249: Network with As Many People as Possible and Teach What you Know with Chris Ferdinandi

Phil’s guest on this episode of the IT Career Energizer podcast is Chris Ferdinandi. He is the author of the Vanilla JS Pocket Guide series, creator of the Vanilla JS Academy training program and host of the Vanilla JS Podcast. Chris has created JavaScript plugins that have been used by organizations such as Apple and the Harvard Business School.

He also publishes a developer tips newsletter which is read by more than 8,000 developers every weekday.

In this episode, Phil and Chris Ferdinandi discuss how networking enables you to find out about roles that are not public knowledge yet. He shares a bad experience that taught him the need to be cautious at the interview stage, ask the right questions and get things in writing. They also talk about why communication is a vital skill and how sharing what you know brings benefits.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

(3.11) TOP CAREER TIP

Meet as many people as you can and continue to network throughout your career. It is a great way to find out about roles before they are advertised. Networking will also help you to decide what you want to do next.

At this stage, Chris explains the kind of questions he uses to help him to work out what skills to learn next. Questions that also enable him to further strengthen his network.

(6.46) WORST CAREER MOMENT

It took Chris 2 years to find his first developer job. He needed to be able to work remotely. At the interview, it was agreed they would talk about letting him do that. Yet, a few months later, they told him that it was not possible. Chris was deeply disappointed he had been misled and wasted months in a job that was not suitable for him. Naturally, he left.

It taught him, to pay careful attention to what the hiring manager says. Now if something is really important to him, he gets it in writing.

(11.55) CAREER HIGHLIGHT

Speaking at the Artifact Conference in Texas is Chris ́s career highlight, to date. He had been to the conference five years early but as an attendee. So, it felt amazing to get up on stage and speak there.

(14.06) THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T

Chris thinks that new tools, techniques and native browser methods will make all kinds of things possible, in the relatively near future. An example of this is the ability to use virtual reality features in a web environment.

(15.49) THE REVEAL

What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – The thrill of being able to take something from idea to something that works.

What’s the best career advice you received? – Network.

What’s the worst career advice you received? – You have to stay in a job for at least a year before you can leave.

What would you do if you started your career now? – Chris would initially take some short courses. Then build something. If things went well, he would then invest more time and money into studying IT.

What are your current career objectives? – As well as getting better at his job, Chris wants to expand the JavaScript education stuff he is currently doing.

What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Communication. In the podcast, Chris demonstrates why it is a vital skill for any developer.

How do you keep your own career energized? – Helping other people keeps Chris ́s career energized.

What do you do away from technology? – Chris likes playing Magic Gathering and is trying to get into Dungeons and Dragons. He also loves spending time outside.

(21.01) FINAL CAREER TIP

Share what you know. It does not matter how you do it. Just sitting down and explaining what you know to a colleague is enough for you to cement your knowledge and take things to the next level.

BEST MOMENTS

(3.20) – Chris - “Meet as many people as you can and continue to network throughout your career to land the best jobs.”

(10.35) – Chris - “Before starting a job, get the important things in writing.”

(16.30) – Chris - “As soon as you know a job is not a good fit, leave. Staying will not benefit you or the firm you are working for.”

(21.20) – Chris - “The moment you really know how something works is when you ́ve been able to explain it to someone.”

(21.55) – Chris - “Teaching everything you know to as many people as possible will open new doors.”

ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS

Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop and implement software solutions. Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers. And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.

CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS

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