I spoke to 10 developer advocates recently to gather info on how to break into the DevRel industry. Here are the top 10 points from our conversations:
1. Start Now: Don't wait for a DevRel role to begin creating content and doing talks. Your web development career can be a stepping stone to DevRel, so use your experiences to create content that showcases your skills.
2. Be Intentional: When solving problems, think about how you can turn that into content. Time is your currency, so decide how much effort a piece of content is worth and choose the right platform to share it.
3. Update Your Public Profile: Ensure your public profile reflects your latest work. Share your content where it's easily accessible to recruiters and hiring managers to demonstrate your teaching and technical skills.
4. Learn from Others: Look into resources like Chris Heilmann's Developer Advocacy Handbook and Mary Thengvall's Business Value of Developer Relations to understand what the job entails beyond content and conferences.
5. Network and Build in Public: Engage with developer communities and build your presence by blogging and participating in public forums. Networking is key in this industry.
6. Understand the Business Side: Delve into how DevRel works within a business context. It's not just about advocacy; it's also about aligning with business goals.
7. Be Passionate: Passion is crucial in DevRel. It's a lot of effort, and without genuine enthusiasm for teaching and advocating, it's tough to sustain.
8. Consider Company Size: DevRel roles can vary significantly between companies. In larger companies, you might focus on a niche like documentation, while in startups, you might wear multiple hats.
9. Assess Company Expectations: When interviewing, try to understand why a company wants to add DevRel and what their vision is. This will help you gauge if they value the role and if it's a good fit for you.
10. Be Cautious of Market Conditions: The tech industry is facing layoffs, and DevRel roles are often impacted. If you have a stable role in web development, weigh your options carefully before transitioning.
These conversations have been enlightening. If you're considering a move into developer advocacy, I hope these points help you as much as they've helped me!
CRO @ SourceFlow - Recruitment Websites/Marketing Tech
5moAnd what a six months it's been CC. Thanks for everything you do. 👊