S01E15 The One Where You Get Let GoLaid off?

You’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean you're broken.

In this week’s episode of I’m a Software Engineer ~ What Next?, we talk to Steve Jaffe, ad industry veteran and author of The Layoff Journey, about how to bounce back after losing your job — and how to find real clarity in the chaos.Steve's been through four layoffs — from the dot-com crash to 2023’s tech contraction. The difference? Now he knows how to handle it.

Hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and software engineer Matt Sinclair, this episode is all about:

-Why most people handle layoffs wrong

-The 7 emotional stages of being let go (and why you shouldn't skip them)

-How layoffs can spark growth, renewal, and even joy-What hiring managers really think about CV gaps

-How to turn a layoff into your career pivot moment-Advice for engineers, hiring managers, and anyone who’s felt lost after being let go.

Show Notes

Steve’s book The Layoff Journey - https://thestevejaffe.com/

The Kubler-Ross Model – Stages of Grief - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_stages_of_grief

The "Bullsh*t Jobs" theory by David Graeber - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullshit_Jobs

Guest:

Steve

Hosts

Matt

James

More from us

https://whatnext.dev/

https://quantumfaxmachine.com/

Welcome back to I'm a Software Engineer ~ What Next? — the podcast for devs figuring out their next move. Hosted by recruiter James Wilson and engineer Matt Sinclair, we unpack what it really means to build a career in tech today.

This week, we sit down with Dan Moore — author of Letters to a New Developer, startup founder, DevRel leader, and all-round tech veteran — to talk about how careers really unfold when things don’t go to plan.

In this week’s episode, we cover:

• Why writing a book can change your career (even if no one reads it)

• Crashing a national TV website — and what failure really teaches

• The IC ceiling: when to pivot, when to manage, and why leverage matters

• Why opinionated engineers stand out (and fence-sitters fade away)

• How AI shifts the game: product sense > raw coding

Show Notes
Dan’s book: Letters to a New Developer
Dan’s website: danmoore.org
FusionAuth: fusionauth.io
Dan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dmooreds

🎙 Hosts
Matt: /matthewsinclair
James: /james-wilson-92170656

🌐 More from us
https://whatnext.dev/
https://quantumfaxmachine.com/

So you're off to work at Anthropic? S01E14 The One Where We Wonder: What happens now that I have a job at one of the world's premier AI companies?Welcome back to I'm a Software Engineer ~ What Next? — the podcast for devs figuring out their next move. Hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and software engineer Matt Sinclair, we unpack what it really means to build a career in tech today — from navigating interviews to scaling as an engineering leader.In this week's episode, we cover:- The remarkably compressed career of one of the new wave of AI-powered software engineers- What it's like to build multiple successful startups before the age of 21- What someone at the cutting edge of AI thinks the future of AI holds for programmers, and humanity🗒️ Show NotesAnthropic: https://anthropic.com Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier: Field Experimental Evidence of the Effects of AI on Knowledge Worker Productivity and Quality: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=64700Gary's Economics: https://www.youtube.com/@garyseconomics🎧 45 minutes. Zero fluff. Tune in now.Whether you’re applying for your next engineering role or hiring your next dev, this one’s got real talk, practical advice, and a few rants.🎙 HostsMatt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsinclairJames: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-92170656🌐 More from us:https://whatnext.dev/https://quantumfaxmachine.com/

Welcome back to I'm a Software Engineer ~ What Next? — the podcast for devs figuring out their next move. Hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and software engineer Matt Sinclair, we unpack what it really means to build a career in tech today — from navigating interviews to scaling as an engineering leader.In this week's episode, we dig into the most debated topic on dev Twitter and LinkedIn:Should software engineers have to do coding interviews?James recently shared a post on LinkedIn about the reality of coding rounds in interviews — and, well, let’s just say it triggered some responses. In this episode, we get into what’s changed, why this topic hits so hard, and what better might look like.Link to post: https://short-link.me/1aiiBWe cover:Why live coding isn't the job — and what hiring managers should be testing insteadWhat Matt means when he says: “Some engineers are still living in 2019”Why engineers can’t afford to be picky anymore (and why that sucks)How to evaluate engineers without a whiteboard testThe tradeoffs between tasks, take-homes, pairing, and probationsThe importance of initiative, communication, and knowing what you’re “known for”Whether you’re applying for your next engineering role or hiring your next dev, this one’s got real talk, practical advice, and a few rants.🎙 HostsMatt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsinclairJames: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-92170656🌐 More from us:https://whatnext.dev/https://quantumfaxmachine.com/

Welcome back to I'm a Software Engineer ~ what next? — the podcast for devs figuring out their next move. Hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and software engineer Matt Sinclair, we unpack what it really means to build a career in tech today — from navigating new tools to redefining what it means to be a "good" engineer.In this week's episode, we tackle the question that’s been making the rounds:Is AI going to take your job as a software engineer?Short answer: not exactly.Long answer: it’s complicated — and that’s exactly what James and Matt dig into.We cover:Why comparing AI to a "table saw" might actually be the best metaphorThe difference between automating toil vs replacing talentWhy taste, judgment, and deep thinking still matter more than everWhat the shift from imperative to declarative programming means for your workflowWhy “deep generalists” might just rule the next era of softwareHow to future-proof your engineering career with communication, initiative, and curiosityWhether you’re a junior developer wondering what to focus on, or a senior engineer feeling overwhelmed by the AI hype, this episode’s for you.📌Show Notes & LinksOzzy Man Reviews — speedboat meme (yes, we really went there)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9mtM0uIQ9QCynefin Framework https://thecynefin.co/about-us/about-cynefin-framework/Claude Code by Anthropic — used by Matt to rubber duck specs and designhttps://www.anthropic.com/claude-code👥 HostsMatt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsinclair/James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-92170656/🔗 More from us:https://whatnext.dev/https://quantumfaxmachine.com/

In this episode of What Next? I'm a Software Engineer, James Wilson is joined by Matthew Sinclair to unpack how AI is changing the way engineers work, code, and think.

They discuss:

Why AI is both a superpower and a trap

The shift from imperative to declarative computing

How tools like Claude can help you rubber-duck a spec

Why engineers who refuse to adapt may fall behind

What hiring managers are really looking for in the age of AI

If you're a developer wondering whether AI is your best friend or worst enemy, this one’s for you.

👉 Like, subscribe, and leave a comment if you’ve got thoughts on AI and the future of engineering.

📩 Have an idea for a future topic? Reach out to us directly!

Related:

https://whatnext.dev

https://matthewsinclair.com

https://quantumfaxmachine.com

"I'm a Software Engineer ~ what next?" is a podcast for software engineers at a career crossroads.

Hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and veteran software engineer Matt Sinclair, it offers insights into navigating career transitions from individual contributor roles to management and beyond.

Featuring discussions on personal growth and leadership, this podcast guides engineers seeking career direction and development. Join us to explore the paths and possibilities that lie ahead in the tech industry.Have you ever wondered when it's time to walk away from your role—and when it really isn't? In this episode, James and Matt dive into the messy reality of engineers switching jobs. They explore:- Burnout and bad management- The lure of salary bumps and startup glory- Strong views on functional programming- The myth of startup equity, and- Why time-compressed learning might be the biggest win of allIf you've ever wondered if now was the right time to stay or go, this episode might be for you.🎧 20 minutes. Zero fluff. Tune in now.Show Notes:- Let's talk about 4/3 time: https://medium.com/@matthewsinclair/0133-lets-talk-about-4-3-time-37c89de5a17b- TPS Reports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy3rjQGc6lA- Office Space (1999): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151804Hosts:- Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsinclair/- James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-92170656/Related:- https://whatnext.dev- https://matthewsinclair.com- https://quantumfaxmachine.com

I'm a Software Engineer ~ what next? is a podcast for software engineers at a crossroads.

Hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and veteran engineer Matt Sinclair, it explores what it means to grow in your career—whether you're staying on the IC track, moving into leadership, or redefining success entirely.🎙 In this episode, we tackle the title trap.Matt and James dig into:- How culture affects how we view titles (Australia vs UK vs US)- What titles really say (and don't say) about your skills or impact- Why some companies strip titles altogether—and what happens when they do- Whether the only way to get promoted is to become a manager- How to think about IC progression when the ladder isn't clear- How to stand out without relying on your CV or job title.If you've ever wondered whether you're a "Senior Engineer" or just stuck in a system that defines progress by job titles, this episode might be for you. 🎧 16 minutes Show Notes & LinksHosts:Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsinclair/James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-92170656/Website: https://whatnext.devMore from Matt: -https://matthewsinclair.com-https://quantumfaxmachine.com