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Coding Chats

John Crickett

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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  • 22 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 50 min
  • English

Episodes 22

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  • January 22 · 1 hr 6 min

    Bearly building in public

    Coding Chats episode 62 - John Crickett engages in a deep conversation with James about personal branding, building in public, and the challenges of launching a product. James shares his journey of using LinkedIn to build his personal brand, emphasizing the importance of transparency and community feedback in his projects. He recounts how his social network gained 20,000 users in the first 24 hours due to his public approach, which not only helped him secure jobs but also fostered a sense of community around his work. The discussion also touches on the significance of mental health awareness and the need for open conversations in the workplace, particularly in the tech industry.As they delve into James's latest project, Bearly Fit, they explore the balance between creating a minimum viable product and ensuring quality. James reflects on the expectations that come with building in public and how he has navigated the challenges of app development while maintaining a connection with his audience. The conversation wraps up with insights on the role of AI in coding and the importance of mentoring junior developers, highlighting the need for a supportive environment in tech. Chapters 00:00 The Power of Personal Branding 06:35 Agility in Development: Lessons Learned 18:29 Building in Public: Success and Challenges 26:08 Streaming and Job Search: A Double-Edged Sword 35:36 The Importance of Mentoring New Developers 40:22 Building in Public: The Journey of Barely Fit 52:58 Challenges and Expectations in App Development 58:54 Leveraging AI in Development 01:05:39 Final Thoughts and Future Plans 01:06:06 Exploring Related Content James's Links: https://linktr.ee/mahybe https://bearly.fit John's Links: John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/ John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social Check 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. Takeaways Building in public can lead to unexpected success. Transparency in struggles fosters community support. Personal branding is crucial for career advancement. Quality matters in app development, especially when building in public. Mentoring junior developers is an investment in the future.

  • January 15 · 1 hr 26 min

    Mastering behavioural interviews with Austen McDonald

    Coding Chats episode 61 - John Crickett interviews Austen about his new book and the significance of behavioural interviews in the hiring process, especially in today's competitive job market. Austen shares insights on what interviewers look for, how to tailor preparation for specific companies, and the importance of storytelling in interviews. He emphasizes the impact of AI on the interview process and discusses how candidates can effectively present their experiences, particularly in conflict resolution scenarios. The conversation also covers the different expectations for candidates at various career stages and the importance of preparation and practice in mastering behavioural interviews. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Behavioral Interviews 02:43 What Interviewers Look For 05:32 Understanding Company Expectations 07:48 Austen's Background and Expertise 09:59 The Impact of AI on Interviews 12:10 Behavioral Interviews Beyond Big Tech 14:11 Crafting Your Introduction 18:55 Selecting Stories for Interviews 24:32 Creating Compelling Interview Stories 28:38 The Difference Between Junior and Senior Engineers 29:50 Crafting Compelling Stories for Interviews 31:28 Timing and Length of Stories in Interviews 33:34 Selecting the Right Story for the Interview 37:05 The Importance of Scope and Relevance in Storytelling 37:52 Using the Menu Technique for Story Selection 40:37 Enhancing Conflict Resolution Stories 43:48 The Drama in Conflict Resolution 48:12 Improving Conflict Resolution Narratives 55:00 The Role of Escalation in Conflict Resolution 58:11 The Big Three Questions in Behavioral Interviews 59:54 Understanding Interview Dynamics 01:03:08 The Importance of Asking Questions 01:06:56 Feedback Loops in Behavioral Interviews 01:12:04 Navigating Different Career Stages 01:17:52 Adapting Stories for Different Organizations 01:23:02 Leveraging Personal Projects in Interviews 01:24:41 Key Takeaways for Interview Success Austen's Links: https://thebehavioral.substack.com/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G6CM9T87 John's Links: John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/ John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social Check 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. Takeaways Behavioral interviews are crucial for differentiating candidates in a competitive job market. Understanding what interviewers are looking for can significantly improve your chances of success. Tailoring your preparation to the specific company and role is essential. Your past experiences and stories are likely more valuable than you think. Practice and preparation are key to performing well in interviews.

Showing 21–22 of 22 episodes