Landry Monga

HOW TO STAND OUT AS A

SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Lessons and techniques for setting yourself apart in
the Software Engineering field
 How to stand out as a software
engineer

Software engineering has become one of the most competitive fields in the job
market. What's remarkable is that becoming a developer has never been easier and
landing a job in the most notorious companies worldwide no longer requires a
degree.

As the tech industry continues to grow, standing out as a software engineer is

becoming increasingly difficult. With more and more people entering the field and
seeking the same jobs, it's important to ask yourself how you can differentiate
yourself from the competition. What sets you apart from the hundreds of other
resumes that a hiring manager will receive for a single position? What unique skills
or experiences do you bring to the table ?

In this book, I will share with you the lessons and insights that have allowed me to
stand out as a software engineer, from my early days as a college student to my
current position as part of a the leader security company in the web 3 space, a
French unicorn, at only 24.
By following these tips and strategies, you too can elevate your skills, build a strong
network, and increase your chances of landing your dream job in the tech industry.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this
book will provide you with valuable insights and actionable advice to help you stand
out from the crowd.

Chapter 1 - Guided Growth: Unlocking career success through mentorship

If you're a software engineer who wants to get ahead in your career, there's one
thing you absolutely need: a mentor. A mentor is someone who can teach you new
skills, challenge you to do your best work, and give you guidance and support as you
navigate your career path.

It's okay if you don't find the perfect mentor right away - you might have several
mentors throughout your career, and that's totally normal. Don't worry too much
about finding someone with an impressive job title right away. Don’t expect the CTO
of Amazon to be your first mentor as a junior developer. What's more important is
finding someone you admire and can learn from. It could be a colleague or a

How to stand out as a software engineer 1

 manager at work, a professor at school, or even a fellow student (my first “mentor”
was one my friends I met in college that had way more experience than me).
The key is to find someone who inspires you and can help you grow as a software
engineer to reach the next steps of your career.

One of the best things about having a mentor is that they can introduce you to new
people in the industry. Your mentor might know other engineers, managers, or
industry leaders who can help you land a job, learn new skills, or even start your own
business someday. By expanding your network, you'll have more opportunities to
grow and succeed.
If you don’t know anyone around you, start looking on Linkedin and connect with the
people that you think can be beneficial to you. This is important to not take advise
from anybody as we all have different stories, different goals, different lifestyles.
Found a mentor that lives a life similar to the one you want to live.
Once you've found a potential mentor, it's important to build a strong relationship with
them.
This means being open and honest about your goals, asking lots of questions, and
being willing to listen to their advice. Remember that your mentor is there to help
you, so don't be afraid to ask for guidance when you need it.
A mentor will invest their time and energy in you, not only challenging you to grow
but also creating an environment where they expect you to challenge them in return.
This mutual exchange of ideas and perspectives allows for meaningful discussions
to happen. By being prepared, open-minded, offering alternative solutions and ready
to receive feedback you can create a dynamic of continuous growth.
Finally, don't forget that your mentor can teach you just as much from their
successes as from their failures. Be sure to ask them about both, so you can learn
from their experiences and avoid making the same mistakes they did.
In summary, either you are just starting learning coding or have several years of
experience, finding a mentor is one of the most critical action you can take to bring
your career to the next level. Having a mentor can also expand your network and
introduce you to new opportunities. Building a strong relationship with your mentor is
key, so be open, ask questions, and listen to their advice. Remember to learn from
both their successes and failures. Take your time to find the right mentor who
matches your needs and goals, and you'll be on your way to achieving your full
potential as a software engineer.

How to stand out as a software engineer 2

 Chapter 2 - Fuelling Growth with Freelancing: Unlocking your software
engineering career potential
Once have good foundations in development, I would recommend to start working as
a freelance as early as possible. It's a excellent way to gain experience and grow
your resume.
My personal experience with freelancing was a game-changer. I took my first
freelancing job during my first year in college as the 4th employee of a startup with
only a few side projects under my belt, and it turned out to be one of the most
beneficial decisions I made for my career.
One of the biggest advantages of working as a freelance is that you start developing
a product oriented mindset. You're not asked to just produce code, but to translate an
idea into a tangible product. You need to think about the user experience, how it will
be maintained, the cost, and propose different solutions for these. This helps you
think beyond the code and start considering the bigger picture.
Another benefit is that working as a freelancer can help you develop an
entrepreneurial mindset. You are in charge of your own company and have the
opportunity to make decisions with impact, organise your time and learn to report
progress.
If possible, I recommend starting your first freelance missions within a team, so that
you don't have the total responsibility for the product. Then, quickly move to positions
with more responsibility. If you're in college, consider working for your junior
entreprise, which is also a great option.

Don't be afraid of making mistakes or not knowing everything. This is never the
“perfect time” to start. The goal is to be put in situations where you have to solve
problems you've never encountered before and improve the way you organise and
lead a project. Mistakes will happen, and that's a natural part of the learning process.
One important note: Do not work for free at all costs. I made this mistake in the past,
and it was never worth it. Your time is valuable, and even if you don't have a lot of
experience, you should never undersell the value you bring to others.
Overall, working as a freelance can be a valuable way to gain experience, develop a
product mindset, and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. By taking on challenging
projects and making mistakes along the way, you can grow as a software engineer
and build a strong foundation for your career. With these considerations in mind,
freelancing can be a powerful tool for taking your career to the next level.

How to stand out as a software engineer 3

 Chapter 3 - Strong Foundations: Building blocks for software engineering
success

As a software engineer, building strong foundations is crucial for having a successful

career.
It might seem tempting to jump straight into building complex applications or learning
the latest frameworks, but without a solid understanding of the fundamentals, you'll
quickly hit roadblocks and struggle to progress.
The foundations are the building blocks that you are going to use throughout your
projects like control flow (if/else, loops), data structures, design patterns, algorithms,
network (protocols, dns, OSI), low-level stuff, etc. Knowing these will give you the
knowledge to solve your problems in original ways.
One strategy that helped me a lot is solving algorithms, coding tests and interview
questions. These exercises may not be identical to the problems you'll encounter in
your daily work but it’s one of the best way to grow your problem-solving “muscle”
and develop your intuition on how to tackle new issues.

There are various websites available to practice coding exercises, but the most
popular ones are HackerRank (https://www.hackerrank.com) and LeetCode
(https://leetcode.com).
Take the time to really think about how you solve each problem, and even try several
solutions to the same problem to develop your skills further.

Another critical foundation to have as a software engineer is the ability to recognise

patterns in the different problems you've solved in the past and reuse this knowledge
in other contexts.
By taking time to reflect on your work and analysing the solutions you've created,
you can develop a deep understanding of the underlying principles and techniques
that you can use to solve problems in new and unique ways.
Finally, becoming an expert in Googling is another essential foundation for success.
No one can remember everything, and you'll inevitably face new types of errors
when coding.
Good news is, 99% of the time, someone else has already faced the same issue,
and there's an answer for it online.

There’s a ton of resources online on how to Google effectively, for a start keep this in
mind:

Not need for connecting words (how, to, is, …): “How to write a file in nodejs” →
”write file nodejs”

How to stand out as a software engineer 4

 Do not blindly copy and paste error messages, found generic parts of the error

Use google operators for more targeted search (site:, intitle:, intitle:, filetype:)

Your answer is probably somewhere in Stack Overflow, a Github Issue or a tech

article

Chapter 4 - Shaping Success: The importance of building a strong portfolio

and making your mark
0 visibility x 100 skills = 0 opportunities.

The world is full of talented individuals who remain invisible to employers and clients
simply because they lack the ability to showcase their skills. Don’t be one of them. A
strong portfolio is essential for standing out from the crowd and proving your worth
as a top-notch engineer.

So, how do you get there? It’s simple: you need to invest in yourself and your
creativity by building personal projects and developing a strong portfolio. Here are
four steps to guide you:

Build personal projects: Building your own projects is a great way to develop
your skills and demonstrate your creativity. Choose a project that challenges you
and allows you to showcase your expertise. Don’t force yourself to finish every
single side project but I’d recommend you finish most of them. Once you take the
habit of not finishing projects, it’s hard to unlearn.
The more projects you make the faster it’ll be so don’t get discouraged. Always
go the extra mile on your side projects, you have no deadline and you are the
one defining your own specs. Take the time to dive on topics like UX, speed
optimisation, security.
One of my first side project was to write a CLI personal diary in C. You could
could add new entries that were timestamped, consult older entries per day and
delete them. Pretty simple specs at first sight. That’s when you have to go the
extra mile: What if there are more than one person using this ? How do they
login ? How do I secure the content of the diary ? How do I make sure the
content is encrypted in the hard drive and only accessible by the application ?
Should I allow user to edit the previous entries ? How would this impact the UX
of my app ?
Train yourself to start working on a project and then deep dive different subject to
learn as much as you can from each project.
If you lack inspiration on how to get started you can found a lot of fun side

How to stand out as a software engineer 5

 projects ideas online, but please do not create an other todo list, try to make
something that is yours.
If you need more guidance to get started I recommend this Github repo: .
Make these projects available on your Github profile, pin the projects you’re most
proud of.

Create your website: A website is the perfect way to showcase your personal
projects and work samples. Don’t hesitate to publish your projects and highlight
your skills on your website. Make it visually appealing and easy to navigate, so
potential employers and clients can easily find what they're looking for.

Write articles: Teaching others is the best way to learn. Writing an articles on a
topic you master not only shows that you have a strong knowledge on the
subject but also that you are capable of communicating your though in a
structured understandable way which is a invaluable skill for an engineer. I’d
recommend you use a platform like Substack for this.

Building your project in public: It is a great way to build a community around

you and get feedback. Take a camera and bring people on your journey. Post
daily updates on Tiktok and Twitter, and engage with your audience. This will not
only help you improve your project with direct feedback but also help you build a
reputation. This also get you used to demoing your work which is a huge
advantage.

By following these advise, you can unleash your creativity and build a strong portfolio
that will get you noticed by employers and clients alike. Don’t let your skills go to
waste; invest in yourself, your creativity, and your future. The world is waiting for you
to make your mark.

Chapter 5 - Collective Strength: The power of community for skill development

First and foremost, it is essential to understand that software engineering is a team

sport. The most significant technological breakthroughs in history have not been
achieved by individuals working alone, but rather by teams working together towards
a common goal. Each team member has unique strengths and preferences, such as
product management, devops, backend, writing dev tools. Exploring these different
roles in team projects can help you discover your strengths and passions.

One of the most effective ways to collaborate with a community is by contributing to

open-source projects. Open-source projects are programs that are made publicly
available by their creators, allowing anyone to view, use, modify, and distribute the

How to stand out as a software engineer 6

 code without any restrictions. Open-source code is the backbone of every single
program you have ever used. These projects have large communities behind them,
and the people maintaining them have years of experience using best practices in
coding and team collaboration. Contributing to an open-source project is not only an
excellent way to give back to the community, but it is also a valuable addition to your
resume that can help you stand out.
It can be intimidating to contribute to an open-source project at first, but there are
several ways to get started:

Good First Issue (https://goodfirstissue.dev) which lists all the issues that were
tagged as beginner-friendly by the projects team members.

Documentation: Contributing to the project's documentation is another good

way to get more familiar with the codebase, especially if the code seems
daunting at first.

Community engagement on Twitter and Discord: This is where you can follow
the trends and discussions surrounding the project you are interested in. These
conversations are a goldmine of in-depth knowledge and can help you build
connections with other like-minded individuals in the field.

So either it’s a large open-source project or just you and your friends, get out there,
and start collaborating.

Chapter 6 - Networking: Accelerating career growth through meaningful

connections

As a software engineer, you might think that your work speaks for itself. After all,
your code is your portfolio, right? Unfortunately, that's not always the case. In today's
job market, networking is just as important as technical skills. As an introvert myself, I
know how daunting networking can be. But I also know that it's crucial for career
growth.

Linkedin: Linkedin is the place I do most of my networking. The platform is specially

designed for professionals to connect. If you know how to use it to its full potential
you’d be able to grow your network with ease.

First of all make sure that your profile has a good looking profile picture and that all
the information are up to date. Add your professional experiences and include a
description explaining what projects you’ve worked on and what was the impact. Also
your educational background with details of any noteworthy highlights and projects
you’ve participated in during that time. Finally add your skills and ask for

How to stand out as a software engineer 7

 recommendations from your peers on these.
When looking for potential Linkedin connection start with your college alumni, this an
obvious connection and also direct access to companies you’d like to join.
The 2nd group of people are people that are in companies you like and from big tech
companies. Do not only connect with the engineers connect with all people from all
field like product, HR, mangers and execs. Finally the 3rd group of people to connect
with are people from startups and entrepreneurs, these are the innovators and it’s
always good to keep an eye on future potential opportunities.
Once you have made all these connections you better use them and actually build a
relationship. Cold messaging is very common on Linkedin and this is expected. Do
not hesitate. There are a lot of resources online on how to create a good cold
message and you’ll develop your own style with time. The most important is to be
intentional on who you choose to message, read their resume and be clear on what
inspired you in their profiles.

I was able to connect with incredible people through Linkedin. One exemple is when
I was obsessed with Netflix and wanted to join the company. I went on Linkedin to
look for all Netflix employees and used advanced search filters to only select
employees that graduated from my college. I messaged them and a few days later
had a call with them. Meeting these engineers was pivotal for my career as it showed
that it was possible for me too to reach such levels but also I was able to receive
amazing advise that totally changed the way I think about software to this day.

Twitter and Discord: Twitter and Discord are platform where the cool kids hang out.
Twitter is like a giant digital playground where you can connect with other developers
from around the world. You can easily find folks by searching for hashtags like
#techtwitter, #100daysofcode, #programming, #<your_fav_progamming_language>.
It's a high-energy environment where you can learn, share, and make meaningful
connections with people who share your interests.
Discord is all about building communities and fostering connections in a more
intimate setting. You can find Discord servers for just about any topic, from web
development to machine learning to game development. Just head over to Disboard
(https://disboard.org), search by keyword, and you'll be able to find a community
that shares your interest.
Get out there and start interacting! Comment on posts, share your own knowledge,
and don't be afraid to ask for help. You never know where your next big opportunity
might come from.

Tech events and conferences: There's no substitute for face-to-face meetings

when it comes to connecting with people. And that's where tech conferences and

How to stand out as a software engineer 8

 tech events come in. Attending these events can be a fantastic way to connect with
other developers and tech professionals, learn from their experiences, and gain
valuable insights into the industry, learn about new developments and trends and
emerging technologies.
But it's not all about the serious stuff. They often have social events and parties
where you can meet other attendees in a more relaxed setting (a.k.a get drunk!). I
spent some of my funniest nights at this kind of events.
If you're an introvert or shy like me, attending tech conferences and events can be a
great way to improve your small talk skills.
You can found your next tech event on Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com),
Meetup (https://www.meetup.com).

Remember, networking is not just about connecting with people for potential job
opportunities, it's about building genuine relationships with peers, mentors, and
industry leaders. These connections can provide you with valuable insights, advice,
and support throughout your career.
Whether you choose to network through online platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and
Discord or attend in-person tech conferences and events, the most important thing is
to be intentional and authentic in your interactions.
Don't forget that networking is just as important as technical skills when it comes to
advancing your career in software engineering. So, invest time and effort into
building relationships and nurturing your network. Who knows, your next job
opportunity or valuable career advice may come from someone you meet through
networking. Keep an open mind, be proactive, and happy networking!

Chapter 7 - Passion: Focusing for career impact

As a software engineer, you are like a kid with access to a virtual candy store filled
with an endless supply of new technologies, frameworks, and inventions.
But let's face it, trying to indulge in every new flavor, although tempting, can be a
waste of time and brain power. That's why I recommend focusing on a few areas that
you're truly passionate about. By building a strong foundations, you'll be able to keep
up with new trends and emerging technologies.

Sure, it's important to have a vision of what’s going on in the industry. But don't get
distracted by skills that won't directly benefit you. Instead, focus on one or two skills
that you're passionate about and dive deep.
With time you can pivot and go explore other fields but don’t make the mistake of

How to stand out as a software engineer 9

 being average at everything and great at nothing. Being a A player is becoming rare
and it’s a great opportunity for you to stand out.

No company needs a engineer that is both expert in CSS as well as in computer

vision. However if you choose to be a frontend developer that is also capable setup a
CI/CD pipeline, define a cost efficient deployment strategy you set yourself apart.

With focus and clear goals you can build the skills to make a great impact in any
company.

Chapter 8 - The curious developer: Nurturing continuous learning

The more I learn, the more I realise how much I don't know." - Albert Einstein

Curiosity is one of the most important qualities to have as a developer. The

willingness and humbleness to learn on a daily basis are what setting out apart from
the crowd.

Here are some areas where my curiosity has led me on my programming journey:

Software design, system design, architecture: Understanding the principles of

building robust software, organising code, and designing scalable systems is
crucial for tackling large-scale projects. Most open source project follow the best
practices in terms of software design, you can learn from them. When it comes
to system design is a great entry point.

If you are getting interested in a specific technology go on your search engine

and search awesome <your fav language/framework> github. e.g “awsome
javascript github”, “awesome django github”. The “awesome xxx” github repos
list some gems about the tech you like.

Learn about all the components of your job: for exemple you can’t be a web
developer and know nothing about networking, HTTP, caching systems,
distributed systems. Take time to explore and learn about the interconnected
elements that shape your work.

Most big companies have engineering blogs. They are amazing ways to have an
insight on the problem-solving process in these companies. Even if you may not
encounter the same problems at this scale, you could get inspired by how they
organised, the tools they used and apply some of these solutions to your needs.
Exemple of companies that have engineering blogs: Meta, Amazon (Amazon
Prime, AWS, Twitch), Netflix, Uber, Discord, Spotify, Github, Shopify, Dropbox.

How to stand out as a software engineer 10

 Personal tip: Keep a list of articles you really liked for reference and further
reading.

Listen to conference talks on youtube: Just like blog articles, tech conferences
offer great insights from people in the industry about problems they solved and
how.

Learn more than one language (1 low level, 1 high level): I recommend to all
developers to explore at least 1 “low level” language like Rust or C and 1 high
level language like Javascript or Python. Learning lower level languages allow
you to understand what is going under the hood when using higher level
languages. You learn about memory allocation, compilation, syscalls, inner
working of the operating system. If you're just starting your programming journey,
I recommend beginning with a lower-level language (Rust). Though it may be
challenging initially, once you master it, you'll possess a broad knowledge
foundation to propel your progress forward.

Solve Everyday Problems: Cultivate problem-solving skills by tackling everyday

challenges. Whether it's fixing something broken in your home or observing the
world around you, studying and seeking solutions to novel problems enhances
your ability to think creatively and find innovative approaches.

Chapter 9 - Learn your own way: Crafting a strategy to learn fast

Working in the field of software is working in an environment where the pace of

changing is accelerating. You won’t have time to master every subject before you
use them in your projects. You may found yourself learning how to use a new library
on the fly in the middle of a project. You must proactively develop a strategy to learn
rapidly. For exemple you could have to change your paradigm from SQL to NoSQL
or from using Rest APIs to GraphQL.
You won’t be able to master everything and do a side project with these new tools
before using it in real life. Depending on the level of knowledge I need I usually jump
on the documentation and real life examples found on Github. For you it could be a
youtube video or a Medium article. The key is to found what works best for you.

Customise Your Learning: Everyone has their preferred learning style. Some
prefer such YouTube tutorials, while others prefer in-depth articles or hands-on
experimentation. Identify the resources that resonate with you the most and align
with your learning preferences. This could be official documentation, real-life
examples on GitHub, online courses, podcasts, or mentorship programs.

How to stand out as a software engineer 11

 Experiment with different mediums and formats until you discover what
accelerates your understanding and retention.

Embrace Practical Application: While theoretical knowledge is important,

nothing beats real-life application when it comes to mastery. Instead of waiting
for the perfect side project to experiment with new tools, embrace the opportunity
to learn on the job. When faced with a new technology, dive into its
documentation, explore open-source projects that utilise it, and seek out
practical examples and case studies. Emphasise hands-on experience and apply
your newly acquired knowledge directly in your current projects. This practical
approach not only accelerates your learning but also strengthens your problem-
solving skills.

Continual Iteration and Reflection: Learning quickly is an iterative process.

Embrace a growth mindset and be open to continuous improvement. Regularly
reflect on your learning strategies and evaluate their effectiveness. Consider the
areas where you could optimise your approach and seek feedback from peers
and mentors. Adjust your learning techniques based on the insights gained from
your experiences, and refine your strategy to achieve even faster and more
efficient results.

Chapter 10 - Deep work: Learn focus and deep work to achieve peak
performance

Learning to concentrate deeply can be a game changer. Many developers take pride
in having dedicated "focus time" during their day, and for good reason. Just one hour
of undistracted, focused work can be as productive as 2-3 hours of scattered effort
amidst distractions like Slack messages and social media. When you go “in the
zone”, you tap into the full potential of your brain and unlock remarkable results.
If you're not used to working this way yet, don't worry. It's a habit that can be
developed fairly quickly. One simple and effective technique to get started is the
Pomodoro Method. Set a timer for 30 minutes and commit to working on a specific
task without any distractions. You can use a browser extension to block access to
social media sites. Once the 30 minutes are up, reward yourself with a short break of
10 to 15 minutes. Gradually increase the length of your work sessions as you
become more comfortable.
Remember, it's normal to take a little time to warm up and fully focus when you start
each work session. Just keep working on your task, and soon your concentration will
sharpen.

How to stand out as a software engineer 12

 To further enhance your productivity, break down your goals into smaller,
manageable tasks. By tackling them one by one, you'll find it easier to maintain focus
and experience a sense of accomplishment with each completed task.

Chapter 11 - Maximising efficiency: Boost your productivity with the right tools
Time is the only luxury we have. It's essential to avoid reinventing the wheel each
time we approach a new task. If you find yourself performing the same task
repeatedly throughout the day, it's time to optimise your work environment and
automise it.
Personally, I've found great value in mastering the CLI (Command Line Interface).
Becoming proficient in the terminal allows you to create custom scripts and
shortcuts, providing immense convenience and time-saving benefits.
IDE extensions can save some time as well. Linters and formatters save you time
and ensure code consistency by automatically identify and correct coding style
issues.
Familiarise yourself with the keyboard shortcuts offered by your preferred software
development tools, as they enable you to navigate and execute commands swiftly.

There are hundreds of productivity apps and web extensions that can boost your
work environment. These tools can enhance your work environment and amplify your
efficiency. Whether it's project management tools, desktop configuration, or task
automation utilities, there's a wealth of options to explore and integrate into your
workflow.

Chapter 12 - Your Personal Brand: Embracing individuality

It's essential to remember that companies are not just entities; they are comprised of
individuals. When you become part of an organisation, it's crucial to align with its
values and contribute something unique to the teams.
While programming can be a passion, it's equally important to allow yourself to
explore other interests and not confine yourself to a narrow box. We often have in
mind that being a software engineer means being a stereotypical computer geek. But
in reality, we are all individuals with diverse backgrounds and colourful stories, and
programming is just one aspect of who we are.
Defining your personal brand is of utmost importance. Your brand is the story that
surrounds you, the mark you leave on people's minds. Take the time to understand
your main characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. By taking ownership of your

How to stand out as a software engineer 13

 story, you prevent others from defining who you are. I encourage you to frequently
reflect on these questions and develop the ability to effectively present yourself to
others.
Remember, your skills can only take you so far. The world is filled with countless
talented software engineers. However, it is those who cultivate their personal growth
and develop their unique personalities who can truly rise to greater responsibilities
and opportunities.
By embracing your whole self, leveraging your diverse interests, and continuously
expanding your horizons, you'll not only stand out among your peers but also unlock
your full potential as a software developer. Embrace your uniqueness, define your
personal brand, and watch as doors of opportunity open before you.

Chapter 13 - Self Care: Prioritising your well being

In the world we live in, where our professional achievements often define us, it has
become increasingly crucial to prioritise self-care. Remember, you should always be
your number one priority. By investing in your well-being, you not only promote
overall health, but you also enhance your efficiency and effectiveness in the
workplace.
A clear mind begins with a healthy body: physical fitness is not just about
appearance; it plays a vital role in mental clarity. Regular exercise not only boosts
cognitive function and improves focus but also helps combat the detrimental effects
of long hours spent sitting at a desk. In addition to strength training exercises at least
three times a week, consider incorporating mobility training for your hips, back and
shoulders. This will promote better posture and work tired muscled from by being
sited all day.
I personally meditate everyday, I use this as a tool to reduce my stress levels,
connect with my inner-self and make sense of what is going on in my mind. I
recommend it to become a daily practice. Journaling can also help you. Putting your
thoughts on paper your thoughts becomes more structured and are now existing in
the physical world, it’s the first step to manifest your goals.

Chapter 14 - Define your path: Be prepared for your next opportunity

Never stop exploring what your next opportunity could be. New companies are
always emerging, keep your eyes on the innovators of this world and be part of
it. Code can positively impact the lives of millions, as a programmer you are very
powerful. I really encourage you to take part of a project you feel aligned with

How to stand out as a software engineer 14

 your goals and the impact it’ll have on the population.
I recommend to most people to start their journey in startups. The dynamic
environment offers unparalleled opportunities for growth. You most likely will
have more responsibilities, more ownership of the product and surrounded by
talented people not afraid to tackle hard challenges. Just like everything, the
riskier it the opportunity the bigger is the reward.

Look at skills demanded in job descriptions: Either you’re looking for a job or not,
I recommend you sometimes take a look at job description from companies you
like and see what kind of profiles they are looking for. Make sure you stay ahead
of the game by keeping your skills up to date with the needs of companies you’d
like to join.

Do not shy away from negotiating your salary. You are one the most important
component in your company. You’re skills matters and it’s normal to be
compensated for it. Learn how to effectively negotiate before your next
interviews.

Enrol in certification programs that validate your expertise and demonstrate your
commitment to professional growth. These certifications not only enhance your
knowledge and skills but also provide a tangible proof of your qualifications to
potential employers.

Conclusion

Thank you for embarking on this journey towards standing out from the crowd as a
software engineer. Throughout this book, we have explored a multitude of strategies
and insights to help you excel in a competitive industry. As someone who has
personally applied these principles, I am grateful to share that they have elevated my
own career and have even benefitted others that I could share these with.
I encourage you to continue implementing these principles in your own career
journey. Grow with your mentors, build strong foundations, and create a compelling
portfolio showcasing your personal projects. Collaborate with the community, master
the art of networking, and pursue your passions wholeheartedly. Embrace curiosity,
and cultivate a focus on deep work while utilising productivity tools.

If you have any further inquiries or would like to connect, please feel free to reach
out to me on LinkedIn. It would be my pleasure to connect with you and offer support
on your journey.
Your potential knows no bounds, and I have full confidence that you will make a
profound impact in the world of software engineering.

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