2023 has proven to be a difficult year when it comes to getting a job in tech. With all of the layoffs and increased competition for roles, it can be hard to know how to stand out in the market. One way to stand out is through open source contributions. OpenSauced has just released a guide on how to categorize your open source contributions and highlight your impact on your resume.

In this article, we will go through a few key sections of the guide that will help you land your next job in tech.

Defining Your Career Goals

Before you embark on the job search, it is best to write down your goals and think about what types of skills are necessary for that new role. Some of you might be looking to get your first job in tech, while others of you have years of experience and looking to level up in your career.

No matter where you are at in your tech journey, study a few job ads to see the common requirements required for that role. Then assess how your current skill set matches up and what areas need room for improvement.

Finding Open Source Projects to Contribute to

Once you have defined your goals, you will need to find open source projects that will help you build out your skill set.

For example, if you are interested in pursuing a frontend developer role, then you will need to search for projects that have tons of HTML, CSS and JavaScript focused issues. Start off with smaller bug fixes and work your way up to more features and larger contributions. The more involved you get with a project, the more opportunities you will have to make meaningful contributions and leave an impact. This type of experience is something that you can highlight on your resume.

To learn more about the best ways to find projects using OpenSauced, please read through this section of the guide.

Using the Highlights Feature to Track Your Contributions

Once you start making contributions to open source projects, you will need to keep a record of what you have done. You will also want to share your achievements with the community. The highlights feature is a great way to post about your recent contribution. You should include a quick summary of the solution you provided and the impact you left. You can share that highlight on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. By showcasing your work online, you are demonstrating to potential employers that you have the skills to do the job they are looking for.

Networking and Professional Development Opportunities Through Open Source

Proper networking and building of relationships in the tech industry can help you advance in your career. By contributing to open source, you are able to collaborate with other contributors and maintainers for the project. They will be able to see your work, communication skills and how well you work on a team. That can lead to professional development opportunities like speaking engagements or collaboration opportunities. It can also lead to job opportunities.

To learn more about how to utilize OpenSauced to grow your network, please read through this section of the guide.

Conclusion

Even though the landscape for hiring has changed a lot over the past year, there are still ways to stand out from other job applicants and land a job in tech. I would suggest reading this complete in depth guide on how to translate your open source contributions into professional opportunities.