why you should hire me

If you’re on this page you most likely got here from my personal landing page.

Which means you might be interested in hiring me or working with me as a software developer, but perhaps you aren’t fully convinced.

If you’re after my cv, you can find a nice up-to-date version of it at: https://cv.mahlen.dev/

So here’s why you should hire me:

On the Technical Side… §

1. I’m good at Fullstack Typescript - ideation, design, storybook, responsive styling, mobile-first, building APIs, database design and integration, controllers, authentication, caching, RAG. I’m very comfortable with all of it. Also comfortable with backend Python and scripting in Go.

2. I’m quick at picking up new tools, frameworks and languages. I try to stay as up to date as possible with the latest AI dev tools - via the NYC startup scene, via twitter and via regular hackathons.

3. I think I have pretty decent taste and I learn more about design best practices every day.

4. I work very hard, I enjoy challenges and I don’t give up.

5. I actually love coding. I will write a lot of code for you and it will be clear, concise and beautiful code. No slop.

On the Non-Technical Side… §

1. The most important principle in my life is to be someone that lives a life of integrity. To me integrity means having well defined internal values and living your life so that your actions align with these. It sounds simple but it is exceedingly difficult.

   To this end I take seriously the following ideals:

   • Honesty with myself and others: About 13 years ago I read ‘Lying’ by Sam Harris and I thought he made a pretty compelling case for why lying in any aspect of your life was a bad strategy. Since then I basically haven’t. And it’s made my life so much better and so much easier in the long run.
   • I do what I say I will do and I let you know if i’m failing to
   • Do good work. Don’t do bad work.
   • Seek truth and beauty.
   • ‘Work’ is what you trade your precious time and life energy for. Work on things that that matter.

2. I can be useful in a lot of ways beyond just writing code. Over the last 6-7 years I worked as a technical business analyst in some of the best run banks in Australia and learned a lot of great lessons about:

   • solving difficult business problems in large technology organisations;
   • managing projects across diverse technical teams;
   • writing business cases, financial plans and forecasts for new proposals;
   • vendor management, from developing relationships to handling procurement;
   • handling conflict and managing teams

3. I work well in teams. I’m good at project management and facilitating workshops and sessions to help unblock the team and get us on the right track.

4. I think i’m pretty empathetic and enjoy building relationships with every one that I meet.

5. I love solving business problems. We will work together, it will be fun and I will help you solve your most important business problems.