Engineering Advice You Didn't Ask For

Hello Hello everyone. Welcome back to season two, episode four. We have Louie, Vic, Mitra, Thiago, and myself Keyur back to record another episode. Today we are going to discuss: does your job title really matter? There's a lot of layoffs still going on in the industry, and this is a question that commonly comes up.

In this packed episode, we delve into the world of engineering team productivity and explore the top metrics that truly make a difference.

Join Louie Bacaj, a former engineering leader turned entrepreneur, as he shares insights on the evolving role of Engineering Managers. Explore the balance between hands-on coding and crucial managerial duties. Louie discusses the risks of micromanagement and the importance of maintaining a technical edge without overshadowing team growth. Discover practical tips for staying sharp, like tackling low-risk tasks and updating architecture diagrams, while fostering open team discussions to drive collaboration!

Season 2 is finally here! In this episode, we talk about the topic on everyone’s mind — layoffs. The tech industry has seen massive layoffs at small start-ups to FAANG. There’s no such thing as job security anymore. So how should you prepare for a potential layoff at your company? What are the warning signals to look out for? What do you do if you’re laid off, or if you’re safe?

In this discussion, panelists reveal how to negotiate tech offers beyond just salary. They explore the impact of psychological safety in the workplace and why it matters for growth. A weighted decision matrix is introduced for weighing non-monetary factors like company fit. The benefits and risks of startups versus mature companies are debated, along with cash versus equity considerations. Creative perks, career progression models, and tips on salary conversations are shared, helping listeners to negotiate their best offers confidently.

Louie Bacaj, an engineering leader with experience in both startups and large tech firms, shares his insights on career progression. He discusses his rapid rise at a startup and the impact of saying yes to challenging tasks. Key topics include the importance of context in promotions, the trade-offs of intense work hours, and the risks of moving up too quickly. Louie emphasizes the significance of career momentum and recognizes that personal priorities shape different growth trajectories.

Discover the ever-evolving landscape of technical interviews, shaped significantly by recent changes. Hear personal stories on the highs and lows of interview experiences, from grueling panels to collaborative assessments. Uncover strategies for leveraging interview speed and negotiation tips to maximize your salary expectations. Learn about the importance of maintaining interviewing skills and the balance between fit and specific roles. Plus, get insights on internal mobility and how to navigate salary discussions like a pro!

Wondering why you missed out on that promotion? This discussion dives into how making the right impact can elevate your career. Explore the importance of managing your visibility without overshadowing others. Learn about the role of sponsors in securing promotions and how to identify them. The panel discusses common roadblocks, navigating company culture, and the critical need for manager support. They emphasize the value of aligning efforts with company values and performing at the next level to make promotion a no-brainer.

Topics:  Avoiding Burnout  Effective Remote Leadership Effective Remote Work Effective Remote Meetings What does it mean to be Async-First & People-First? Remote-First vs. Remote-Friendly   People-First vs. Business-First Recovering from Burnout Shownotes:  Marissas's Course - Avoiding Burnout from Remote Work: https://marissagoldberg.gumroad.com/l/avoidingburnout Marissa's website: https://www.marissagoldberg.com/ Marissa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mar15sa Adam Grant on Fighting The Zoom Fatigue (Cameras off doesn't reflect disengagement. It helps to prevent burnout and promote attention): https://twitter.com/adammgrant/status/1430882464407474180 Book - The Culture Map: https://www.amazon.com/Culture-Map-Breaking-Invisible-Boundaries/dp/1610392507/

Topics: - Teams hiring juniors     - How important is it to hire juniors? - How do junior engineers get experience - What should ideal team look like - How do evaluate the company for you? - Expectations as a junior engineer     - Contributions first 90 - How to onboard junior vs senior - Is Bootcamp a valid path? Shownotes: https://www.crunchbase.com/ https://github.com/tBaxter/questions-for-employers https://github.com/lkostrowski/job-interview-questions-to-ask-companies