#055 - Why Companies use React Native, Job Interviews & Open Source Trends with Jamon Holmgren

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Jamon Holmgren, co-founder of Infinite Red, discussing the evolution and advantages of React Native in mobile app development. They explore the early adoption of React Native, its comparison with Flutter, the job market for developers, and the importance of open source contributions in the tech industry. Jamon shares insights from his extensive coding experience and the strategic decisions that led Infinite Red to focus on React Native. They delve into the Ignite boilerplate for React Native development, the importance of choosing the right tech stack, and the utility of Reactotron as a developer tool.

The discussion also touches on hiring trends in the React Native space, emphasizing the need for cultural fit and the unique hiring process at Infinite Red. In this conversation, Jamon and Simon discuss the importance of building a lasting company culture, essential skills for React Native developers, the significance of self-evaluation and continuous learning, effective networking and job searching strategies in tech, the future of React Native in the context of AI, and the trend towards universal applications while maintaining user experience.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Jamon Holmgren

• Jamon X: https://x.com/jamonholmgren
• Jamon personal: https://jamon.dev/
• Jamon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamonholmgren/
• Jamon Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamon.dev

Links

• Infinite Red: https://infinite.red/
• React Native Radio: https://reactnativeradio.com/
• Ignite: https://github.com/infinitered/ignite
• Reactotron: https://github.com/infinitered/reactotron

Takeaways

• Infinite Red was founded through collaboration in open source.
• React Native was chosen for its cross-platform capabilities.
• React Native allows for significant code reuse, often exceeding expectations.
• The community around React Native is a major strength.
• Open source contributions can accelerate product development.
• Companies are increasingly investing in open source for strategic benefits.
• The job market favors React Native developers due to its widespread use.
• Ignite serves as a valuable resource for React Native developers.
• Ignite serves as a reliable boilerplate for React Native projects.
• Choosing the right tech stack can simplify development processes.
• Reactotron offers unique features that enhance the debugging experience.
• The UI of Reactotron needs improvement to appeal to developers.
• Hiring at Infinite Red focuses on cultural fit and seniority.
• Self-evaluation during the hiring process is crucial for accurate assessment.
• The job market for React Native developers is becoming more competitive.  Building a company culture that encourages long-term relationships is crucial.
• Investing in employees and understanding their needs fosters loyalty.
• React Native developers should focus on performance and state management skills.
• Self-evaluation helps identify areas for improvement and training needs.
• Networking is essential for job searching in tech.
• Active engagement on social media can enhance job prospects.
• AI will significantly impact the future of software development.
• Universal applications should prioritize user experience over uniformity.
• Convergence of tools is beneficial, but UI patterns must remain platform-specific.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are key to thriving in tech.