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Terry has been working at Move in Zwolle since 2017. In this interview he talks about his dual role as Backend Developer and Team Lead Backend, his passion for software development and how together you find the best route to Rome.
What do you do within Move?
'I started as a Backend Developer with the ambition of becoming a Lead Developer. Two years ago I moved into the role of Team Lead. Before that, I had never officially done leadership. Secretly I was already doing it. I used to help 'the boys' prepare their annual appraisals. I am also a Lead Developer. Because of this role, I get involved in projects before they are sold. This gives my work a fun, new dimension, but I remain a developer. Backend Development is my passion and my hobby. And you have to keep up with that. Especially in the field of Backend Development, there are so many tools you can use and languages you can learn. That keeps me sharp and young.'
How would you describe the Zwolle backend team?
'As a group of analytical, creative and mainly Senior Developers who look beyond their nose and don't take everything for granted. People who deliver high-quality products, with whom you can have good discussions about architecture and development philosophy. Out-of-the-box thinkers with a broad vision, who ask critical questions and always look for the best solution for the customer. Whether that requires PHP, .NET, NodeJS, Python or a combination. It is also a really cozy team that undertakes things together. We regularly visit conferences or end up in the pub. Then we chat about all kinds of things. Those are valuable moments when you get to know each other even better. In the end, you have to do it all together.'
What do you look for in future team members?
'I think it's important that someone within the scrum team and the backend team can communicate well. That someone can engage in discussion in a healthy way and make themselves visible - as opposed to the products our team delivers. You have to be able to accept that you are not in the forefront and not designing the final product, but the integration capabilities of that product. The super-reliable engine in a very fat Audi or BMW, that's what we stand for. The moment team iOS, Android and Web get positive feedback from the customer, we know we made that possible.'
And what do you expect professionally?
'I think it's perhaps most important that someone can spar with Developers who program in another language. Because the problem is exactly the same whether you tackle it in PHP, .NET, NodeJS or Python. Androiders and iOSers can just discuss certain solutions with each other. Their implementation may be different, but the problem is the same. This is how I look at Software Development. For all our projects, we use Clean Architecture & CQRS (Command Query Response Segregation). I think it's important to know what that is and how to apply it. The same goes for Domain Driven Design (DDD). From Senior Developers, I expect them to have experience with Greenfield solutions. Especially because when setting up a project, you have to think about many things before you have programmed a single letter at all. That's important because we often take on projects where you have to set things up from scratch.'
How does the team give feedback to each other?
'We review each other's code via pull requests - a request to merge a newly built function or feature with existing code. We randomly assign those requests to a team member. That person is given the task of reviewing it and providing feedback. We also have a monthly alignment and I organize a quarterly "pizza session" where we cover projects and zoom in on the question, "How did you set this up? Because we work fairly independently on our projects, we often don't see how our closest colleagues solve problems. During these sessions, one colleague takes the rest of the team through the choices made and the thinking behind them. Then we enter into discussions with each other. This way we learn from each other and inspire each other with new insights. After all, there are always several roads that lead to Rome. But you have to take the best route together.'
What makes your job as Team Lead challenging?
'I lead a large group with Senior Developers. The challenge is to keep them happy. To find new challenges for them still every day, every week, every month and every year with which they can continue to develop themselves. I also like to take the Juniors along with them and match them with the right Senior. What kind of person is the Junior? With which Senior Developer does that fit? On which project can the most be learned? Where can the biggest steps be made?'
How do you experience Move as an employer?
'I have a warm feeling about Move; this is the company I have worked for the longest time. We have a certain openness in communication. For example, the door towards the boardroom is always open. I also find the mentality of the management very important. Jan Gerard and Robert are often the first to clean up after a party. These are qualities that not many directors and executives have. I also like the variety of clients and projects. Just like the colleagues. Most of them have a no-nonsense-but-brush mentality. We all pull together and make sure it gets done. I'm like that myself. We work hard and then have a nice chat during the busy Friday afternoon drinks. Having a laugh and talking to colleagues who have been with clients during the week, in a different setting. That does a lot. We also get room to develop ourselves in new areas. For example, I took several training courses, from Situational Leadership and Leadership to Business English and Presenting. And if a project doesn't suit you, you can tell us. Usually you're on a new project within two or three weeks, without any embarrassment. Exceptional employer qualities that keep employees loyal for a long time. Just look at the low turnover among seniors. There is enough challenge for them to stay. I just find that very clever.'
Enthusiastic about Terry's story? Check out the vacancy for Backend Developer at our Zwolle location.
