Soft Skills Engineering

Discover how to handle the anxiety of a potentially departing manager and the career implications it might bring. The hosts discuss strategies for positioning yourself for a promotion without undermining your boss. They also tackle the myth that job security is tied to management stability, encouraging a broader perspective on worries. Plus, hear insights from a former tech manager weighing a move to a smaller company versus a role at Google in Bucharest, exploring the perks of each and the importance of building a social life as an expat.

Struggling to articulate gut feelings during interviews? Discover insights on trusting your instincts while setting clear criteria for candidate evaluation. The hosts explore how early rejections save time and prevent awkward hiring situations. Plus, they tackle the etiquette of leaving old team chats after an internal transfer, emphasizing norms and attention management. Learn how to exit gracefully from previous channels while maintaining good relationships. Tune in for practical advice on navigating these common workplace dilemmas!

This episode dives into the tricky dynamics of one-upmanship in the workplace, exploring strategies to reframe complaints into constructive requests. The hosts also discuss a listener's career dilemma between a mentorship-rich team role and a solo developer position with a prestigious football club. They outline the risks of working alone too early, emphasizing potential burnout and stagnation in skills. The importance of switching teams for fresh growth opportunities is highlighted, making this an insightful discussion for anyone navigating their career path.

Dave and Jamison delve into the art of onboarding fresh grads, discussing how LLMs can assist yet risk shallow understanding. They emphasize the importance of structured onboarding practices, like Amazon-style launch plans and clear metrics, to ease new hires into roles. The conversation shifts to choosing between startups and big tech, weighing the benefits of ownership against broader impact. They highlight the value of experiences in big tech while advising listeners to follow their own preferences and embrace learning opportunities.

This episode dives into the tension of impending layoffs, with a listener navigating their resignation just before a major cut. The hosts dissect the fallout from poor communication during the last layoffs, causing panic and morale issues. They offer strategies for utilizing the final 90 days at work, suggesting everything from knowledge sharing to spreading positivity. Another listener brings up a bad manager who leaks private info, leading to discussions on the risks of involving HR and approaches to address toxic leadership.

A seasoned QA automation engineer seeks to transition into software development but faces resistance from managers and team members. The hosts discuss the organizational incentives that keep employees in their current roles, the hidden costs of QA taking on dev tasks, and the importance of managerial support. They also tackle the issue of underselling one's skills after relocating, offering tips to assert confidence and communicate effectively. Finally, they encourage listeners to craft a compelling narrative around their experience as they pursue new opportunities.

A software engineer grapples with the ethics of developing a gambling app, questioning whether to enhance accessibility despite potential harms. The hosts debate the societal impact of gambling and whether improved accessibility could inadvertently increase risk. They also discuss strategies for researching employers' ethical commitments, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions during interviews. Insights on assessing corporate culture and aligning personal values with workplace ethics are shared, encouraging a focus on making a positive impact.

This conversation dives into the tension between optics and real impact in tech culture. Listeners wrestle with a workplace that prioritizes appearance over productivity. The hosts discuss how politics arise from information gaps and the importance of data in redirecting focus. They emphasize creating clear metrics to minimize persuasive rhetoric. Additionally, a listener shares their struggles as an accessibility champion, receiving practical advice on improving non-coding tasks and setting achievable goals. It's a candid exploration of navigating organizational dynamics.

The hosts tackle a listener's struggle with a distracted manager during 1:1s, leading to a costly misunderstanding over Java and JavaScript. They suggest creative solutions like walking meetings to reduce distractions. Another listener describes their frustrating long commute and isolation in an empty office while required to work on EST hours. The hosts emphasize the importance of pushing back on unreasonable work demands and recommend using commute time for job hunting preparation.

The hosts dive into the challenges of communication in remote teams, exploring why some members stay silent even after years together. They dissect the impact of company culture and remote work on team dynamics. The conversation shifts to the importance of in-person meetups and how they foster connection. Later, they provide guidance on setting up skip-level one-on-ones, emphasizing the importance of purpose and manager buy-in to advance careers. Practical tips on discussing achievements without coming off as boastful are also shared.