's a sample:

"Hey, I'm Mike. Full-stack dev at ABC Software, working with Java and Angular. Just wrapped up a project that sped up our database queries by 30%. I'm big on cloud computing. What's your take on where cloud tech is heading?"

Tailor your intro to fit the crowd. Tech conference? Geek out a bit more. General networking? Keep it high-level.

Practice makes perfect, but don't sound like a robot. The goal? Sound like you're chatting with a friend, not reciting a script.

Nail this, and you'll be making connections left and right at your next event.

3. Listen Carefully

Tech meetups can be noisy. Everyone's talking, but who's listening? Don't be that person. Listening is your networking superpower.

Why? It shows respect, helps you learn, and builds trust. People open up to good listeners. That's how real connections happen.

Want to level up your listening game? Try these:

• Make eye contact
• Ask smart questions
• Paraphrase key points

"Active listening helps the speaker feel more understood and heard—and helps the listener have more information and understanding." - Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD

Here's a real story:

Mark, a multi-business dev, met a newbie at a meetup. They talked for 5 minutes. The newbie listened well, so Mark suggested meeting again. Five years later, they're still friends. That short chat led to job interviews, mentoring, a business deal, and hours of career advice.

All because someone listened.

Next dev event? Challenge yourself. Talk less, listen more. You might be shocked at what happens.

4. Send a Message After Meeting

Just met some cool devs at a tech meetup? Don't let those connections fade. Send a quick follow-up within 24 hours. It's a simple move that can supercharge your network.

Why it works:

• Shows you're on the ball
• Keeps you memorable
• Opens doors for future chats

Here's a template that gets results:

Hi [Name],

Loved our chat about [specific topic] at [event name]. Your take on [something they said] was eye-opening.

Coffee next week to dive deeper?

Cheers,
[Your name]

The key ingredients:

• Get personal: Mention something you discussed
• Keep it snappy: Busy devs love brevity
• Suggest next steps: Make it easy to say yes

Joy Soudant, a Talent and Executive Search Strategist, nails it: "It's a chance to offer any extra info or thoughts from your conversations."

Remember, networking isn't just contact collecting. It's relationship building. Your follow-up is step one in turning a quick chat into a lasting connection.

Pro tip: Use LinkedIn. 64% of LinkedIn members send post-interview thank-yous. It's perfect for pro follow-ups.

Bottom line: That quick message today could spark your next big break tomorrow. Don't skip this networking game-changer.

5. Use Professional Social Media

LinkedIn and GitHub aren't just platforms - they're your secret weapons for career growth.

LinkedIn: Your Digital Resume

• Make your profile public and showcase your dev skills
• Toggle "Open to Work" if job hunting (77% of recruiters use LinkedIn)
• Use the "Featured" section for your GitHub, projects, and websites

GitHub: Your Code Playground

With 50 million users, GitHub is more than a code repository:

• Collaborate on open-source projects
• Pin your best repos to your profile
• Engage with issues and pull requests

Your online presence is your brand. Keep it professional, but authentic.

Pro Tip: Link your GitHub to LinkedIn. It's a powerful combo that shows you're serious about coding.

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6. Don't Just Look for Jobs

Networking isn't a job fair. It's about building relationships, not handing out resumes.

Here's the deal:

When you ONLY focus on job hunting, you miss the real power of networking. Instead:

• Learn from others: Ask about industry trends and career paths.
• Share your knowledge: It's a two-way street.
• Find collaborators: Think side projects or open-source work.

The best opportunities? They often come out of nowhere.

"Treat your career like a start-up. A strong network is key for growth." - LinkedIn Co-founder

Pro Tip: At tech events, skip the "Are you hiring?" Instead, ask:

• "What's your biggest work challenge right now?"
• "Got any cool projects in the pipeline?"
• "Thoughts on [insert new tech]?"

You'll have better chats and make stronger connections.

Building real connections sets you up for long-term success. It's not about the quick win.

7. Keep in Touch with Current Contacts

Your existing network is gold. Don't let it go cold.

Here's why: LinkedIn says 85% of jobs come through networking. That's HUGE.

So, how do you keep those connections warm?

1. Set up a system

Make an Excel sheet with your contacts. Include:

• Name
• Company
• Last contact date
• Notes from last chat

This helps you track who needs a hello and when.

2. Regular check-ins

Pick 2-5 contacts monthly. Send a quick message:

"Hey [Name], how's it going? Any updates on [project/challenge] you mentioned?"

3. Use social media smartly

LinkedIn is key. Don't just scroll. Engage:

• Like and comment on posts
• Share interesting articles
• Congratulate on work milestones

4. Add value, don't just take

It's not all about you. Help when you can.

5. Make it a habit

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, says:

"Having a great network is invaluable. It helps you access opportunities and people that can help your company grow."

But it takes work. Spend 15 minutes weekly on your connections.

Remember: Quality beats quantity. Build deeper bonds, not just LinkedIn numbers.

8. Be Careful with Personal Info

In today's digital world, your personal info is precious. But for developers networking, it's a balancing act.

Here's the scoop:

Oversharing can backfire. A 2022 Norton study found 64% of Americans have been cybercrime victims. Ouch.

So, what's the game plan?

1. Keep it pro

LinkedIn isn't for vacation pics. Showcase your skills, not your social life.

2. Lock down social media

Tighten those privacy settings. Meta's $1.3 billion fine in 2023 for data breaches? Don't be next.

3. Share wisely

4. Work email for work

Keep job stuff separate from personal life.

5. Watch for phishing

Sensitive info request? Double-check, even if it looks real.

"Sharing personal information with strangers online is one of your biggest risks." - U.S. Department of Justice

The takeaway: Be smart, stay safe, keep networking. Just don't overshare.

9. Offer Help to Others

Networking isn't a one-way street. It's about giving and taking. When you help others, you build stronger relationships and boost teamwork.

Here's how to do it:

1. Share your skills: Good at debugging? Help a coworker fix that tricky bug.
2. Make introductions: Know someone perfect for a job? Connect them.
3. Offer feedback: Review code or give input on project ideas.
4. Be a resource: Share useful articles or tools you've found.
5. Mentor others: Guide junior devs. It's a win-win.

"Networking is a two-way street. Offer your own skills and knowledge to support others in your network." - Women in Tech Network

Helping others often leads to unexpected opportunities for you too.

In open-source, active participation pays off. Companies that contribute see better project outcomes and financial returns.

Wesley Faulkner, North America Community Manager for AWS, says:

"If you're able to put care into the community and grow their knowledge, then that is reciprocated."

So, at your next tech meetup or online forum, look for ways to help. It's not just nice - it's smart networking.

Conclusion

Networking isn't just a buzzword—it's crucial for developers. Here's a quick recap:

1. Be yourself
2. Craft a short intro
3. Listen carefully
4. Follow up
5. Use professional social media
6. Look beyond job hunting
7. Keep in touch
8. Guard personal info
9. Offer help

It's not just about taking—it's about giving too.

Online vs. offline networking for developers:

Mix both for a strong, diverse network.

"Networking is about building relationships, not just landing a job." - Kelly Hoey

Start now. Hit a local tech meetup, message an old colleague, or contribute to open-source. In tech, your network is your net worth.

FAQs

What mistakes do people make when networking?

People mess up networking in a bunch of ways. Here's what NOT to do:

• Ask for the world right off the bat
• Talk someone's ear off
• Clam up and share nothing
• Forget to swap contact info
• Act like you're at a frat party
• Go mute
• Show up clueless

How to avoid these blunders? Easy:

1. Practice your intro with a buddy

2. Come up with some good questions

3. Send a quick thank-you or share an interesting article after

Bottom line: Networking isn't about grabbing favors. It's about building relationships.

How to network as a new software engineer?

New to tech? Networking might seem scary, but it's key for your career. Here's how to dive in:

1. Hit up events and meetups

Find them on Eventbrite, Meetup, or Devpost. Look for local groups like Women Who Code or Google Developers Group.

2. Jump into hackathons

Show off what you can do and bond with other devs.

3. Try co-working spaces

Make friends and soak up the dev vibe.

4. Nail your elevator pitch

Sum up who you are in 30 seconds flat.

5. Follow the 80/20 rule when chatting

Listen 80%, ask questions 10%, talk 10%.

Remember: Networking's a marathon, not a sprint. Stay patient, keep at it, and focus on real connections.

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• JavaScript Blog: Building Professional Networks
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