New engineer hire issues
A new eng (been here around 6 months) constantly interrupts me to ask questions, show off his progress (ie., Omg he implemented a thing where you can click a button and an error message appears! Wow!), even go over 2-3 lines of code he's written. The guy isn't a new grad and already has several years of experience under his belt. He was hired to be a front end dev, but doesn't know how to do a git fetch. Has issues understanding how to use a browser console to debug. I'm just another engineer, not even the tech lead or senior engineer. How do I deal with this situation/get him to stop bothering me/escalate this? Small start up, not a lot of hierarchy, but I don't want to deal with him constantly interrupting my flow. Also losing a bit of faith in humanity because there's so many good front end devs out there but this guy somehow managed to squeak by with this front end dev job when he doesn't seem to know shit
Looks like You are a bad team member to work with as you sound rude in this post. Politely tell him to ask questions to the manager. Ask your manager to assign him a mentor .
Thanks, really appreciate the frank feedback. I just want to get my own tasks done.
I completely understand. Just give hint to the manager that he can assign a mentor to the new hire. In that way manager knows you might spend sometime on training him. Both new hire and you will be happy.
How about you block your calendar for heads down time, or do not interrupt time? Make yourself available in the morning for questions and block the entire afternoon for your own work.. If you don't use any calendar app, make the announcement in stand-up or team meetings. You will need a whole block of time to do your own work. You'll never get it if you don't express your needs.
I get it, it is a startup. I am in same situation as you. Only way is, to keep headphones on. And keep doing your work. When he/she/they comes to you, tell new hire, you are working on some bug and really busy, and let's talk later ;)
1. WFH. 2. Go early before that guy shows up or stay late. 3. Keep a headphone on even if you don’t play anything so he won’t bug you.
Headphones are alienating behavior and turn tech teams into passive aggressive suicide dens. Communication is the key. Talk to your manager about the situation, present alternatives to him seem like you're trying to help it'll look go on you. It might backfire and you'll have to manage the new hire but hey it's a company and it's not your company.
"It might backfire and you'll have to manage the new hire" this is the one thing I want to avoid. I think if it comes to this, I'll be job hunting. How to make this clear?
It’s all about how you phrase it . Don’t be explicit. Just give a hint to manager .
Just tell that engineer that you feel he's experienced enough to take on and deliver projects bigger in scope and complexity than the button with a pop up and that you trust him the details. Be a leader, inspire autonomy :)
Just leave.