Beyond the Resume: Breaking the Mindset That Gets You Hired

Kehinde Balogun shares his takeaways of the Firechat with Senior Software Engineers Shehab Abdel-Salam and Cesar Aguirre titled Breaking In: The Mindset That Gets You Hired

👀 Continue reading till the end to jump to Shehab’s and Cesar’s articles!

Article’s highlights:

▶️ Step into the Growth Zone

▶️ Build, Document, and Share

▶️ Embrace the Struggle and Seek Feedback

🔒 The Power of Connection and Persistence: continue reading Kehinde’s article

🔒 Leverage AI, but Know the Fundamentals: continue reading Kehinde’s article

🔒 Do the Work Nobody Wants to Do: continue reading Kehinde’s article

🔒 From Passion to Profession: continue reading Kehinde’s article

Getting hired in the tech industry is about more than just a polished resume and a list of skills. It’s about demonstrating a specific mindset, one that shows you’re not just capable, but hungry to learn, grow, and make an impact. This isn’t just a numbers game; it’s a strategic approach to your career and personal development.

Step into the Growth Zone

Many aspiring developers get stuck in the “gray zone”, doing what’s expected without pushing their boundaries. To truly stand out, you need to step into the “growth zone”. This means building new things and actively challenging yourself. Don’t just follow tutorials; create something from scratch. This is where real learning happens and where you build a portfolio that truly sets you apart.

Build, Document, and Share

• Build Your Own Plan: Don’t wait for a job to tell you what to learn. Be intentional about your career path. Set goals and create a roadmap to achieve them.

• Document Everything: Writing about what you’re learning solidifies your knowledge and provides a record of your progress. A weekly work log is a great way to do this. When you’re documenting a project, keep it concise under five pages, with the most important information on the first page. Keep it simple and follow a consistent outline.

• Build in Public: Share your projects and learnings on platforms like GitHub, Substack, or a personal blog. This not only builds your personal brand but also shows potential employers your passion and skills in action.

• Impact over Features: When you showcase your projects, focus on the impact they had, not just the features. Did your project solve a specific problem? Did it help others? Highlight the “why” behind what you built.

Embrace the Struggle and Seek Feedback

The journey is full of challenges, and that’s a good thing. Embrace the struggle; it’s where the most significant learning happens. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Every experienced developer was once a beginner, and most are willing to help.

When you receive feedback, accept it gracefully and apply it. It’s a gift that helps you improve. This shows a level of maturity and a willingness to grow that companies highly value.

👀 Read Shehab’s article: Your Tribe of Mentors

👀 Read Cesar’s article: 15 Takeaways From “Breaking in the Mindset That Gets You Hired” With ALX Africa

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Keep in touch with Kehinde on LinkedIn - Keep in touch with Shehab on LinkedIn - Keep in touch with Cesar on LinkedIn