Politically Incorrect Career Advice for Non-Traditional Developers

Video Description

I offer some politically incorrect career advice that the gurus on LinkedIn won't share with you. Here's my article outlining my salary jumps through interviewing: https://brianjenney.medium.com/i-used-to-suck-at-coding-interviews-then-i-quadrupled-my-salary-9d5260389a09 Here's your templates for writing on LinkedIn: https://www.parsity.io/learning-in-public 00:00 – Why This Advice Will Make People Uncomfortable Why most tech advice isn’t written for career changers — and never will be. 00:45 – Entering Tech as a Complete Outsider at 31 No CS degree, no network, real life baggage — and why that matters. 01:55 – Why “Good” Career Advice Often Fails in the Real World Who mainstream advice actually works for (and who it doesn’t). 03:25 – The Truth About Being a Personality Hire Why juniors from non-traditional backgrounds should lean into this. 05:10 – Communication Kills More Offers Than Bad Code The interview mistake nobody wants to give you feedback on. 07:10 – How to Fix Your Interview Presence (Without Becoming Fake) Practical ways to stop clamming up, rambling, or getting defensive. 09:15 – Learning the Language of Developers (Fast Credibility Wins) Books, concepts, and signals that close the “non-traditional” gap. 11:05 – Why Interviewing Is the Highest-Leverage Skill in Tech How interviews create optionality, confidence, and financial leverage. 13:30 – Staying in Interview Shape (Even When You’re Employed) Why the best time to interview is when you don’t need a job. 15:40 – Becoming an Influencer (Without Being Cringey) Influence ≠ social media fame — how to build it where you work. 18:40 – How to Build Influence Without a Title Small actions that quietly turn you into a leader people trust. 21:30 – Loyalty Is Overrated (Early in Your Career) When job hopping helps — and when it starts holding you back. 24:20 – The Right Way to Leave a Job (Impact Over Time Served) Why measurable wins matter more than years on a resume. 27:00 – The Real Game: Communication, Interviews, and Influence The three skills that actually compound over time. 29:00 – Final Thoughts: Playing the Game Intentionally Why average is riskier than people admit — and choosing your strategy matters.