Tag Archives: early career

5 Self-Sabotaging Phrases Software Engineers Need to Stop Saying (And What to Say Instead)

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

I’m tired of hearing software engineers complain. Yes, there are unfair managers, incompetent colleagues, systematic barriers, frustrating bureaucracy, and much, much more. Identifying problems is useful. Getting stuck in a cycle of negative emotions is not. The sad thing is … Continue reading →

Posted in Software | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Not All Complaints Are Created Equal

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

People always find a reason to complain, no matter how polished the product is. Especially the manager on one of my previous teams at Google. Every few days, my manager and I would sit down together and open our iPhone … Continue reading →

Posted in Software | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Get the top rating in your next performance review with this one weird trick

Posted on April 25, 2023 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

Google changed its performance review system, and chaos was everywhere. The new system was called GRAD (Googler Reviews and Development), and after it was announced, there was a boatload of questions. ICs asked their managers, managers asked their directors, directors … Continue reading →

Posted in Software | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

How to NOT worry about layoffs

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

Recently, Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees. Facebook lost 11,000. Not to be outdone, Google reduced its workforce by 12,000. Overall, in the first two months of 2023, over 120,000 tech employees were laid off, including every sector and every size … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology, Software | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

When should you buy a house?

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

Everyone’s parents keep asking them “So, when are you buying a house?” It may be an innocent question, but the effect is to make you feel bad about not owning real estate. It’s the framework they grew up in. Get … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments