PinnedCheck Out My Most Viewed Medium ArticlesMy Most Popular Articles The Responses I Got From a Software Developer Candidate That Made Me Hire Him The Email That Got Me Promoted to CTO Forty And Still A Software Developer? I’ll Never Be a Chief Technology Officer Again… Unless It’s for My Own Company A Career Roadmap for Engineers in Their 30s Bio …1 min read1 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·PinnedMember-onlyThe Responses I Got From a Software Developer Candidate That Made Me Hire HimThese examples answers will help you nail your technical interview. — Software developer interviews are tragicomedies. Developers fail in interviews because they overlook the human element. They practice algorithms but fail to show enthusiasm or joy. These melancholy pseudo technology discussions overshadow their ingenuity because developers don’t show their human side. They buckle under the pressure of a simple human conversation.Software Development8 min readSoftware Development8 min read
Published in Better Programming·Updated 1 day ago5 Non-Technical Areas for Software Developers to Focus onSkill development makes us competent, but soft skills make us unstoppable. — Do you ever wonder why your business peers are making more money than you? Have you watched colleagues advance while you remain chained to your desk? You may not like the answer, but engineers lack soft skills. All that coding has a way of dropping your EQ. Here's the truth…Technology5 min readTechnology5 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Dec 30, 2022Member-onlyThe Frustration And Disappointment Of Using A Lead Generation Company For Small Business OwnersHere’s what happened to me. — As a small business owner, I know firsthand the challenges of generating leads and turning them into paying customers. It’s frustrating. We often get that sinking feeling in our stomachs when reading emails. Countless YouTube videos professed to be experts at snagging clients. I tried a ton of advice. Nothing…Entrepreneurship6 min readEntrepreneurship6 min read
Published in Better Programming·Mar 23, 2022Member-onlyHere’s What’s Wrong With How You Hire Software DevelopersYour interviewing process is a waste of time — What’s the number one reason you’re hiring software developers? Is it to write code? Maybe you’re one of those companies who conduct computer scientist-like interviews. Your interview process includes questions about Big-Oh notation. Or you quiz people on the nuances of a specific language. If an interviewee passes, you hire…Hiring6 min readHiring6 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Feb 21, 2022Member-onlyHow To Stop The Rivalry Between Software Development And “Contractors”…and avoid the corporate gang war — Riffs between “contractors” and your software development team are like gang violence. You wear red; I wear blue, so we’re supposed to fight. Riddle me this: IT administrators give me neutered access to all subsystems if I start as a contractor. But If I join tomorrow as a W2 employee…Software Development5 min readSoftware Development5 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Feb 14, 2022Member-onlyI Gave Employees Everything They Wanted. They Started a Side-Hustle And Left.Here’s why I don’t blame them. — I’m all for engineers shaking their moneymakers, but damn. You don’t expect to pour your heart into the culture, do all you can to make employees happy, and still see them leave. When this happens, it’s easy to feel taken advantage of. Sometimes you have that f$$kit emotion that says…Software Development5 min readSoftware Development5 min read
Published in Better Programming·Feb 9, 2022Member-onlyHow To Get Promoted as a DeveloperPlay the long game better — Wouldn’t it be nice if every line of code had a direct impact on the success of the business? You could sit back in your lounge chair, and marvel at the fruits of your labor. If only management knew the power of for-loops. But, sadly, this isn’t the case. As…Software Development6 min readSoftware Development6 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Dec 1, 2021What Executives Really Think Of Software DevelopersDon’t let a bonus fool you. — Don’t lie to yourself. Executives see you as a resource and nothing more. To a corporate CFO, you’re a line item in a spreadsheet. Their board members promote them for creating budgets to reduce your salary. Your 60+ hour weeks don’t affect them one bit, because your time is cheap…Programming6 min readProgramming6 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Nov 13, 2021Member-onlyThe Great Resignation is a Great OpportunityIt's a win-win scenario — People have a right to quit, and they should. I don't blame them for raising their middle fingers at management. Who would recommend that people stay where they're unhappy? Only savages expect someone to accept shitty pay, inadequate benefits, and a crappy boss. My suggestion? Quit! I say this with…Leadership5 min readLeadership5 min read
