Using GitHub To Showcase Engineering Projects

For folks who use GitHub and are in early stage careers and hope to add GitHub as a value add to your profile - here is a note. If interviewing for an SDE role, GitHub projects that don't solve a problem and are just a coding exercise are not very helpful. This may sound perplexing but it needs to be said. : Hiring managers and tech leads (like me) look for problem-solvers. A repository full of practice exercises might show you can write code, but it doesn’t demonstrate that you can build impactful solutions. ► How to Make Your Projects Stand Out 1. Frame Them as Solutions: Instead of presenting your project as "just another app," position it as a business solution or a tool that solves a real-world problem. For example: - Instead of “Expense Tracker App,” say, “A tool for freelancers to manage and categorize expenses for tax season.” - Instead of “Weather App,” frame it as, “A weather app optimized for agricultural planning with location-based crop suggestions.” 2. Highlight the Problem It Solves: Every great project starts with a problem. Make it clear what problem you identified and how your project addresses it. - Example: “This tool was designed for small business owners who struggle with automating their daily sales tracking.” 3. Show Quantifiable Value: Numbers tell a story. Include metrics like: - How much time/money the solution saves. - How many users it could potentially impact. - Any test data or feedback you’ve collected. - Example: “This app reduced invoice processing time by 35% in a real-world test case.” 4. Document It Well: A project is only as good as its README. Include: - A brief description of the problem it solves. - Key features. - Instructions on how to run/test it. - Screenshots, GIFs, or a demo link to bring it to life. Having a GitHub full of clone apps or unfinished side projects sends the wrong signal. It doesn’t show creativity, ownership, or impact, it shows you can follow tutorials, and that’s not what companies hire for. Instead, invest your time into one or two high-impact projects that: - Solve real-world problems. - Show off your ability to understand user needs. - Demonstrate your thought process, design skills, and technical execution. So, take a step back, revisit your GitHub, and think: - Does this project solve a problem? - Can I explain its value to someone outside of tech? - Would I hire someone based on this work? If the answer isn’t “yes,” it’s time to rethink how you approach your projects. Remember: One impactful project > 100 clones. Focus on impact, not just output.

If your software project only lives on GitHub, it might as well not exist. It doesn't matter how impressive you think it is. Or how many hours you put in. Or how clean your code is. 𝗜𝗳 𝗻𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂. Here's the truth: → Recruiters don't read your code. → Hiring managers want to see impact, not syntax. → Most people will never open a GitHub link without context. What matters more is this: ✅ Is your project useful and original? ✅ Have you made it easy for others to check it out? ✅ Can you clearly explain what it does and why you built it? If the answer is yes, then 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳. Here's a few ways to turn your project into an opportunity machine: ✔️ Deploy it → so people can use it ✔️ Record a quick video walkthrough → so they can see it ✔️ Write a short post or blog → to tell the story behind it ✔️ Share it on LinkedIn → so the right people can find it ✔️ Add it to your portfolio → make it easy to access ✔️ Get real users and feedback → prove its impact But dropping a GitHub link and hoping someone clicks it? That's wishful thinking. Takeaway: Build something that you're proud of. Then make it visible. Because code only matters if the project matters. And no one will care about either unless you show it off. P.S. What's a project you've built that deserves more visibility?

🚀 Unlocking Interview Opportunities: The Power of a Strong Project Portfolio : During my recent job search, I discovered a game-changing strategy that significantly boosted my chances of landing interviews with top tech companies. The secret? Building an impressive portfolio of substantial projects that go beyond simple tutorials. Here’s what made the difference: 1. Depth over Breadth: Instead of numerous small projects, I focused on creating significant, in-depth projects that showcase real-world problem-solving skills. 2. Cutting-Edge Focus: My projects demonstrate expertise in Generative AI and advanced Software Engineering concepts, aligning with industry trends. 3. GitHub as a Powerful Tool: My GitHub repository (https://lnkd.in/eniMxVbd) became a compelling showcase of my capabilities, catching recruiters’ attention. Key projects that stood out: • Cli Gen: Leveraging LLMs for automated test case generation • Protein Structure Explorer: Combining web development with AI for scientific visualization • LLM Research Implementation: Collaborative cutting-edge language model research • GenoQuery: Innovative NLP-to-SQL solution for genomic data analysis This approach led to interview opportunities with industry giants like Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, Salesforce, Intuit, Docusign, Microsoft, and more. A huge shoutout to Professor Nik Bear Brown for constantly pushing students to build impressive projects to boost their portfolios. Your guidance has been invaluable for students and graduates alike. To my network: How have you leveraged projects to enhance your professional profile? What’s your take on the importance of substantial portfolio pieces in today’s tech landscape? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Check out my GitHub for project details, and let’s discuss strategies for standing out in the competitive tech job market! #TechPortfolio #ProjectBasedLearning #SoftwareEngineering #GenerativeAI #CareerGrowth