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7 Pieces of Advice to be a Successful Software Engineer

Simon Holdorf on December 01, 2020

For me, being a software developer is one of the best jobs in the world. I love to code and getting paid for it is just awesome. But the weather is...
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Eljay-Adobe • Edited

In my opinion...

Item #7 is the most important. Building software is a team effort, and that requires communication. Social skills. Software is not developed in isolation.

For uber-introverts like myself (I scored 100% "I" for my INTP, on the Myers-Briggs), it's very hard to overcome. But I was able to mitigate my social shortcomings, with effort and coming to terms with my trepidation and fear. It has never become easy, the trepidation and fear are always there, but is now something I can push through with willpower.

Item #3 is the second most important. Fear of the unknown can keep you locked into a toxic — maybe even self-destructive — situation for much longer than you should tolerate.

Working overtime can feed into a toxic environment, as a work-life balance issue. On another DEV posting Why I Left 3 Consecutive Jobs by Sloan, I chimed in with my 2¢ comment here.

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Simon Holdorf

Thanks for your detailed comment, I really appreciate it!

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Vlad Nedelcu

Cool tips. I found myself changing jobs because of poor management and start reading about this. This post reeeaaally enters the mind of a dev who seeks progress in a company.

Also, I feel like the modern developer is someone who somehow remains independent and starts seeking gigs instead of jobs and meet new people, that's why I highly agree with #3 #4 #6 more than anything... kinda.. like an entrepreneur but the company is you.

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Simon Holdorf

Well said, my friend! Thank you for your detailed comment :)

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viniciussantana6 • Edited

Great post mate! For sure it will help me in the near future! I am currently studying a lot in order to become a software engineer in the next 2-3 years. The point about LinkedIn constantly maintenance is my Achilles tendon and I'll ensure to fix that. Thanks!

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Simon Holdorf

Cool, all the best with that, my friend!

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Temitayo Oyedokun

Nice piece. Thanks so much.

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Simon Holdorf

Thank you, my friend, glad you like it :)

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Gabriel Sadaka

This is a great post, thanks for sharing.

The point about leaving toxic workplaces is definitely a critical piece of advice. It's hard to acknowledge that it is better to leave then to stick around and hope things will get better. I wish I knew that earlier in my career.

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Simon Holdorf

Glad you like it :)

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John Peters

I vote this best overall Career Advise article in 2020!

As I read it, I kept thinking "I've written this same advice before, and in mostly the same order". Anyone who follows this guidance will have no problems getting to their dream destination. Anything is possible we just have to work for it.

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Simon Holdorf

Wow, thank you, John! I feel humbled :)

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Anas Jamous

Thank you for sharing

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Simon Holdorf

Sure thing, my friend!

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Simon Holdorf

Sure thing!

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Andy

Thank you.

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Simon Holdorf

You too!

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Phong Duong

Thank you for sharing. I think LinkedIn is a wonderful platform. When I started creating content on there, more recruiters pay attention to me. I also learn new things from theirs

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Simon Holdorf

That's cool!

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Peter A.

Enjoyed the reading, thanks.

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Simon Holdorf

Glad you like it, Peter!

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Melford Birakor

Thanks Boss

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Simon Holdorf

Thank you too, my friend!

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Darlan Tódero ten Caten

Very nice article, thank you!

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Simon Holdorf

Glad you like it :)

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Vaibhav Khulbe

This post deserves a unicorn! 🦄

Wonderful tips!

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Simon Holdorf

Thank you, Vaibhav, that's very kind of you!

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Daniel Saki

Well, simply I just couldn't stop myself from giving this post a unicorn!
Oh! I pressed the like button, too!
And I know the reason: It's awesome!

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Simon Holdorf

Hey Daniel, wow, I feel humbled, thank you very much!

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Luke Fe

Thanks for posting, and this is more important ❤

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Simon Holdorf

Glad you like it, my friend :)

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engleangs

Nice article , especially number 3

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Simon Holdorf

Thank you, my friend!

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Ajithmadhan

Good blog! Thank you!

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Simon Holdorf

Thanks, my friend!