Most of us focus on learning the latest frameworks, perfecting algorithms, or mastering databases. But what about the non-obvious tech skills that can actually make or break your career? 🤔
Here are some underrated yet super valuable skills that can level up your tech game!
1. Googling Like a Pro 🕵️♂️
Let’s be real—half of coding is just searching for solutions. But not everyone knows how to Google smartly.
💡 Quick Hacks:
🔹 Use quotes to search exact phrases: "fix CORS issue in React"
🔹 Use minus (-) to exclude words: CSS flexbox -grid
🔹 Use site-specific search: site:stackoverflow.com async/await explanation
The better you Google, the faster you solve problems. Period.
2. Reading Error Messages Instead of Panicking 😵💫
We’ve all done it—seeing an error and immediately copying it into Google. But what if… you actually read the error first? 🤯
🚨 Instead of:
❌ "Ugh, why is my code broken??"
✅ Try:
✔️ What’s the error saying?
✔️ What file & line number does it point to?
✔️ What changed before this happened?
Trust me, once you stop fearing errors, you become unstoppable. 💪
3. Writing Good Git Commit Messages 📜
Ever seen commits like:
❌ Fixed stuff
❌ Updated file
❌ asdfjkl (yes, some people do this)
A good commit message saves your future self (and your team) from confusion. Use this format:
✅ feat: Add dark mode toggle to navbar
✅ fix: Resolve login issue when using Google OAuth
✅ refactor: Optimize database query performance
Good commit messages = less time debugging later. 🚀
4. Explaining Your Code to a Rubber Duck 🦆
Okay, not literally (unless you have a cute rubber duck on your desk). But explaining your code out loud forces you to think clearly.
Problem: “Why isn’t this loop working?”
Rubber Duck: "Tell me how it works."
You: “Well, first it… oh wait, I see the issue.”
This technique works like magic for debugging! (And no, you don’t actually need a duck—talk to a friend, pet, or even a plant. 🌿)
5. Keyboard Shortcuts = Superpowers ⌨️⚡
Using your mouse too much? Stop. Learn these and thank me later:
🔥 VS Code Essentials:
Ctrl + P → Open any file
Ctrl + D → Select next occurrence
Alt + Shift + Down → Copy line down
Ctrl + Shift + K → Delete line
🔥 Terminal Must-Knows:
!! → Runs the last command again
ctrl + r → Search command history
cd - → Switch to the last directory
Mouse users take 5 minutes, keyboard ninjas take 5 seconds. Speed = efficiency. 🚀
6. Writing Code That Future You Won’t Hate 😅
You might understand your code today, but will you 3 months from now?
📝 Golden Rules:
✅ Write meaningful variable names (userAuthToken > uat)
✅ Add comments when things aren’t obvious
✅ Keep functions short & focused (One job per function!)
Imagine debugging code at 3 AM—future-you will be so grateful you wrote it clean.
7. Learning Just Enough Design to Not Make Ugly UIs 🎨
No, you don’t need to be a designer. But knowing basic UI/UX rules can save your projects from looking like they came from 1999.
🎨 Simple UI/UX Tips:
✔️ Use consistent spacing & font sizes
✔️ Stick to 2-3 colors max
✔️ Make buttons look… well, clickable
✔️ Don’t use Comic Sans. Ever.
Even the most powerful app fails if users hate looking at it. 😅
Final Thoughts: The Little Things Matter
These aren’t the flashy skills, but they’re the ones that truly set great developers apart.
💬 What’s an underrated tech skill that made YOUR life easier? Drop it in the comments! ⬇️
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