Essential Reads for Non-Technical Interview Preparation
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Understanding Non-Technical Interview Skills
Last year, I published an article discussing various books that aided me in obtaining technical certifications, covering platforms like AWS, GCP, and O'Reilly titles. While some were heavily technical, others offered strategies for navigating technical interviews more effectively. These resources have proven invaluable!
Recently, I've received inquiries from my mentees regarding literature that can assist in preparing for interviews that are not strictly technical. Here, I present a selection of impactful books that I believe are essential reading (or you might even find YouTube videos summarizing their key points).
- The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford: This book utilizes a fictional story to depict the challenges faced by contemporary IT organizations, while also sharing insights into DevOps methodologies.
- The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas: This work offers pragmatic advice and perspectives on software development, professionalism, and career advancement for developers.
- Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship by Robert C. Martin: Highlighting the significance of writing clean and maintainable code, this book provides guidelines, principles, and practical examples aimed at enhancing coding practices.
- Soft Skills: The Software Developer’s Life Manual by John Sonmez: This comprehensive guide addresses a variety of non-technical skills and personal development techniques that can enrich a developer's career, covering productivity, communication, and career management.
- Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold: This book delves into the fundamental principles of computing, revealing how computers function from binary code to logic gates.
- The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering by Frederick P. Brooks Jr.: A classic text that tackles the complexities of software project management, offering timeless insights and lessons for developers and project leaders.
- Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams by Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister: This book emphasizes the human element in software development, examining how team dynamics, organizational culture, and communication affect productivity and project success.
- The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries: While not exclusively for developers, this book provides crucial insights into software product development, rapid iteration, and implementing lean methodologies in a startup context.
For additional recommendations on impactful literature, consider reading this article:
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If you're looking for guidance in preparing for your next job interview, feel free to book a session with me!
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