Call —
Transcript batch
0:00 Caller: Hey, Jeremy.
0:00 You: Hey, Jeremy.
0:01 Caller: Hey, Jedd, how are you?
0:01 You: Hey, Jedd, how are you?
0:04 Caller: I'm well, and yourself?
0:04 You: I'm well, and yourself?
0:05 Caller: Yeah, doing well also.
0:05 You: Yeah, doing well also.
0:08 Caller: Sorry to get my voice back.
0:08 You: Sorry to get my voice back.
0:10 Caller: That's always good.
0:10 You: That's always good.
0:12 Caller: Yeah, definitely.
0:12 You: Yeah, definitely.
0:13 Caller: So I just figured I was going to reach out to you and suggest we talk, and I'm glad you
0:13 You: So I just figured I was going to reach out to you and suggest we talk, and I'm glad you
0:19 Caller: did the same.
0:19 You: did the same.
0:20 Caller: So I've been through it with AIVC and like kind of have a good cadence of what their interviews are
0:20 You: So I've been through it with AIVC and like kind of have a good cadence of what their interviews are
0:30 Caller: like. So I believe you're talking with Romain or I actually don't know if it's pronounced Roman
0:30 You: like. So I believe you're talking with Romain or I actually don't know if it's pronounced Roman
0:37 Caller: or Romain, but either way, I generally know who he is because I know people that know him pretty
0:37 You: or Romain, but either way, I generally know who he is because I know people that know him pretty
0:45 Caller: well. And he is a, he's based in London. So on the team of AIVC, there are two people in
0:45 You: well. And he is a, he's based in London. So on the team of AIVC, there are two people in
0:55 Caller: London and they both actually used to work together. So they were both part of BCG.
0:55 You: London and they both actually used to work together. So they were both part of BCG.
1:00 Caller: One is a guy named Paul, who was the head of engineering, and he was the VPE of BCG, and then the others, Romaine, who's, he's a software engineer.
1:00 You: One is a guy named Paul, who was the head of engineering, and he was the VPE of BCG, and then the others, Romaine, who's, he's a software engineer.
1:10 Caller: I don't know if you looked him up on LinkedIn or not, but if not, I could text you as his profile.
1:10 You: I don't know if you looked him up on LinkedIn or not, but if not, I could text you as his profile.
1:17 Caller: But anyway, the kind of thing that they're gauging for here on this first call is they will kind of,
1:17 You: But anyway, the kind of thing that they're gauging for here on this first call is they will kind of,
1:30 Caller: like check through some criteria. They're, they're going to, this is going to be a totally
1:30 You: like check through some criteria. They're, they're going to, this is going to be a totally
1:35 Caller: conversational interview. So you're not going to like have to write code or anything like that. They're
1:35 You: conversational interview. So you're not going to like have to write code or anything like that. They're
1:41 Caller: not, they're not like, hey, how quickly could you code this up or something? They're going to talk to you
1:41 You: not, they're not like, hey, how quickly could you code this up or something? They're going to talk to you
1:46 Caller: in a kind of open-ended fashion. Like, hey, Jed, tell us about yourself. You know, what are some
1:46 You: in a kind of open-ended fashion. Like, hey, Jed, tell us about yourself. You know, what are some
1:53 Caller: cool things you're working on at your company? And they're looking for really like,
1:53 You: cool things you're working on at your company? And they're looking for really like,
2:00 Caller: two key criteria here. The first is, one, are you a nice person? Are you low ego?
2:00 You: two key criteria here. The first is, one, are you a nice person? Are you low ego?
2:09 Caller: Are you the type of person that they would want to work with? And what I mean by that is
2:09 You: Are you the type of person that they would want to work with? And what I mean by that is
2:14 Caller: everyone who is at AIVC is like a humble overachiever, I would say. So there are people who aren't going to
2:14 You: everyone who is at AIVC is like a humble overachiever, I would say. So there are people who aren't going to
2:24 Caller: like necessarily brag about their successes or like really be tied to title.
2:24 You: like necessarily brag about their successes or like really be tied to title.
2:30 Caller: or anything like that. An example is actually Paul, who I was telling you about, who is the head
2:30 You: or anything like that. An example is actually Paul, who I was telling you about, who is the head
2:35 Caller: of engineering, has told people, like, hey, I know I'm the head of engineering. Just don't even
2:35 You: of engineering, has told people, like, hey, I know I'm the head of engineering. Just don't even
2:41 Caller: think of me as that. Just think of me as an engineer. We're on the same team. If you need anything,
2:41 You: think of me as that. Just think of me as an engineer. We're on the same team. If you need anything,
2:45 Caller: I'm here to help you. Like, that's kind of his attitude. So they're looking for people that are just
2:45 You: I'm here to help you. Like, that's kind of his attitude. So they're looking for people that are just
2:53 Caller: like nice and down to earth and good to work with. The other thing is they might ask you, like,
2:53 You: like nice and down to earth and good to work with. The other thing is they might ask you, like,
2:59 Caller: hey, why are you interested in us as opposed to, like, you know, a big hyper-scale or something
2:59 You: hey, why are you interested in us as opposed to, like, you know, a big hyper-scale or something
3:05 Caller: like that? They're trying to make sure someone, like, wants to be with a smaller startup culture
3:05 You: like that? They're trying to make sure someone, like, wants to be with a smaller startup culture
3:10 Caller: type of company. I mean, you could just say, like, you know, among other things, and you could have
3:10 You: type of company. I mean, you could just say, like, you know, among other things, and you could have
3:17 Caller: your own answer, but things that are good are, you know, AIVC is an interesting company because
3:17 You: your own answer, but things that are good are, you know, AIVC is an interesting company because
3:24 Caller: they're achieving value in, like, actual.
3:24 You: they're achieving value in, like, actual.
3:29 Caller: making money through the use of AI rather than just, you know, building use cases that ultimately
3:29 You: making money through the use of AI rather than just, you know, building use cases that ultimately
3:38 Caller: don't increase any value. Like, there are companies that just make chatbots out there. And then
3:38 You: don't increase any value. Like, there are companies that just make chatbots out there. And then
3:45 Caller: the customers end up hating it and going like, hey, I just want to talk to a person. I mean,
3:45 You: the customers end up hating it and going like, hey, I just want to talk to a person. I mean,
3:49 Caller: I'm sure you experience that in your real life, too. So that's part of it. You could be,
3:49 You: I'm sure you experience that in your real life, too. So that's part of it. You could be,
3:55 Caller: I like to be a part of a, of a growing company that's
3:55 You: I like to be a part of a, of a growing company that's
3:59 Caller: doing innovative work and expanding and be part of that growth and trajectory. That could be
3:59 You: doing innovative work and expanding and be part of that growth and trajectory. That could be
4:05 Caller: another reason, too. But the other thing that they are going to look for is kind of like that
4:05 You: another reason, too. But the other thing that they are going to look for is kind of like that
4:12 Caller: technical depth. So keep in mind, you're talking to someone on the other end who is a software engineer.
4:12 You: technical depth. So keep in mind, you're talking to someone on the other end who is a software engineer.
4:18 Caller: So when you're talking about projects that you've worked on, I would actually go into the
4:18 You: So when you're talking about projects that you've worked on, I would actually go into the
4:25 Caller: technologies that you use to do it, whether you've built something with
4:25 You: technologies that you use to do it, whether you've built something with
4:29 Caller: Python or Rust or what models you used and took advantage of. You know, I know that you've
4:29 You: Python or Rust or what models you used and took advantage of. You know, I know that you've
4:34 Caller: built countless AI agents and it's like, what was the technology driving that and driving the automation
4:34 You: built countless AI agents and it's like, what was the technology driving that and driving the automation
4:40 Caller: and like how you implemented it? You know, I wouldn't just like rattle off bullet points for the sake of it,
4:40 You: and like how you implemented it? You know, I wouldn't just like rattle off bullet points for the sake of it,
4:47 Caller: but you want to show that you actually know what you're doing. And that's, that's more or less
4:47 You: but you want to show that you actually know what you're doing. And that's, that's more or less
4:54 Caller: the gist of it. It's like, can you have a good conversation? Can you
4:54 You: the gist of it. It's like, can you have a good conversation? Can you
4:59 Caller: like, you know, just hold your own where you're not throwing any red flags of like, hey,
4:59 You: like, you know, just hold your own where you're not throwing any red flags of like, hey,
5:03 Caller: this guy is just totally full of himself and like, you know, I wouldn't talk about money or anything.
5:03 You: this guy is just totally full of himself and like, you know, I wouldn't talk about money or anything.
5:10 Caller: Like some of these things are just interview basics, but they're just like looking for people who are
5:10 You: Like some of these things are just interview basics, but they're just like looking for people who are
5:15 Caller: generally nice to work with and are motivated to put in work, you know, and want to be part of
5:15 You: generally nice to work with and are motivated to put in work, you know, and want to be part of
5:25 Caller: something growing and innovative. And then secondly, you know, do you seem like
5:25 You: something growing and innovative. And then secondly, you know, do you seem like
5:29 Caller: you have the technical shops to be in that type of position, you know, are, and I know you do,
5:29 You: you have the technical shops to be in that type of position, you know, are, and I know you do,
5:36 Caller: by the way, Jed. So the reason I'm just kind of bringing that up is when you're on different
5:36 You: by the way, Jed. So the reason I'm just kind of bringing that up is when you're on different
5:43 Caller: interviews and different situations, there's always like sort of that audience that you're speaking to.
5:43 You: interviews and different situations, there's always like sort of that audience that you're speaking to.
5:49 Caller: And in this case, the person who is that audience has a technology background too and is like
5:49 You: And in this case, the person who is that audience has a technology background too and is like
5:53 Caller: a really good software engineer. So you could definitely talk to him about technology.
5:53 You: a really good software engineer. So you could definitely talk to him about technology.
5:59 Caller: technologies. And I always like to give this piece of advice, which you may or may not need,
5:59 You: technologies. And I always like to give this piece of advice, which you may or may not need,
6:05 Caller: but you're on a Zoom call. Things on Zoom, like especially when you're given the floor to give
6:05 You: but you're on a Zoom call. Things on Zoom, like especially when you're given the floor to give
6:14 Caller: a open-ended answer, it's like almost, there is kind of like this difference between being in person
6:14 You: a open-ended answer, it's like almost, there is kind of like this difference between being in person
6:21 Caller: and being on the other side of the screen. So I would say in answering any question, maybe make like a mental
6:21 You: and being on the other side of the screen. So I would say in answering any question, maybe make like a mental
6:28 Caller: clock for yourself, like if I'm speaking for two minutes uninterrupted, like find a way to
6:28 You: clock for yourself, like if I'm speaking for two minutes uninterrupted, like find a way to
6:33 Caller: bring Romaine back in that conversation. Like, hey, I know I'm giving you a lot of details,
6:33 You: bring Romaine back in that conversation. Like, hey, I know I'm giving you a lot of details,
6:38 Caller: but if you have any questions, let me know, or, you know, maybe if, uh, I would just be like,
6:38 You: but if you have any questions, let me know, or, you know, maybe if, uh, I would just be like,
6:47 Caller: hey, at any point, if you have any questions, let me know, or if I'm being too detailed, let me know.
6:47 You: hey, at any point, if you have any questions, let me know, or if I'm being too detailed, let me know.
6:52 Caller: The only reason I say that is because I've had situations where one, someone's kind of
6:52 You: The only reason I say that is because I've had situations where one, someone's kind of
6:58 Caller: like ran the entire interview and like almost lectured the other person. And then the other person
6:58 You: like ran the entire interview and like almost lectured the other person. And then the other person
7:05 Caller: like can't get a word in and they're like, I don't like, this is supposed to be really conversational.
7:05 You: like can't get a word in and they're like, I don't like, this is supposed to be really conversational.
7:09 Caller: You'll, you'll know you did well on this interview on Monday if you walk out of it going, hey,
7:09 You: You'll, you'll know you did well on this interview on Monday if you walk out of it going, hey,
7:14 Caller: me and Romaine just had a really good conversation. Shouldn't even feel as much of an interview as it
7:14 You: me and Romaine just had a really good conversation. Shouldn't even feel as much of an interview as it
7:18 Caller: is a conversation where you guys are just talking to one another. You're telling them about your
7:18 You: is a conversation where you guys are just talking to one another. You're telling them about your
7:23 Caller: background, what you're looking to do, et cetera. And then, you know, the other part is,
7:23 You: background, what you're looking to do, et cetera. And then, you know, the other part is,
7:28 Caller: sometimes when you give another person the floor to ask a question, they might go like, hey, Jed, when you just brought this up, it was really interesting because it's the situation I'm working on too, and I wanted your thoughts on this.
7:28 You: sometimes when you give another person the floor to ask a question, they might go like, hey, Jed, when you just brought this up, it was really interesting because it's the situation I'm working on too, and I wanted your thoughts on this.
7:39 Caller: Like, and then it could go in like a totally different direction. So, anyway, that's the gist of it. Any questions for me at this point?
7:39 You: Like, and then it could go in like a totally different direction. So, anyway, that's the gist of it. Any questions for me at this point?
7:48 Caller: No, not really, but thank you for the refresher. It's been a hot minute since I've had to interview with this cadence.
7:48 You: No, not really, but thank you for the refresher. It's been a hot minute since I've had to interview with this cadence.
7:55 Caller: Yeah, no worries. And then
7:55 You: Yeah, no worries. And then
7:58 Caller: assuming it goes well, usually what they'll do is the next step is they'll set up a second
7:58 You: assuming it goes well, usually what they'll do is the next step is they'll set up a second
8:05 Caller: call. And usually that'll be with like two people, but ahead of that call, they'll say like,
8:05 You: call. And usually that'll be with like two people, but ahead of that call, they'll say like,
8:14 Caller: hey, schedule this call for whenever you think you'd have like 48 hours, like to, you, this might
8:14 You: hey, schedule this call for whenever you think you'd have like 48 hours, like to, you, this might
8:24 Caller: be confusing. They'll give you like a case study that might take like an hour or two.
8:24 You: be confusing. They'll give you like a case study that might take like an hour or two.
8:28 Caller: do, but they'll usually be like, hey, schedule it for like two days ahead of when you
8:28 You: do, but they'll usually be like, hey, schedule it for like two days ahead of when you
8:34 Caller: get this just so you have enough time and you could like find a window for an hour or two to work
8:34 You: get this just so you have enough time and you could like find a window for an hour or two to work
8:40 Caller: on this. And you'll do some sort of like, you know, coding case study, if you will, where you're
8:40 You: on this. And you'll do some sort of like, you know, coding case study, if you will, where you're
8:46 Caller: like delivering a project or, or, you know, the bare bone skeleton to a project and then like kind
8:46 You: like delivering a project or, or, you know, the bare bone skeleton to a project and then like kind
8:54 Caller: of talk through it where you're like, hey, this is why I took this approach. They might go like,
8:54 You: of talk through it where you're like, hey, this is why I took this approach. They might go like,
8:58 Caller: hey, if you had a month to do this, what would you do differently than if you had like two hours
8:58 You: hey, if you had a month to do this, what would you do differently than if you had like two hours
9:01 Caller: to do it and, you know, just like have that sort of interview where you're like, hey, why would you
9:01 You: to do it and, you know, just like have that sort of interview where you're like, hey, why would you
9:08 Caller: use this tech versus that? You might say, hey, if I had a week to do this, I would do this
9:08 You: use this tech versus that? You might say, hey, if I had a week to do this, I would do this
9:13 Caller: differently. And I'd actually build using this, like, it'll give you some sort of scenario where
9:13 You: differently. And I'd actually build using this, like, it'll give you some sort of scenario where
9:19 Caller: an AI agent or platform or tool is needed. And then it's like, how do you approach that from
9:19 You: an AI agent or platform or tool is needed. And then it's like, how do you approach that from
9:27 Caller: the inception to delivery. And by the way, they're not expecting you to, like, build a
9:27 You: the inception to delivery. And by the way, they're not expecting you to, like, build a
9:32 Caller: full-on product in that time as much as like, hey, this is just kind of how I would do it. And
9:32 You: full-on product in that time as much as like, hey, this is just kind of how I would do it. And
9:37 Caller: you might build, like, a single page application or something like that where you could just
9:37 You: you might build, like, a single page application or something like that where you could just
9:42 Caller: say, like, hey, conceptually, it could look like this, but this is what I would do with more
9:42 You: say, like, hey, conceptually, it could look like this, but this is what I would do with more
9:47 Caller: time, if that makes sense. Got it.
9:47 You: time, if that makes sense. Got it.
9:52 Caller: And then on the interview, that's like, you know, the kind of, like,
9:52 You: And then on the interview, that's like, you know, the kind of, like,
9:57 Caller: conversations that you would talk about. So anyway, this one is just really like introductory,
9:57 You: conversations that you would talk about. So anyway, this one is just really like introductory,
10:02 Caller: get to know you. Are you a good person to work with? Do you basically know what you're talking
10:02 You: get to know you. Are you a good person to work with? Do you basically know what you're talking
10:08 Caller: about and what's on your resume? And, you know, that's the gist of it. So, like, anything that's basically,
10:08 You: about and what's on your resume? And, you know, that's the gist of it. So, like, anything that's basically,
10:15 Caller: like, at this point, like, on your resume, LinkedIn website, you know, it's fair game to talk about
10:15 You: like, at this point, like, on your resume, LinkedIn website, you know, it's fair game to talk about
10:22 Caller: because they have all that. So, you know, if you want to, like, reference
10:22 You: because they have all that. So, you know, if you want to, like, reference
10:27 Caller: any project he worked on or anything like that, like, you know, go for it.
10:27 You: any project he worked on or anything like that, like, you know, go for it.
10:32 Caller: Sounds good. All right. So let me know how it goes. You could text me, email me, call me,
10:32 You: Sounds good. All right. So let me know how it goes. You could text me, email me, call me,
10:37 Caller: call me, whatever, on Monday. I'd pray to hear from you. We'll do. All right. Enjoy your weekend,
10:37 You: call me, whatever, on Monday. I'd pray to hear from you. We'll do. All right. Enjoy your weekend,
10:42 Caller: Jeremy. All right, you as well. Take care.
10:42 You: Jeremy. All right, you as well. Take care.