Why Those Green Squares In Your Github Do Not Necessarily Matter When It Comes To Getting A Job.
Published: 2023-03-04 08:22:36

GitHub is a popular platform that hosts millions of repositories for open-source projects and other code-related resources. Many programmers use it to collaborate on projects, showcase their skills, and even land a job. One feature that attracts a lot of attention on GitHub is the commit streak, which represents the number of consecutive days a user has made at least one commit. While a high commit streak can be impressive, it doesn't necessarily indicate a programmer's skills or their ability to get a job.

Here are some reasons why your GitHub commit streak doesn't matter in getting a job:

1. **Quantity doesn't always equal quality**
Making a lot of commits in a short period of time might seem impressive, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the code is high-quality or useful. A high commit streak can be achieved by making small, insignificant changes, such as fixing typos or adding comments. What really matters to employers is the quality of your code and your ability to solve problems effectively.

2. **Other factors matter more**
Employers care about a variety of factors when hiring programmers, such as experience, education, technical skills, problem-solving ability, and teamwork. A high commit streak might catch their attention, but it's not a deciding factor. Employers are more likely to be impressed by your experience working on real projects, your ability to communicate effectively with others, and your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.

3. **Commit streaks can be faked**
Commit streaks are based on the number of commits made to a user's repositories, but they don't account for the quality or significance of those commits. Some users might try to game the system by making superficial changes just to keep their streak going. This means that a high commit streak doesn't necessarily indicate a programmer's commitment to their work or their ability to produce high-quality code.

4. **Other platforms matter too**
While GitHub is a popular platform for hosting code, it's not the only platform that matters to employers. Some employers might be more interested in your contributions to other platforms, such as GitLab, Bitbucket, or even your personal website. What matters most is your ability to showcase your skills and experience effectively, regardless of the platform.

5. **Commit streaks aren't everything**
Finally, it's important to remember that commit streaks aren't everything. GitHub is just one tool for showcasing your skills and experience, and there are many other ways to demonstrate your abilities to potential employers. For example, you could create a portfolio website, contribute to open-source projects, or participate in coding challenges and hackathons. These activities can be more meaningful and impactful than simply maintaining a high commit streak on GitHub.

In conclusion, your GitHub commit streak might be impressive, but it's not a reliable indicator of your skills or your ability to get a job. Employers care about a variety of factors when hiring programmers, and a high commit streak is just one small piece of the puzzle. So don't worry too much about your commit streak – instead, focus on building real-world experience, learning new skills, and demonstrating your abilities in a variety of ways.