Why is your CV not landing interviews?
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/nz-tech-insight/id1763490813
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-country/id1305527677
https://www.databricks.com/databricks-vs-snowflake
https://www.snowflake.com/en/snowflake-vs-databricks
After mentoring students and graduates for the past few years, I’ve noticed there are usually 3 main reasons:
1️⃣ You applied too late
Some roles receive hundreds or even thousands of applications. Sometimes hiring managers stop reviewing CVs early, so timing matters more than people think.
2️⃣ Your CV presentation is weak
You may actually have good experience and skills, but your CV doesn’t showcase them clearly. Layout, structure, storytelling, and clarity all matter.
3️⃣ You haven’t built a strong enough “product” yet
Your CV is only a brochure — YOU are the product.
If you don’t yet have internships, projects, volunteering, networking, industry knowledge, or practical experience, then improving the CV alone won’t solve the problem.
The hard truth is:
A better CV can improve presentation, but it cannot fully replace experience, relationships, communication skills, and real-world exposure.
Instead of only asking:
“How do I improve my CV?”
Also ask:
- How do I gain experience?
- How do I build industry connections?
- How do I stand out?
- How do I become someone worth interviewing?
That mindset shift changes everything.
Behavioral interview TechStep
Preparing interview questions with AI tools like Otter.ai, ChatGPT, and NotebookLM
Record your interview answers in Otter, refine them with ChatGPT, then generate and rehearse improved audio versions in NotebookLM. Repeat the cycle until your answer sounds natural, structured, and confident.
A simple workflow looks like this:
- Record yourself answering a behavioral or technical interview question in Otter
- Copy the transcript into ChatGPT and ask it to:
- improve clarity and structure
- make the answer more concise
- strengthen leadership or technical impact
- align it to STAR format
- Paste the refined answer into NotebookLM and generate audio
- Listen back to:
- pacing
- filler words
- confidence
- whether the answer sounds conversational rather than scripted
- Re-record your own version with improvements
- Repeat the process until the answer feels smooth and authentic
This works especially well for:
- Behavioral questions
- Architecture/system design explanations
- Leadership examples
- “Tell me about yourself”
- Conflict and stakeholder management questions
You can find the 30 most common behavioural interview questions + answers
Reference https://www.trademe.co.nz/c/jobs/article/the-30-most-common-behavioural-interview-questions-answers
Must watch the video for behavioural interview questions
NotebookLM For my example , You need to login to Gmail https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/a050407e-0f2a-4551-920d-9a0e72a5527b
Ben Yu https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/
My two Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/nz-tech-insight/id1763490813
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/solution-architect-show/id1469760147
Secrets to Your First Job
What are the secrets to find my First Job ?
- ✅ Start Early
- 👩🎓 Find a Mentor
- 💼 Gain Industry Experience
- 🤝 Network Smartly
- 🌐 Build Your Brand
- 📩 Follow Up
🎓 How to Land Your First Job in Tech 🚀
Just wrapped up an insightful conversation on Tech Insight 🎙️ about breaking into the tech industry. Here are my top 3 rules for students and grads looking to launch their careers:
1️⃣ Start Early – Don’t wait until graduation. Begin networking, polishing your CV, and applying for internships in your first or second year.
2️⃣ Find a Mentor – Someone who’s walked the path can guide you through the maze. Mentorship is a game-changer.
3️⃣ Get Industry Experience – Whether through internships, research papers, or volunteering, real-world exposure beats grades.
💡 Bonus tip: Build your personal brand on LinkedIn and GitHub. Don’t just say you’re a fast learner—show it through learning posts and open-source contributions.
🙌 You can’t control the job market, but you can control how much you grow. Stop complaining. Start building. Your future self will thank you.
Want to be mentored by Ben Yu?
🌟 Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/
From Dev to Architect -Junior Dev Meetup
How to transition from developer to Solution Architect
Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IxT3uYfZA0vMtBMv1f0hcYXGACvSN3Qa/view?usp=sharing
Solution Architect: Software Company vs. Corporate Environment
We’d love you to be a guest on my Podcast
We’d love to invite you on the podcast to share your career journey. You can find our interview blueprint here. Would you like to share your successful career journey with us on the TechInsight podcast?
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/nz-tech-insight/id1763490813
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solution-architect-show/id1469760147
If you are a student, we need a volunteer to help co-host, promote, and edit the podcast. Please also get in touch via LinkedIn.
Want to be mentored by me for free?
Step 1: Please connect with me on LinkedIn and complete the GROW model in the GROW Model Template https://miro.com/miroverse/grow-model/
Step 2: Start learning some new skills based on your GROW model. Learning resources for new SA https://ybbest.wordpress.com/2024/07/07/transition-into-the-role-of-a-solutions-architect/
Step 3: Listen to Start a Podcast to practice your communication skills
Technology Podcast
https://www.infoq.com/the-infoq-podcast/
https://www.thoughtworks.com/en-th/insights/podcasts/technology-podcasts
https://www.gartner.com/en/podcasts/thinkcast
GOTO https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goto-the-brightest-minds-in-tech/id1559093928
Soft skills
https://m.youtube.com/@DrGraceLee
https://m.youtube.com/@kararonin
Rich Gilbert https://www.youtube.com/@RichGilbert
The Life Coach School Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-life-coach-school-podcast/id870239631
Step 4: Start a podcast to practice your communication skills (You can join the Tech Insights Podcast to help us with promotion, editing,and co-hosting)
Tech Insights: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ep1-how-to-become-an-architect-like-ben/id1763490813?i=1000665775570
Breaking into Architecture: A Journey and Tips for Aspiring Architects https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-breaking-into-architecture-a-journey-and-tips/id1784343876?i=1000682190529
From Dev to Architect -NZ Business Applications Summit 2025
How to transition from developer to Solution Architect
Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JvUVNWUcPmhcdq_1t5bgYgRNa9PBVuJB/view?usp=sharing
Solution Architect: Software Company vs. Corporate Environment
We’d love you to be a guest on my Podcast
We’d love to invite you on the podcast to share your career journey. You can find our interview blueprint here. Would you like to share your successful career journey with us on the TechInsight podcast? https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/nz-tech-insight/id1763490813
If you are a student, we need a volunteer to help co-host, promote, and edit the podcast. Please also get in touch via LinkedIn.
Want to be mentored by me for free?
Step 1: Please connect with me on LinkedIn and complete the GROW model in the GROW Model Template https://miro.com/miroverse/grow-model/
Step 2: Start learning some new skills based on your GROW model. Learning resources for new SA https://ybbest.wordpress.com/2024/07/07/transition-into-the-role-of-a-solutions-architect/
Step 3: Listen to Start a Podcast to practice your communication skills
Technology Podcast
https://www.infoq.com/the-infoq-podcast/
https://www.thoughtworks.com/en-th/insights/podcasts/technology-podcasts
https://www.gartner.com/en/podcasts/thinkcast
GOTO https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goto-the-brightest-minds-in-tech/id1559093928
Soft skills
https://m.youtube.com/@DrGraceLee
https://m.youtube.com/@kararonin
Rich Gilbert https://www.youtube.com/@RichGilbert
The Life Coach School Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-life-coach-school-podcast/id870239631
Step 4: Start a podcast to practice your communication skills (You can join the Tech Insights Podcast to help us with promotion, editing ,and co-hosting)
Tech Insights: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ep1-how-to-become-an-architect-like-ben/id1763490813?i=1000665775570
Breaking into Architecture: A Journey and Tips for Aspiring Architects https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-breaking-into-architecture-a-journey-and-tips/id1784343876?i=1000682190529
AWS Student Community Day 2025 Dev to SA
How to transition from developer to Solution Architect
Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1svBVBr7jalPh-y_oV1iwozpCde3nYMl2/view?usp=sharing
Solution Architect: Software Company vs. Corporate Environment
Want to be mentored by me for free?
Step 1: Please connect with me on LinkedIn and complete the GROW model in the GROW Model Template https://miro.com/miroverse/grow-model/
Step 2: Start learning some new skills based on your GROW model. Learning resources for new SA https://ybbest.wordpress.com/2024/07/07/transition-into-the-role-of-a-solutions-architect/
Step 3: Listen to Start a Podcast to practice your communication skills
Technology Podcast
https://www.infoq.com/the-infoq-podcast/
https://www.thoughtworks.com/en-th/insights/podcasts/technology-podcasts
https://www.gartner.com/en/podcasts/thinkcast
GOTO https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goto-the-brightest-minds-in-tech/id1559093928
Soft skills
https://m.youtube.com/@DrGraceLee
https://m.youtube.com/@kararonin
Rich Gilbert https://www.youtube.com/@RichGilbert
The Life Coach School Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-life-coach-school-podcast/id870239631
Step 4: Start a podcast to practice your communication skills (You can join the Tech Insights Podcast to help us with promotion, editing ,and co-hosting)
Tech Insights: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ep1-how-to-become-an-architect-like-ben/id1763490813?i=1000665775570
Breaking into Architecture: A Journey and Tips for Aspiring Architects https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-breaking-into-architecture-a-journey-and-tips/id1784343876?i=1000682190529
BA Career Meetup From Tech Contributor to Trusted Advisor
From Tech Contributor to Trusted Advisor: The Mindset for Real Impact
Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_G_ouRaBGFLMs7-uQEKW40hF5khkd7Vd/view?usp=sharing
1. Don’t talk too much 2. You’re an advisor, not a decision-maker. Talk to the real customer 4. Broaden your understanding of technology 5. Be a leader, not a boss 6. Raise the risk instead of saying no 7. Keep calm and be professional; aikido 8. Engage with stakeholders
Want to be mentored by me for free?
Step 1: Please connect with me on LinkedIn and complete the GROW model in the GROW Model Template https://miro.com/miroverse/grow-model/
Step 2: Start learning some new skills based on your GROW model. Learning resources for new SA https://ybbest.wordpress.com/2024/07/07/transition-into-the-role-of-a-solutions-architect/
Business architect https://ybbest.wordpress.com/2024/08/19/business-architecture/
Step 3: Listen to Start a Podcast to practice your communication skills
Technology Podcast
https://www.infoq.com/the-infoq-podcast/
https://www.thoughtworks.com/en-th/insights/podcasts/technology-podcasts
https://www.gartner.com/en/podcasts/thinkcast
GOTO https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goto-the-brightest-minds-in-tech/id1559093928
Soft skills
https://m.youtube.com/@DrGraceLee
https://m.youtube.com/@kararonin
Rich Gilbert https://www.youtube.com/@RichGilbert
The Life Coach School Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-life-coach-school-podcast/id870239631
Step 4: Start a podcast to practice your communication skills (You can join the Tech Insights Podcast to help us with promotion, editing,a nd co-hosting)
Tech Insights: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ep1-how-to-become-an-architect-like-ben/id1763490813?i=1000665775570
Breaking into Architecture: A Journey and Tips for Aspiring Architects https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-breaking-into-architecture-a-journey-and-tips/id1784343876?i=1000682190529
Business architecture
New Zealand Government Business Capability Model
MIT podcast of Jeanne Ross talking on Enterprise Architecture
Her book Enterprise Architecture As Strategy
Dr. Raj Ramesh on business architecture
DevFest How Developers Can Survive and Thrive in the Age of AI
How Developers Can Survive and Thrive in the Age of AI
Slides:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vP9tKDKUba8RRM6gUo4DDtm4B2-D80cC/view?usp=drive_link
Want to be mentored by me for free?
Step 1: Please connect with me on LinkedIn and complete the GROW model in the GROW Model Template https://miro.com/miroverse/grow-model/
Step 2: Start learning some new skills based on your GROW model. Learning resources for new SA https://ybbest.wordpress.com/2024/07/07/transition-into-the-role-of-a-solutions-architect/
Step 3: Listen to Start a Podcast to practice your communication skills
Technology Podcast
https://www.infoq.com/the-infoq-podcast/
https://www.thoughtworks.com/en-th/insights/podcasts/technology-podcasts
https://www.gartner.com/en/podcasts/thinkcast
GOTO https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goto-the-brightest-minds-in-tech/id1559093928
Soft skills
https://m.youtube.com/@DrGraceLee
https://m.youtube.com/@kararonin
Rich Gilbert https://www.youtube.com/@RichGilbert
The Life Coach School Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-life-coach-school-podcast/id870239631
Step 4: Start a podcast to practice your communication skills (You can join the Tech Insights Podcast to help us with promotion, editing ,and co-hosting)
Tech Insights: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ep1-how-to-become-an-architect-like-ben/id1763490813?i=1000665775570
Breaking into Architecture: A Journey and Tips for Aspiring Architects https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-breaking-into-architecture-a-journey-and-tips/id1784343876?i=1000682190529
Proposal: Conference on Thriving in Tech in the Age of AI
Prepared by: Ben Yu
Role: Host of Solution Architect Show
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/
🎯 Purpose
This proposal outlines the vision for a conference aimed at empowering technical professionals to thrive in the age of AI. The event will explore how technologists can evolve from code writers to problem solvers, and build sustainable, fulfilling careers by embracing leadership, adaptability, and human-centric skills.
🌍 Why This Conference
AI is rapidly transforming the technology landscape. While tools and platforms evolve, the human element — creativity, leadership, and collaboration — remains essential. This conference will spotlight the evolving role of technologists and provide practical strategies for growth, not just technically, but also through the lens of leadership and personal development.
👥 Target Audience
- Software Engineers & Developers
- Solution & Enterprise Architects
- Technical Leads & Engineering Managers
- Product Managers & Tech Entrepreneurs
- Students & Early-Career Technologists
🔑 Core Topics for IT Professionals in the Age of AI
- Career Evolution
Pathways from hands-on technical roles into leadership, architecture, and people management. - New Skills in Demand
Emerging capabilities like prompt engineering, API design, and cloud-native AI integration. - Survival Strategies
Staying relevant through continuous learning, certifications, and cross-domain expertise. - Building Human Strengths
Why communication, leadership, and critical thinking are irreplaceable in an AI-driven world. - Entrepreneurial Opportunities
How IT professionals can leverage AI for startups, side projects, and innovation. - AI as a Partner, Not a Threat
Case studies on how technologists are using AI to boost productivity and creativity. - Future of Work in IT
How AI is transforming roles, workflows, and the skills organizations are seeking.
🤝 Collaboration Opportunities
I’m seeking collaborators to help bring this vision to life. Opportunities include:
- Co-organizing the event
- Speaking or moderating sessions
- Shaping the agenda and contributing topic ideas
- Connecting with sponsors, venues, and community partners
- Promoting the event through networks and media
📬 Next Steps
If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts and explore how we can collaborate. Together, we can create an impactful experience for the tech community.
Warm regards,
Ben Yu
Host of Solution Architect Show
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/
Podcasting Essentials: Tools, Tech & Tips for Creators
Audio Editing Software
- Free: Audacity (https://www.audacityteam.org/)
- Paid: Descript (https://www.descript.com/)
Podcast Hosting Platforms
- Spotify for Podcasters (https://podcasters.spotify.com/)
(TECHInsight is hosted here) - Spreaker (by iHeartRadio) (https://www.spreaker.com/)
(Another excellent free hosting option — I use it to host the Solution Architect Show)
Recommended Microphones
- Blue Yeti Blackout USB Mic (https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/p/blue-yeti-blackout-usb-mic/N155378.html)
- Budget Option: You can often find cheaper second-hand microphones on TradeMe (https://www.trademe.co.nz/)
A Journey Through Solution Architecture, Cloud Architecture, and Enterprise Architecture 