Tigran Sloyan is the Co-Founder & CEO of CodeSignal and responsible for driving the company’s overall strategic direction and results. After graduating from MIT, he co-founded CodeSignal in 2015 to help teams and individuals discover and develop the skills that will shape the future.
CodeSignal is on a mission to discover and develop the skills that will shape the future. Their skills assessments and AI-powered learning tools empower high-performing teams to go beyond skill gaps and help individuals cultivate the skills needed to level up.
What inspired you to start CodeSignal, and how has the company evolved since its inception in 2015?
At CodeSignal, we’ve always believed in the power of skills. In 2015, we saw a huge gap between traditional hiring methods and the rapidly evolving demands of the tech industry. We founded CodeSignal to create a more objective, efficient, and fair way to evaluate technical talent. Since then, we’ve grown far beyond our initial assessment tools, evolving into a comprehensive skills platform that supports both hiring and development.
Can you explain the motivation behind creating the “Conversation Practice” feature? Why do you believe it’s crucial for today’s workforce?
The motivation behind ‘Conversation Practice’ stems from the recognition that while technical skills are essential, they are not the sole determinant of a developer’s success. Today’s workforce demands well-rounded professionals who can effectively communicate, lead, and collaborate. In fact, according to Gartner, 55% of software engineering leaders say building leadership skills in senior developers is a top challenge. Our platform already excels in teaching coding and technical skills. With ‘Conversation Practice,’ we’re addressing a critical need in the market by providing a way for developers to hone these equally important soft skills, ultimately making them more effective and valuable contributors.
How does the AI-powered simulation in “Conversation Practice” work, and what types of real-life workplace conversations can users expect to practice?
Our conversation simulation utilizes multiple carefully orchestrated AI models that work together to create realistic conversation scenarios. Users engage in these simulated dialogues, practicing skills like giving feedback in code reviews, conducting effective one-on-one meetings, or even navigating challenging conversations. Our AI tutor and guide ‘Cosmo’ then provides feedback on their communication style, offering suggestions for improvement and development. It’s like having a private practice space where you can refine and enhance critical communication skills without judgment.
In what ways does the AI tutor provide feedback, and how does it ensure that the feedback remains judgment-free
Cosmo, our AI tutor, analyzes the user’s language, tone, and approach during the one-on-one simulated conversations. It then provides specific feedback, highlighting areas where the user excelled and suggesting alternative phrasing or strategies where improvement might be beneficial. The feedback is designed to be constructive and focused on skill development, not on passing judgment. We believe this creates a safe and supportive learning environment.
How do you envision the “Conversation Practice” tool impacting both junior and senior professionals in their daily work environments?
For early career professionals, ‘Conversation Practice’ offers a risk-free way to build confidence and essential communication skills. This can accelerate their growth and help them stand out early in their careers. A well-rounded skill set can turn a good developer into a great one. For senior professionals, it provides an opportunity to refine their leadership and management styles, further enhancing their effectiveness in guiding teams and projects. Ultimately, we see this tool as fostering a more collaborative, communicative, and productive work environment for all.
With the increasing focus on AI in skills development, how does CodeSignal balance the teaching of technical skills with the cultivation of soft skills?
At CodeSignal, we believe technical and soft skills are two sides of the same coin. Since 2015, our platform has supported our users’ technical skill development, and with the addition of ‘Conversation Practice,’ we’re extending that expertise to soft skills development. And we see AI as a powerful tool for both areas. By leveraging AI for personalized learning, and providing that learning in realistic simulations, we can effectively teach and reinforce the full range of skills that today’s professionals need to thrive.
In your article “What You Need To Know About Prompt Engineers—And Why You Might Want One,” you emphasize the critical role of prompt engineers in harnessing the full potential of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot. As AI technology continues to advance, how do you envision the role of prompt engineers evolving, and what initiatives is CodeSignal undertaking to support or integrate this emerging profession within its platform?
The role of the prompt engineer is still in its early stages, but it’s rapidly evolving into a highly specialized skill. However, as AI models become more sophisticated, the ability to craft effective prompts will be crucial for maximizing their utility. We see prompt engineering becoming a core competency across various roles, not just limited to AI specialists.
At CodeSignal, we’ve launched a prompt engineering course aimed at helping learners improve their productivity with AI models. We’re also piloting assessments to gauge prompt engineering skills, and we are developing additional learning modules to help engineers enhance their abilities. Our goal is to help individuals and organizations effectively harness the power of AI through skilled prompt engineering.
Your experience spans roles at Google and various startups. How have these experiences shaped your approach to leadership at CodeSignal?
My experiences at Google and various startups have been instrumental in shaping my leadership approach at CodeSignal. At Google, I learned the importance of setting ambitious goals and fostering a culture of innovation. In the startup environment, I learned the value of agility, resourcefulness, and the need to constantly adapt to changing market dynamics.
At CodeSignal, I strive to combine these lessons by setting bold objectives, encouraging experimentation, and maintaining a strong focus on execution. We also prioritize building a diverse and inclusive team, recognizing that a variety of perspectives is essential for driving innovation.
Can you share some insights from your #GoBeyondResumes movement and how it connects to the work you’re doing at CodeSignal, especially with this new feature?
The #GoBeyondResumes movement aligns with CodeSignal’s mission of discovering and developing the skills that will shape the future. We believe that skills, not resumes, should be the primary factor in hiring and development decisions. Our platform is designed to assess skills objectively, enabling individuals to showcase their abilities and potential regardless of their background or pedigree.
Our products support this mission by providing granular insights into an individual’s skillset. This not only benefits employers in making informed hiring and development decisions, but also empowers individuals to identify their strengths and areas for growth, fostering a more equitable and skills-driven talent ecosystem.
As you look to the future, what is your broader vision for how AI will reshape the way we work and learn, and how is CodeSignal positioned to lead in this transformation?
AI is poised to fundamentally transform how we work and learn. We’ll see an increasing automation of routine tasks, freeing up human workers to focus on more creative and strategic endeavors. AI-powered personalized learning will become the norm, enabling individuals to acquire new skills more efficiently and effectively.
CodeSignal is at the forefront of this transformation. Our AI-powered skills assessment and development tools are already helping organizations adapt to this new reality. We envision a future in which skills are the currency of the workforce, and CodeSignal is the platform that enables individuals and organizations to thrive in this skills-based economy.
Thank you for the great interview, readers who wish to learn more should visit CodeSignal.
