A Great “Source” for Improving Your IT Resume

Maybe it’s the fabulous new job your tri-lingual programming friend just landed. Or you just feel like you’re losing your edge doing the same thing over and over at work. So how do you get or keep resume-boosting IT skills that your current job doesn’t require? Become part of an open source project!

What Are Open Source Projects?

Open source software means programs have the source code included in the end product (which must be free of charge), and users are encouraged to modify and otherwise improve the application. Examples of open source software include the Linux operating system, the Mozilla web browser and PERL web scripting. There are a variety of ways to help on an open source project, from testing and bug reporting to patch development and end user documentation – any of these can help improve your IT resume.

How Do You Get Involved in Open Source Projects?

First, you can try formally asking the project administrator to join the team. While this approach can give you quick access to the project, figuring out who the actual project administrator is can sometimes be difficult, or they may be too busy to respond to inquiries. A better approach is to visit websites like Open Hatch, Google Code or Sourceforge.net, which are dedicated to open source projects. There you will find various project listings, as well as “job” postings for skills that are needed. Lastly, you can simply jump right in by downloading the code for a project, familiarizing yourself with it, and finding a useful improvement to make or bug to fix – then telling the project administrator about your change. By concretely demonstrating your skills, you may get included on a deeper level in the future, in ways that can help you improve your current IT job performance, or even find a new job.

Another pathway to these projects is to become involved with the open source community online, via mail lists, forums, wikis, blogs, etc. Use care when posting to help develop your credibility within the group. It’s often best to “lurk” for a while and get a sense of the dynamics before speaking up. When you finally do decide to post something, make sure it’s accurate and relevant.

How Do I Decide Which Project?

Once you start searching, you will likely find multiple projects that fit your skill set. Rather than take a shotgun approach and underwhelm your “colleagues” by dabbling here and there, it’s best to focus your effort in one place. Most open sourcers say sheer fun and the challenge of making something they already like even better are their primary motivations – so pick a project that you can get passionate about. After all, your work may potentially be seen by millions around the world, so you want your skills – and your newly improved resume – to shine!

Triumph Services is a great source for ways to improve your IT career. Talk to one of our expert staffing professionals today!