The junior devs who stand out aren’t always the strongest coders. One intern rewrote an outdated onboarding doc, something everyone knew needed fixing but no one had time for. They just did it.
That stuck with me, not because it was flashy, but because they took initiative and followed through.
It’s not always about looking like the smartest person. It’s sometimes about doing the small things that make the team stronger. That will get you noticed.
Here’s what I look for:
- 🧠 Growth mindset – They take feedback, actually think about it, and show progress next time. You can see the difference week to week.
- ✅ Accountability – If they commit to something, I don’t have to chase. They flag blockers before I even ask.
- 🔍 Curiosity – They ask questions that unlock context, not just answers. They want to understand how the system works, not just the ticket.
- 🚀 Drive – They chase improvement. Maybe it’s a refactor, maybe it’s a doc update—but they don’t sit still.
- 🤝 Culture builder – They check in with teammates. Offer help. Bring positive energy that others want to work around.
- 🌐 Cross-team awareness – They ask how their work impacts others. Sometimes they loop in someone before I even think to.
- 💬 Clear communicator – Their PRs, Slack updates, and questions are easy to follow. I never wonder what they mean.
- 🧭 Low ego – They don’t pretend to know what they don’t. They’re comfortable saying, “I’m not sure yet.”
- 📅 Consistency – No drama, no surprises. They show up. They finish. They keep showing up.
What helped you grow early in your career? If you’re a manager—what’s one way a junior dev earned your attention?
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