Just over a year ago, I started a part-time MSc in IoT having played around building devices at home for years. This enabled me to, last October, make the leap out of an industry I’d been working in for decades and get a job researching and developing cloud-based IoT solutions.

That dream lasted just one month, I literally had to choose unemployment over remaining in the position, the company had a toxic culture I could not be part of. I’m not going to go into details here, but if you’re interested, then ask me! Integrity is everything, but sometimes it really sucks.

I’ve not applied for employment in decades and I’m not loving the experience. It’s been tempting to just slide back into what I know… but… I started this for a reason, so let’s not let one bad experience and an army of annoying Recruitment Professionals take that away from me.

I’m 49 years old and searching for a job in a pandemic, here a click-bait headline and an article

10 (of many) Reasons Why You Should Hire Me!

Joking aside, I’ve always loved what I do and I believe that comes over in the quality of my work, and in the progression and passion of myself and those who’ve worked with me… Here’s a link to my CV and here are 10 reasons you should hire me, or work with me.

Reason 01: I'm Creative...

“You’re a software architect Jon, what’s being able to paint got to do with anything?” you may ask… well first off, I have an eye for design… most back-end developers don’t… if you’ve ever used an interface built by a back-end dev, and you're not a back-end dev, then you know what I’m talking about.

Design is everything… Design Thinking, I believe the cool kids call it!

I’ve worked predominantly with small teams, and the greatest teams were cross-discipline small teams. I was never the best designer, but I knew who the best designer was. Understanding design enables you to get the best out of your creatives and a creative mindset leads to creative solutions.

I firmly believe that subconsciously, good design reinforces trust in both a company and its product. That cute painting of the kid really should be the reason you hire me for a technical position, honest.

Reason 02: I'm Technical...

Well, I guess this is as important as being creative, but this is second nature to me. It’s hard to explain that you sometimes feel like you think in iterative loops, without sounding… well… sounding loopy!

I’ve recently had Recruitment Professionals ask me pop quizzes about structures and syntax (why? Google!), and also seen CTO jobs specifying what the tech stack is… isn’t that the CTO’s job?

Code is a tool, one I’ve been using for many years, and there is seldom only one suitable technology for a design problem. Just don’t use bad tools.

I can run .Net Core on Windows, Azure, AWS, Docker and even on a Raspberry Pi… Now it just needs porting to Microcontrollers and I’ll have a full house.

The articles and repo linked below are a good example of how I work. I’ve combined my programming ability and cloud experience with IoT knowledge to develop an entire IoT Real-time Communication Server from scratch.

This is what I do, I solve problems with code… Loopy!

Reason 03: I'm Old School...

In this, I have little choice! When I wanted to build a retro arcade machine, I knew which games I wanted to load and even remembered my high scores from the Arcade in 1980’s West Street… when I wanted to put a Raspberry Pi in a retro computer, I just used the Mac Classic I still had on my shelf… What’s my point… I don’t know, I’m very experienced I guess, I’ve outlived some languages I’ve used.

I’ve been working for over thirty years and I’ve had many different jobs and worked with many different people. Some of the jobs I’ve had (typesetter, paste-up artist, photographic retoucher) don’t exist anymore, much like some of ours won't soon. I’ve always embraced change and new technology and would be regarded as an early adopter.

I’m as enthusiastic as ever, hence my leap of faith, and there are plenty of lessons to be learned from the past. Just as I continue to learn and gain inspiration from my younger colleagues.

I’ve been developing software almost as long as anyone… as the T-Shirt says… Old Guys Rock.

Reason 04: His Head's in the Clouds...

As my mother used to say… I just don’t think she had Azure and AWS in mind.

There has never been a better time to be a software developer, The Cloud has empowered developers they are masters of infinite architecture that can be spun up in minutes.

Commercially, my experience is in Azure and I’ve used most of its offerings. I’m using AWS more and more at home, for instance, it’s how Alexa grinds my coffee. It also has cooler names… I mean, why use WebAps when you can use Elastic Beanstalk!

I love the Cloud, every time they add a new capability I find a reason to try it, some make it into my toolbox some don’t. Across both Azure and AWS, my 20 years of Javascript and 15 years of C# enable me to quickly develop solutions in both… plus we now have codeless functions too.

Reason 05: I've Started Up...

I have built applications for many new companies over the years, many during the eCommerce boom, long before the term start-up was trendy and when a unicorn was just a mythical creature. I learned a lot about business by being involved in these ventures, what’s important (it’s good design), what works and what doesn't.

A decade later, a divorce, a forward-thinking lawyer with a great idea… and I have my own start-up… Siaro! The happiest two years of my career and my best work in my opinion. We designed, we developed, we conferenced, we pitched to funders, we applied for grants… ultimately to no avail, but lots learned and I think we moved a reluctant industry slightly nearer to its tipping point.

One of the founders is still active in this space and is carrying the torch forward, past where we handed it to him. That has always struck me as the most important measure of success!

The video below shows a brief overview of what we were working towards. This is a space I feel I can thrive in.

Reason 06: I'm Enterprising...

Well… not anymore! Having, accidentally (it’s a long story), worked as a developer in the insurance industry for 15 years, I have broad experience in developing and specifying enterprise solutions. Working in a heavily regulated industry adds a new level of thinking to your design process, security and compliance are everything.

My area of expertise ranges from front-end, through the back end, to the database layer, however, sitting in meetings with a broad spectrum of technical experts gives you a good understanding of all aspects of system design and development.

Having also consulted on mergers and acquisitions I’m also used to dealing with somewhat tense situations… I’m more than happy explaining design decisions to clients and, to what Recruitment Professionals call, ‘C-Level Executives’.

Not sexy experience… but very useful!

Reason 07: I Love Learning...

I started my MSc at Brighton last year, having previously discussed some research opportunities with a professor at UCL. I did my undergrad at 34 and to say it changed my life is an understatement. I’ve always craved knowledge, and if I wasn’t doing the MSc I’d be sitting at home working on the same projects anyway.

I’ve encouraged this in my staff and even implemented ‘Super Fun Friday’ where staff worked on, and were helped with, their own projects. This encouraged an entrepreneurial mindset and they became better developers for it. These guys have gone on to do great things… again, carrying the torch forward.

Reason 08: I Love This...

I know we shouldn’t say we live to work, that’s unhealthy. But from illustrator, designer, developer, maker, I’ve always loved what I do. These are hobbies I get paid for, I have a 3D Printer at home and I have a 3D printer at work, both make total sense to me!

I wrote my first line of code in 1984 and I’ve never stopped, we can do wonderful things with code… it is a force for good!

The work/life balance comes from creating ‘creative’ working environments and ensuring people have downtime, even if that downtime is hard to differentiate from the uptime.

I don’t think you can separate me from my work, it’s a huge part of me.

Reason 09: These Folk Say so...

I have the good fortune to work with some brilliant people over the last 30 years, and I’ve learned from many of them. I’ve tried to guide younger creatives remembering the people who were there to help me on my way.

Never burn bridges, and always help someone out if you can.

“He is always pushing the envelope of what can be done and has a very inquisitive mind toward programming solutions, and technology”

“Jon is hard-working, inquisitive and very thoughtful, and I have no hesitation in recommending him”

Neil Smith – Employer

“Jon's has that rare gift of being able to provide professional creative services whilst also being an excellent developer.”

“I would highly recommend Jon to businesses looking for a talented all rounder' to assist with the strategic, creative and development aspects of their digital roadmap.”

Russel Douglas – Employer

“His priority was always my development, providing numerous training courses, invaluable hands-on practice and encouraging me to spend a whole day of my work week exploring my ideas, regardless of how far they sat outside our roadmap.”

“Jon’s enviable knowledge and passion for utilising tech to solve big problems made him the perfect mentor and I look forward to any opportunities where we can team up again.”

Sam David – Employee

“He is a great out-of-the-box thinker and never phased by a difficult job.”

“He has a rare mix of skills which include practical industry understanding and a design bent, making him uniquely placed to apply a keen commercial and aesthetic eye to system solutions.”

Jonathan Davis – Employer

“One of the best mentors I could have asked for and I’m excited to be working on any new project again soon.”

“Jon showed me exactly how to apply in real life and take it to the next level, beyond what I could have hoped.”

Lukas Kocka – Employee

Reason 10: I Have a Child to Feed...

Yes, I’m pulling that card… these are unprecedented times.

A thread on LinkedIn the other day was advocating employing mature people in startups, which I applaud, but the Recruitment Professionals logic was fantastical “they are often independently wealthy having taken early retirement and are doing it because they want to rather than have to”.

Well, that’s all well and good until the going gets tough, or holidays in Goa are on special again… after a global pandemic and the largest volume of layoffs in history, I’d advocate employing mature people for sure, but get someone who’s still hungry!

I’m still hungry... so's this guy!

Disclaimer: This website is a work in progress, but please have a look around...