Side projects vs open source
Hello everyone, I’m a mid level SWE with 2+ YOE and I recently moved to an AI startup. I’m thinking ahead to my next job hunt (probably in about a year), and I’d really like to aim for a top-tier tech company—FAANG or FAANG-adjacent.
I know Alex often says that impactful side projects with real users are one of the best ways to get noticed by recruiters, but honestly, with the startup grind, I just don’t have the time or creative energy to commit to building something good (and I don’t have a project idea I’m super passionate about anyway).
Instead, I recently started spending time contributing to open source. It feels more manageable since the work is bite-sized, and even though it can be technically challenging, it doesn’t require as much creative overhead.
My question is: will consistent open source contributions over the next 6–12 months actually help my resume stand out when applying to top-tier companies?
What else can I do to strengthen my profile? My startup is YC-backed but not one of the “popular” ones. I’ve been learning a ton and the environment is nurturing. But I feel that’s not enough on its own. Would love any advice!
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Discussion
(4 comments)- 3
3 days agoThoughtful TarodactylTaro CommunityI personally think there's a secret third option: neither
In my opinion you should work on side projects/Open Source only if your actual scope at work is not rigorous enough or youre not doing anything impactful at work
I think 3 yoe with 1 at a YC startup is enough to pass resume screens. Plus working at an AI YC startup will definitely be rigorous in terms of your impact and work accomplished and is way more impressive than open source contribs
I would focus on grinding leetcode and networking. Do coffee chats with as many people as possible who can get you in the door. Give people mock interviews and do everything to increase the "favors" you give people
If you're targeting faang/faang adjacent you will need to get really good at leetcode. Your bottle neck will likely become passing interviews and not getting interviews. Its way higher ROI to grind leetcode and crush those interviews
- 2
3 days agoAI/ML Eng @ Series C startupIn your case, I think open source is way better. You can just focus on dev and not have to care about the virality aspect, as the creators of the library are responsible for that.
If you work on a side project, then you still have to do some of the legwork to make the project noticeable to recruiters.
In general, I think open source is actually way better for people with the goal of getting noticed... as long as you pick the right projects.
In the long run (over several years), self-directed side projects will make you a better engineer probably.
- 1
3 days agoTech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course Herowill consistent open source contributions over the next 6–12 months actually help my resume stand out when applying to top-tier companies?
Yes! I'm really glad open-source works out for you. The nice thing about open-source is that you get to work off an existing core vs. building an entire thing yourself.
Even if the company behind the open-source repo isn't hiring, you still gain valuable technical skills (especially during code review), and the maintainers can get to know you overtime as well (which are valuable relationships to have).
Here's our open-source course if you haven't gone through it already: Become An Open Source Master
- 0
3 days agoMid level SWETaro CommunityThanks everyone, appreciate the tips and glad to hear that I m somewhat on the right track. I’m actually contributing to posthog, and I picked that cos I love their product and use it in my work, and contributing actually turned out to be a pretty enjoyable thing to do. Agree with Thoughtful Tarodactyl that leetcode is going to be really important too (as much as I m no big fan of it)
