Originally presented at Boston Code and Coffee. This interactive presentation provides practical strategies for navigating the developer job search process.
Key Takeaways
- Crafting compelling narratives resonates with hiring managers
Presenting experience through structured storytelling demonstrates communication skills and helps interviewers understand technical contributions and impact- Portfolio strategy demonstrates skills more effectively than resumes
Building targeted projects that showcase specific competencies provides tangible evidence of capabilities beyond listing technologies- Interview preparation requires both technical and behavioral practice
Success comes from balancing algorithm practice with articulating past experiences using frameworks like STAR- Networking builds opportunities through authentic connections
Meaningful professional relationships develop from contributing to communities and sharing knowledge rather than transactional interactions- Negotiation increases compensation through data-driven advocacy
Understanding market rates and articulating unique value propositions leads to better offers than accepting initial proposals
About This Presentation
This presentation walks through the entire job search process from a developer’s perspective, offering practical strategies proven effective in the field. The content is based on real experiences navigating the tech job market rather than theoretical concepts.
The presentation covers essential aspects of the job search including crafting your story to present experience in a compelling way that resonates with hiring managers. Portfolio strategy sections explain what to build and showcase to demonstrate skills effectively. Interview preparation provides practical tips for technical and behavioral interviews. Networking approaches focus on building meaningful connections without feeling inauthentic. Negotiation sections help developers understand their worth and advocate for it.
The job search process can be overwhelming, especially in today’s market. After multiple job searches and helping others navigate theirs, patterns emerge in what works and what doesn’t. This presentation distills those learnings into actionable advice. What makes this different from typical career advice is the focus on practical, implementable strategies rather than generic platitudes. Each section includes specific examples and templates developers can adapt for their own use.
Interactive Format and Access
Rather than a static slide deck, this presentation was built as an interactive web experience. Users can navigate at their own pace, explore different sections based on their needs, and bookmark specific slides for later reference. The presentation is designed to be a resource developers can return to throughout their job search.
The full interactive presentation is available at getting-hired.raf.dev. It’s completely free and doesn’t require any sign-up. The resource is designed for sharing with anyone who might find it helpful.
Community Impact and Future Development
Since the Boston Code and Coffee presentation, developers have used these strategies to land interviews at companies they thought were out of reach. Others have negotiated significantly better compensation packages, transitioned into new areas of development, and built confidence in their job search approach.
Based on feedback, planned expansions include sections on remote job searching strategies, career pivots within tech, and building a personal brand as a developer. The presentation continues to evolve based on community needs and market changes. Suggestions and questions can be directed to Twitter.
The Boston Code and Coffee community provided the opportunity to present and valuable feedback that helped shape the online version. The collaborative spirit of the developer community continues to enhance this resource.