The hottest Career development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Venture Capital Fund Modelling II : Masterclass

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 16 May 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Discover how VC funds calculate target ownership in startups, providing valuable insights for founders and VC enthusiasts alike.
  2. Understand the costs associated with VC business, like organizational fees, operational fees, and management fees, to determine the total investment capital for startups.
  3. Learn about the average check size that VC funds invest in startups and how ownership percentage is calculated based on the investment amount and post-money valuation.

How to Develop Agency: The Number-One Career Skill for the AI Age

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 77 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
💼 Business Career development
  1. Agency is the ability to take initiative and make decisions on your own. In a future with AI, this skill will help you stand out from others who just follow orders.
  2. As AI becomes better at doing tasks, the job roles will shift to smaller teams where everyone needs to lead and contribute. You won't just wait for instructions; you'll need to drive projects yourself.
  3. To stay relevant, develop your agency by being proactive and taking ownership of your work. The more you act and make decisions, the more valuable you'll become in the AI age.

People Without Dirty Hands are Wrong

Sung’s Substack • 79 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. Having dirty hands from diving into actual projects is important for growth, rather than just focusing on certifications or theory.
  2. Solving real problems in public and getting your hands dirty in open source can have a significant impact on your career, surpassing the importance of certifications.
  3. Engaging in hands-on experience and collaborating on projects that matter can lead to valuable personal growth and career advancement.

L'argent de l'Atelier

L'Atelier Galita • 79 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Money allows for professionalization and aligns interests and motivations.
  2. Having a financial cushion through savings brings peace of mind and security in times of crisis.
  3. Introducing money into the equation helps focus on meaningful achievements over vanity metrics.
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Movers, Shakers, & Money Makers (6/24)

Human Capitalist • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jun 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. There were several notable job changes last week, including moves from big companies like Amazon and PayPal to startups and other industries. This shows that people are exploring new opportunities in different fields.
  2. Some of the job changes reflect current trends, like the growth in AI and crypto sectors. This means companies are looking for talent that can adapt to new technology.
  3. A list of new companies was shared that are part of YCombinator's latest funding batch. These startups could be the next big thing, so it's worth keeping an eye on them.

The 5 inevitable stages of working at a hyper-growth startup

startupdiaries • 118 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Startup life involves adapting to evolving needs, rather than sticking to initial job descriptions.
  2. Working at hyper-growth startups can be rewarding but also lead to burnout, so it's vital to pace yourself and manage emotions.
  3. Transitioning through the stages of startup growth requires flexibility, being open-minded, and evaluating if the company still aligns with personal values.

Career choices: What to focus on?

Wednesday Wisdom • 151 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Career development
  1. Focus on core skills, like coding, that are still necessary for landing a job. Make sure to practice your coding skills regularly, even if your job isn't primarily about coding.
  2. Identify what you enjoy and have some skill in, but also recognize if it has career potential. It's important to like what you do, but the market needs to support it too.
  3. Don't stress too much about making the perfect career choice. Instead, commit to understanding your field deeply and adapt as new opportunities arise.

Venture Capital Fund Modelling III: Masterclass

Venture Curator • 139 implied HN points • 18 May 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Venture capital fund lifecycle involves raising capital from LPs over 2-2.5 years, making investments during the commitment period, and shifting to follow-on investments afterward.
  2. VC funds go through a cycle of raising capital for Fund I, investing during the commitment period, then raising funds for Fund II to sustain investment activities.
  3. GPs play a crucial role in fundraising, investment decision-making, and supporting portfolio startups to ensure the success and growth of the VC fund.

How to Receive Feedback

Build To Scale • 59 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Candid feedback is valuable, seek it out even when it's not all positive.
  2. Receiving feedback graciously and learning from it is crucial for personal and professional growth.
  3. Actively seek honest feedback from trusted sources, listen without immediately reacting, and work on areas for improvement over time.

The Best Day

The Weasel Speaks • 98 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Employee engagement is crucial for better business results.
  2. The key drivers for employee engagement are direction, coaching, and career support.
  3. Developing relationships, trust, and communication skills are essential for effective leadership and employee engagement.

Notes on Product management theater | Marty Cagan (Lenny's Podcast)

The Beautiful Mess • 330 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Common principles and practices among top product companies exist but may not fully capture the uniqueness and nuances of each company's success.
  2. During challenging times like the pandemic, companies may overhire, lower hiring standards, and create unnecessary roles instead of addressing core issues.
  3. Companies globally should strive to evolve product development methods based on customer needs, regardless of their location, and individuals should take more control over their product management career.

How to Build a World Class Engternship Program

Jake [Building in NYC] • 39 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Internship programs often fail because interns get little guidance and engage in low-value projects. Startups need to realize that internships shouldn't just be about cheap labor but setting interns up for success.
  2. Effective internships focus on growth and clear expectations. Setting clear roles and feedback practices helps interns feel engaged and lets them know how to succeed.
  3. Building a supportive culture is key. Grouping interns, encouraging pair programming, and giving them ownership of tasks help create a positive learning environment.

6 reasons why the senior leadership doesn't take you seriously

Leading Developers • 130 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Being careful with how you communicate is important. Saying things in a sensitive way, especially when delivering bad news, can make a big difference in how people perceive you.
  2. It's crucial to present yourself confidently, regardless of age or experience. When you're sure of your abilities, others will trust you more and you will be taken more seriously.
  3. Clearly explaining what you expect from your team helps them perform better. Being explicit in your communication can support them in achieving their goals without confusion.

Sayonara babey

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Sometimes, even after hard work, we may not get the results we want at a job. It's okay to feel disappointed but also to recognize that it might be time to move on.
  2. Finding relief and acceptance in a disappointing situation can be freeing. It's important to focus on what you really want and let go of the need for external validation.
  3. Facing a tough situation can lead to a fresh start. Embracing change and looking forward to new opportunities can be exciting and hopeful.

How to be the favorite engineer among your product manager and designer

High Growth Engineer • 465 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Collaboration with product managers and designers can be challenging due to differing priorities and project impacts.
  2. Engineers often face the dilemma of balancing what they can do, what the PM wants, and what the PM thinks they can do.
  3. Maintaining a good relationship and meeting deadlines are key aspects of being a favored engineer among product managers and designers.

Put on your beginner hat!

box. • 159 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🚌 Education Career development
  1. It's important to not limit yourself to one label, like 'engineer' or 'leadership kid.' Embrace all your skills and interests to grow as a person.
  2. Breaking down barriers between different groups, like tech and leadership, can lead to personal growth and better teamwork. Everyone has something valuable to share.
  3. Community support is key in learning new things. When we help each other, we all grow together and create a better environment for everyone.

Seeking Answers

Human Capitalist • 19 implied HN points • 21 May 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. There are way more product managers now compared to 2000, but many have left the job recently. Companies are changing how they organize and manage.
  2. New college graduates are checking out different job markets. While tech jobs are slowing down, government jobs are on the rise, especially with an election year coming up.
  3. Austin has seen a lot of hiring in the past, but now companies are cutting back jobs. Despite this, the unemployment rate there is still low.

Grind less in roles that suit you more

The Recovering Academic • 79 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Consider pivoting to roles that align better with your strengths and preferences for a healthier work-life balance.
  2. Exploring different career paths before fully committing can help you make informed decisions about your professional journey.
  3. Job satisfaction and compensation are important factors to consider in choosing the right career path for yourself.

Open thread: Career talk

The Recovering Academic • 79 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. The post discusses academics transitioning to industry like psychology professors starting their own business, history professors becoming UX researchers, and sociology professors co-founding companies.
  2. The author shares insight into exploring different job titles in industry that may be unknown to many PhDs, like project management, content strategy, and communications specialist.
  3. The author invites community feedback by sharing their documents for industry job applications, demonstrating a cooperative and transparent approach to improving professional materials.

Plans for the Content Going Forward

Technology Made Simple • 79 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. Devansh is switching careers and leaving AI and software development to pursue rafting, aiming to gain success through a unique approach by interacting with successful people in his boat.
  2. Devansh will no longer be writing about tech, and the newsletter will now only make you an 8.9x engineer, emphasizing the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest trends for success.
  3. Devansh is seeking someone to take over his content and has laid out specific criteria like sharing a morning routine, AI tools, journaling importance, and examples of copy-pasting LinkedIn posts to continue with the modern solutions approach.

Start Here

Michael’s Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Michael Lin is an entrepreneur and writer, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, engineering, and life.
  2. He offers a free e-book on writing and provides actionable articles every Tuesday for subscribers.
  3. His popular essays cover topics like career growth, personal branding, and luck in your career.

All About Career History Interviews

Tech and Tea • 295 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Career history interviews provide valuable insights into a candidate's learning capacity, adaptability, and mindset over time, beyond just current abilities.
  2. In a career history interview, ask structured questions for each job/project to understand achievements, challenges faced, relationships, and reasons for leaving.
  3. Look for communication style and red flags like poor communication, lack of awareness, and negativity during career history interviews to assess candidate suitability.

Being an Engineering Manager at Meta

Leading Developers • 100 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. At Meta, managers are there to support their engineers, who have the freedom to choose their projects and set goals. This leads to a culture where trust and autonomy help engineers excel.
  2. Managers at Meta are evaluated based on the impact of their team and how they help individual contributors grow. It's important for managers to realize their role in coaching and supporting their engineers, rather than taking credit for their success.
  3. Meta encourages a fast-paced environment where developers can easily set up their work and start contributing quickly. This focus on efficiency comes from long-term investments in tools that make working faster and smoother.

UX Career Pivot for the AI Age: Told in Manga by 4 Different AI Models

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 38 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. Four AI models created comic strips to explain how to change your career for the AI age. Each version had its own unique style and storytelling approach.
  2. The original article was very long, but the comic versions made it much shorter and more engaging. They turned 2,078 words into as few as 116 words.
  3. The manga characters were similar across the models, mostly featuring a young woman and a mentor figure. This shows how AI often sticks to similar themes in creative work.

Want an unfair advantage in your tech career? Consume content meant for other roles

Matthew’s Substack • 544 HN points • 06 Mar 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. To stand out in your tech career, gain a competitive advantage by consuming content meant for roles you work with.
  2. Understanding other roles helps you avoid common pitfalls and promotes cross-functional collaboration in modern tech companies.
  3. Learning about other roles boosts empathy, clears misconceptions, and helps you be strategic in your interactions with colleagues.

Compensation is Communication

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Compensation is a clear signal from an employer to an employee, offering insights into future viability with the company and helping individuals frame expectations and make decisions.
  2. Organizational cultures often hide true intentions behind layers of confusing messaging, especially regarding compensation, which may not necessarily reflect individual performance but rather the company's desire for retention.
  3. Understanding the true meaning behind raises can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their future within a company, recognizing signals of either retention or potential exit based on financial health and performance evaluations.

The importance of mentoring in engineering leadership - part 2

The Healthy Engineering Leader • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Mentoring is important for both personal and professional growth. It helps you learn from others and share your own experiences.
  2. As a mentor, you don’t need to have all the answers. You can facilitate discussions and brainstorm solutions with your mentee.
  3. Being involved in mentorship can speed up your learning, especially when facing new career challenges or transitions.

The 3 top mistakes of managers under 30

Leading Developers • 103 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Young managers often worry about their age and try too hard to prove themselves. It's better to ignore age and focus on maturity and confidence.
  2. Trying too hard to be liked can backfire. It's important to give honest feedback and set clear expectations without being overly apologetic.
  3. Making quick decisions can be risky. It's wise to consult team members, especially those with more experience, before deciding on important matters.

Reader Mailbag: Struggling to do it all

Tech and Tea • 246 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. Struggling with work-life balance, technical up-skilling, and finding identity outside of work is common among many engineers and professionals. It's important to prioritize what aligns with personal values and well-being.
  2. Careers in the tech industry can take diverse paths, and it's okay to explore different roles or take breaks to pursue other interests. Embracing change and personal growth is a natural part of a long career.
  3. Building expertise, whether technical or in other areas, is valuable and transferable across different domains. Prioritizing personal growth and balancing work with other life aspects is essential in navigating career challenges.

Being an Early Career Scientist

The Polymerist • 116 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🔬 Science Career development
  1. Try new things in your career and treat them like experiments. If something doesn't work out, you can always adjust and try again.
  2. It's okay to feel uncertain at the beginning of your career. Each experience helps you learn more about yourself and what you want.
  3. Life will always bring challenges, but keep moving forward and experimenting. Enjoy the process of learning and discovering new possibilities.

I used AI to analyze 10,000 Leetcode Discussion Posts

Peak Performance by David Goudet • 2 HN points • 19 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. Successful software developers are often very dedicated and passionate about their craft. They put in years of practice, learning, and perseverance to achieve their goals.
  2. Common trends in tech interviews include a mix of coding challenges, system design discussions, and behavioral questions. Practicing through platforms like Leetcode can give developers a clear idea of what to expect.
  3. Many programmers experience imposter syndrome, but facing challenges can lead to growth. Staying resilient and reaching out for support can help in tough times.