It's amazing how quickly a year has passed since I began my journey at Novo. Time seriously flies when you're having fun (and learning a ton)! Looking back, I feel so grateful and proud of how much I've grown, both in my career and personally, over the past year. It seems like just yesterday I was wrapping up my time at Postman and diving into the exciting world of neobanking. In this blog post, I will share my year-long journey at Novo.
❤️ A Heartfelt Thanks to Postman
Postman was my home for a solid 4.5 years. It was there that I cut my teeth in the tech world. Working on projects like Interceptor and Integrations was a blast. I learned so much about building products, problem-solving, and collaborating with teams. Looking back, I realize that those experiences were the perfect training ground for what was to come at Novo. Thank you, Postman, for preparing me for this exciting new chapter.
🤞 The Novo Interview Adventure
Landing a job at Novo was no easy feat and it all started with an email from Ajar—that’s how I first discovered Novo. From there, things took off with a whirlwind of interviews, and I must say, it was a mix of excitement and nerves the whole way through.
The process began with the technical conceptual round, where I showcased my understanding of databases, JavaScript, and Node.js internals. Then came the coding round, where I tackled JavaScript problems that tested my skills and adaptability. Finally, the system design round had me laying out complex architectures and solutions—a challenging yet exhilarating experience. Each step felt like a thorough test of my abilities and fit for the role.
Looking back, I'm so grateful to those who supported me throughout this process. A huge thank you to recruiters Viraj and Sithara, and my interviewers Maulik, Neha, and Saksham—you all made the interview process smooth.
🏦 From SaaS to Fintech: The Big Transition
Switching gears from SaaS to fintech was a big deal. It was like trading in my sneakers for a suit (kind of). Totally different ballgame! The learning curve was steep, but with a bit of grit and the support of my new team, I adapted quickly. Embracing the nuances of neobanking was both thrilling and demanding, and I found myself diving into new concepts and technologies. Each challenge has been an opportunity to grow and refine my skills. I had to learn a ton of new stuff, like coding in Go and figuring out how money moves around. It was tough but rewarding.
✨ The Beginning of a New Chapter
I still remember my first days at Novo—feeling a mix of excitement and nerves that comes with starting something new. Those first few weeks were a whirlwind! I was super excited but also a bit nervous. I jumped right into this new world of handling big batches of money movement through NACHA file processing. It was intense, but I loved it.
Switching from building websites to moving money was a big change and a steep learning curve. But with the team's support, I picked it up quickly. Big shoutout to Pratyoosh and Devang for being there every step of the way, and a special thanks to Hannan, Hemang, Akash, Lavkesh, and Mohit for patiently explaining all the nuances of money movement to me.
🎉 A Year of Building at Novo: Achievements That Matter
This first year at Novo has been all about building systems to help banks move money, and it's been an exciting challenge! My main focus has been on creating systems that handle inbound and outbound NACHA files, making it easy for banks to transfer money securely and smoothly.
I've been designing and scaling microservices that power our banking platform. These systems make sure money transfers happen without a hitch through the ACH (Automated Clearing House) network, helping people and small businesses make transactions quickly and reliably.
It's been a year full of solving fintech problems, learning a ton, and making a real difference in how banking works.
🌟 Living the Novo Vibe
It's not just about the work—it's the people that make Novo amazing. The team here feels more like family, always bouncing ideas around and supporting each other. That's what makes Novo truly special.
Plus, the tech we work with is awesome—Node.js, Go, AWS, GraphQL, Kafka—it feels like playing with the coolest tools. I've also had the chance to visit our offices in Ahmedabad and Gurgaon, which was a blast. When we're not coding, we're out having fun—office parties, sports, you name it. It's the perfect balance of working hard and playing hard.
What I love about being part of this team:
Cutting-Edge Tech: Working with Node.js, Go, AWS, GraphQL, and Kafka keeps me on the front line of innovation.
Team Spirit: The team is like family—collaborative and supportive, making every challenge easier.
Travel and Culture: Traveling to different offices and connecting with the teams is a highlight, plus the regular outings keep things fun.
Flexibility and Environment: Flexible hours, a small, friendly office, and activities like arts, crafts, badminton, and cricket make every day enjoyable.
🤝 Embracing Novo’s Core Values
Novo’s values aren’t just words on a wall—they’re part of everything we do. When things get tough, like when I dealt with P0 production issues, I saw it as a chance to learn and improve. It's all about "winning or learning" right?
Working with different teams across the globe has been incredible. We’re like one big, united family, always there to support each other. Novo’s core values have guided me throughout this year:
Win or Learn: I’ve embraced challenges as opportunities to grow and improve. Not every piece of code I wrote was perfect—bugs happened, but each one taught me valuable lessons and made me a better developer. I’m a big believer in "fail fast, learn faster." Every bug is just another opportunity to get better.
Unique and United: Building strong relationships with teams across time zones has been a highlight, and the collaborative vibe here keeps me inspired.
Operate Like an Owner: I’ve taken full ownership of every project, ensuring not just task completion but full accountability for the outcome. This means being proactive, anticipating challenges, and delivering reliable solutions. Even after launch, I stay engaged—monitoring, responding to issues and looking for ways to improve.
🔮 Novo Tech Meetup
With the amazing support of Sithara, Aditya, and Sneha, I had the chance to organize Novo's very first tech meetup—and it was a huge success! The Fireside Chat on FinTech and GenAI stole the show, drawing in over 100 attendees. The energy in the room was incredible, and it felt great to bring people together around these cutting-edge topics. I'm already looking forward to organizing more meetups soon!
🚀 Looking Forward
As I celebrate this one-year milestone, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities and experiences I've had. The growth, learning, and relationships I’ve built at Novo have been remarkable. I’m excited for the future and eager to continue contributing to Novo’s success.
Thank you to everyone at Novo for being part of this journey. Here’s to many more years of growth, collaboration, and achievement!
I'm glad to have you here, and I'd love to stay connected. You can connect with me on LinkedIn, follow my journey on Twitter, or visit my website at vinitshahdeo.com. Let's keep the conversation going! ✨
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