Sep 18

How to Get Ahead of 99% of Software Engineers: Key Skills & Strategies

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If you're looking to really stand out as a software engineer, it's not just about being good at coding. To get ahead of 99% of your peers, you need to focus on more than just technical skills. Here are seven simple but powerful ways to boost your career and get noticed.

1. Be an Expert in One Technology/Programming Language
While it’s good to know a bunch of different tools, picking one tech stack to master can make a huge difference. Whether it's Java Spring Boot, Python, or React, becoming the go-to person for one specific stack makes you valuable. People will come to you when they need help, and that puts you ahead.

Try to become go-to person in one area within your team/company so everyone should know that this person can solve any problem in particular technology/language or framework

2. Don’t Be Afraid of New Technologies/Frameworks
New languages, frameworks, and tools are popping up all the time, and it can feel overwhelming. But instead of avoiding them, jump in and start learning. Being open to new things keeps you relevant and makes sure you don’t get left behind.

3. Choose Your Tribe Wisely
The people you hang around with matter. Find people who inspire you to be better and who push you to keep growing. Whether it's your work team, online communities, or friends in tech, being around motivated people can make a big difference.

Always ask for mentorship within your company from the people who are already ahead from you.

Join communities on LinkedIn, Stack Overflow, or GitHub, where you can connect with other developers and learn from their experiences.

4. Time Management: Keep Up with New Tech
Keeping up with what's new in the tech world is super important, but you need to make time for it. Don’t let your busy schedule stop you from staying updated on trends and tools. Block off time each week to learn, whether it's through articles, videos, or trying out new tools.

Set aside a few hours a week to stay current and learn about new trends and tech.

5. Understand Business Domain
Knowing how the technology you’re working on impacts the business can really set you apart. Whether it’s healthcare, finance, or e-commerce, the better you understand your domain, the better solutions you can build.

Get involved in conversations with product teams or attend domain-specific webinars. The more you know about the bigger picture, the more valuable you’ll be.

6. Improve Your Soft Skills
Technical skills will only take you so far. Your ability to communicate, present your ideas clearly, and work well with others is just as important. Good soft skills help you stand out in meetings, build better relationships, and make your job easier.

Look for opportunities to present your ideas in meetings or share your knowledge in small group settings. Practice makes a big difference.

7. Help Improve Team Culture: Always do the right thing
One way to really make an impact in your team is by contributing to a positive culture. Speak up in meetings, share your thoughts, and always back your ideas with solid data. This shows that you’re not just throwing out opinions but offering real solutions that can move the team forward.

Always take data driven decisions which will be right thing to do for the platform you are working on.

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