Make Yourself Unmissable: How Engineers Can Stand Out Before the Job Hunt Begins

Here’s the truth: the best time to prep for your next job... is before you need one. At Pair People, we work with engineers at every level, from grads to CTOs, and we’ve seen the difference a bit of intentional prep can make. It’s not about becoming a LinkedIn influencer or racking up certifications. It’s about telling your story clearly, showcasing your skills proudly, and showing up in a way that makes people want to work with you.

So if you’re thinking about a move (or just want to be ready when the right thing comes along), here are a few things you can do now to stand out when it counts.

Polish Up Your GitHub (Yes, Really)

Your GitHub doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should show something real.

✅ Include a personal project or two that reflects what you care about

✅ Use READMEs to explain context, not just code

✅ Show activity over time, not a flurry of commits in one weekend

Pro tip: If you’ve worked on private repos or in closed systems, recreate a small version of something you built to demonstrate your thinking.

Get Involved in the Community (In a Way That Feels Natural)

Whether it’s Ruby, React, Python, or Platform, every great tech community has places to connect. You don’t need to be the loudest voice, but contributing helps you:

• Stay on top of what’s changing

• Build relationships with people who might hire or refer you

• Give back to the ecosystem that’s supported your career

Options that don’t require a megaphone:

• Answer questions on forums or Discord

• Contribute to an open-source library (even docs!)

• Attend meetups or local dev events

• Share something small on LinkedIn, like a “what I learned this week”

Own Your Technical Story

Being great at what you do is one thing, being able to explain it clearly is another.

Before you start interviewing, take time to reflect on:

• Your greatest technical achievements

• The hardest problem you've solved

• Projects where you took initiative or introduced a new tool/approach

• Times you mentored others, or helped unblock a team

Make sure you can describe each one so that someone outside the project can understand the impact. That’s the bit that sticks.

Think Like a Hiring Manager

Imagine someone reading your CV or GitHub for the first time. What do they take away?

• Is it obvious what you’re good at?

• Can they see progression or ownership?

• Is your LinkedIn or portfolio site (if you have one) easy to follow?

You don’t need a personal brand: but you do need a clear signal.

The Pair People Perspective

We believe great engineers shouldn’t have to shout to be seen. But a little effort upfront goes a long way when it’s time to hit the market. So whether you’re pairing up with a new team soon or just want to be ready when opportunity knocks, here’s your checklist:

✅ Active GitHub

✅ Community touchpoints

✅ Strong, story-led examples

✅ Clear online presence

Because when it comes to hiring, visibility isn’t vanity; it’s your runway.

Thinking about making a move? We’d love to pair early and help you land somewhere great.