Gaines Kergosien gave a presentation on the 7 habits of highly paid developers. The habits were: 1) Know the market and technology skills in demand, 2) Assess your own skills and value proposition, 3) Set goals using the SMART framework, 4) Build your personal brand through blogging, speaking, and open source contributions, 5) Connect with peers both online and in person, 6) Market yourself as your own salesperson through resumes, business cards, and interviews, 7) Take risks and embrace failure as an opportunity for growth. The presentation provided advice on implementing each habit to maximize career success and compensation.

1. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESK
7 Habits of Highly Paid Developers
Gaines Kergosien
Executive Director, Music City Code
Associate Director, UBS

2. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKMany thanks to our sponsors & partners!
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@GAINESK
GAINES KERGOSIEN
Leader, Speaker, Problem Solver

4. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKKnow the Market

5. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKKnow the Market - Romanian Compensation

6. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKKnow the Market - Romanian Compensation

7. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKKnow the Market - Skills

8. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKKnow the Market – Availability of Professionals

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@GAINESKKnow the Market – Difficulties in Recruitment

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@GAINESKKnow the Market – Top Recruiting Sources

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@GAINESKAssess Your Skills

12. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKAssess Your Skills – Establish Value
• What were you working to accomplish?
• How did you measure success?
–Increased Efficiency / Reduced Overhead
–Increased Revenue
–Decreased Risk
• What skills and technologies did you use?

13. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKAssess Your Skills – The Soft Ones
• Communication Skills
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Adaptability & Growth
• Problem Solving
• Critical Observation
• Conflict Resolution

14. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKSet Goals

15. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKSet Goals
• Set Goals That Motivate You
• Set SMART Goals
–Specific
–Measurable
–Attainable
–Relevant
–Time Bound
• Make an Action Plan

16. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKSet Goals – The Daily Planner

17. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKSet Goals – The Daily Planner

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@GAINESKBuild Your Brand

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@GAINESKBuild Your Brand – It’s You!

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@GAINESKBuild Your Brand – Open Source

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@GAINESKBuild Your Brand – Blogging

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@GAINESKBuild Your Brand – Blogging
• You Are Not a Unique Flower
• Problems = Opportunities
• Start Discussions
• Embrace Controversy
• Solicit Feedback

23. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKBuild Your Brand – Speaking

24. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKBuild Your Brand – Speaking
• Tell a Story
• Open Spaces
• Lightning Talks (5 min)
• Company lunch-and-learns*
• Contact local user group leaders
• Conference call for speakers

25. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKConnect with Peers

26. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKConnect with Peers – In Person
• Discover Passions & Pains
• Follow Up!
• Feed People ***
• Take Interest in Projects
• Seek Opportunities to Help

27. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKConnect with Peers – In Person
• What have you been working on lately?
• What do you like best about your work?
• What do you like the least?
• Who else would you recommend I talk to?

28. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKConnect with Peers – Online
• Networks
–LinkedIn (professional)
–Twitter (trends/events)
–Facebook (social)
–Tripit (travel)
• Approach
–Consider Your Content
–Target Appropriate Audiences

29. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman

30. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman – Make Yourself Visible!
• Announce events
–Twitter
–Blog
• Encourage others
• Share involvement
–Online
–Resume

31. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman – Resumes

32. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman – Resumes

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@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman – Abilities Resume

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@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman – Brand Resume

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@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman – Business Cards

36. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman – Business Cards

37. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman – Business Cards
• Plan Ahead
• Simplicity Stands Out
–Name
–Email
–Phone Number
–Website
• White Space is Useful

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@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman – Interviewing
• Be Prepared
–Company Objectives & News
–Informed Questions for Interviewer
–Know Their Ideal Candidate
• Success Stories

39. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKBe Your Own Salesman – Negotiation
• Research the Position
• Set Targets
• Portray an Image
• Balance Humility with Pride
• Present Your Value
• Request Offer
• Provide a Range
• Treat No as an Opportunity
• Do Not Fear Change!

40. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKMaximize Your Effort - Don’t Forget the Benefits

41. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKTake Risks & Fail Early

42. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKTake Risks & Fail Early - Avoid
• Denial
• Hedonic editing
• Chasing your losses

43. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESKTake Risks & Fail Early - Embrace
• Try New Things
• Experiment Where Failing is Survivable
• Create Safe Spaces to Fail
• Recognize Failure
• Gather Feedback
• Minimize Emotions
• Practice Disciplined Pluralism

44. @ITCAMPRO #ITCAMP17Community Conference for IT Professionals
@GAINESK
Q & A
Review
1. Know the Market
2. Assess Your Skills
3. Set Goals
4. Build Your Brand
5. Connect with Peers
6. Be Your Own Salesman
7. Takes Risks & Fail Early
Slides at DotNetDude.net