How to Get More Software Engineer Interviews: A Simple Yet Effective Strategy
Finding a software engineering interview is like a monumental task these days. Whether you’re a fresh graduate, an intern, or even someone with years of experience, it’s tough out there.
You see a job posting, apply, and within seconds, thousands of other applicants flood in. It discouraged me, and it had me wondering: Is there a better way to stand out?
Turns out, there is. It’s a strategy so simple and obvious that anyone can do it. It’s not about tweaking your resume a thousand times or sending out a bunch of cold messages on LinkedIn. It’s about building in public.
What Does “Building in Public” Mean?
Building in public is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of keeping your coding projects tucked away on your hard drive, you share them with the world as you develop them. It’s like having a live, open-source portfolio that showcases your skills and growth over time.
When you build in public, you’re not just putting out finished projects. You’re showing the messy middle — your progress, mistakes, breakthroughs, and everything in between.
This can be through blog posts, social media updates, or even just sharing your code on GitHub. And the real kicker? It’s not just fellow developers who might see it; recruiters and hiring managers could also come across your work, giving you a better shot at landing an interview.
Why Does Building in Public Work?
Let’s be honest — applying to jobs online feels like screaming into the void. You submit your resume, hit “apply,” and hope for the best. But what if, instead of waiting for someone to notice you, you put your skills on display for the world to see?
When you build in public, you’re actively proving your capabilities. You’re not just telling potential employers you can code — you’re showing them. And that’s incredibly powerful.
Here’s why it works:
- Visibility: Your work is no longer hidden in your personal repositories or forgotten after sending a job application. By sharing it, more people — including recruiters — get to see what you’re capable of.
- Engagement: Sharing your work invites feedback, whether it’s constructive criticism or support. You can improve your skills while also getting noticed.
- Networking: Building in public naturally leads to interactions with other developers and potential employers. People who admire your work may want to connect with you, making it easier to get referrals or recommendations.
There’s really no downside to building in public, except maybe a few negative comments here and there (but hey, that’s the internet). If you can handle that, you’re golden.
How Do You Start Building in Public?
Now that you know why it works, let’s dive into the how. Building in public might sound daunting at first, but trust me, it’s easier than you think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.
Step 1: Set Up Your Social Media Profiles
The first thing you need to do is establish an online presence. You can’t build in public if you’re invisible. Here are the platforms you should be on:
1. LinkedIn
This one’s a no-brainer. LinkedIn is the go-to platform for professionals, especially in tech. Recruiters and hiring managers are constantly scouring LinkedIn for talent.
If you don’t already have an account, set one up. Make sure your profile is complete — no half-baked bios or missing experience sections.
- Profile Picture: Use a professional-looking photo. No anime avatars or vacation selfies. You want to come across as someone who takes their career seriously.
- Banner Image: Add a background image that reflects your work — maybe a screenshot of a project or a coding-related visual.
- Headline: Make your headline clear and concise. Something like “Aspiring Software Engineer | Open Source Contributor” is a good start.
2. Twitter (or X)
Yes, Twitter — or X — is still a powerful platform for developers. A lot of engineers, tech enthusiasts, and even recruiters are active here.
Twitter allows you to share quick updates, engage in discussions, and build connections more informally than LinkedIn.
- Follow tech influencers: Find people who are already building in public, like Cassidy Williams or other engineers who regularly tweet about their projects.
- Post often: Share small updates about your progress. Even a tweet about fixing a tricky bug can spark a conversation.
3. Discord
This might surprise some, but Discord is a great place to connect with tech communities. There are tons of coding servers where developers hang out, share ideas, and even post job openings.
- Join coding communities: Look for developer communities that align with your interests. You’ll find everything from Python and JavaScript to more niche groups.
- Contribute to discussions: Don’t just lurk — engage with the community. Answer questions, share tips, and showcase your work.
4. GitHub
If you’re a developer, you probably already have a GitHub. But if you don’t, get on it. GitHub is where your code lives and it’s one of the best platforms to showcase your projects.
Recruiters often check GitHub profiles to see the code behind the projects listed on your resume.
- Create a strong README: A good README file helps explain your project to others. Include a brief description, installation instructions, and features.
- Pin key projects: You can pin up to six repositories on your profile. Make sure these represent your best work.
Step 2: Share Your Work
Now that you’ve got your platforms set up, it’s time to actually start sharing your work. But what kind of content should you post?
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Project Updates
If you’re working on a project, don’t wait until it’s finished to share it. Post regular updates as you go. Talk about the challenges you’re facing, the features you’re building, and the progress you’re making. This helps people follow along with your journey and builds anticipation for the final product.
For example:
- “Just implemented a feature in my to-do list app that lets users filter tasks by priority. It was a bit tricky to get the UI right, but here’s a sneak peek!”
2. Blog Posts or Tutorials
If you’re more into writing, you can share technical blog posts or tutorials. This could be about anything from using a specific framework to explaining how you solved a coding problem. The more detailed and helpful, the better.
For example:
- “Struggled with React hooks for a while, but I finally got the hang of it. Here’s a quick guide on how I used
useEffectto fetch data efficiently."
3. Open Source Contributions
If you contribute to open-source projects, talk about it! Share the bugs you’ve fixed, the features you’ve added, or your overall experience working with the project. This shows you’re actively involved in the tech community and willing to collaborate.
For Example:
- “Just submitted a PR to fix a long-standing issue in [popular open source project]. Learned a ton about how the project’s architecture works!”
4. Ask for Feedback
One of the most valuable parts of building in public is the feedback you get from other developers. Don’t be afraid to ask for it! Whether you’re stuck on a bug or want advice on how to structure your code, putting it out there can lead to great insights.
ForExample:
- “Having trouble optimizing this algorithm for my project. Does anyone have experience with [specific method]? Would love some feedback!”
Step 3: Engage with the Community
Building in public isn’t just about shouting into the void — it’s about creating a conversation. That means engaging with others, replying to comments, and becoming an active part of the community.
1. Respond to Comments
Whenever someone comments on your post — whether it’s feedback, praise, or criticism — respond to them. It shows you’re approachable and open to discussion. Plus, these conversations can lead to meaningful connections.
2. Comment on Other People’s Posts
Don’t just focus on your own content. Take the time to engage with what other developers are sharing. This could be through offering helpful suggestions, providing resources, or just joining in on discussions.
For Example:
- “That’s a great approach to solving X problem! I used a similar method in my project and found that Y worked really well too.”
3. Join Developer Communities
There are plenty of online communities where developers hang out. Reddit, Stack Overflow, Discord servers — pick one or two that resonate with you and become a regular presence there.
The more people see you engaging and contributing, the more likely they are to remember you when opportunities arise.
Step 4: Promote Your Work
It’s not enough to just share your work once and hope for the best. You need to consistently promote it across all your platforms. The more people see your work, the more opportunities will come your way.
1. Cross-Post Your Content
Whenever you write a blog post, share it on Twitter, LinkedIn, Discord, and GitHub. Don’t be shy about posting in multiple places — each platform has its own audience.
2. Create a Content Schedule
If you want to stay consistent, set up a content schedule. Plan out when you’ll share updates, write blog posts, or post on social media. This keeps you accountable and ensures you’re regularly putting your work out there.
3. Ask Others to Share
If someone finds your content helpful, don’t be afraid to ask them to share it with their network. This could be as simple as adding a “Please share if you found this helpful” message at the end of a blog post.
Conclusion
Building in public is one of the most effective ways to get noticed in today’s crowded job market. By sharing your projects, engaging with the community, and promoting your work, you’re not just passively waiting for opportunities to come your way — you’re creating them.
It takes time and effort, but the benefits are worth it. You’ll build a stronger portfolio, make valuable connections, and, most importantly, get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. So, what are you waiting for?
Start building in public today, and you’ll be one step closer to landing that interview.
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