The Value of Expertise in Freelancing

Are you struggling to stand out in today’s competitive tech job market? In this episode, Danny Thompson and Leon Noel discuss why companies claim there isn’t a “talent shortage” but rather a shortage of qualified talent. They dig into the importance of business use cases, how to continue growing your skills (both on and off the job), and why knowing the local tech stack matters. Plus, they introduce a new segment—Ask Danny & Leon—answering questions on how to leave a new job for a better opportunity and how to land your first freelance client. If you want to fast-track your career in tech, this is the episode for you! Topics Covered: Why there’s no shortage of junior developers—but there is a shortage of “qualified” devs How to demonstrate your qualifications and meet business needs The importance of continuous growth and staying current with market demands Navigating the 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year benchmarks in a new tech role Choosing the right tech stack based on your local market How to (tactfully) leave a brand-new job for a better offer Proven strategies to land your first freelance client 🔍 What you'll learn: - Why businesses often struggle with hiring "qualified" talent - How to align your skills with the needs of the market - Insights into creating a network of tech leaders and decision-makers - The importance of solving business problems as a developer - Real stories about freelancing, landing clients, and building value 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonpodcast@gmail.com! Danny Thompson https://x.com/DThompsonDev https://www.linkedin.com/in/DThompsonDev www.DThompsonDev.com Leon Noel https://x.com/leonnoel https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonnoel/ https://100devs.org/ 📧 Have ideas or questions for the show? Or are you a business that wants to talk business? Email us at dannyandleonpodcast@gmail.com! Chapters & Timestamps 0:00 Intro & Welcome 1:02 Forming a Meetup for CTOs & CEOs 3:15 Talent Shortage vs. Qualified Talent Shortage 6:04 The Cost of a Bad Hire 8:07 Landing a Job vs. Building a Career 11:59 Understanding 3, 6, and 9-Month Benchmarks 14:21 Aligning Skills with Local Tech Demands 20:03 New Segment: Ask Danny & Leon 20:58 Q1: Leaving a Job After Only 1 Month 29:20 Q2: Finding Your First Freelance Client 37:00 Wrap-Up & Next Steps Join hosts Danny Thompson (Director of Technology at This Dot Labs) and Leon Noel (Managing Director of Resilient Coders) as they dive into the challenges and strategies of breaking into the tech industry and building a lasting career. 🚀 In this episode, Danny and Leon tackle one of the most pressing issues in tech today: the gap between available talent and qualified talent. They explore what it means to be a "qualified" candidate at all levels—junior, senior, and beyond—and share actionable tips for improving your marketability and career growth. 💡 Whether you're a new developer looking to get hired, a seasoned dev seeking to level up, or someone interested in the intersection of community building and career growth, this episode is packed with valuable advice and engaging stories. 💼✨