Modern Web

Acing the Interview for Software Engineers with Anthony D. Mays

Aug 16, 2024

In this engaging conversation, Anthony D. Mays, a software engineer and career coach, shares his inspiring journey from adversity to success. He dives into the importance of a solid problem-solving process and effective communication during interviews. Anthony also emphasizes mentorship, highlighting how senior engineers can empower juniors. He discusses varied interview processes at tech companies and the weight of authenticity in candidates. Plus, he addresses the relevance of secret questions, urging a focus on clear, honest interactions for better hiring outcomes.

50:23

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Episode guests

Anthony D. Mays

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Quick takeaways

Anthony emphasizes the importance of both technical knowledge and effective communication of problem-solving processes in interviews.

The podcast highlights the vital role senior engineers play in mentoring junior talent and fostering a supportive, collaborative environment.

Candidates are encouraged to engage interviewers by asking clarifying questions, transforming the interview into a collaborative dialogue.

Deep dives

The Journey to Software Engineering

Anthony D. May shares his transformative journey from growing up in Compton to becoming a successful software engineer and career coach. His experience includes moving past personal hardships, including being a survivor of abuse, and overcoming obstacles in the tech industry where he often felt out of place. Achieving a degree in computer science and eventually landing a job at Google after an initial failure shaped his determination to help others navigate their own career paths. This journey instilled in him the philosophy of 'lift as you climb', emphasizing the importance of mentorship and support for those entering the tech field.

Information Availability Doesn't Ensure Understanding

01:25

Converse Freely to Succeed

01:11

Intro

4min

Mastering Software Engineering Interviews

6min

Empowering Engineers through Mentorship

9min

Navigating the Software Engineering Interview Landscape

6min

Innovative Interview Preparation

21min

Navigating Bias in Software Engineering Interviews

4min

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Anthony D. Mays discusses code exercises, landing your first job, and how to succeed in interviews. He shares his personal journey to becoming a software engineer and career coach, and emphasizes the importance of not only having technical knowledge but also a strong problem-solving process. The conversation also touches on the role of senior engineers in guiding and empowering junior engineers, the interview processes at different companies, and tips for success in interviews. In this conversation, Anthony covers the interview process and how candidates can best prepare for technical interviews. emphasizing the importance of collaborative problem-solving and being authentic in interviews. They also explore the idea of secret questions and whether or not they are effective in assessing a candidate's skills.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

03:24 The Importance of Problem-Solving Process in Interviews

06:32 Guiding and Empowering Junior Engineers

10:20 Understanding Different Interview Processes

19:51 Tips for Success in Interviews

24:57 Collaborative Problem-Solving in Technical Interviews

26:26 The Effectiveness of Secret Questions

29:42 Defining the Interview Process

30:37 The Importance of Authenticity

32:30 Interviewer Training and Feedback

35:18 Selecting the Right Opportunity