From Code to Conversation: The Dual Role of a Developer in Today's Tech Landscape

It's not only about the tech skills, it's the PR that bring you up in the ladder...

As a developer in today's world, There are so many opportunities and many platforms. We can choose what we like the most.  But picking up the right tech spec for one’s own career is not enough. Then what? Yes, this is what I am going to talk about. As I see the world as a Developer.

Hope the best and be positive,

Yes sometimes you might need a brake from what you have been doing so far and may be you need to explore the opportunities out there in other places. May be you are in a place where you need to move quickly. May be you experience the not so good environment for you at your current place. Whatever the reason, be positive and act positive. Finish what you work on before you leave. This shows the real responsibility and sometimes will make it easy for the transition.

Research the background of your new role and employer

May be you have applied for opportunities or the employer might have contacted you by seeing what you have been doing. No matter what, you must do your research. It’s important to know your employer or customer. To successfully integrate with them, you need to do some background search. Who they are what they do and how they do it. Their past progress will help you understand the future development and how you can contribute to it. This is very important. For example, the new employer you are going to join is a totally new entity or person. Their success stories in the past will make you positive and trustworthy about the upcoming challenges.

First impression is important

As always for any kind of situation, your first impression with the employer / customer is very important because it’s the foundation of future development. The more you learn about them will benefit you more in understanding what they expect from you. Behavior is very important. When you first meet him which may be over online meeting, let them introduce you the program and let them tell you what they would like to see from you. It is the most important opportunity for you to learn what kind of a way you can help them grow. It may not be always technical but in certain situations it may be cultural, organizational or behavioral situations. So try to learn as much as possible at your first meeting and then it will help you building the bond with them.

Be practical

We all learn every day. No one is perfect and no one is capable of everything. Most probably your employer or customer know that too. So let him explain you what he would like to see from you. Be honest and ask for details. Let them know if you don’t know something. It is also important that you let them know that you also don’t know certain things but you must have a strong will to learn. It’s ok to take couple of days and of course there is a learning curve. Everybody understands. Specially employers / business owners know that by their experience. So be practical and be honest.

Behavior is one of the key point

We all behave in unique ways. No one is equally behaving or understanding the same way. Try to understand the behavior that they expect. Be respectful and be responsible for your own actions. You are being watched for what you do and how you do it. Even if we say don’t judge, the ultimate truth is you are being judged at some point. Don’t worry too much about it. Just be yourself. Express yourself. Also know that everyone is not perfect and it applies to you as well. Learn from your mistakes. Take few mins from your time and sit and think about how you behave today. What things you can improve in yourself. Try to do better tomorrow. If you work remotely, this is very important.

Also you can ask feedback from your customer or employer. That includes not only your deliveries but also the behavior and negative points. You need to know no only the negative things but positive successfully done or finished works to understand how you can do it better tomorrow.

Relationships

Relationships are very important to be comfortable in your newly started adventure. Know your boss, and know the people around. Try to have some conversation about their career and learn how you have been successful so far. You also can share some stories with them. Actually story telling is fun. Enjoy the moments you spend with them even if it’s remote. Let them know you are a type of person who listen to them rather than talking to them. Sometimes you can solve problems that are related to their career or tasks that they do. Of course, this is a journey and we must help each other.

Don’t panic

Some people get panic in certain situations which turns the whole problem into another and another. At first if you try to calm down and be not panic to the issue, it wouldn’t have been so bad. If you need to discuss, you can ask the employer that you have a concern about something and you need to talk about it. Of course they will give you the opportunity to discuss. Be gentle and factful. Explain what your issues are. Once a boss told me, “ the stupidest question is the one that is not asked “. So they are always there to listen to you. But you need to understand how you present the concern is.

Plan

When we spend our time, we need to have a solid understanding of what we are going to do and how we are going to do. A small plan would be ideal. It’s common for the workplace too. Have your own plan. Discuss it with them. Alter it as needed. Help them to help you grow. The more things you discuss will give you more ideas of what and how you can help your employer.

See you in next story..

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#DijitalTeam Peter Ward #DijiLegends Dijital Team Dijital Team LK