Where to next?
This a chapter of the book Get a Better Developer Job. It’s best to start at the beginning.
I frequently get asked, “What next?” As in, what’s the next step to advance your career?
- MSCS?
- PhD?
- MBA?
- Boot camp?
- Online training?
- Certification?
- Side project?
- ???
It would be irresponsible for me give a single answer because I don’t know what job you want. Hopefully, after reading the previous chapters and putting in serious thought, you’ve got a good idea what and where that is. I’m happy to advise you after hearing your story, but do you know who the best person is to do that? Your future manager. So do the following:
- Find ads for five jobs you’d love to have.
- Find their hiring managers on LinkedIn.
- Ask them how to get from where you are now to hired on their team.
- Invite them to lunch to discuss.
After lunch with a few managers, you’ll have an excellent idea of what job is really best for you, and what your next steps are. Plus, you’ll have connections and mentoring along the way. As long as you’re polite, you’ll be seen as enthusiastic and motivated and people will want to help you. The worst they can say is, “I’m busy,” or not bother replying. That’s OK, just find someone else.
Third party recruiters will hate this advice. If everyone followed these steps, they would be out of business! But so few take this advice that they’re not worried.
Next Chapter: One Last Thing