Better Technical Interviews and the Inclusivity of Remote Work with Jocelyn James

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About Jocelyn James

Jocelyn James is an engineering manager whose previous careers have included teaching, refugee services, and mental health research. As a disabled woman with a background in human rights, Jocelyn is passionate about inclusivity in engineering and ensuring that those with non-traditional routes into the field are not only included but celebrated.

Jocelyn lives in Manhattan with her 12-year-old Italian greyhound Florence, who rules the household despite not contributing to rent.

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  • [00:00:52] Jocelyn's background in sociology.
  • [00:03:07] The focus on human rights for Jocelyn's Masters.
  • [00:03:46] Utilising artistic therapies to rehabilitate survivors of trauma.
  • [00:04:39] Realising the work may not provide income.
  • [00:04:52] Gaining a better understanding of the nature of working with NGOs.
  • [00:05:39] Working in social services.
  • [00:06:48] Becoming disillusioned with the sector.
  • [00:07:23] Working in education.
  • [00:07:36] Hitting a ceiling and the decision to explore tech.
  • [00:10:29] The challenging decision to pivot into another industry.
  • [00:11:10] The ongoing intent to find a way to combine her experience in both human rights and technology.
  • [00:11:51] Realising she could make a difference in human rights by approaching it in a different way.
  • [00:12:57] Jocelyn's thoughts on bringing her two professions together.
  • [00:13:34] Jocelyn's path to management.
  • [00:14:18] One year of interviews.
  • [00:16:56] Observations of gender disparity in the space.
  • [00:19:41] Other observations about the tech interview process.
  • [00:21:44] Realising she could make a difference by sitting on the other side of the interview table.
  • [00:24:31] Biases in hiring processes.
  • [00:26:38] Encouraging diversity in the workplace.
  • [00:28:37] What's broken in the process.
  • [00:30:49] Where diversity and inclusivity begins in hiring.
  • [00:33:36] The side-industry of tech interview coaching and salary negotiation.
  • [00:34:53] The issues with white-boarding.
  • [00:38:16] The efficiency of building a system around catching outliers.
  • [00:40:16] Potentially weeding out the wrong people.
  • [00:41:27] Market demand will hopefully motivate change in the process.
  • [00:44:10] Remote work.
  • [00:46:27] The positive impact of remote work on chronic illness.
  • [00:49:46] The transition to remote work.
  • [00:50:53] The flexibility to work most efficiently.
  • [00:55:02] The juggle of chronic illness in traditional work environments.
  • [00:56:48] The system does not support those with disability or illness to contribute.
  • [01:00:36] Healthcare and its impact on health.
  • [01:02:29] Healthcare tied to employment.
  • [01:05:36] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?
  • [01:05:41] Artistic expression.
  • [01:08:13] Reading.
  • [01:09:33] Horror and Stephen King's IT.
  • [01:13:11] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?
  • [01:16:40] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?
  • [01:17:05] There is a place for you in tech.
  • [01:18:02] On bootcamps.
  • [01:20:28] On internships and getting your first role.
  • [01:21:18] Jocelyn's career progression.
  • [01:22:20] Wanting to share a realistic experience of changing careers.
  • [01:25:56] Being open to pivoting is a life skill.
  • [01:28:59] Choosing to do something for the money is valid.

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Music is “Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935” by Brett Van Donsel.

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