Why do developers need a professional network in 2023?

Networking is the most important meta-skill these days. As a developer, you need to be proficient in communication and collaboration. Being a part of the community and having a network could help boost your career.

In this blog, let's discuss professional networks for developers and explore Showwcase, a network for developers to connect, network, and grow.

What is a professional network?

A professional network is a community of people with similar career interests or backgrounds. It's a platform for people to come together and share their ideas, work, and connect to new like-minded people.

Having a strong professional network can help you achieve your career goals and learn from others in your industry. It can be beneficial for upskilling, finding mentorships, advice, job, etc.

Why should you be a part of the professional network as a developer?

Professional networks help you connect with like-minded people. You can connect with such people and exchange ideas, opinions, and thoughts. Being in a network with folks who think, work, and do a similar job as you help you gain more knowledge in your field. It can improve your skills and prepare you for your next career.

With networking, you get to meet people from various industries and domains. This helps you understand everything happening around you better. It allows you to grow as a person as well as a developer.

Being part of a network allows you to share your skills and expertise. This includes projects you are working on, content you are producing, and work you have been doing. You can get feedback and appreciation for what you do. Also, it can help you land a better job as well.

How to leverage your professional network to advance in your career?

As I said at the end of the last section, professional networks can help you land a better job. Let's see how to do so.

Create a portfolio

Your portfolio is your professional personality. It should reflect your skills, expertise, and projects. It should convey why you are a great developer and why someone should hire you.

Join a network & Connect with others

Once you have your professional personality ready, join a network. Be part of something related to your current job, domain, skills, and future plans. There are several networks you can join. In later sections, we will talk about one of the best professional networks for developers.

Connect with people with common interests, domains, or industries. Connect with people from different domains and industries and experience levels. You get a better idea about the industry this way. Remember to make more friends than connections.

Showwcase your work

Once you are part of the network, share your work. This includes your projects, open-source contributions, blogs, videos, podcasts, etc. It could also include your collaborations and partnerships with other people or brands.

Make sure you are providing links that show proof of your work. This could include a GitHub link, live demo, blog link, etc. Mention your goals, outcomes, tools, services used, etc. Also, don't forget to include links to reach out to you.

Ask for feedback and criticisms about your work. Talk to seniors and experts from the community to get better at your job. Ensure that you are reflecting on those suggestions and acting upon them.

Showwcase: professional network built for developers

Showwcase is a platform built for developers to connect, build community, and find new opportunities. It helps you find communities, share ideas, connect with others, and upskill yourself. It also allows you to showcase your work and get a job.

Create a portfolio

Showwcase allows you to create your portfolio. It includes your basic information, social links, skills, experiences, projects, and content you shared on Showwcase. You can share this portfolio with potential employers and recruiters.

The best part is that you don't need to update this portfolio actively. The portfolio automatically gets updated as you engage on the Showwcase platform and share your work.

The cherry on top, you can add a custom domain to your portfolio. When others open your portfolio, it looks like you have built one yourself.

Create an accout now

Join communities

Showwcase has a plethora of communities to join. You can become a part of any community that you find interesting. Connect with other developers who share your interests, goals, or challenges. You can follow, message, or endorse them or join communities and events that match your preferences.

If you don't find a community that interests you, you can also create your own community! Showwcase enables you to create a new community and help with discovery on Showwcase.

Explore communities

Share knowledge

There are two ways to share your knowledge: Threads and Shows.

You can communicate with others via threads. You can start discussions, ask questions, share ideas, and take polls within your communities and followers.

Shows are used to showwcase your work. You can share blogs, articles, products, and more with the community. It's a flexible way for you to showwcase your work.

Write a thread

Find opportunities

Get opportunities that suit your needs and aspirations. You can browse job listings, freelance gigs, mentorship programs, or scholarships relevant to your skills and experience.

You can search across different domains, positions, and locations to land your desired job. Showwcase aligns your skillset and expertise as well as your expectations from the job with the job description and tells you how much it matches your profile.

Find Jobs now

Closing Notes

Networking with other developers is not only beneficial but also fun and rewarding. It can help you learn new things, find new opportunities, build your reputation, and make new friends.

Showwcase is a great place to start networking with other developers as it provides a platform to showcase your work, connect with others, learn from the industry, and get opportunities that match your goals.

If you are already on Showwcase, feel free to connect!