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Wow, I didn't know that. Brad Pitt actually has to audition for roles? Jeez. Well, that's the problem with analogies. But I'm not really a fundamentalist ab

by geebee 17y ago

Wow, I didn't know that. Brad Pitt actually has to audition for roles? Jeez. Well, that's the problem with analogies. But I'm not really a fundamentalist about the code test. I've gone through many, many, many of them. I just had a little epiphany the last time I was in one. I was thinking, "why don't these guys already know that I'm a good programmer? Why don't they already know good programmers?" It made me realize as a programmer and as a manager that I wasn't really building my career the right way. I decided that I wanted to build a network and a reputation that went both ways - essentially, I wanted to have a large number of people out there, in different organizations, who are both confident in my tech skills and my value as a manager. I'll step outside that network constantly, and when I do, I'll certainly validate programming ability (and I'd expect people to do the same for me). But every time I do this, it's a reminder that I failed on Plan A, which is the best way to do things.

jimbokun 17y ago
"I decided that I wanted to build a network and a reputation that went both ways - essentially, I wanted to have a large number of people out there, in different organizations, who are both confident in my tech skills and my value as a manager." How did you accomplish this?
- geebee 17y ago
  Well, I can't entirely say that I did! So far, it hasn't been much more than doing a decent job in the different positions I've held, and working in a few different industry sectors. I've worked for a large silicon valley company, a couple of public sector organizations, and a couple of small startups, and I've taken on management and dev roles. I keep up my contacts. When the startup I was working for folded, I got a bunch of interviews (lots of tech questions), but my best offer came from a former coworker who didn't bother with a tech test because he'd already worked with me. While I wish I could say I'd done more (presented at conferences, made big contributions to open source, etc...), but in some ways this is a better story, because people start to think that if they need to be a total rock star. You really don't have to, just keep up your contacts and make sure you have a reputation for good work.

by geebee 17y ago

jimbokun 17y ago

"I decided that I wanted to build a network and a reputation that went both ways - essentially, I wanted to have a large number of people out there, in different organizations, who are both confident in my tech skills and my value as a manager." How did you accomplish this?

geebee 17y ago
Well, I can't entirely say that I did! So far, it hasn't been much more than doing a decent job in the different positions I've held, and working in a few different industry sectors. I've worked for a large silicon valley company, a couple of public sector organizations, and a couple of small startups, and I've taken on management and dev roles. I keep up my contacts. When the startup I was working for folded, I got a bunch of interviews (lots of tech questions), but my best offer came from a former coworker who didn't bother with a tech test because he'd already worked with me. While I wish I could say I'd done more (presented at conferences, made big contributions to open source, etc...), but in some ways this is a better story, because people start to think that if they need to be a total rock star. You really don't have to, just keep up your contacts and make sure you have a reputation for good work.