Unlock skill-first hiring with HackerEarth today

Learn more
piller_image

9 best life hacks for a hackathon

There are always these small annoying hurdles while participating in a hackathon that sometimes make everything so difficult; they eat into your precious hacking hours!

However, with this list of hacks, you will know what best practices should be followed and what preparations need to be done while participating in a hackathon. Not only that, these hacks could just be what you need to find success at the hackathon event.

  1. Choose the right team
  2. Distribute tasks effectively
  3. Use version control
  4. Use pre-made HTML/CSS framework
  5. Set realistic expectations
  6. Do thorough homework
  7. Take breaks
  8. Spend time in creating a demo
  9. Network

To know a little more about each, keep reading…

Choose the right team – Attract good talent and form your team with the right people in specialized roles. For example, if you are a back-end engineer and are creating a full-fledged web application prototype that requires a user interface (UI), you must team up with someone who has the right coding skills for the application, preferably a front-end engineer.

 

Distribute tasks effectively – Since a hackathon is a limited-time competition, the work distribution should be effective and even. Everyone in the team should work on tasks that match their expertise. All of them should work in parallel, with few “blockers” in the team.

 

Use version control – You can save a lot of pain and frustration by using version control for collaboration. Not using a source control tool may lead to a significant loss of valuable time and effort.

 

Use pre-made HTML/CSS framework – If the hackathon rules allow, you should be ready with the HTML/CSS framework in advance to save time. This always gives you an edge over the competition in terms of time.

 

Set realistic expectations – In a hackathon, it’s not about how much you could do but how well you did, what you did. So, make sure you:

  •    Aim small
  •    Plan something that you can build in 24 (or 48) hours
  •    Build a prototype / product that works
  •    Create something which is demo-able

 

Do thorough homework – Before the hackathon, it is good if you can do the following:

  •    Do extensive research
  •    Study the related APIs
  •    Go through the examples
  •    Understand how different libraries are put together

 

Take breaks – This may sound surprising, but when under pressure, don’t just sit in one spot for many hours. Take a small break and walk away from the code. Come back after sometime with a refreshed and re-energized mind.

 

Spend time creating demo – Whatever you create, presentation / video demo is as important as any other task. A good presentation is the key to the next level. Spend enough time preparing it.

 

Network – Sponsors, mentors, and fellow developers are great resources. Always make a big impression by good networking! You haven’t reached the end of the road with your hackathon; your networking may also help you in future endeavors.

 

You can try and implement these life hacks by participating in the live hackathons.

 

 

Hackerearth Subscribe

Get advanced recruiting insights delivered every month

Related reads

Recruitment Management System – An Ultimate Guide
Recruitment Management System – An Ultimate Guide

Recruitment Management System – An Ultimate Guide

Defining a Recruitment Management System In today’s competitive talent landscape, attracting and retaining top performers is crucial for organizational success. Here’s where a…

Create Your Recruitment Funnel in 7 Simple Steps
Create Your Recruitment Funnel in 7 Simple Steps

Create Your Recruitment Funnel in 7 Simple Steps

Understanding the Recruitment Funnel Imagine a broad opening at the top, gradually narrowing down to a single point at the bottom. That’s essentially…

Skills Assessment Test: How It Works, Benefits & Examples
Skills Assessment Test: How It Works, Benefits & Examples

Skills Assessment Test: How It Works, Benefits & Examples

With the growing demand for highly skilled professionals, traditional hiring methods such as reviewing resumes and conducting interviews are no longer enough to…

Recruitment Workflow Process: A Complete Guide
Recruitment Workflow Process: A Complete Guide

Recruitment Workflow Process: A Complete Guide

Finding the perfect fit for your team can feel like searching for a unicorn. But fret not, fellow recruiters! Having a well-defined recruitment…

Conquer Your Hiring Challenges: Top Recruiting Software Picks for Small Businesses in 2024
Conquer Your Hiring Challenges: Top Recruiting Software Picks for Small Businesses in 2024

Conquer Your Hiring Challenges: Top Recruiting Software Picks for Small Businesses in 2024

In today’s competitive job market, attracting and keeping top talent is crucial for small businesses to thrive. But for busy small business owners…

How To Become A Technical Recruiter: Your Guide to Launching a Rewarding Career
How To Become A Technical Recruiter: Your Guide to Launching a Rewarding Career

How To Become A Technical Recruiter: Your Guide to Launching a Rewarding Career

The tech industry thrives on innovation, and at the heart of that innovation lies a crucial role: the technical recruiter. Why Technical Recruiting…

Hackerearth Subscribe

Get advanced recruiting insights delivered every month

View More

Top Products

Hackathons

Engage global developers through innovation

Hackerearth Hackathons Learn more

Assessments

AI-driven advanced coding assessments

Hackerearth Assessments Learn more

FaceCode

Real-time code editor for effective coding interviews

Hackerearth FaceCode Learn more

L & D

Tailored learning paths for continuous assessments

Hackerearth Learning and Development Learn more