How to collaborate with recruiters as an engineering leader to find the best software engineers
Coding Chats episode 45 - Guy Allen and John Crickett discuss the dynamics between software engineers, hiring managers, and recruiters and how they can work together to recruit the best software engineers. They explore effective strategies for collaboration, the importance of clear communication, and the impact of recruitment models on candidate experiences. The discussion emphasizes the need for engagement, the significance of tailored job specifications, and the value of building long-term relationships with recruiters. Additionally, they touch on the role of AI in recruitment and the necessity of maintaining a human touch in the hiring process.Chapters00:28 How hiring managers can work effectively with recruiters10:37 What else can a hiring manager do to work effectively with a recruiter?17:39 How important is a clear job spec and sharing details with the recruiter?Guy's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/company/futura-talent/https://futura-talent.com/John's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysSoftware engineers should engage actively with recruiters.Hiring managers need to provide clear job specifications.More recruiters do not guarantee better results.Building relationships with recruiters is essential.Engagement leads to better candidate experiences.Quality over quantity in job applications is crucial.Clear communication improves recruitment outcomes.Understanding different recruitment models is important.Human interaction enhances the recruitment process.AI should not replace the human element in hiring.
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How to become a non executive director in tech
Coding Chats episode 44 - Joe Woodhouse shares his unique journey from software to non-executive director roles, emphasizing the importance of building skills, networking, and understanding board dynamics. He discusses the concept of 'luck surface area' and how being open to opportunities can lead to success. Joe highlights the significance of emotional intelligence in leadership and the value of experience in non-profit boards. He also addresses the role of training and education in career advancement and the importance of diversity in board composition.Chapters00:00 Developing Skills for Non-Executive Roles04:50 The Role of Non-Executive Directors05:33 Luck Surface Area: Creating Opportunities10:50 Understanding Cash Flow in Decision Making16:27 The Value of an MBA in Business Understanding19:51 Understanding Reputational Damage in Security20:21 The Importance of Team Dynamics in Business21:34 Engagement in Community Projects22:42 Diversity in Perspectives and Decision Making24:22 Conflict Resolution in Community Committees24:54 Financial Planning and Resource Allocation27:45 The Role of Not-for-Profits in Society28:42 Profitability in Not-for-Profit Organizations30:30 Emotional Decision Making in Business32:09 The Journey to Board Membership33:07 The Value of Experience Over Formal Training34:07 The Industry of Self-Help and Career Advancement36:30 The Path to Board Roles41:09 The Importance of Volunteer Experience43:51 Big Tech's Perspective on Board Experience45:57 Influence vs Authority in Leadership49:26 Diversity and the Wisdom of Crowds52:08 The Value of Soft Skills in Business53:07 Encouragement to Volunteer and EngageJoe's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewoodhouseengineer/John's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysJoe Woodhouse's journey showcases a unique path to non-executive roles.Building skills for board positions requires deliberate effort and experience.The concept of 'luck surface area' emphasizes the importance of being open to opportunities.Networking and curiosity are key to creating professional connections.Understanding board dynamics is crucial for effective decision-making.Non-executive directors play a vital role in governance and strategy.Cash flow considerations are essential in business decision-making.Experience in non-profit boards can provide valuable insights and skills.Emotional intelligence is critical for influencing and leading teams.Diversity in board composition enhances decision-making and innovation.
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How to work with recruiters to find your next role - a guide for software engineers
Coding Chats episode 43 - Guy Allen and John Crickett discuss how software engineers can effectively work with recruiters to find a job. They explore the importance of building relationships, understanding different types of recruiters, crafting an effective CV, leveraging AI in job applications, and maximizing LinkedIn for job searches. The discussion emphasizes empathy, visibility, and the need for clear communication in the recruitment process.Chapters00:00 Building Relationships with Recruiters04:22 Understanding Different Types of Recruiters12:13 Crafting an Effective CV19:45 The Role of AI in Job Applications21:49 Leveraging LinkedIn for Job SearchGuy's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/company/futura-talent/https://futura-talent.com/John's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysBuilding relationships with recruiters is crucial for candidates.Candidates should follow up on applications to stand out.Empathy towards recruiters can improve communication.Tailor applications for different types of recruiters.Providing clear context in CVs is essential.Candidates should highlight their achievements and impact.AI can assist in job applications if used wisely.A detailed LinkedIn profile increases visibility to recruiters.Networking on LinkedIn can enhance job search opportunities.Understanding the recruitment market dynamics is important.
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How curiosity can accelerate your career in tech
Coding Chats episode 42 - Joe Woodhouse shares his journey with John Crickett - from a young software enthusiast to a non-executive director. He discusses the importance of customer engagement in software development, the balance between customer needs and technical solutions, and how he navigated his career without traditional management titles. Joe emphasizes the value of diversity in boards and the 'jobs to be done' theory, illustrating how understanding the underlying needs of customers can lead to better solutions and business outcomes.Chapters00:00 Journey into Software Development05:55 Customer-Facing Roles and Solution Architecture11:56 Soft Skills in Tech17:52 Transitioning to Non-Executive Director37:36 The Impact of Diversity on Board Performance41:44 Disagree and Commit: A Misunderstood Concept47:09 The Importance of Being Heard and Understood52:56 Building Trust Through AuthenticityJoe's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joewoodhouseengineer/John's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysJoe's passion for software began in primary school.He transitioned from individual contributor to non-executive director through diverse experiences.Customer engagement is crucial for effective software solutions.Balancing customer needs with technical capabilities is essential.Management roles are not the only path to leadership.Diversity in boards can enhance company performance.Understanding the 'jobs to be done' theory is vital for effective sales and marketing.Soft skills are critical for success in technical roles.Curiosity and understanding others can lead to better collaboration.Disagreeing constructively can foster innovation and trust.
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How to transition into tech - Julianna's journey from classroom to coding.
Coding Chats episode 41 - Julianna Messineo shares her journey with John Crickett, from being a math teacher to transitioning into the tech industry, particularly focusing on educational technology (EdTech). She discusses her experiences with various educational software, the challenges she faced in the job market, and the importance of building projects to enhance her skills. Julianna also emphasizes the significance of networking and personal branding in her job search, as well as the role of AI and podcasts in her learning process. The conversation concludes with Julianna's aspirations for the future and her ongoing projects.Chapters00:00 Introduction to EdTech and Personal Journey03:17 Challenges in Educational Software and UX06:02 Transition from Teaching to Tech08:40 Navigating the Job Market in Tech11:11 Building Projects and Learning by Doing13:47 Networking and Community Engagement in EdTech20:48 Building Connections and Networking22:45 The Importance of Personal Branding25:09 Learning Through Projects27:15 Utilizing Podcasts for Learning29:24 The Role of AI in Learning33:00 Exploring Coding Challenges and ProjectsJulianna's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianna-messineo/John's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysEdTech encompasses a wide range of educational technologies.User experience (UX) in educational software is often lacking.Transitioning from teaching to tech can be challenging due to job market conditions.Building projects is a crucial part of learning software development.Networking and personal branding are essential for job seekers in tech.Podcasts can be a valuable resource for learning on the go.AI can assist in coding but requires critical evaluation of suggestions.The job market for junior developers is currently very competitive.Creating educational tools can help bridge the gap in learning.Engaging with the community can lead to job opportunities.
On Coding Chats, John Crickett interviews software engineers of all levels from junior to CTO. He encourages the guests to share the stories of the challenges they have faced in their role and the strategies and tactics they have used to overcome those challenges providing actionable insights other software engineers can use to accelerate their careers.
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