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      How Recruiters Can Attract Top Talent from Different Generations

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      In today’s ever-changing job market, recruiters need to focus on innovation and adaptability when it comes to their recruitment strategies. They must keep up with the shifting demands of different generations of candidates and create an attractive work environment that appeals to them. This was the finding of Monster’s recent research.
      Generational similarities and differences in attitudes to work
      The report reveals that the traditional 9-5 working day is dead, and the demands and expectations of each generation have transformed in the past few years. However, despite this, there are similarities between the generations in terms of work satisfaction, with workers of all ages agreeing that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a new normal in the workplace including a desire for greater freedom and flexibility.
      Companies are responding by offering more flexibility and focusing on benefits, including aligning with company values and offering meaningful roles. For example, 42% of Generation Z employees say they are allowed to  operate flexibly or remotely.  In addition, while the factors that motivate work choices differ among generations, there was a consensus among all generations that working for organisations that align with their values, and in roles that have meaning, scored highly.
      However, there are crucial differences between the generations that recruiters must take into account. Baby Boomers are almost twice as concerned with compensation and benefits as Generation Z, who focus more on a company’s values, including diversity and inclusion.  Furthermore, Gen Z is the first generation to come of age in a fully digital world.  This generation has access to more information about companies and their values than ever before. This could have significant implications for companies looking to secure top talent in the coming years. Employers may need to re-evaluate their values and messaging to reflect this shift in priorities when it comes to choosing an employer in order to appeal to the growing Gen Z workforce
      Millennials also rate good compensation and benefits highly – 41% compared to Generation Z on 26%. Generation Z candidates, on the other hand, focus more on company values. 59% of Generation Z recruiters anticipate that candidates will increasingly expect to learn about a company’s diversity and inclusion efforts and social impact.
      Workplaces are, like wider society, becoming more diverse.  Recruiters must embrace new ways of working, adopt new technologies, and understand what is important to each generation. They need to alter the assessment criteria and adapt their recruitment techniques to the modern candidate by embracing generational diversity, evolving needs, and the desire for flexible working.
      Using technology to recruit – a generational perspective
      The report also highlights the importance of technology in recruiting, with younger generations embracing digital recruiting more than any other. However, recruiters must recognize that not every candidate will be comfortable with virtual interviews and should use a range of recruitment methods that best suit each generation. For instance, recruiters targeting Generation Z should provide real examples to back up their statements, while organizations targeting Millennials should use social media and text messaging to describe packages, perks, and benefits.
      While all generations still ranked an ‘in-person’ interview as a more important factor than a virtual interview the gap between them was much narrower for younger recruiters. Our research found that Generation Z recruiters are almost twice as positive about digital recruiting as any other generation. Online search tools and applicant tracking software are more effective than social media at identifying candidates than social media. They’re also twice as likely to use text messages and WhatsApp to communicate with candidates. Technology can break down barriers, but for Boomers and also for some Millennials, it can construct them. Not every candidate will be as comfortable in a video interview.
      61% of Generation Z recruiters claim that virtual recruiting is better than hiring in person, while 26% of Millennial recruiters, 13% of Generation X recruiters and only 6% of Baby Boomers said the same.  All generations ranked in-person interviews better than virtual, with 67% of Generation Z, 56% of Millennials, 66% of Generation X and 74% of Baby Boomers claiming this.
      Top tips for recruiters: best recruitment methods for different generations
      To successfully attract candidates from diverse generations, recruiters should adapt their recruitment techniques accordingly.

      Recruiters targeting Generation Z candidates should provide real examples to back up their statements, as this generation tends to be sceptical about promises. Authenticity is key. Recruiters should also highlight a company’s corporate values.
      For Millennials, organisations should use social media, text messaging, and WhatsApp to stay in touch and describe packages, perks, and benefits.
      When recruiting Boomers, recruiters should highlight the stability and security of roles, while Generation X recruiters should emphasise benefits, perks, and salary, and use word-of-mouth, networking, and tried-and-trusted methods to engage with candidates.

      To attract top talent from diverse generations, recruiters must adapt their recruitment techniques accordingly. They must understand what is important to each generation, alter their assessment criteria, and embrace generational diversity and evolving needs, including the desire for flexible working. Successful recruitment for any generation means balancing effective existing strategies with new approaches to attract interest from all groups for every role. Companies that can do this will have a better chance of securing the top talent they need in order to thrive in the future.
      By Rod McMillan, Marketing Manager, Monster UK.
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      The 3 Best Recruiting Chatbots in 2023

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      In 2023, the use of machine learning and AI-powered bots is skyrocketing, and the competition to offer the best HR chatbots is fierce. With chatbots helping you save time and money by handling up to 80% of standard questions from candidates within minutes, it’s clear that the need for innovative recruitment solutions has never been greater.
      Many of these online assessment tools and HR chatbots, like Paradox and Humanly, provide an efficient and cost-effective way for organizations to streamline their recruitment process while improving employee engagement and satisfaction. They also help you gauge a candidate’s competencies, identify the best talent and see if they’re the right cultural fit for your company.
      In this article, we’ll delve into the top 3 best recruiting chatbots in 2023 to help you shortlist and hire the right candidates.
      The 3 Best HR Chatbot Tools
      Here are the three best HR chatbot software tools in 2023:
      1. Paradox
      Paradox is a conversational AI chatbot that helps recruiters and hiring managers to automate tasks and engage candidates through text messages. Paradox’s built-in chatbot, Olivia, can screen candidates, schedule interviews, answer questions, collect feedback, and more.
      They claim that Olivia can save recruiters millions of hours of manual work annually, cut time-to-hire in half, increase applicant conversion by 5x and improve candidate experience.
      Olivia is also marketed as a “24/7 recruiter you hire.” And it’s true enough. 
      Paradox uses natural language processing to create conversations that feel natural and human-like. Thanks to their use of NLP, Olivia functions in a manner similar to that of a human recruiter. For example, it can qualify candidates based on their resume or job application and match them to the best-fit roles.
      (Source)
      Another key feature that makes Olivia stand out is its ability to communicate with candidates 24/7, on any device, in 100+ languages. 
      Other key features of Paradox include: 

      Interview scheduling: Olivia can coordinate with candidates and hiring managers to find the best time slot for interviews and send reminders and confirmations.
      Candidate communication: Olivia can answer common candidate queries about the job role, company culture, company policies, benefits, etc., or direct them to relevant resources. 
      Candidate feedback: Olivia collects feedback from candidates after each stage of the hiring process and measures their satisfaction and sentiment. 

      All in all, Paradox is most suitable for organizations that want to streamline their recruiting process and reduce manual work. If you also want to improve your candidate experience and hire faster and more efficiently, then also Paradox is your friend. 
      That said, it might be overkill for organizations with a low hiring volume or a simple hiring process. Organizations that prefer other communication channels like email or phone calls may also find it unsuitable. 
      Pros:

      Olivia saves a tremendous amount of time and reduces manual work. It can handle repetitive and tedious tasks such as screening candidates, scheduling interviews, sending reminders, etc., that would otherwise take hours of human effort.
      It integrates with leading applications, such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle Taleo, Indeed, etc. 
      It supports multiple languages and can communicate with candidates across 47 countries.

      Cons:

      Paradox may not be able to replace the human touch or rapport that recruiters can build with candidates through personal interactions. For example, if a candidate prefers to talk to a real person or if a recruiter wants to assess the candidate’s personality, fit, or motivation more deeply, Olivia may not be able to convey the same level of empathy, trust, or engagement.
      Paradox only provides some basic metrics and does not integrate with other analytics tools or platforms. This could limit the ability of organizations to make data-driven decisions and optimize their hiring processes.
      As with any chatbot software, Paradox requires a stable internet connection to function effectively.

      2. Humanly.io
      Humanly.io is a conversational hiring platform that uses AI to automate and optimize recruiting processes for high-volume hiring and retention. 
      What sets it apart is its ability to utilize multiple channels, including chat, SMS, social media, and QR codes, to connect with potential candidates where they are. 
      The tool also eliminates biased factors from conversations and offers valuable insights during interviews to promote fair hiring decisions. Additionally, it offers HR chatbots for different types of hiring, such as hourly, professional, and early career. 
      The chatbot also syncs with your calendar and availability preferences and offers candidates convenient time slots to book interviews.
      Some of the key workflows that Humanly.io supports are:

      Screening: Humanly engages with candidates who apply through various sources and asks them relevant questions based on the job requirements. They have role-specific conversation templates, allowing the chatbot to ask the right questions at the right time. 
      Reference checking: Humanly can help you contacts the candidate’s references via email or SMS and asks them standardized questions. The chatbot then compiles the feedback into a report for the hiring team.
      Re-engagement: The chatbot reaches out to past candidates still interested in working for the organization and invites them to apply for new or relevant opportunities. 
      Virtual interview assistant: Humanly.io helps recruiters conduct virtual interviews by providing AI-generated notes, follow-up emails, and interview insights. 

      All in all, Humanly.io is good for organizations that want to save time, improve candidate experience, and increase diversity in their talent pool. It’s especially useful for high-volume hiring scenarios where recruiters need to screen and schedule hundreds or thousands of candidates quickly and efficiently. 
      However, it may not be ideal for organizations with very complex or customized recruiting workflows that require human intervention or customization.
      Pros:

      It improves candidate experience and engagement by providing personalized and conversational interactions through multiple channels. 
      The chatbot also sends SMS-based reminders and confirmations to reduce no-shows.

      Cons:

      It may be overkill for a startup or a small organization. 
      Lack of robust reporting capabilities. 
      Humanly.io currently supports only the English language. This could be a problem for organizations that recruit globally or have a multilingual candidate pool. 

      3. MeBeBot

      MeBeBot is an AI intelligent assistant that automates answers to employee questions and communications for HR, IT, and Operations teams. It also provides push messaging, pulse surveys, and real-time data insights to improve employee experience and engagement. 
      MeBeBot also provides native integration into your company’s Slack channel or Microsoft Teams, allowing employees to interact with it seamlessly.MeBeBot Slack Interface
      It also has a crowdsourced global knowledge base of over 300 FAQs you can edit and customize to fit your business policies and processes. With its support for multiple languages and regions, MeBeBot is also a great fit for companies looking to hire a global workforce. 
      Some of MeBeBot’s key features include: 

      Employee FAQs: The chatbot answers common employee questions about HR, IT, payroll, benefits, facilities, operations, etc., using a curated knowledge base that the admins can customize.

      Push Messaging: It sends out notifications, company updates, and reminders to employees via Microsoft Teams or Slack channels based on group preferences.

      Pulse Surveys: You can use it to conduct quick feedback surveys on employee sentiment on key satisfaction questions via Microsoft Teams or Slack channels based on group preferences.

      Pros: 

      It keeps the “human” in HR tech by combining natural conversational technology with a database of common HR questions and answers curated by experts.
      It helps track employees’ engagement, sentiment and needs through push messaging and pulse surveys.
      It saves time, resources, and money by reducing the volume of help desk tickets, emails, and inquiries by 60-70%

      Cons: 

      Mainly aimed at companies that use Slack or Microsoft Teams.
      It may be unable to handle complex or uncommon questions requiring human intervention or judgment.
      You may need some help with some technical issues or glitches. 

      Benefits of Using HR Chatbots
      There are several benefits of using HR chatbots in the workplace. Here are some of them:
      Improved efficiency
      HR chatbots can handle repetitive and routine tasks, such as answering frequently asked questions and scheduling interviews, allowing recruiters and HR team members to focus on more complex and strategic tasks. 
      For example, Humanly.io can automate the screening process for job applicants, reducing the time and effort required by HR staff to review each application manually.
      24/7 availability
      It’s nearly impossible for a human recruiter to be available 24/7, giving another edge to HR chatbots. These AI-based recruiting bots assist employees and candidates at any time of the day, even outside of regular business hours. This naturally improves the overall experience for all parties involved.
      Increased accessibility
      Candidates and recruiters alike can access HR chatbots through multiple channels, including messaging apps and voice assistants. This makes it easier for all parties involved to interact with them using their preferred method of communication.
      Personalized recruiting experience
      You might have a preconceived notion about how a chatbot would converse in a crisp, robotic tone. However, these HR chatbots are smarter than that. 
      Most conversational recurring chatbots provide personalized responses based on the user’s profile and history, creating a more engaging and relevant experience for each individual. 
      For instance, Paradox’s bot Olivia, can provide tailored responses based on the job candidate’s profile and experience.
      Faster response times
      HR chatbots can respond immediately to inquiries, reducing the time and effort required for employees and candidates to get the required information. 
      For instance, a chatbot can quickly respond to a job candidate’s inquiry about the application process, reducing the candidate’s waiting time.
      Cost-effective
      HR chatbots can help reduce the workload of HR departments, resulting in cost savings for organizations in terms of time and resources.
      Overall, HR chatbots can help improve the efficiency, accessibility, and user experience of HR processes. This ultimately leads to greater productivity and job satisfaction for both candidates and HR professionals.
      Key Features That Your Recruiting Chatbot Should Have
      According to a study by Phenom People, career sites with chatbots convert 95% more job seekers into leads, and 40% more job seekers tend to complete the application. 
      Recruiting chatbots are becoming increasingly popular for automating the recruitment process and improving the candidate experience. 
      Here are some key features that your recruiting chatbot should have:

      Screening and skills assessment: Your HR chatbot shouldn’t just be a conversation platform. To offer full-fledged talent acquisition capabilities, it should have candidate assessment tools to identify candidates’ skills. It should also be capable of conducting preliminary screening and assessing candidates’ qualifications, skills, and experience. 

      24/7 interaction: According to statistics, a chatbot can automate up to 80% of top-of-funnel recruiting activities. Your HR chatbot should be able to do the same. It should also be able to engage with candidates anytime and provide instant and accurate answers to their frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the job opening, company, benefits, etc.

      Job Search and Application: Your recruiting chatbot should be able to assist candidates in searching for job openings and guiding them through the application process.

      Integration with Applicant Tracking System (ATS): The chatbot should be able to integrate with your ATS to provide a seamless recruitment experience for candidates and recruiters.

      Data insights and analytics: Recruiting suitable employees for your company requires in-depth data before you come to any conclusion. Naturally, the recruiting chatbot software you plan to use should provide real-time data on candidate usage patterns, question trends, sentiment analysis, etcetera. 

      These features can help you improve your recruiting process using a chatbot. However, depending on your specific goals and challenges, you may need more or fewer features than these. 
      Questions to Ask Vendors on Demos
      Here are some questions to ask vendors during demos when buying an HR recruiting chatbot:

      How can your chatbot help improve the candidate experience? For instance, ask whether their chatbot can provide candidates with quick and personalized responses to their questions and status updates on their applications. Most importantly, does it guide them through the recruitment process? 

      What types of recruitment tasks can the chatbot automate? Can it automate tasks like resume screening, interview scheduling, and answering FAQs? 

      How does the chatbot integrate with our existing recruitment process and technology stack? Ensure it integrates with your existing applicant tracking system (ATS), recruitment website, and other HR technology platforms. 

      What’s the level of customization for the chatbot to meet our specific business needs? Does it provide customization options for chatbot responses and conversation flows?

      What data and analytics can we expect to receive from the chatbot, and how can we use it to improve our recruitment process? Ask whether the chatbot can provide data on candidate engagement, recruitment metrics, and user feedback.

      What is the setup and deployment process for the chatbot?

      What training and customer support do you provide for our team to use and manage the chatbot effectively? Does it include ongoing technical support?

      How does the chatbot handle multi-lingual and global recruitment needs?

      How does the chatbot ensure data privacy and security for both the company and the candidates? Does it have data retention and deletion options to ensure that candidate data is handled appropriately?

      Can we integrate the chatbot with our existing applicant tracking system (ATS) or other HR technology platforms? 

      These questions should help you evaluate the capabilities and suitability of the chatbot for your specific recruitment needs.
      Common FAQs
      What is an HR chatbot?
      An HR chatbot is an artificial intelligence (AI) powered tool that can communicate with job candidates and employees through natural language processing (NLP). They also help with various HR-related tasks, including recruitment, onboarding, interview scheduling, screening, and employee support.
      What are the benefits of using an HR chatbot?
      HR Chatbots are great for eliminating the need to call HR, saving time, and reducing overhead. They also help improve candidate and employee experience, reduce human error, provide personalized assistance, and streamline HR processes.
      What kind of HR-related tasks can an HR chatbot assist with?
      An HR chatbot can assist with various HR-related tasks such as answering frequently asked questions, scheduling interviews, providing feedback on job applications, providing onboarding support, and assisting with employee inquiries.
      Can an HR chatbot replace human HR professionals?
      The answer is: It depends. A chatbot can answer questions and give advice, but it cannot make decisions on behalf of a human. 
      An example where this could become an issue is when an employee has a disability or other issues with their work performance. They may need individualized instruction to help them improve their performance. To do this successfully, human interactions are essential – both with the employee and between the employee and HR.
      What are the limitations of using an HR chatbot?
      While HR chatbots can imitate human-like conversation styles, it’s still incapable of overcoming issues like complex or nuanced inquiries, language barriers, and the potential for technical glitches or errors. It’s important to consider these limitations beforehand and provide appropriate user support to connect with new hires.
      Do HR chatbots conduct personality tests and evaluate soft skills?
      Yes, many HR chatbots can conduct personality tests and evaluate soft skills. These chatbots can use in-depth assessments to evaluate a candidate’s personality traits, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities.
      Pitfalls to Avoid When Buying HR Chatbot Software
      It’s clear that now is the time for HR professionals to start looking into how they can implement a chatbot in their organization. 
      However, there are several pitfalls to avoid when buying HR chatbot software. Here are some of them: 

      Failing to define your requirements: Before shopping for HR chatbot software, you need to define your requirements. This includes understanding what tasks you want the chatbot to perform, what type of data you want it to collect, and what kind of interactions you want it to have with users.

      Failure to consider language and cultural differences: You may want to use your HR chatbot software to hire employees from different parts of the world who speak different languages and have different cultural backgrounds. It’s important to ensure that the chatbot can understand and respond to users in different languages and in a culturally sensitive way. For example, a chatbot designed for an American audience may not work well for an Asian audience.

      Lack of training and support: No matter how user-friendly the tool is, implementing it requires training and support for both employees and HR staff. If the software company fails to provide adequate training and support, it may lead to poor adoption rates and low user satisfaction.

      Lack of scalability: Your HR chatbot should be able to scale with the organization’s growth and changing needs. Failure to choose a scalable chatbot can result in having to replace it with a more expensive solution in the future. 

      Not considering integration: Your HR chatbot software should be able to integrate with your existing HR systems, such as your HR management system (HRMS) or applicant tracking system (ATS). This will ensure the chatbot can access the necessary data and perform the required tasks.

      Disregarding data privacy regulations: HR chatbot software may collect and store sensitive employee data, such as performance evaluations and medical information. Considering this, it’s important to ensure that the tool complies with data privacy regulations like GDPR or CCPA. 

      Revolutionizing Recruitment!
      In conclusion, HR chatbots are becoming increasingly popular for their cognitive ability to streamline and automate recruitment processes. These chatbots have the potential to identify the best candidates for a given job, evaluate their job performance, and take care of talent assessments and the employee onboarding process.
      While numerous HR chatbots are available in the market, the best ones are customizable, scalable, and integrated with existing human resources systems. After all, it’s essential to find a chatbot that fits your organization’s specific needs, so you can maximize its potential and achieve your recruitment goals. 
      With the right AI-powered chatbot, your organization can stay ahead of the competition, attract top talent, and build a successful workforce for years to come.
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      Expert Tips: How to Manage Your Finances While You Job Hunt

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      According to a study, 63% of workers live paycheck to paycheck, so how do you manage finances during a job hunt? There’s no doubt an extended job search strains even the most carefully managed finances. However, with extra planning and expert advice, you can control your financial situation, stay motivated during your job search, and set yourself up for success.

      Managing finances is always challenging, even for those in the best financial situation. But it can be incredibly challenging for unemployed people looking for a new job. During a job search, you must have a plan to help you stay on track financially.

      Without a steady income, it’s difficult to pay bills, save up money for future use, and maintain your quality of life. However, with careful management of your finances while job hunting, you will be able to cope better with all the financial challenges that come with this transition period.

      The importance of managing your finances while job hunting

      Keep reading for some of the various reasons why it is crucial to manage your finances while you search for a job. 

      Reduce financial stress

      Being between jobs is a challenging and uncertain time, and it can come with a lot of stress, especially financially. To avoid finding yourself stuck in a tight financial spot, you must be careful with your spending. By managing your finances carefully, you entirely focus on your job search and avoid the stress and distraction of bad financial management.

      Sets you up for future success

      In addition to helping you steer clear of financial stress, managing your finances during a job sets you up for success once you finally land a new job. If you cope with saving money and paying down debt while you’re between jobs, you’ll be in a much better financial position when you start your new job. This gives you the freedom to focus on your work rather than worrying about your financial situation.

      Builds good financial habits

      Managing your finances during a job hunt will help you develop good financial habits that will undoubtedly serve you well in the long run. By learning to live within your means and make intelligent financial decisions, you’ll be better prepared to handle future financial challenges.

      Related: Recently Laid Off? A Jobseeker’s Guide to Bounce Back Better Than Ever

      Expert tips for managing your finances while you job hunt

      While managing your finances while searching for a job can be challenging, achieving it is not impossible. 

      We’re sharing the most effective tips and tricks to manage your finances in the midst of a job hunt a lot easier.

      1. Understand your current financial situation

      The first and most crucial step in managing your finances while on your job hunt is understanding your current financial situation. By seeing where you stand financially, you will know how much you have available to spend, how much you can afford to save, and what bills and other financial obligations you need to sort.

      Jake Hill, Founder of DebtHammer, adds, “Understanding your current financial situation can help you identify any financial problems or challenges you may be facing. For example, if you have a lot of credit card debt, you may need to come up with a plan to pay it off before it becomes a bigger problem.”

      Overall, understanding your current financial situation is one of the most important steps to take toward managing your finances effectively while job hunting. It helps you make informed decisions about your money and give you a sense of control over your financial situation, which is especially important during a time of uncertainty.

      2. Create and stick to a budget to manage finances during a job hunt

      After conducting a detailed analysis of your finances, the next step is to use the information gathered to create a firm but realistic budget. A budget is an organized and detailed plan showing how you will allocate your income to meet all your financial obligations.

      If you’ve taken the first step in creating your budget, that’s great! But the hard work doesn’t end there. It would be best if you were intentional about sticking to the budget. Of course, sticking with a budget is also challenging, and it is only possible with the right amount of financial discipline.

      Here are a few ways sticking with a budget makes it easier for you to manage your finances while you job hunt.

      It helps you prioritize your expenses

      A budget allows you to see exactly where your money is going and helps you prioritize your spending. This is especially important when job hunting, as you may need to cut back on non-essential expenses to have enough money to cover your basic needs.

      Increases your financial stability

      Even when you are not receiving a steady income, you still need to maintain a certain level of financial stability. By creating a budget, you better understand your financial situation and take control of your spending. 

      Improves your financial planning

      During periods of uncertainty between jobs, you must plan for the future by setting realistic financial goals and tracking your progress toward achieving them. Creating a budget helps you achieve this and is a game changer if you are trying to save for a down payment on a house or pay off debt. 

      If you are determined to manage your finances carefully while searching for a job, creating a budget and sticking to it is not an option — it’s a must! 

      3. Cut unnecessary expenses to manage finances during a job hunt

      While job hunting, you must narrow down on unnecessary expenses and cut your coat according to your cloth. By cutting unnecessary expenses, you reduce the amount of money you are living on and ensure you are only spending money on things most important to you.

      Here are a few ways to cut unnecessary expenses:

      Look for ways to save on fixed expenses

      Can you negotiate a lower rate on your rent or find a cheaper apartment? Can you switch to a cheaper phone or internet plan? Find ways to reduce your fixed expenses to save money for other things.

      Cut back on variable expenses

      Think about unnecessary things you spend money on. Do you need the expensive cable package, or can you switch to a streaming service and save some money? Can you cut back on eating out or shopping for non-essential items? Every little bit helps.

      4. Draw up a savings plan

      Everyone needs a savings plan regardless of their financial situation. However, when you are between jobs, a strategic savings plan becomes all the more critical. Drawing up a savings plan helps you plan for the future and gives you a financial cushion to fall back on.

      Shawn Plummer, CEO of the Annuity Expert, states, “A savings plan is a roadmap that outlines how you will save your money over a certain period of time. And it is a valuable tool for managing finances while job hunting. Building a habit of saving won’t only help you get through those difficult times when you are between jobs, it will also set you up for life.” 

      The steps below will give you a detailed guide on how to create an effective savings plan.

      Set a goal

      Before drawing up a savings plan, you need to have a clear goal in mind, as this will help you stay motivated and focused on your savings plan. Answering the following questions will help you set an actionable goal: What do you want to save for? Do you want to build an emergency fund, save for a down payment on a house, or have some extra money set aside for unexpected expenses? 

      Take a look at your budget

      You need to look at the budget you created to see how much money you have available to go toward your savings.

      Choose a savings plan 

      The next step is to choose a savings plan, and there are various types of savings plans at your disposal, including traditional savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Consider the interest rate, fees, (if any), and liquidity associated with each option to choose the right one for you.

      Automate your savings

      To make it easier to stick to your savings plan, it’s a great idea to set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account. That way, you won’t have to go through the stress of manually transferring the money each month.

      Monitor your progress

      The final step in drawing up a working savings plan is to monitor your progress and adjust your savings plan as needed. If you save more than you originally planned, you can consider increasing your savings rate or adjusting your goal. But If you are struggling to save as much as you would like, think about finding ways to cut back on your expenses or increase your income.

      5. Take on part-time work or freelance gigs

      It’s a great idea to take advantage of side hustles or freelance work to rake in some extra income. If you have any skill you’ve buried, it’s time for you to dig it back up and put it to good use.

      Getting busy with part-time work or freelance gigs can provide you with a source of income while you are not working full-time. That may reduce your financial burden and give you the necessary resources to continue your job search.

      There are many reasons why you should consider part-time work or freelance gigs while you are between jobs, including:

      Flexibility

      Part-time work and freelance gigs offer great flexibility in terms of scheduling. This availability might be helpful to schedule interviews when searching for a full-time job.

      Networking opportunities

      Up to 85% of jobs are secured through networking. And taking on part-time work or freelance gigs can expose you to immense networking opportunities. You never know who you might meet or what connections could help you in your job search.

      Skills development

      Another great benefit of taking on part-time work or freelance gigs is developing new skills to add to your resume. Thus, making you more competitive in the job market and increasing your chances of finding a full-time position.

      6. Manage your credit responsibly

      Many people need to learn how much their credit report and score impact their financial lives. 

      According to Mark Pierce, CEO of Cloud Peak Law Group, “Your credit report is a record of your credit history and includes information about your credit accounts, payments, and any debts you may have. It’s a good idea to check your credit report regularly. Check there are no errors and look for any fraudulent activity.”

      Managing credit responsibly makes it easier to manage your finances during job hunting.

      A good credit score makes it easier for you to get approved for loans, credit cards, and other financial products while also helping you to secure lower interest rates. It’s also a factor used by some companies to determine your costs for things like insurance premiums or by landlords to forecast whether you’ll be a good renter.

      Here are some of the most effective credit management tips.

      Always pay your bills on time

      Late payments are bad for your credit score. Be sure to be prompt with your bills, including credit card bills, mortgage payments, and other debts.

      Keep your credit utilization low

      You must keep your credit utilization low, the amount of credit you use compared to your credit limit. By keeping your credit utilization low, you’ll maintain a good credit score. 

      7. Avoid taking on new debt

      When not working, it’s imperative to be mindful of your spending and avoid taking on new debts you may struggle to pay back. If you keep accumulating debt, you will be putting more financial stress on yourself, and it may even distract you from entirely focusing on your job search.

      According to Colin Palfrey, CMO of Crediful, “Taking on new debt while job hunting can be a slippery slope. Not only does it increase your monthly expenses and reduce your ability to save money, but it can also damage your credit score and make it more difficult to secure a job or a loan in the future. By avoiding new debt and being strategic with your money, you can increase your financial stability and set yourself up for success during your job search.”

      Here are a few ways to steer clear of the urge to take on new debt.

      Use cash or a debit card instead of a credit card

      Many people use credit cards to make purchases instead of just using cash or a debit card. Even though credit cards may be tempting, it is also essential to know they come with high-interest rates, making it hard to pay off your balance.

      By using cash or a debit card instead, you only spend your available money, which helps you avoid new debt.

      Use your savings

      Your emergency funds or savings are especially handy during the rainy days when you are job hunting. Use those funds to cover unexpected expenses instead of incurring new debt. By leveraging your stacked-up funds, you can avoid accruing interest, making it easier to manage your finances during this time.

      8. Use resources and support systems

      No doubt, being unemployed comes with a lot of financial challenges. But luckily, there are a lot of resources and support systems to make it easier to manage your finances during a job hunt. Every additional help or support counts, no matter how little.

      Below are some of the best support systems to explore.

      Unemployment benefits or government assistance programs

      Unemployment benefits and government assistance programs are helpful resources for managing finances while job hunting. These programs provide financial support to individuals who have lost their jobs or are facing financial hardship.

      State governments typically provide unemployment benefits available to individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault. To qualify for unemployment benefits, individuals must have worked for a certain period and earned a certain amount.

      Once individuals are approved for unemployment benefits, they typically receive a weekly or biweekly payment, which may help cover their living expenses while they search for a new job.

      According to Ben Michael, Practicing Lawyer and Founder of Michael & Associates, “In addition to unemployment benefits, a number of government assistance programs can help individuals manage their finances while job hunting. These programs can include food assistance programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), housing assistance programs such as Section 8, and healthcare assistance programs such as Medicaid.”

      To apply for unemployment benefits or government assistance programs, individuals typically need to submit an application and provide documentation such as proof of income, residency, and employment. It’s important to note each state and program have different requirements and qualifications. It’s a good idea to check with your state’s program for details.

      Lean on support from friends and family if necessary

      Support from friends and family plays a crucial role in helping you manage your finances while searching for a job. When facing financial struggles due to being unemployed, it is crucial to have friends and family to offer financial assistance, advice on budgeting and saving, and emotional support.

      One of the most critical ways friends and family can support is by offering financial assistance. This includes lending money, giving gifts, or providing a temporary place to live. 

      Another might simply be getting together on a regular basis for a meal at their place. It’s one meal you won’t have to buy, but more importantly, it’s an opportunity to connect. Feel free to set up ground rules, such as ‘let’s talk about anything except my job search, unless I bring it up.’

      It may be a welcome respite to think about something other than job searching for a while. Think of it as preserving good mental health.

      Another way friends and family might provide support is by offering advice on budgeting and saving. Tips on creating a budget, cutting expenses, and saving money might benefit someone new to managing finances or with a limited income. There are a lot of tactics out there, what works for one person may not be as effective for you, but listen and ask questions.

      Take control to manage your finances and the job hunt

      Ultimately, managing your finances while job hunting can be a huge pain or source of stress. However, by implementing the listed tips listed, it’s easier to take control of your finances. Plus, you may learn some new strategies to manage your finances when you’re not on a job hunt. Good financial habits are worthwhile regardless of your situation.

      Hired is not a financial advisory service, please consult with the appropriate professional relevant to your specific situation. This content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on our Site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by Hired or any third party service provider.

      All content on this site is information of a general nature and does not address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the Site constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information on the Site constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto.

      Hired is not a fiduciary by virtue of any person’s use of or access to the Site or Content. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other Content on the Site before making any decisions based on such information or other Content. In exchange for using the Site, you agree not to hold Hired, its affiliates or any third party service provider liable for any possible claim for damages arising from any decision you make based on information or other Content made available to you through the Site. More

    • 125 Shares99 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      My Learnings from Helping 1000 Software Engineers Negotiate Job Offers

      by

      As the Founder and CEO of Rora, I’ve helped thousands of tech professionals negotiate job offers over the past five years. A common theme across these conversations is that the negotiation process is shrouded in secrecy – leading job candidates to feel anxious, awkward, and afraid. 

      That’s why I’ve written the below guide – which will share negotiation strategies to help software engineers best position themselves to negotiate one offer or several.

      Why salary and job offer negotiation matters

      When people think about negotiation, it’s common for the focus to be financial. After all, not negotiating can cost you over a million dollars over the course of your career. It’s natural for getting the highest compensation possible to be your top concern. 

      Negotiating just a $5,000 increase at your first job can actually lead to a $1M difference in lifetime earnings when you take into consideration how investments compound, and how your future pay will also be higher because of higher bonuses and raises, etc.

      The chart below shows the difference negotiating a $5,000 increase in your first year can have 45 years down the line, assuming you receive a fixed annual raise each year.

      However, the process of negotiating impacts your career in more ways than just financially. Taking time to go through this process and ask the right questions gives you a chance to learn about the company and negotiate a scope, role, and mentorship that will set you up for successful growth. We’ve seen this countless times throughout our work with software engineering clients.

      What we’ve seen

      One of our clients – a Senior Software Engineer – accepted an offer but, within one year at the company, he was reorganized to different teams (and managers) four times. He quit soon after hitting the one-year mark. 

      In another unfortunate situation, an engineer interviewed for what he believed was a machine learning engineer role, complete with an interview process to match (with complex technical ML questions throughout). Upon starting his new role, he discovered that he’d spend his days doing little more than running SQL queries – it was a bait and switch. 

      What do these stories have in common? They’re prime examples of how negotiation – or the lack thereof – has a massive impact on your career. In these cases, deeper digging as part of the negotiation process would have uncovered aspects of the role that weren’t a fit and allowed the candidate to move on to something better (or ask for more money to make it worth their while). 

      In fact, we’ve seen exactly that situation: clients who initiate the negotiation process sometimes realize that the company or role they’re interviewing for is the wrong fit and continue their search, often finding a better, higher-paying role within a couple of months. 

      3 steps to an effective negotiation 

      Companies have a vested interest in hiring the right person, but they also have a financial interest in adhering to a budget. After helping over a thousand software engineers negotiate higher and better offers, I want to share three negotiation steps for productive experiences.

      Step 1: Build leverage

      Leverage your BATNA

      Your first step is to build leverage. Put simply, this is providing proof of the value you bring to the table and why the company would benefit from giving you what you’re asking for. Common examples of leverage are having competing job offers, having a very niche expertise, or not actively looking for a new job (so in order to take a new role it’d need to be particularly great).  

      What jobseekers frequently fail to do is increase their leverage, or BATNA. 

      What does BATNA mean? 

      It stands for your Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement.

      The best BATNA is the confidence in security outside of this one job offer. That could be in the form of self-employment or other employment security. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and start your own business from scratch just for negotiating power! It does mean, however, that your strongest negotiating power comes from having a financial and professional identity outside of a full-time job: 

      a side hustle

      freelance work

      advisor engagements

      mentorship

      volunteer commitments

      part-time work

      For example, one of our clients had been laid off and – a few months later – received an offer for a more senior role than she’d previously had. However, during the negotiation process, she picked up on some red flags along the way. Because she had ongoing freelance work on the side (even though it wasn’t paying what a full-time role would), she was comfortable enough to turn down the offer and keep looking. Seven weeks later, she received a higher offer from a better company she was much more excited to join. 

      It’s also imperative to build self-confidence: your thoughts create leverage and, over time, self-worth. Holding your standards high creates financial value. If you believe in your skills and talents and that you deserve what you’re requesting, you’ll be set up for more success.

      Related: Try Hired’s salary calculator

      Be open to possibilities 

      That said, you do need to keep your options open. It may seem exhausting to remain constantly on the lookout for your next job, but knowing you’re not tied to any one option will give you stronger leverage. Spend some time researching companies you’d like to work for and people you’d like to work with. 

      Keep track of the companies and people to stay in touch with – a simple spreadsheet should suffice – and check in with them annually. It may feel awkward or “disloyal” to your current company, but remember that your career comes first and you’re under no obligation not to explore. 

      Also, make sure not to decrease your leverage. Don’t schedule your first interviews at your top-choice companies; start with companies you’re less excited about to get some practice. At the same time, avoid glorifying companies: no company or role is perfect, and it’s always worth having options. 

      Consider the companies you’re interested in and then explore their competitors, too. Give a chance to companies that you’re less enthused about; it’s great to have a backup plan and it’s worth building your confidence by talking with companies that are interested in you.

      Finally, don’t let lifestyle creep cut into your leverage. You hold leverage by not needing to accept a wrong-fit job, so be sure you’re spending and saving wisely. While it may be tempting to spend more as you make more, be realistic and practical. When your savings and financial runway allow you to be choosy about jobs and only accept the best, you’ll be glad you did.

      Leverage the company’s BATNA

      Next, you’ll need to think past your own BATNA and dig into that of the company. This will help you better suss out how much leverage you have to negotiate. In general, jobseekers don’t do enough due diligence to understand the BATNA of the companies they’re considering and it does them a disservice when it comes to negotiating. 

      How do you do this? Ask your recruiter or potential future teammates these questions throughout the process:

      Why is this role open? 

      Did someone leave? If so, why?

      How long have they been trying to fill it? Is it urgent?

      Is the hiring manager currently back-filling this role?

      Are there any other candidates at the offer stage? How do they compare to you? 

      What are the company’s highest priorities and needs, both immediately and in the long term, that you are most equipped to help with? 

      What do they need that you don’t bring to the table? 

      You have greater leverage when the company believes their BATNA to be weak and you know yours to be strong. Their BATNA may seem weak if the role has been open a long time, is urgently needed, and you bring the necessary experience and skills to achieve their goals – and their other candidates don’t measure up. The more you know about their situation, the more leverage you have. 

      Step 2: Create and invest in building social capital

      Most engineers underestimate the impact of power and influence in negotiating a job offer. They want their skills to stand for themselves. Plus, companies design their hiring and compensation practices specifically to prevent influence – as it inherently leads to biased decisions – but power and influence play a role regardless. This shows up in a few ways.

      The individual you typically negotiate with (likely a recruiter or HR professional) is intentionally separate from the person you’ll actually work for (your manager). While this may help reduce bias (companies don’t want a manager with a strong bias toward a candidate to push for that candidate to be paid outside of what the company deems fair), it also disempowers the candidate by forcing the negotiation to be distributive rather than integrative. 

      It’s true that managers don’t usually have much control over the compensation offered, but the common refrain of “your compensation is up to HR” is a misconception. That said, the argument for higher pay can’t come from the recruiter themself; to have an effect, it needs to come from the hiring manager or leadership team. 

      A manager who is especially excited about a candidate can influence a lot more than HR or Recruiting. This includes the leveling of the role, where in the pay band (or outside of the band) an offer falls, whether the role is designated as critical, if a signing bonus is offered, deadlines, and more.  

      The significance of deadlines

      On the topic of deadlines, it’s important to be aware that the hiring manager defines offer deadlines. If a manager wants to extend your deadline for needing to make a decision, the recruiter will wait. 

      One of the most common ways recruiters create pressure and out-negotiate candidates is by setting false deadlines. In reality, timelines for interviews, offers, and start dates are much more negotiable than most candidates realize. 

      Not long ago, an engineer we worked with received word from a third-party recruiter that she needed to respond to a job offer right away – and that because she hadn’t responded yet, it showed a lack of interest in the company. 

      Rather than get caught up in the pressure, the candidate reached out to the hiring manager, who happened to be both on vacation and completely unaware of the alleged deadline. The hiring manager encouraged the candidate to take another week or two to think everything over, allowing her to close out another interview process and make the most informed decision about which opportunity was best. 

      If a company isn’t willing to be flexible and give you the time you need to think things over – what’s it going to be like to work there? This is an area where self-confidence and leverage come strongly into play: if you know your worth and what you’re willing to accept, you can push back and get what you need. 

      Step 3: Make a strategic ask

      Think beyond the money

      The biggest wins often come from non-monetary asks. Don’t focus on just your annual compensation, but on your compensation five years from now – or even further out. 

      Think like Louie Bacaj. A former engineering leader at Jet.com, Louie has published his earnings over time. At first glance, it looks like a consistently steady increase, but if you look closer you can see some strategic decisions that kept his pay stagnant – or even slightly reduced – in the short term, but ultimately led him to a huge opportunity with a high payoff. 

      For example, when he joined Jet.com in 2015 he actually took a step down in pay – and made a lateral move in terms of title. However, he had learned that the new role would give him management experience and he was really excited about joining a startup on the ground floor. Within two years, he’d surpassed his previous earnings and had more than doubled them within four years. 

      As counter-intuitive as it may be for me, as someone who owns a negotiation company to say: sometimes, the non-monetary aspects of a role – and where it will take your career – are worth a temporary step down in pay. 

      Level up

      Another non-monetary area to consider in your negotiations is level. This may require additional interviews but often pays off! 

      Recently, an engineering leader was offered a Senior Engineering Manager position at a Series B startup but asked to be considered for a Director-level position. After four more interviews, she received a Director offer. Not only did she end up with a $50K/year pay increase, but she also got the satisfaction of knowing she was joining at the right level. 

      Avoid a bad fit

      We’ve also had clients identify bad or wrong-fit jobs through the negotiation process, saving them from the stress of finding out once they’ve already started. One client negotiated with a CEO who was increasingly uncommunicative, so the client rejected the offer – and found out soon after that the person he’d report to would be leaving the company. 

      Collect career capital

      Career capital – the skills, connections, and experiences that set you up for future success – should also be an area of focus. Just like Louie Bacaj, you may find that while a role isn’t a massive increase in compensation, it brings connections or credentials that will help you grow (and maximize your earning potential) in the future. 

      Freedom in flexibility

      Of course, you shouldn’t forget flexibility. The ability to work remotely (or even part-time)  can have an impressive impact on your mental health and family life – or give you time to focus on that side hustle and keep increasing your BATNA! 

      It all comes back down to leverage; this applies to how you should (or shouldn’t) evaluate a career option. Two important variables to assess here are:

      The role scope/opportunity for you to make an impact 

      The company’s opportunity for growth and impact 

      The best career choices are those that offer the chance to make the highest impact or provide the opportunity to be paid to learn. Over time, this leads to financial gain.

      Take smart risks

      In our experience helping thousands of people negotiate, the data shows less than a 1% chance of losing your offer from negotiating. To further reduce that More

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      in Talent Acquisition

      How to Earn Referral Bonuses on Hired

      by

      Learn About Referring Friends to Find Jobs Through Hired (FAQ)

      Inviting and referring your friends to join Hired is a win-win: you help your friends get jobs and you get the chance to earn a special reward if they land a new role. It’s super easy — just refer a friend through hired.com/invite. Keep reading for answers to some FAQs about the process. 

      How will I know if my friend signed up?

      You’ll receive an email notification from us if someone uses your referral link.

      What if my friend doesn’t land a new job?

      Good things take time. If your friend is hired later, you will still qualify to receive your reward for referring them. Feel free to refer more than one person in your network to increase your chances. There is no limit on the number of referrals you can make!

      Related: Need to upskill or prep for interviews? Check out our partnership directory for resources.

      How will I know if my friend was hired?

      We’ll reach out with your bonus! If not, it’s likely no one you referred was hired yet or you forgot to use your referral link. Keep in mind that without this link we’re unable to track a referral back to you.

      If you’re positive a friend was hired and you haven’t heard anything, feel free to contact a member of the Candidate Experience Team or email support@hired.com. 

      Are there ever special referral bonuses? 

      Yes! Keep checking hired.com/invite and keep an eye out for emails about limited edition promotions.

      What happens if my friend gets approved on Hired?

      They’ll be visible to all of our employers seeking top tech and sales talent. As for you, just sit back and wait for them to get hired so you can receive your bonus! 

      Related: How to Get Approved on Hired 

      When do I receive my referral bonus?

      We will send you the referral bonus only a few weeks after your friend gets hired. 

      If you have any additional questions about referral bonuses, don’t be afraid to reach out to the Candidate Experience Team or support@hired.com for more help.

      Originally published June 2015, updated April 2023. More

    • 88 Shares199 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight: Nathan Reynolds, Integration Engineer

      by

      Thanks for joining, Nathan! Let’s start by talking about your educational background.

      I have a relatively traditional path in technology. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. After a few years of working, I got an MBA to advance my career.

      My MBA was surprisingly more impactful than my Bachelor’s degree. It’s helped prepare me for customer-facing roles like implementation.

      What would you like to learn more about?

      I’m always interested in learning more about web development, technologically.

      As for interests outside of the tech realm, I am constantly learning more and more about coffee. My next adventure will probably be in roasting my own beans!

      Related: Thinking About a Career Transition? General Assembly’s 4 Immersive Tech Programs to Help You Pivot

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I’ve always been interested in computers. My first aspiration was to be a game developer. I eventually discovered I prefer B2B software because it allowed for more varied work. It is also an industry that is easier to build a career in.

      How has your skill set evolved throughout your career?

      I started my career in a traditional IT role maintaining servers, updating old applications, and fielding service requests. Then, I eventually moved into implementation and fell in love. I have continually learned new technologies throughout my career starting with a Java/Weblogic/Oracle SQL stack and moving into React/Node/Kotlin/Postgres. I’m always expanding my skill set!

      Related: Hired Releases 2023 State of Software Engineers Report

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      I’m now an integration engineer rather than an implementation engineer. Much of my work will remain the same but with a slightly different focus. The industry I’m working in is very closely related too — B2B software.

      What are some of the things you’re most excited about in your new role?

      I’m excited to work at a business with a counter-recessionary business proposition. I’m looking forward to helping businesses optimize their costs and weather economic hardships.

      What’s your best advice for jobseekers on the Hired platform? 

      Really tailor your resume to the specific type of role you want. Being as specific as possible helps recruiters pick up the keywords they’re trained to look for.

      Related: Want More Interviews and Better Matches? 5 Key Tips!

      What would you tell someone curious about Hired?

      You have, literally, nothing to lose. It is nice having companies reach out to you rather than constantly sending out dozens of applications daily. That being said, you still need to put forth an effort to land the job.

      Any general advice you’d like to give other tech professionals?

      Be open to learning new things. Don’t over-fit to any one position. You may think your end goal is one specific position but trying other things will allow you to validate that idea.

      About Pricefx

      Pricefx provides the leading SaaS Pricing Platform with best-in-class Price Management, Optimization, and CPQ capabilities covering all key processes for B2B and B2C companies. Founded in 2011, Pricefx has 501-1,000 employees and is headquartered in Chicago.

      Tech Stack

      Java, Groovy, JavaScript, Spring, ETL, AWS, JSON, React, REST, SOAP

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, maternity/paternity benefits, 401k plan/matching, mental health benefits, paid time off, mentorship opportunities, management training, and more. More

    • 100 Shares179 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight: Rory Scott, Leader, Software Engineering

      by

      Let’s kick off by talking about your educational background!

      I have a degree in Sociology and Media Studies. I am a self-taught/mentored software engineer and started in this industry in the data and ETL space. Then, I gradually shifted to infrastructure and back-end development, eventually going into people management.

      Which educational opportunities have made the biggest impact on your tech career? 

      Connecting with the people around me and being able to spot opportunities in companies is where I’ve had the most success. I’ve actually been able to drive my own career growth more than educational opportunities have. The biggest educational impacts I have had were on a mentorship and opportunistic basis.

      Related: Job Searching? Online Networking Strategies to Get you Started

      What would you like to learn more about?

      I stopped studying jazz guitar in college and wish I had stuck with it a little more. I consider myself a pretty good player and would love to dive into that space again.

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I traditionally worked with very small companies where I had to wear many hats. As a data person, I often didn’t have software, tooling, QA, or infrastructure engineers to help build what I needed. It was often up to me and my team(s) to fill those gaps. It wasn’t always pretty or elegant but we learned a lot and got the job done. This paved the road for my career in tech.

      How has your skill set evolved over the course of your career?

      It has evolved immensely. I started out only being an excel expert, automated through macros, then moved on to database management. Then, I went on to automate ETL, build services to automate the data munging, and finally, build internal platforms for other software teams to use. 

      If you choose to specialize in one area, what was it and why?

      Developer Productivity is a space I am extremely passionate about. I’ve seen really good platforms, really bad platforms, and just about everything in between. For engineers who have never been able to experience what life could be like with a solid platform, I love showing them how their life can be improved, bottlenecks removed, and wait times reduced to virtually nothing.

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      It’s actually very similar to my previous role. I am managing a platform team made up of a handful of extremely talented folks. However, in some ways it is different. For example, instead of being globally distributed, the team is centralized in one US state. The industry is also very different. Instead of retail, we work with security.

      What are some of the things you’re most excited about in your new role?

      Using my interviewing process as a basis, both the team and my manager are extremely good at and passionate about what they do. They care deeply about people and enjoy many of the same cultural ideals that I have. That includes empathy, empowerment, and psychological safety.

      What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

      Before Hired, the process was what you’d expect. You’d send many resumes and cover letters, hoping to hear back from a percentage either way. Once you could speak with someone, it was typically pretty positive, but it was a percentage-based game if you didn’t have a referral.

      What’s your best advice for jobseekers registered on the Hired platform? 

      I had more than one really good experience with the Hired platform. My advice for others would be to trust it, use it, and not neglect common courtesies in terms of speaking with people — that goes for whether the opportunity seems like a good fit or not. 

      What would you tell someone who’s curious about Hired?

      I would 100% recommend it and would use it again. It’s a passive way to cast a wide net. You know that anyone who reaches out to you has a real need and wants to talk to you.

      Any general advice you’d like to give other tech professionals?

      Tech is fun, exciting, and always changing. One thing that shouldn’t change, however, is how we treat each other. To quote my favorite characters: “Be excellent to each other. Party on dudes.”

      About Cisco

      Cisco hardware, software, and service offerings are used to create the Internet solutions that make networks possible. Founded in 1984, Cisco has 5,001+ employees and is headquartered in San Jose.

      Tech Stack

      Python, Spark, Javascript, React, AWS, Kubernetes, Java, Go, Docker, Microservices, Kafka, iOS, Android, Kotlin, Kibana, Datadog, Terraform

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, 401k plan/matching, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, stock options, employee discount programs, job training, and more. More

    • 125 Shares129 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      6 Ways to Be a Better Ally in the Workplace

      by

      As a leader in diversity recruiting and hiring tools, we are both responsible for and committed to promoting and driving representation, inclusion, and equity in the hiring space. It brings us closer to our vision of a world where all hiring is equitable, efficient, and transparent. 

      As a step in this process, we launched our Ally Series. It is a series of content built on the foundation of providing both jobseekers and employers with the resources and valuable information to address DEI in the hiring space.

      Related: What is DEI? How Does it Improve the Sales & Tech Job Search Process? 

      In a world of increasing opportunity, economic mobility, and openness, companies are learning inclusivity and diversity are not only good for employees — but also for business. As our CEO, Josh Brenner, stated in Hired’s 2022 State of Wage Inequality in the Tech Industry report, “When competition is high, it benefits organizations to consistently identify non-traditional talent. It creates more robust pipelines of candidates with new ideas to drive businesses forward.” 

      As organizations push to create environments where diverse sets of employees feel comfortable and supported, other employees — often referred to as ‘allies’ — will play a key role. 

      Regardless of who you are, there are ways to be an ally to others at work—even if you yourself lean on allies for support. Below are six essential tips on how to be a better ally.

      1. Identify as an ally

      In order to identify as an ally, it is important to first define what an ally is. An ally is a person who “supports, empowers, or stands up for another person or a group of people.” At work, allies support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and other marginalized colleagues. 

      To some, identifying as an ally is the most challenging part of their journey. It forces individuals to recognize and own their own privilege. Remember, even if you identify yourself as an ally, allyship is not just an identity. It is a lifelong commitment to building relationships based on trust, consistency, and accountability with marginalized individuals or groups.  

      Omoanatse McCarther, Senior Director of Per Scholas Diverse by Design highlights that as an ally, calling in and calling out can be two of the most transformational practices one can implement. This helpful resource from Harvard Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging highlights how. 

      2. Cast out assumptions

      An ally should celebrate the differences in employees’ backgrounds because it strengthens the entire workforce. Making assumptions about someone’s ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender, etc., is a surefire way to make them feel alienated. 

      Whether it’s upfront or discussed with other employees, avoid drawing your own conclusions about coworkers. If you want to learn more about a colleague, ask open questions to discover more about their professional and personal background.

      This also applies to making assumptions about whether a person wants these things to be exposed to the rest of the business. For example, if a colleague confides in you about coming out — whether in regard to sexuality, gender, mental illness, or something else — don’t assume they want everyone to know. 

      First, ask how you can help. If they want your assistance in spreading the word or coming up with a solution to talk to people about it, they’ll let you know — and you won’t risk compromising trust by spreading their information without permission. 

      3. Listen and learn

      It’s tempting to impose your own opinions and strategies when someone talks to you about something they’re struggling with — and it might feel like you’re helping out. However, being a good ally means understanding what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. 

      Genuinely listening to their perspective not only helps you better understand them but also helps you be a better ally to others. Specifically, active listening helps you understand concerns and build empathy.

      Once you’ve done your listening, use what you’ve gathered to support this person going forward. Specifically, you can create a safe space — an environment where they feel more comfortable. 

      When creating these safe spaces, make sure all employees know they are welcome. An open, judgment-free environment encourages participation that more and more people may feel comfortable joining. 

      Related: How to Foster Psychological Safety in the Workplace, from Interviews to Management 

      4. Amplify and advocate

      The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Culture Team at Per Scholas says, “When advocating for others, be mindful of representing them in a way that aligns with their identities and experiences. Listen to how people refer to themselves and their identities, and honor the language they use. Language is crucial to DEI work, and allies should understand words’ power regarding inclusion and psychologically safe spaces.”

      Recognize your privilege as an ally and use that privilege for good. Mentor, advocate, amplify, and provide resources to your peers, particularly those from a less advantaged or diverse background. 

      Consider becoming a sponsor, an opportunity to advocate for an individual in an underrepresented group. In doing so, you support their career growth and even boost retention.

      Our partner, TopResume, suggests, “You can be an official sponsor through programs within your workplace, or you can serve as an unofficial sponsor/mentor. Once you have identified a need, you can offer your time and guidance to help give other helpful tools and tips for success.” 

      5. Know you’re not perfect

      Especially if you’re just starting out as an ally, be open about the fact that you don’t know everything. Apologize if and when you misstep. Own up to mistakes and de-center yourself by listening without focusing the conversation around your own views.   

      In general, people will appreciate you owning up to it and may even take the opportunity to help you learn. Even after you’ve had successes as an ally (perhaps multiple people have confided in you or thanked you for your support), don’t assume the learning ends there. Continue to absorb knowledge from other allies and maintain an open dialogue about where you have room to continue growing. 

      Per Scholas’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Culture Team is a big fan of Glenn Singleton and his work, Courageous Conversations About Race. The first step in developing racial consciousness is simply acknowledging, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” As an ally, this can evolve into understanding, where one can proclaim, “I know, I know!” By acknowledging our imperfections, we are officially on a path to create change for ourselves and within the environments we share with others.

      6. Educate yourself and others 

      Understand your education is largely determined by you. As explained by Hubspot’s Chief People Officer, Katie Burke, “Allyship at its core is the act of unlearning and relearning.” Embrace opportunities to know more about diversity, equity, and inclusion and work to empathize with underprivileged groups.

      More resources to guide you on your allyship journey:

      Start reading our Ally Series: 

      Should You Disclose a Disability During Your Job Search? The Complete Guide

      How Jobseekers Can Combat Pregnancy Discrimination in the Hiring Process

      Anxiety, Fear of Failure? You’re Not Alone: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

      What is Workplace Ageism? (+ 5 Ways to Combat Ageism in the Job Search) 

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