Tim Chen

🔍 Seeking advice: After 25+ years in development, I'm ready for a change. I've been a strong advocate for scrum practices and want to pivot into a new role in that domain. Though my experience includes scrum master and product owner responsibilities, my resume may not fully reflect that. How can I effectively showcase my expertise to secure interviews and demonstrate my proficiency to recruitment teams? #CareerChange #ScrumMaster #ProductOwner #ProductManager #AgileMethodologies #JobSearch

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Great insights on the do’s and don’ts of a tech resume by Kritika Sharma ! What additional tips do you have to share?

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Public Service Announcements to recruiters. If you have the same job post you re-publish every day for many weeks, we notice. This gives hesitation to apply as we have no idea why you rejected the dozens of other candidates that commented "Interested" on your previous posts. Please provide more details about the position so that it's easier for candidates to know if they are a fit or not. If your intent is to build a pool of candidates, please be candid about it and openly say "Need iOS developer to build a pool of candidates". Believe me, they will still apply.

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I've been in the Software Development industry for 10 years and it has never been like this before. I have recruiters wanting me to lie on my resume, wanting me to "hide" my employment gap and telling other recruiters to reach out to me for positions requiring experience in technologies I never said I had experience in. while it might limit my potential opportunities, I think I need to carefully pick a few recruiters to work with. Ones I trust and who I can tell believe they can find me something based on my actual experience. #ITRecruiting #Recruiting #SoftwareDevelopment

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Reading about the CAP theorem in distributed systems. Some posts online claim to have systems that achieve consistency and availability - is this possible, if so, how? I read an article from Coda Hale called "you can't sacrifice partition tolerance" - link in the comments. I've been looking into how LLM systems operate, much like Google search, where availability supersedes consistency but obviously trading systems must (for the most part) prioritise consistency. ...and we're hiring - link in the comments! #distributedsystems #Hiring

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As interviewer and Bar Raiser at Amazon, Alba shares insightful tips on interviewing!

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You can, but it’s rare. Extremely rare. Government LCAT’s have a pretty hard ceiling, and if you’re going to make money above your salary, it will happen in BD/capture along with your billable hours. On top of that, you’ll be delivering on FFP contracts, and probably billing 60+ hours to multiple projects. (It’s the only way to make the margins work.) I’m not saying a few software engineers don’t clear $500K, but I mean… it’s a very small group, on VERY specific, highly valuable projects. Oh yeah, and they’re going to be in a SCIF, so it ain’t going to be working from home. (And they’re working insane hours, weekends, doing a ton of technical writing on proposals, along with the usual development workload.) If maxing out your salary is the goal, government contracting is the path of greatest resistance.

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I'm thrilled to have been accepted into CodePath's Intermediate Technical Interview Prep Course! This is an incredible opportunity to sharpen my skills and prepare for coding interviews. In this course, I'll be diving into: - The UMPIRE Problem Solving Process (Understand, Match, Plan, Implement, Review, Evaluate) - Classic algorithms such as sorting, searching, and traversals - Analyzing runtime complexity (Big O notation) - Identifying common patterns in coding interviews - Complex data structures like Binary Trees and Heaps - Object-Oriented Design and Systems Design - Sorting algorithms like Merge Sort and Quick Sort - Recursion and Combinations The course is still open, and I highly recommend applying! Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/ePNnrBiq

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Technical Debt? I have conversations with Tech Leaders every day and a growing theme among them is … “Budgets have been cut; we’re doing our best to keep the lights on. Something’s got to give though, we are piling up a ton Technical Debt.” Sound Familiar? As I keep hearing this, I can't help but wonder: How intense will the hiring frenzy and talent shortage be in a few months when companies can no longer afford to delay, and the situation becomes critical? How costly will it be to ramp up and play catch up when everyone is competing for the same talent? My suggestion? Let’s begin those hiring discussions NOW and here’s why … The market is going to improve and when it does, you need to be able to move quickly to support your hiring needs. Let’s discuss NOW, what your hiring needs MIGHT look like and forecast those potential needs now. Listen, hiring isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard! 👉 I’m going to source, recruit, and network with potential candidates anyway, I do it every day, but now I’ll be doing it with you in mind – It’s called “pipelining” - exclusively for you, and it works wonders! Why? ✅ We don’t start from scratch. We have an already engaged and partially vetted candidate pool which will dramatically reduce costs and time to hire. ✅ We don’t have to rush, which will result in better candidates. We take the long-term approach and focus on identifying the best possible candidates over time. ✅ We can engage passive candidates in a low-stakes, non-binding way. We can nurture those relationships over time, again resulting in better candidates and not rushing to submit only those candidates immediately available at the time. ✅ We can perform at-length culture-fit evaluations too, resulting in a better fit and long-term retention. Given the fast-paced and increasingly competitive hiring landscape today, your organization should consider developing a proactive, long-term approach to identifying and cultivating potential hires - long before you need to fill open positions - and I can help! Let’s work together NOW to identify your company’s long-term hiring needs and goals. The results will amaze you! My passion is helping organizations build extraordinary teams. Reach out today to see if a partnership with me makes sense. 👉 [email protected] / 952-500-3846 👈

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“You won’t always win, but if you keep showing up, you can’t lose.” Last week, I went all in on prepping for a federal interview. It was a challenge, no doubt. But pressure makes diamonds. In just two days, I locked in: 🔹 OSCAL (Open Security Controls Assessment Language) — learned how it makes compliance automation smoother 🔹 A refresher into NIST 800-53 and NIST RMF — because federal work don’t play 🔹 A hands-on lab using AWS Config and Python to automate compliance docs like SSPs and POAMs I built a process that took AWS findings → converted them to JSON → ran them through a Python script to create compliance artifacts in minutes. What used to take hours? Automated. Now, here’s the twist: I didn’t get the job. But I am not upset. I walked away with new skills, a sharper mindset, and proof that I thrive when the heat is on. What I learned is simple: 💡 The game doesn’t change. The players do. You can either stay stuck doing things the old way, or you can level up and adapt. The lesson? You’re not going to win every time. But if you keep showing up, keep learning, and keep building? You’ll look back and realize you’re way ahead of where you started. "The marathon continues" -NH Let’s make 2025 the year we all level up. #Cybersecurity #NIST #OSCAL #AWS #Automation #MarathonMindset #KeepBuilding #Continuousmonitoring #ATO #abilitytoobtain #fedramp

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I've been employed as some level of a software developer for 16 years and have worked with dozens of other developers both at the same company, and with other companies as vendors and industry peers. I have noticed that so many of them struggle with one very important misconception.... Our primary job isn't to write code. It's true. Well, in a lot of cases - maybe most cases. A company doesn't hire a developer and then say "build something." When I started working at a large mortgage lender back in 2008, I was hired for a few needs: - Build enhancements to existing software - Help troubleshoot problems in the software - Assist with training users - Work with analysts and stakeholders on how we might solve business problems with software And you know what? Building software has always been the smallest part of the job. The biggest impact I've had can be attributed to the other responsibilities. I focused on those items because I had to - and it helped me become more valuable than just someone who writes code. If you're a junior developer looking to have more impact, work more closely with business analysts and peers. And for goodness sake, stop worrying about becoming a "10x developer." Instead, become a 10x team by helping others. 💪 📈

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IN over 30 years of working as a contract developer, DBA, architect, both as a consultant and direct hire, I have been on MANY job searches over SEVERAL decades. I HAVE NEVER had so many appointments COMPLETELY BLOWN OFF, rescheduled DAYS after recruiters blown me off without even a SMS, Email or call, and HR Reps and others COMPLETELY missed conference calls and appointments that were scheduled, often with NO notification, warning or even follow up. Some don't even bother to get back to me to offer an explanation, yet have the AUDACITY to contact me AGAIN when they get another opportunity. Is THIS the level of professionalism we can expect today in the IT arena now? Has the obvious malaise and apathy prevalent through the business world and the total lack of professional comportment in general seeped down to the point where this is what we can expect going forward? I am appalled at how this has become commonplace. No amount of skill, sales or charm can make up for simple lack of courtesy or professionalism, but I guess its a sign of the times. Sadly, some of you will just write me off as a "boomer", because you never lived in a world where PEOPLE SAID WHAT THEY DID AND DID WHAT THEY SAID. I weep for the future.

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How do Software Engineers get promoted? Technical ability + soft skills +strategic moves Here's how to stand out 🤝 Master your craft 🔊 Dive deep into your technical skills. Always be learning, whether it's new programming languages, frameworks, or tools. Your commitment to excellence sets you apart. Solve the right problems 🔊 Look for opportunities to solve problems that align with your team's goals and your company's mission. It's not just about fixing bugs; it's about identifying and solving high-impact problems. Communicate with impact 🔊 Whether it's through code comments, documentation, or presentations, your ability to clearly communicate complex ideas is crucial. Remember, your code isn't just for machines; it's for people too. Take initiative 🔊 Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Propose new projects, improvements, or innovations that can drive value for your team and company. Show that you're thinking ahead. Seek feedback 🔊 Regular feedback is your growth catalyst. Embrace constructive criticism and use it to refine your skills and approach. Remember, feedback is a gift that helps you grow. Network internally 🔊 Build relationships outside your immediate team. Understand the broader business context and how your work fits into it. These connections can provide valuable insights and opportunities. Demonstrate leadership 🔊 Leadership isn't just for managers. Mentor juniors, lead by example, and contribute to a positive, inclusive team culture. Show that you're someone others can look up to. Align your goals with your manager's 🔊 Understand your manager's priorities and how you can contribute. Regular check-ins to align your goals can pave a clear path to your promotion. We are djr 🔵 ⚪

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Starting a new career takes GRIT. All the No's, all the late nights applying for job after job, after job, resume revision after resume revision...you have to persist through the fatigue and hold on to the vision of the future you know you deserve. #BreakingIntoTech #SoftwareDevelopment #QualityAssurance #PersistencePaysOff

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*** To all of my connections in #Tech or #IT *** I’ll be honest I’ve lost track of how to refer to what it is these days! Did you know that there are lots and lots of job offers available on #web3 databases? Just use an AI chat bot or Discord. More tips to come!

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If you need help taking your DevOps processes to the next level, shoot him a message!

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Recruiters/ decision makers in my network, this questions for yall. How much does a 4- year degree for software engineering matter these days? Think of this from the perspective of someone that was looking to transition into a software dev role. Is a 4 year degree required? or would you recommend an intense bootcamp (or the like) that lasts a year with that gives the person a portfolio to show off at the end. Would love to hear your thoughts and reasoning behind this. Or alternatives that may not be apparent. Edit: this is not a “let’s do away with education” post, just asking for a friend more than anything. 😆

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App Optimization - A SCAM!!! I am embarrassed to say but I was taken by this scam for $5000. I was contacted by Kforce Staffing through Linkedin telling me about this job where I could make some extra money. I said I was interested. They switched me over to a company called Scale and sent me through training. After training I had made around $78 and so they started me my own account. They tell every once in awhile, if you are lucky, you'll hit a combo app which puts your balance for doing the optimization at a negative balance and it needs to be deposited. You get your money back after you do, so no harm no foul. They also tell you besides commissions, you will receive a base salary, after the first 5 successful logins, of $800. Then after 15 successful logins, you will receive another $1500 and then after 30 successful logins, you will receive $3800 for a total of $6100. The first 4 days went smoothly. I was able to start the work depositing $101 of which $78 I had made during training. Then a few times I encountered a combo app putting me at a negative balance, but all the time making commissions to do it with. At the end of the 4th day, I had made $473. I begin my 5th day, which consists of 2 sets of 40 apps to be successful, and the first set of 40 went fine. When doing to 2nd set of 40, I was told that you only will get at the most, 2 combo apps in a set. Well, I hit my first one and had a negative balance of $179 which I am still using their money to clear it. Then I hit a second one and had a negative balance of $329. I'm still using most of their money at this point. So I am assured there will not be any more because the most you would get is 2 in a set of 40. Well, I hit a third one and had a negative balance of $1779. Now we are talking about having to put my money in to the app. So I did and they tell me I am so lucky to have gotten a third negative balance because after the deposit, I will get 10 times the commissions on the app plus get my money back. As they said, after depositing, the money went back on my account. So I'm going along and I hit a fourth combo putting me at a negative balance of $3894. This also requires my money. They then help you with some of it by saying that they will loan you so much of the money and you have to deposit the rest. As before, I deposited the money and it went back on my account with them. I was on my 40th app when I hit a 5th combo app and my negative balance became $22,658. This was impossible for me to come up with and I am told I have to in order to get my commissions and my money back. They offer me 20 percent from the platform and it brought it down to a negative $14,125. They also hook you up with a group where 2 people offer to help me with $500. My trainer also offered to help with $2000. After you are tapped out, they threaten to sue you for the money they helped you with. Metamask told me they were a fake company and to stop all communication with them.