DP820_S23E11 Personal Branding and Resumes Building Your: Professional Story
Posted on Building Better Habits

Personal Branding and Resumes: Building Your Professional Story

In Season 23, Episode 11 of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive into a critical career-building topic: personal branding and resumes. This episode focuses on cultivating habits that help you stand out professionally, ensuring your unique skills and experiences consistently shine through. The Importance of Personal Branding Rob and Michael emphasize that personal branding is more than just having a polished resume or LinkedIn profile—it’s about telling your professional story in a way that resonates with your audience. Your brand reflects who you are, what you do, and the value you bring. Whether you’re job hunting, building a consulting business, or expanding your professional network, your personal brand is what makes you memorable. A key... Read more

Criticism and Code Reviews: Building Better Developers, One Habit at a Time
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Criticism and Code Reviews: Building Better Developers, One Habit at a Time

The latest episode of Building Better Developers, Season 23’s “Building Better Habits” series, dives into one of the most sensitive yet vital aspects of personal and team growth: giving and receiving criticism. Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore how developers can better approach feedback loops in professional settings, mainly focusing on code reviews—a microcosm for the challenges and rewards of constructive criticism. Why Criticism Matters Criticism can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential for personal growth and team efficiency. Whether you’re offering or receiving feedback, how you engage in the process directly impacts your productivity, your team’s dynamics, and the quality of your work. Rob opens the discussion by pointing out that criticism—especially in code reviews—isn’t an attack on your ability... Read more

Meeting Prep for Developers: Simple Habits to Enhance Focus and Reduce Stress
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Meeting Prep for Developers: Simple Habits to Enhance Focus and Reduce Stress

Welcome to Episode 9 of the Building Better Developers podcast, Season 23. Hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore the crucial habit of meeting preparation. This season focuses on building better habits as developers. In this episode, they explain how solid meeting prep can streamline projects and reduce stress. Why Meeting Prep Matters Rob and Michael start by acknowledging a common challenge in the developer world: meeting frequency and their often chaotic nature. Meetings are an essential part of any team-based workflow. However, when ill-prepared, they can disrupt productivity and lead to a cycle of “meetings about meetings.” Many developers frequently toggle between intense coding sessions and strategic discussions. This constant switch in focus can be exhausting and detrimental to... Read more

Taking Breaks to Boost Developer Health and Productivity
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Taking Breaks to Boost Developer Health and Productivity

In Episode 8 of Building Better Developers Season 23, hosts Rob and Michael explore the importance of taking breaks for health. This episode, part of the “Building Better Habits” season, offers strategies for integrating breaks throughout the workday. From using the Pomodoro Technique to taking short, mindful walks, Rob and Michael show how stepping away can prevent burnout and improve focus. Using the Pomodoro Technique for Structured Breaks Rob begins by sharing his success with the Pomodoro Technique—a method of focused work intervals with short breaks. This approach helps him boost productivity and mental clarity during the day. Pomodoro’s structured work blocks break tasks into manageable chunks, creating a rhythm for distracted developers. Rob explains how each break keeps him... Read more

Breaking Things Down for Success: How Developers Can Build Better Habits
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Breaking Things Down for Success: How Developers Can Build Better Habits

Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche host Episode 7 of Building Better Developers. They explore how to Breaking Things Down for Success. Their discussion centers on maintaining a personal backlog. This practical tool helps streamline both project management and professional growth. Through real examples, they demonstrate how this approach enhances productivity. Breaking Down Projects into Manageable Chunks Rob discusses how breaking things down can make overwhelming tasks more achievable. The hosts suggest starting with identifying core project elements. For developers, they recommend breaking features into backend, frontend, and testing components. Breaking down work helps maintain momentum and creates a systematic approach. This method prevents developers from feeling overwhelmed while ensuring thorough completion. Creating a Personal Backlog for Better Task Management The concept... Read more

Planning and Scheduling: Essential Habits for Building Better Developers
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Planning and Scheduling: Essential Habits for Building Better Developers

Welcome back to “Building Better Developers” as we continue our journey through Season 23, focused on building better habits. In Episode 6, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive into the fundamental skill of planning and scheduling as a daily practice. This episode stresses the importance of structuring your day with a manageable, prioritized list of tasks. We will show you how doing this can improve productivity and mental clarity. Here’s a recap of the key takeaways on how to build a sustainable planning habit. The Power of Daily Planning and Scheduling Rob starts by emphasizing the need to tackle tasks with intention. Careful not to jump into work or focus on the sheer volume of items on our plate. Instead,... Read more