I have had students ask me about how to get hired or who is hiring. I have also had employers ask me how to find developers when they have had a tough time hiring quality employees. These are tough questions to answer, but I have been on both sides of the table.
Category: job interview
Enhance Your Technology Career By Learning To Speak
Have you ever had a customer, co-worker or manager look at you as if you had two heads? When an IT Professional, speaks it is very important that who we speak to understands what we are saying. You cannot sell an idea, explain an issue or develop a project plan if you who you are speaking to does not understand. The use of jargon is the biggest obstacle that IT Professionals face. Continue reading Enhance Your Technology Career By Learning To Speak
IT Professional and Communication Skills
It is a well-known fact that Information Technology professionals are often lacking skills in the communication department. Almost every job posting lately had stated you must have good Oral and Written communication skills. This was not me; at least until recent. I was always the guy standing by the punch bowl or snack table with hands in the pockets that said “HEY” as people walked by. IT professionals often confuse colleagues, friends and customers with their acronyms and tech-lingo – I was one of these people. Then I was pulled out to a Toastmasters meeting. Continue reading IT Professional and Communication Skills
More Than Meets The Eye
There is more than meets the eye with me. On my resume it is majority Microsoft skills. Microsoft is used more than open source because that is what my work and customers demand from me. Can I do more? Yes! I have experience in a lot of open technologies such as PHP, MySQL, Python and more. I do use these technologies, but not often Continue reading More Than Meets The Eye
My Cover Letter
Dear Business Owners, Team Leaders and Information Officers;
I am not just a developer. I am a developer who can blend in with a team, lead a team and be part of a team. Continue reading My Cover Letter
Project Manager – Team Lead – Manager of Development
I have been asked a few times for resources and tips for a new Project Manager, Team Lead, Manager of Development type position.
My tips are a generalization as I can pull out more resources for certain situations.
Tips
1. Have an open door
2. Don’t tell your team everything that you know. Be selective
3. Be positive in all your dealings
4. Lead by example. Do not ask your team to do anything you would not.
5. Speak clearly
6. If a developer says it will take a week, say two. If a developer says a month, say 6 weeks. Always buffer time.
7. Be real with expectations
8. Be kind, not too strict, but strict enough
9. Careful planning of project details
10. Listen to those above you and below you. You will learn stuff from everyone.
11. You are not the end all be all.
12. Fight for those who deserve it, help those who need it
13. Stay Organized
14. Meet with your team weekly with an agenda, so everyone can be prepared
15. Know what your superiors want from you
16. Know your place
17. Make sure you keep developing
18. Code reviews are a must, even yours ( can be fun for the team )
19. Earn your trust, trust your team
20. Know each team member’s strengths and use them. You cannot be everything to everyone
21. Failure is always an option – learn from each failure and success
22. Reflect on everyone project as there is always something to learn
23. Find a mentor or mentors – they can be good sounding boards
Online Resources
http://www.fenman.co.uk/activities/training-manual/team-leaders-development.html
http://andrewtokeley.net/archive/2008/05/02/how-to-become-a-development-team-leader.aspx
http://www.atlassian.com/agile/people/teamlead.jsp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_programmer
Books to Read
Project Management in a Week By Mark Brown
Survival is Not Enough By Seth Godin
Made in Canada Leadership By Amal; Morissette, Francoise Henein
My Blogs
http://unlatched.com/blog_What_is_Leadership.aspx
http://unlatched.com/blog_Effective_Listening.aspx
http://unlatched.com/blog_How_a_Senior_can_Help_a_Junior_Developer.aspx
http://unlatched.com/blog_Can_Senior_Developers_Learn_From_Junior_Developers.aspx
Remember: Have fun or you will not like it. Take time off – you need breaks.
Who Is Andrew Pallant
I was recently asked the question “Who Is Andrew Pallant?“. Although I am Andrew Pallant; I find this question very complex and complicated to answer. One must reflect ever so often to rediscover who you are and what you are doing. As I was caught off guard by the question, I had to pause and think. This was hard. Can you answer the question freely?
Here is a series of questions to ask yourself:
- Who is <>?
- What am I doing?
- Am I adding value to my life?
- Am I adding value to others?
- What are my current goals in my personal life and professional life?
- Am I completing my goals?
Here is my answer that I had given to the person who asked: “Who is Andrew Pallant?“.
Andrew is a proud father of 2 children. I am a confident person who works hard. Whenever I am given a task or take on a task, I give 120% of myself. I never take short cuts. When I manage or lead a team, I am firm, fair and open to new ideas. I do not like to miss deadlines, but if I do, there must be a really good reason. I am friendly, generally fun, and always sincere. When I am on a team, I listen to others, and try to learn from them. I am continuously learning and listening as I believe no one can know everything.
Now I am currently reflecting on who I am and what I am doing. I am making sure that I am the best that I can be. After reading this blog, you may want to read: http://unlatched.com/blog_How_To_Be_Awesome.aspx
At the end of the day, be true to you and be the best you can be.
