When I started my career as a .NET developer, I didn't know that the little habits I picked up along the way would make such a big difference. Things like documenting my work thoroughly, improving UI even if it wasn't my primary task, or experimenting with hardware integrations just to see what if.
Now, after years of working on projects ranging from enterprise apps to real-time monitoring dashboards, I've realized these are exactly the things that helped me stand out.
If you're just starting your career as a developer (maybe fresh out of university or about to step into freelancing), I want to share some of these lessons with you. Hopefully, you'll pick something up that can save you a few extra nights of debugging.
Why Documentation Is Your Secret Weapon
One of the most underrated skills in tech is writing things down.
Whether it's API usage, integration steps, or even a weird bug you fixed, documenting it will save you and your team in the future.
I make it a habit to document every solution I build. It's not just for others, because half the time I end up reading my own notes months later. That’s also how I started building developer dashboards inside my apps, to monitor real-time bugs, log issues, and keep everything transparent.
Building Beyond the Basics
Sure, delivering what's asked is important. But the real fun (and growth) starts when you add something extra.
In my case, that often meant experimenting with things like:
- Twilio integrations (sending real-time SMS/alerts).
- Hardware + software combinations.
- Improving the UI even if nobody explicitly asked.
These "extras" not only made the apps better but also gave me practical experience that most developers skip. And trust me, when clients or managers see that, they notice.
Why UI Matters (Even for Backend Developers)
I've met many developers who think UI isn't their concern. But let me tell you this: users don't see your code, they see your interface.
Whenever I worked on a project, I made sure the UI wasn't just functional. It felt smooth and intuitive. Even small touches, like meaningful error messages or a simple dashboard view, created a big impact.
Developer Dashboards: My Favorite Productivity Boost
I build a custom developer dashboard for almost every project. Think of it as a mission control panel; you can track real-time bugs, errors, and system performance at a glance.
Not only does this save hours of debugging, but it also shows professionalism when clients see you're proactive about monitoring.
My Advice for Beginners
If you're a junior developer or just starting your freelancing journey, here are a few takeaways from my experience:
- Learn to document, your future self will thank you.
- Don't be afraid to experiment beyond requirements.
- UI matters more than you think.
- Create tools (like dashboards) that make your life easier.
- Stay curious. Every small improvement compounds over time.
Remember: it's not just about coding, it's about solving problems and making life easier for the end user.
Want to See These Lessons in Action?
All of this isn't just theory; I've applied these ideas in real-world projects.
If you'd like to explore them (and maybe get some inspiration for your own journey), check out my portfolio here:
You'll find project details and examples of how I combined these practices in real applications. Who knows, it might just give you the spark for your next idea.
Top comments (3)
Umer, thank you for sharing your experience
May i Know how you start career as .NET Developer? i ask it because in my country so hard get job as .NET (also many case too on Java) as Fresh Graduate
Hi Ario,
Thanks for asking! I totally understand what you mean. Getting your first .NET job can be tough, especially when companies prefer experienced developers.
In my case, I started immediately after graduation, even before my final year project results were released. I didn't wait for a "perfect" job. I began with small projects, internships, and self-learning. That helped me build a little portfolio, which made my first job easier to get.
My advice: