FEATURE : STATE OF THE CIO that was always on the cards for me . That said , there is so much more we can achieve with Incubeta that I can ’ t wait for the next chapters to unfold .
Do you have a good work / life balance in your current role ?
With some ups and downs , absolutely yes . In a global role , travel can be a challenge , but it is a blessing at the same time . I get to meet some of the most fascinating people and experience many
cultures and I ’ m constantly adding to the list of cities and countries where I have finished a half marathon in . But it takes discipline not to get lost and burn out . You don ’ t ask the question just for the sake of it – work / life balance can be a real issue and we jointly need to raise awareness .
What , if anything , would you change about the route your career path has taken ?
There is only one thing I would have loved to have done – live abroad with my family and raise the children in a different cultural setting . Unfortunately , this never worked out , but we have always travelled a lot and made so many wonderful friendships around the world . Our oldest son now lives in Hong Kong and our other son has already announced his ambition to study abroad .
Which would you recommend : A coding bootcamp or a computer science degree ?
A coding bootcamp !
How important are specific certifications ?
That fully depends on the role , task and employer , along with many other factors . Generally , certification is proof that you walk the talk , but I have seen some of the most brilliant developers not have any certifications whatsoever . Let me put it this way – the more corporate the environment you want to work in , the more important certifications are . Small and agile companies work effectively – regardless of certifications .
What are the three skills or abilities you look for in prospective candidates ?
Authenticity , empathy and the ability to thrive under pressure .
What would put you off in a candidate ?
A very linear one-dimensional career path usually makes me suspicious . Specialism is important but the world needs people who can look beyond , change direction , start all over and question the status quo .
What are the most common mistakes candidates make in interviews and how can they be avoided ?
That ’ s tricky as every interviewer has a very personal view of how they perceive a candidate . Personally , I don ’ t like overselling and too much talk . I would rather have candidates that are well prepared and manage to start an inspiring dialogue rather than listing all their awesome achievements .
Do you think it is better to have technical or business skills – or a mix of both ?
Definitely a mix of both . I think this advice works in all walks of life having also given it to my kids who are slowly stepping into university life and starting to plan their futures . p
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE 45