What’s the value of developer advocacy experience in hiring?

Developer advocacy experience is becoming an increasingly valuable asset in the tech industry, particularly when it comes to hiring new talent. As companies continue to prioritize developer relations and community engagement, the role of developer advocates has become crucial in bridging the gap between developers and the products they use.

So, what exactly is developer advocacy? Developer advocacy is a specialized role within a company that focuses on building relationships with developers, creating educational content, and representing the developer community within the organization. Developer advocates are responsible for promoting the company's products and services to the developer community, as well as gathering feedback and insights to improve the developer experience.

One of the key reasons why developer advocacy experience is highly valued in hiring is the unique skill set that developer advocates bring to the table. Developer advocates are not only technically proficient, but they also possess strong communication and interpersonal skills. They are able to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to a wide audience, and are skilled at building relationships with developers and other stakeholders.

Furthermore, developer advocates are often seen as thought leaders within the developer community. They are active participants in online forums, meetups, conferences, and other developer events, and are well-connected within the industry. This means that developer advocates bring with them a valuable network of contacts and insights that can be leveraged by their new employer.

In addition, developer advocacy experience demonstrates a candidate's passion for technology and community engagement. Developer advocates are often motivated by a desire to help others succeed and to contribute to the growth of the developer community. This passion and enthusiasm can be infectious, and can help to inspire and motivate other team members.

From a business perspective, hiring candidates with developer advocacy experience can also bring tangible benefits. Developer advocates are skilled at creating content that resonates with developers, which can help to drive engagement and adoption of the company's products and services. They are also adept at gathering feedback and insights from the developer community, which can be invaluable in shaping product development and marketing strategies.

Overall, developer advocacy experience is a valuable asset in hiring because it demonstrates a candidate's technical proficiency, communication skills, community engagement, and passion for technology. Companies that prioritize developer advocacy in their hiring process are likely to benefit from the unique insights, relationships, and expertise that developer advocates bring to the table. As the tech industry continues to evolve, developer advocacy experience will only become more valuable in driving innovation and success.