Career Growth

Subterms

    Latest story

    63 Shares169 Views

    Inspiring Career Growth at Synchrony

    by

    Early career opportunities vary from summer internships and externships to entry-level positions. When exploring possibilities in the beginning of your career, rotational programs offer a unique opportunity to gain diverse experiences and to learn how to work with multiple teams – all within one company.

    Synchrony, a Fortune 200 financial services company, inspires career growth from day one. Synchrony is at the heart of many U.S. financial transactions that are made every day and is committed to providing hands-on experiences for its early career talent. The company has a robust early career development program that aims to identify, attract and develop the company’s future leaders.

    Synchrony’s driving force is to be essential to people’s everyday lives by making it easier for the tens of millions of people who rely on us to access their essential needs and everyday wants with consumer financing that works for them – from their first credit card to a lifetime of flexibility. The company is recognized in the industry as a top employer, recently named by Fortune as one of the nation’s top five best companies to work for.

    The Business Leadership Program

    One of the programs that makes Synchrony stand out is its Business Leadership Program (BLP). These early career development programs are designed to accelerate the careers of tomorrow’s leaders.

    The summer internship program is a 10-week program for rising juniors and first-year HR graduate students. As a BLP intern, you will work on projects and participate in meaningful work in your desired field while experiencing the support of the team, mentors, and Synchrony’s award-winning culture. If you are interested in the summer internship program, learn more here.

    The Full-Time BLP program is a two-year, rotational program for graduating university seniors designed to facilitate your career growth across three different disciplines. If you’re still undecided on what you want to pursue professionally, a rotational program could be a great opportunity for you to explore after graduation.

    The Synchrony BLP program has more than 10 different tracks, from sales and relationship management, finance, data analytics, and other areas across the business. The program includes community service, networking and social events.

    The BLP program helps transition graduates into the working world by offering experiences similar to what students had with student clubs and organizations. The participant-led committees include Development, Wellness, Recruiting, and Engagement, providing real-world opportunities for new grads to grow in their communication, planning, and leadership skills.

    Beyond the leadership development gained through the committees, the BLP program also helps accelerate individuals into positions of leadership.

    Creating a Fast Track for Leadership

    One of the top appeals of the BLP program is how it offers early career candidates access to leaders within the organization and helps to advance opportunities for leadership for themselves personally.

    Due to the nature of the program, you gain diverse work experiences across multiple teams and practice areas and are steps ahead of your peers as it relates to career growth.

    Wyatt Craig, SVP Digital Finance – PayPal, who was in the first cohort of the BLP rotational program shared that the biggest differentiator is the support from leadership. Leaders and mentors help you define what you want to do in your career and suggest experiences to help you achieve your goals.

    The investment from leaders continues long after the program ends. Wyatt mentioned the value of the alumni network, which provides mentorship to BLP participants. To help recent graduates transition into the corporate world, these alumni provide guidance on what a career path post-BLP could look like.

    Synchrony continues to invest in its employees and offers ongoing learning opportunities, including tuition benefits, which was essential for Wyatt when he decided to pursue post-grad education.

    Cultivating a Culture of Flexibility and Well-Being

    Through its people-centric culture, Synchrony co-designs programs and initiatives together with employees. The company offers flexible work options, allowing employees to work from home, in the office, or both in a hybrid work environment while redesigning its workspaces to encourage meaningful connections.

    Josh Mugabe, a HRBP BLP, described the company’s emphasis on flexibility and choice.

    Josh also shares how purposeful engagement provides valuable ways early in your career to meet and interact with people in the office. The Synchrony “hubs” or workspaces also provide a collaborative atmosphere to build relationships.

    Synchrony also prioritizes employee well-being in the workplaces, providing comprehensive wellness programs and benefits. For example, the company provides a psychologist onsite and employees can have up to 12 sessions per year at no cost to them personally. The program was built with everyone in mind, including interns.

    Angela King, Sales & Relationship Management BLP, was the first BLP to lead the BLP’s Wellness committee.

    Initiatives include physical activities like intramural sports, the Brooklyn marathon and ice skating in Bryant Park as well as stress reduction and wellness programs including a cooking class, financial literacy, and virtual monthly conversations.

    Gaining Real-World Career Skills

    Angela shared how fast the two years went by and how much she accomplished and grew during that time. She learned about Synchrony and business acumen and increased her confidence, gained insight into her own strengths and weaknesses, and developed leadership skills.

    A rotational program offers tangible work experience that could help you solidify the direction for your career. The program dedicates time for you to explore your interests and learn from different roles and leaders. As you consider possibilities for your life after graduation, we encourage you to look into Synchrony’s rotational program. If you don’t have plans to graduate yet, then you can learn more about the summer 10-week internship program.

    You can learn more about the company here. If you’re interested in starting your career at Synchrony, visit us here to find out more about the internship program, the rotational program, and other early-career opportunities.

    Tags:

    business leadership program,

    career growth,

    early career,

    early career development,

    early career jobs,

    financial services,

    flexibility,

    leadership development,

    rotational program,

    synchrony,

    wellness More

    More stories

    • 100 Shares159 Views

      in Career Hacks

      Help Change the World by Interning at Arup

      by

      If you have not heard of Arup, you have likely seen their firm’s work firsthand without realizing it. As a global collective of designers, consultants, and experts dedicated to sustainable development, they use technology, imagination, and rigour to shape a better world. The firm has a 75-year history of commitment in producing meaningful and socially useful work.

      Working for Global Impact

      Sustainable development encompasses a variety of aspects, including regeneration, biodiversity, conservation of resources, stable economic growth, and social value. Arup has a collaborative approach where architects, engineers, and consultants come together to work towards the shared goal of shaping a better world.

      In line with Arup’s purpose, they work to provide a greater impact on the world around them. Arup has committed to achieving net zero emissions across their entire operation by 2030, covering everything from the energy used in offices to goods and services purchased. From 2019 to 2022, Arup reduced their carbon footprint by 14% to help them get closer to their goal of net zero.

      As a global organization, Arup’s members work across a myriad of departments, which they internally call “disciplines.” These disciplines range from engineering departments – such as Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Structural Engineering – to more specialized groups such as Sustainability, Acoustics, Energy, and more. Additionally, Arup has a business services team that includes roles within Marketing and Communications, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, and more.

      Launching Early Careers

      No matter what career path you’re pursuing, there are countless opportunities to explore at Arup. Their firm provides exposure to various disciplines throughout the internship, which helps to foster curiosity and awareness of the types of career path available to them. As an employer of choice, Arup serves as a launching pad for passionate young professionals who are looking to start their careers with meaningful work.

      For those looking to start their careers or gain knowledge as they pursue their early careers, Arup’s internship program offers an impactful experience. The acclaimed summer program offers a paid, 10-week internship for full-time undergraduate and graduate students.

      The internship program is divided into three categories in a 70/20/10 framework:

      70% real work experience

      20% internship program events

      10% for ongoing learning opportunities

      Providing Meaningful Work Experience

      Much of the time, about 70%, is spent working alongside professionals and contributing to the success of real-life projects. The internship program equips interns with hands-on experience across disciplines working on active engineering, design, and consulting projects.

      For more information about the Delta Sky Way at LAX project, see here.

      During the internship, interns are immersed in project site visits, team meetings, company meetings, and client meetings. Additionally, interns regularly engage with leadership and develop relationships with colleagues through project meetings and attending social events. The program offers a diverse experience and positions students for success within their desired career path.

      Fostering Relationships and Networking Opportunities

      During the internship, 20% of the time is spent engaging in internship program events such as regional events, local events, and a project review assignment. Regional events allow interns to engage with peers across 16 offices, attending workshops about sustainability, Employee Resource Groups, leadership, and other topical events.

      The local events foster intentional networking opportunities through site visits, connecting with office leadership, and a graduate panel discussion. These events also provide opportunities for interns to meet and engage with colleagues across disciplines at Arup, helping to expand their knowledge about the firm. Additionally, some of the events offer insights from members early in their career to interns about to start their career.

      The project review assignment groups interns into multidisciplinary teams where they work together across different office locations. Interns are tasked with completing a knowledge review and creating a value story on a recently completed Arup project, allowing interns to explore how a project was delivered with quality. The final outcome is a presentation that interns give to their teams, peers, and leadership, which provides them with meaningful exposure to the organization.

      Offering Continued Education and Development

      Finally, the last 10% of the internship is set aside for ongoing education and professional development opportunities. Interns are encouraged to spend time pursuing additional trainings to advance their skills and knowledge, which highlights how Arup invests in early career talent.

      The hiring managers identify a mentor, or what Arup calls a “buddy,” that will be partnered with interns. The objective of this mentor system is to assist interns in acclimating to their new environment, learning about the organization, and integrating into the culture and work at Arup.

      A Thriving Company Culture

      Arup deeply cares about its culture and how it represents the mission and vision of the organization. In addition to their values, Arup strives to champion Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI), and engages with communities across the globe. The firm values how the best creative work draws from a range of human experiences, viewpoints, and ideas. Arup is committed to DEI and its efforts shape the firm’s work and culture.

      Interns shared how they were able to get involved in Employee Resource Groups and support work that aligned with their own long-term goals. From exposure to the diverse leadership at Arup to networking with other offices, interns are integrated into the life and culture of the organization. They also spoke about opportunities of attending conferences or other events to support their own professional development and expand their interests outside of project work.

      Wondering what a typical day-to-day looked like for Arup interns? For more insight, watch the below videos to see what it was like to intern at Arup from 3 Arup interns at the Houston, TX office, New York City office, and Boston office!

      [embedded content]

      Timothy Dang’s day in the life as a Mechanical Engineering intern at the Houston, TX Office

      [embedded content]

      Sarah Cole’s day in the life as a Software Development rotational intern visiting the New York City office

      [embedded content]

      Kelly Perymon’s day in the life as a Sustainability intern at the Boston, MA office

      Pipeline for Future Job Opportunities

      It’s no secret that Arup’s internship program provides a funnel of potential candidates. At the end of the internship, interns are evaluated and considered for full-time or return internship opportunities.

      Arup employs individuals from all different degrees and backgrounds. They assess candidates holistically and place a focus on their technical skills and experience that align with the position. They look for innovative thinkers with a passion and drive to join an extraordinary collective and create a future with purpose.

      Internship Application Process

      For those interested in applying for an internship with Arup, you must submit an application. After passing the resume review, candidates will be shortlisted and invited to complete the pre-screen step and assessment. After passing the pre-screen, candidates will be set up for a video interview with the hiring manager for the role.

      Arup looks for students who are passionate about their field of study, curious about the professional world, and eager to shape a better world through sustainable development. It is important for candidates to be self-motivated, have strong communication skills, and be willing to be part of a community.

      For more information about the internship program and the application process, check out Arup’s page on WayUp here. More

    • 150 Shares179 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Leaders Share Tips to Build Career Resilience as a Woman in Tech 

      by

      No career journey is complete without some level of uncertainty along the way. Discover tools to support you in times of uncertainty, whether you’re an individual contributor or spearheading a team. 

      In this blog, we share insights from the “Building Career Resilience in Times of Uncertainty” workshop led by: 

      Erica Yamamoto, SVP of Marketing & Partnerships at Hired

      Kelly Griffith, Global Director of Coaching Services at Ezra Coaching

      Use their strategies to thrive amid the unpredictable waves of today’s job market.

      The state of the hiring market

      The recent hiring market has been characterized by uncertainty, volatility, and contradiction. We’ve seen layoff trends fluctuate significantly over the past several years. We’ve learned to brace ourselves for change. Big picture, we’ve faced a potential recession, significant hiring freezes, and layoffs. 

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

      Unfortunately, these effects disproportionately impact women. 

      Prior to COVID, average attrition rates at companies were actually higher for men. However, during the pandemic, 1 in 4 women considered leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers. That compares to 1 in 5 men.

      In fact, globally, women lost 64 million jobs in 2020, amounting to a 5% loss. Black and Latina women comprised almost half of COVID workforce losses. For men, that was 3.9%. 

      2022 saw improvements in women’s labor force participation. However, it was still behind participation highs and below rates for men – who have regained all the jobs they lost during the pandemic.

      As of December 2022, women’s labor force participation was at 58.1% compared to 70.4% for men.

      Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

      The gender wage gap

      Inequality in workforce participation and unemployment also impacts wage equality. Hired’s 2023 State of Wage Inequality report reveals the wage gap – the difference in salary between white males and underrepresented groups – continues to be prevalent in the tech industry. 

      According to the data, Hispanic men, Black men, Hispanic women, and Black women saw widening expectation and wage gaps. These groups earn $0.97, $0.93, $0.92, and $0.90, respectively, for every $1 a white male counterpart earns. 

      Asian women and white women reported improvements in the expectation gap. Data shows increases from $0.97 to $0.99 and $0.94 to $0.95, respectively, for every $1 a white male counterpart earns. This has consequently driven improvements in the wage gap. 

      Further improvements arise from recent salary transparency laws, which show potential to reverse gender wage gaps in tech.

      Related: Read the full 2023 State of Wage Inequality report

      We are making some progress, albeit slowly. The challenge lies in sustaining this progress even as the economy wavers. 

      Prioritizing women’s health 

      The increasing shift to remote work is associated with increases in imposter syndrome. As employees gather more evidence about the quality of their work over time, their confidence grows. 

      However, remote work and isolation from colleagues usually mean less face time and feedback. With less input, employees have less reassurance of their work quality, regardless of their performance level.

      In an effort to champion women in the workplace, many organizations are paying closer attention to how they might support women’s health. This includes supporting employees through menopause. CIPD estimates that 1 million women have already quit their jobs because of menopause. 

      Given that women over 50 represent the fastest-growing employee demographic, organizations have much to gain by enhancing menopause care. After all, this pool of talent is also likely to aspire to leadership roles. This aligns with many companies’ goals to boost female representation at senior levels.

      Related: How AND Digital & Dropbox Boosted Women in Tech Talent Hiring Pipelines

      In terms of health for leaders, stress tends to be an inevitable part of work. Regardless of how much planning you do, there will likely be moments when things do go wrong. In these situations, stress may actually be a good thing. A pounding heart and a flood of adrenaline help you galvanize your team, handling what needs to be done to solve the problem.

      However, long-term stress is associated with a host of difficulties. Chronic stress causes health problems such as anxiety and personality disorders, obesity, eating disorders, and more. 

      To mitigate these risks, consider partnering with a coach or mentor to build personal resilience. This is a great strategy to greatly reduce burnout and boost confidence. 

      Career resilience

      What is career resilience? 

      Resilience is the ability to swiftly rebound from difficulties. As for career resilience, think of it as the ability to adapt to career changes as they occur. This might include: 

      Anticipating risks 

      Feeling comfortable with change 

      Limiting damages during turbulent times

      Regrouping and bouncing back when facing the worst-case scenario

      Related: Insights for tech and sales careers

      Perhaps you are active in your job search or are optimizing in your current role. Actively building career resilience will give you the strength to:

      Endure uncertainty

      Adjust to changes as they arise

      Position yourself for success in future opportunities

      Career resilience also enables you to be an effective leader for teams when they need it most. 

      Building career resilience is an active process. It needs just as much attention as building job-related skills. Make these resilience-building activities a habit – you’ll soon see the impacts in your career.

      Start building career resilience

      As a leader, you often have to absorb other people’s stress, work through difficult situations, and bounce back. You’re expected to be ready to take on the next challenge. 

      That’s not easy. Sixty percent of leaders say they feel “used up” by the end of the day. Twenty-four percent are considering leaving their company because stress levels are so high. 

      The trick here is to develop strategies allowing you to lead your team effectively through difficult situations – without destroying your well-being in the process. 

      Pause to reflect on areas of strengths and areas of continued focus. This is a strategy to self-assess and identify gaps in skills or your network you might want to develop.

      Your personal SWOT analysis 

      SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This model is often used for project management but is an effective tool for reflection too.

      Simply pausing helps us create awareness and new insights. In turn, this enables us to focus on the areas that are most important.

      Here’s the recipe for resilience:

      Be self-aware: Even for senior leaders, having more resilient teams starts with ensuring you’re leading by example regarding reflection and positivity.

      Set reasonable expectations: “Above and beyond” is a great buzzword. However, make sure the goals you set for yourself and your teams are SMART.

      Ask for help: An often-underplayed component of resilience is the ability to understand your limitations and seek help when you need it.

      Get dedicated support: Are you a leader or aspiring to be one? An external viewpoint will help you navigate challenging situations, which can be invaluable to your growth.

      Revisiting this exercise regularly is a great way to pause and take stock of what’s going well – and where you can make adjustments or improvements. 

      This quickly instills an increased feeling of control over what may be a turbulent situation. It ultimately enables you to keep pushing forward.

      Resilient leadership

      A fundamental element of being a good leader is being able to instill confidence in your team. You need to keep the boat steady during times of uncertainty. How might you apply these personal insights to your experience and actions as a leader? Let us introduce you to The Change Curve.

      Applying The LHH Change Curve

      Research and experience tell us that people have a common transitional process they go through in times of change. People gradually accept the details of a new situation and the changes that come with it. 

      The five-stage LHH Change Curve Model is applicable to both positive and negative change.

      Food for thought: 

      Consider an example in which you’ve been through this curve (either as a leader or team member).

      Considering your personal SWOT, how can you leverage your strengths to support your team through change?

      What areas might you focus on developing to support your team even more?

      Having seen the change curve model, is there anything you’d add into your SWOT?

      Related: 10 Books to Add to Your List for Insights in Leadership and Management

      Moving forward (with resilience)

      The world has experienced some major shakeups over the past few years. Along the way, each of us felt anxiety and stress at levels we had not felt before. Everyone at some point has had to demonstrate some level of resilience.

      Building resilience is an essential habit to grow in your career and maintain your well-being along the way. It’s also a critical priority for businesses. They need leaders who can inspire a workforce and keep people focused, confident, and productive in times of uncertainty. 

      Give yourself space to habitually self-reflect on what brought you to where you are now and where you still have to go. This regular practice creates a map to follow amid turbulent times. It keeps you on the path to success in your career. More

    • 125 Shares99 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Future-Proof Your Tech Career: How to Make Strategic Decisions (VIDEO)

      by

      These days, making strategic career decisions is often tied to conversations about “quiet quitting.” This term was coined in 2022 due to a mix of:

      Unclear expectations

      Few growth opportunities

      Disconnects between a company and the employee’s needs

      Quiet quitting transformed jobseekers’ way of thinking, with most centering the job search around their needs, goals, and values. 

      But what happens when jobseekers find companies they align with? They stay longer and are generally happier. Studies show retention is highest when employers invest in long-term learning and growth opportunities.

      Watch this on-demand webinar to hear experts from the Get Hired Summit discuss how jobseekers can strategize to future-proof their careers in tech. You’ll hear from:

      Related: Hired’s 2022 List: Top Employers Winning Tech Talent  

      Read an excerpt of the conversation here and scroll down to access the full webinar. 

      Amid the uncertainty, what are you seeing in the market right now? What advice would you give those in entry-level or mid-career positions in tech?

      Adam

      There definitely has been a shift in the last six months or so. We’re seeing conditions start to change in the market. I’m seeing that it’s still quite competitive for… people with 5+ years of experience. Those people are still in very high demand and they still have competitive offers from a variety of companies. Where it’s getting a lot harder is for the entry-level, junior candidates — people with 1-2 years of experience. 

      We’ve had the same role open at different times over the last few years. A year ago we would have seen maybe a handful of applicants come in. Recently, we had 1,500 applicants come in within the first few weeks.

      The advice I would give to someone just starting out is to just build things. Do what you can to optimize for learning and practice your craft. Even if it’s something you build, get it up in GitHub, GitLab, or wherever you host your code. Practice and build it. Maybe you’ll throw it away but you’ll learn something along the way. 

      Related: Hired Releases 2023 State of Software Engineers Report

      I highly value the people who want to show their commitment to practicing their craft and showing they enjoy it and like building things. That’s what I want to have a conversation about in the interview process. I want to learn why they were excited about it, why they built it, and what they learned along the way. That goes such a long way.

      Matt

      Definitely try new things and take some risks early in your career. The world is your oyster. There’s no time like the present to jump in and swim. You’re going to try a lot of things and you’re going to fail. You’re going to find some things you don’t like but you’re also going to find something you do like — something you’re really excited about. That’s what you want to run toward. 

      Think of your career as this marathon that will be many years of your life. Do you want to spend it doing something… you don’t love? Find what you can be really passionate and excited about. There will be hard days and hard projects but you should have more positive experiences than not. Implicit in that is to learn from those experiences.

      Kelly

      I speak to a lot of candidates in my career. Some of them have just finished college and have known exactly what they wanted to do their whole life. I speak to other people who had multiple careers. They’re in their thirties or forties and just starting bootcamp. They’re excited and passionate. Trying as many different careers until you find something you’re really passionate about is important. It’s never too late to start something new!

      Related: Partner Spotlight: Coding Bootcamps & Non-Traditional Education for Tech Talent

      Watch the full panel discussion to learn:  More

    • 188 Shares139 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      How to Create a Strong Personal Brand: The Key to Beginning a Networking Relationship (VIDEO)

      by

      A strong brand is not only relevant for businesses. It’s important for individuals too, especially those navigating the job search. A strong personal brand that speaks to your skills, values, and expertise is crucial for networking and your overall career. 

      It’s your identity. What should people think about when they hear your name during conversations or in the media? What populates when hiring managers or recruiters search for you online? 

      Watch this on-demand webinar to hear experts from Get Hired: Future-Proof Your Career in Tech discuss what it takes to make your personal online brand effective and how it can lead to a new career and networking opportunities.

      You’ll hear from:

      Revenue & Product Marketing Manager, Multiply, Lee Brooks

      Senior Platform Engineer, RVU, Suraj Narwade 

      Lead Talent Acquisition, GTM, International, Sonatype, Heidi King-Underwood

      Founder & CEO, Hustle Crew, Abadesi Osunsade

      Read an excerpt of the conversation here and scroll down to access the full webinar. 

      When it comes to seeking talent, what do you want to learn about someone from their personal brand?

      Suraj 

      When it comes to hiring someone from a personal brand perspective, the first thing to call out here is that you obviously see a resume. But I think in today’s world, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, etc. act as a resume together. From a personal brand perspective, I will look at how they are presenting themselves and how they are showcasing their knowledge on any of the platforms. 

      Lee 

      For me, one of the most important things is: Are they fit for the role I’m hiring for? Does their personal brand give me confidence they have expertise in the areas I’m recruiting for? Sometimes it’s easy to tell from someone’s personal brand. Sometimes it’s more difficult, but if I was looking for someone who was good at creating content or social media, I hope I’d be able to get that from their online profile. 

      Another one that’s really important to me is cultural fit. How would someone’s personality, values, and work style fit? At Multiply, we’re all remote workers. It’s quite important that you have someone who can fit into that culture and thrive. 

      The third one is passion and drive. Are they enthusiastic when they’re talking online? This leads to culture a little bit but do they really show passion and drive for their work? I think you can tell through the content, achievements, and overall approach to their career.

      Heidi 

      The cheat is we are bundle searching. We’re looking for keywords. Make your LinkedIn profile as full as possible, like you would a CV… Talk about everything you were doing and everything you’re looking to do. 

      On LinkedIn these days, you can actually put how to pronounce your name. Make things as easy as possible for the recruiter. What are your pronouns? Let’s make sure I don’t insult you by presuming… 

      Talk about the tech stack you’re utilizing. If you present yourself on a third-party site, put the link there. Make it available so I can actually forward it to my hiring teams. I might send over that link and say, ‘What do you think about what they’re putting out or their content?’ It shows… you’re using your own recreational time to highlight you’re really passionate about this. Include stand-out elements like volunteering… If you have certain skills or have done a workshop on LinkedIn learning around diversity and inclusion, that goes with cultural fit.

      Related: Code Your Career: Staying Competitive in the Developer Job Market (VIDEO)

      It shows passion and drive around the fact that you’ve gone off and taken on that skill and you recognize it as a skill. There are so many different elements but the more words you put on your professional site, CV, and personal sites, [you increase chances that] we will find that by doing boolean searching. The more content you have and the more authentic you are about yourself, the easier it will be for me to find you. Put your contact information out there too if you want to be contacted. That’s really important.

      Watch the full collaborative panel discussion to learn:  More

    • 138 Shares169 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Fred Campbell, Software Engineer in the UK

      by

      Can you share a little bit about your educational background?

      I earned a traditional degree in Experimental Psychology. I later trained in my late twenties as a Software Engineer through Makers Academy bootcamp.

      It was great and I learned a lot from this practical, hands-on experience. Joining a small startup after that provided a lot of educational benefits. I was able to try my hand in lots of different areas.

      What would you like to learn more about?

      Tech related: I’d like to skill up as a front-end developer. I only have back-end experience so far and feel I’m missing out a bit! Non-tech related: Gardening as ours is a mess!

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I previously coded HTML sites in Notepad in the early 2000s and drifted away from it. I felt dissatisfied with my career in Education many years later. 

      I then decided to take up coding again since I enjoyed it so much. Needless to say, things have changed since the turn of the millennium!

      How has your skillset evolved over the course of your career?

      Developing soft skills has been important alongside technical skills. Good listening and communication skills are so crucial but often overlooked in favour of blunt technical output. Working to become a well-rounded developer rather than just technically proficient is essential.

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

      I ended up moving into back-end through circumstance rather than choice. However, I’ve always had an interest in design and would like to pivot more into front-end if I have the opportunity.

      Is your new role different from previous ones? 

      It’s in a very different industry. I’m moving from fintech into hospitality. Sometimes it can feel daunting dropping all that domain knowledge and ‘starting again’ within a new industry.

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

      A highly-skilled and friendly team, a great product with clear direction, and a collaborative working environment. I am also looking forward to learning new technologies I have not worked with previously.

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

      I spoke to a few recruiters but nothing felt particularly targeted and nothing fit my overall experience level. I found the process much more frustrating than it needed to be. There was so much noise and it was hard to find a good match.

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

      Be responsive and get back to recruiters regardless of whether the job is one you’re interested in. When you do find something that seems to be a good fit, it’s important to be clear about what you’re looking for and the skill set you can provide.

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

      Go for it! The process was so smooth and straightforward, and the companies on the platform are very high quality.

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

      Take a break from your screen every once in a while. Don’t work into the evening. Focus on developing core tech skills rather than chasing the latest trends.

      Congrats on the job, Fred! Interested in landing a great role in the UK like Fred did? Complete your free profile on Hired today!

      About Triptease

      Triptease is a SaaS startup building software to help the hotel industry increase their direct bookings. Their industry-leading products bring the right guests straight to the right hotel so they can get the best price direct. Founded in 2013, Triptease has 51-200 employees and is headquartered in London.

      Tech Stack

      TypeScript, Node.JS, Python, HTML, CSS, React, Redux, Jest, Google Cloud Platform, Docker, Kubernetes, PostgreSQL, Redis, Airflow, Jupyter, Continuous Deployment, CircleCI, Test Driven Development (TDD), Pair Programming, Looker, BigQuery, Behavior-driven Development (BDD)

      Benefits

      Stock options, paid time off, maternity/paternity benefits, tuition reimbursement, career growth, diversity program, job training, and more. More

    • 150 Shares129 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Common FAQs from Jobseekers: The Importance of Upskilling for Tech Talent (VIDEO)

      by

      In the current tech talent pool, candidates are searching for ways to upskill for that competitive edge. Upskilling is the process of continuous learning and an excellent way to stand out as a candidate. But with all the resources available, where do you start?

      Hint: with this blog! 

      We shared answers to common questions about upskilling in our AMA-style discussion (now on-demand!). Keep reading for an inside look into what the experts had to say. 

      You’ll hear from these Hired team members:

      Sophia Koehl, Partnerships

      Simon Mackie, Publishing Manager, SitePoint 

      Nate Becker, Candidate Experience

      Read the beginning of the conversation here and scroll down to access the full webinar. 

      How does upskilling apply to my career path?

      Nate

      Your field is always growing. It’s always changing and evolving. In your role and your company, there might always be new opportunities and if you look at your own role you can look at where it is now versus where it was when you started. You can get an idea that companies want you to specialize your skills and employers are always specialized in your role. You can see the importance of it even looking at your growth in your one role. 

      On Hired, employers put these skills directly in the job descriptions. On your candidate profile, you’re going to put these skills directly on there and that’s how we match you – according to this tech stack and these hard skills. It’s important in how you get matched and how you get seen. 

      Simon

      One of the great things about tech careers as a whole is you don’t necessarily need to go back to school to improve your skills, to upskill, or to transition roles. Once you’ve mastered those programming skills, development skills, and engineering skills, you can then shift your focus to look at learning frameworks and libraries, and keep moving on a path forward.

      When you’re looking at a career path as a whole, you definitely need to be upskilling to reach the end goal. Upskilling tends to involve projects. When you’re looking at the projects you’ll be working on, you need to identify the skills you need to be learning for your employer to achieve those project goals. Working on those projects is a great way to learn new skills and learn what you’re interested in to see where your career path could go in the future. 

      People in tech have a bunch of different skills they need to learn at different times. You could be a developer who needs to learn some Scrum skills. In the future, if you’re interested, it could lead to a career as a Scrum master or a product owner in Scrum. Upskilling is vital to you figuring out how you navigate your career path going forward. 

      Sophia

      I like what you said: you might just figure out what you’re interested in. That’s an important call out, especially in a tech role where the career path might not be as linear as another domain. You need to be in tune with your interests and when you upskill and you experience new skills, you might find something that you really like. That might help you carve out your career path. Hired partners with organizations like SitePoint, that provide workshops and upskilling opportunities. There are a lot of organizations out there wanting to support you through this. 

      Other key topics from the conversation include: 

      Upskilling vs reskilling

      Why now is a good time to upskill

      How to ask your company for upskilling opportunities  

      The best technical skills to upskill for 

      And more! 

      An inside look into SitePoint’s toolkit

      What technical skills should I upskill for? 

      Simon’s picks:

      There is so much to learn. How do I prioritize which skills to learn? 

      Simon’s picks include developer surveys like: More

    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Meet Hired’s Candidate Experience Team: Supporting Jobseekers Every Step of the Way

      by

      A top resource for jobseekers looking for Tech & Sales roles  

      A positive candidate experience is an essential part of a successful hiring process, so we have a team dedicated to supporting jobseekers on the Hired platform. 

      Get to know the Candidate Experience Team

      The Candidate Experience (CX) Team currently consists of six members whose responsibilities include: 

      Profile polishing at the onboarding stageCareer coaching and providing resources for navigating the job searchInterview check-ins and interview requests (IVRs) helpGeneral support using the Hired platform

      While the CX team is available to Hired jobseekers at any stage, we typically assign a dedicated CX team member after a jobseeker accepts their first IVR to ensure smooth sailing during the interview process. 

      CX helps bridge the gap between candidates and employers to create a streamlined process. For instance, if a candidate has not heard back from a company, CX can work with the organization’s account manager to get them back in touch with the candidate. The team advocates for transparency on both ends and encourages jobseekers to maintain clear communication with potential employers too.

      If candidates receive an offer, CX checks in again to congratulate them of course, and see if they can provide further support. This could be advice for an offer negotiation or to act as a sounding board to weigh opportunities. From coaching to even some much-needed encouragement (the job search is tough!), CX is here for candidates. 

      Here to help every candidate have a great experience

      First, the Candidate Experience Team is a resource for you. They’re here to help and they work hard behind the scenes too, constantly collaborating with every team across Hired to find ways to improve the candidate experience and help you land your dream job. 

      Second, are you subscribed to The Hired Download email newsletter? They’re the folks sending it! Third, have you attended a How Hired Helps: Ask Me Anything Webinar to get your job search questions answered? They help make those events happen too! 

      Speaking of Hired resources for candidates, we asked team members to share their favorite items to support jobseekers. Here’s what they recommend: 

      “My experience with Hired was great! I landed a job interview offer almost immediately and at the end of the day managed to land a new job via Hired! I also had some great assistance in both the form of website popups as well as regular emails from the team. I would be happy to use Hired again if I need to change my job.”

      Mykola Y., Hired User

      5 of the CX Team’s top tips to find new tech & sales roles on Hired

      Respond to interview requests quickly! Even if you aren’t available to interview for several weeks, you can always accept the interview request and schedule the interview in advance. Being responsive shows you’re interested and proactive. Employers respond well to quick communication.Be courteous when interviewing. Likewise, send thank you notes after interviews and follow up if you haven’t heard back from a company. Displaying a genuine interest in the opportunity and putting your best foot forward in the interview process is as important as any other skill you bring to the table!Be transparent and keep your profile and resume up-to-date. Include all relevant experience and make sure the information on your resume aligns with your profile and LinkedIn – employers check for consistency.Make sure to polish your profile so employers have all the information they need – any extra information is always a bonus! Use the “Must-Have,” “Nice To Have,” & “Do not Want” sections of your profile. Employers also love it when they’re able to get a glimpse of your personality through your profile. It helps them understand if you like working in specific environments, like pair programming. It also helps them personalize their IVRs to you if something in your profile (even interests and hobbies!) aligns with their team. Another reason is if they feel certain benefits or projects would resonate with you.Focus on hard skills when completing the “Primary Area of Expertise” section. Using skills as keywords helps us match you for available roles. Plus, most recruiters search this way using keywords as filters.

      Related: Get more guidance in this blog featuring a video presentation: Want More Interviews and Better Matches? 5 Key Tips! 

      Why the Candidate Experience Team loves what they do

      We’ve shared lots of reasons for you to love the CX Team so let’s wrap up with what the team loves about working with jobseekers: 

      “The CX role is a rewarding one. Navigating a candidate to a destination ‘dream job’ is what we do best!”“It’s an extremely rewarding experience helping people get jobs they’re excited about! A lot goes into the interview process and it can be tiring, so seeing candidates overcome that tall task to get a role they love makes it all worth it!”“It’s brilliant speaking to candidates daily to ensure they’re doing well on the platform and helping them where they need it. I think it really helps to have someone on the platform solely to support them and to assist where needed! It’s a great moment (and truly rewarding) when they secure a role and are thrilled about their new venture. That’s what Hired is all about: connecting great candidates to great employers!”

      A note from the team: We welcome feedback about our candidates’ experiences using Hired. That includes what works and what doesn’t. We encourage you to share your experience with us! We appreciate it and use it to continuously improve the platform.

      Get personalized job search support

      To conclude, the CX Team is ready to partner with you, so use them to navigate the job search process. In addition, Hired partners with organizations to support jobseekers with resume enhancement, technical interview prep, upskilling, and more. Discover organizations to fit your career advancement needs. Plus, many offer discounts on their services to Hired platform candidates!

      The Hired Summit

      Lastly, mark your calendar for April 26th, 2023, for Hired’s Summit. It’s a free one-day virtual event to share job search tips and tricks and connect top talent to companies. The Summit offers tech and sales talent a variety of workshops, panel discussions, networking rooms, and so much more. 

      Discover upcoming events to get job search guidance and connect with top employers. More

    • 188 Shares179 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

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

      by

      Have you ever considered a career change? Perhaps, you’ve daydreamed about making a transition into a field entirely different from what you do now. 

      The idea is not so far out of reach and making a bold shift in profession is more common than you may think. Last year, nearly 53% of employed Americans who quit their job switched to a different occupation or field of work. 

      If you are ready to take a leap into tech but feel unprepared, General Assembly specializes in equipping professionals with the in-demand skills they need to pursue a job they truly love. Your career transformation starts here. Keep reading for insights into programs to help you pivot into Software Engineering, Data Science/Analytics, or UI/UX Design. 

      What is General Assembly?

      General Assembly (GA) is a reskilling provider helping professionals at any experience level transition to or upskill in technical roles, enabling them to pursue a path toward higher paying salaries and more engaging work. 

      GA is a sister company of Hired, meaning both companies fall under The Adecco Group – the world’s leading HR solutions company. General Assembly and Hired partnered to create a mutually beneficial relationship supporting graduates of the Immersive Programs and the clients looking to hire them. Since the start of GA and Hired’s partnership, employers on Hired have sent more than 800 interview requests to GA grads.

      GA offers courses to suit the needs of any schedule. The full-time courses, referred to as the “Immersive Programs” or “bootcamps,” are 10-13 week learning experiences. Think of these as a comprehensive career transformation. For part-time professionals looking to learn in-demand skills in their spare time, GA provides evening, weekend, and 1-week accelerated courses. Remote individuals can participate in GA’s full-time and part-time online classes. 

      In this blog, we will take a deeper dive into GA’s Immersive Programs. Since 2011, the digital education pioneer has helped more than 670,000 learners gain the skills they need to be successful in today’s digital economy. It’s safe to say you’d be in good company!

      About GA Immersive Programs 

      General Assembly’s 12-week Immersive programs, built and taught by industry experts, are designed to equip students with job-ready tech skills in UX Design, Software Engineering, and Data. All Immersive programs include career coaching for extra guidance and support. Participants also have access to the expansive alumni network for opportunities to build and grow their own professional networking circles.  

      Now, let’s dig into why thousands of students trust General Assembly and Hired to help them make their next big career move. We’ll explore what students can expect from the different Immersive programs and how Hired supports students in finding their dream job.

      Why should jobseekers participate in a GA program?

      Immersive Programs are a great way to show employers you’ve got what it takes. These programs condense comprehensive learning into 12 to 24 weeks of study. Each course costs $15,950 USD with financing options available. 

      While they are a bigger investment, they take less time than traditional degree programs and come at a lesser cost. They are more hands-on than what you would have access to in school and have the outcomes and career support to help career changers land their first jobs in tech. 

      To ensure job-readiness, GA has systems in place to enroll students who are 100% committed to the challenge of transitioning their careers into the tech sector. The admissions process is thorough as GA produces the most graduates that go to household name tech companies. Although somewhat competitive, GA encourages applicants from non-traditional backgrounds and experiences. The admissions process includes:

      Phone Interview: Once your application is reviewed, the admissions team will interview you to understand your career goals and motivations, and assess course fit.Technical Assessment: You will complete a technical task-based assessment to ensure aptitude. Behavioral Interview: The admissions producer will review your technical project and interview you to further assess your motivation, commitment, and willingness to practice. Pre-Work Assignment: You will receive a pre-work assignment to ensure you are prepared for the Immersive course you choose. 

      All Immersives include:

      Exploration into new concepts and tools through expert-led lectures and discussions.A deep dive into topics and techniques via independent, pair, and group projectsIndividualized feedback and support from your expert instructional team.The opportunity to apply what you’ve learned to homework assignments and unit projects, building out a professional portfolio to show off job-ready skills.

      Let’s review General Assembly’s four Immersive Programs: Software Engineering, Data Analytics, Data Science, and UI/UX Design. 

      The Software Engineering Immersive

      Get a solid base of fundamental programming and computer science knowledge, as well as experience with languages, frameworks, and libraries employers demand.

      Throughout the course you’ll learn to: 

      Explore programming and computer science fundamentals, as well as software engineering best practices.  Create a front-end web application with modern JavaScript frameworks such as Angular or React. Develop and deploy full-stack applications with in-demand technologies such as Ruby on Rails, Python with Django, and Express with Node.js. Build secure full-stack applications by leveraging common design and architectural patterns like model–view–controller (MVC) and Representational State Transfer (REST). Practice version control and collaborative software development with Git and GitHub.Safely model and store data in SQL and NoSQL databases. Consume and integrate third-party application programming interfaces (APIs) in an application. 

      Curious about the student experience? Hear from a General Assembly grad who soon landed a role using Hired after completing the Software Engineering Immersive: 

      “GA was a chance to make a career change. Although [the course] was a lot to take on, it allowed me to learn so much in a short time frame. [GA] really helped prepare me for my current position, giving me the confidence to learn quickly and efficiently.” 

      As for the job search, “Hired was very easy to navigate and use. I particularly enjoyed how it alleviated the grind of sending out many applications. I could see my profile getting views and soon I was invited to interview for several companies… Hired gave us the platform to communicate and made the experience so simple. This process was also relatively quick for me — I got a job offer within two months of finishing the course!”

      The Data Science & Data Analytics Immersives

      Be poised to succeed in a variety of data science and advanced analytics roles, creating predictive models that drive decision-making and strategy throughout organizations of all kinds.

      Throughout the courses you’ll learn to: 

      Collect, extract, query, clean, and aggregate data for analysis. Gather, store and organize data using SQL and Git. Perform visual and statistical analysis on data using Python and its associated libraries and tools. Craft and share compelling narratives through data visualization. Build and implement appropriate machine learning models and algorithms to evaluate data science problems spanning finance, public policy, and more.Compile clear stakeholder reports to communicate the nuances of your analyses. Apply question, modeling, and validation problem-solving processes to data sets from various industries to provide insight into real-world problems and solutions. 

      The UI/UX Design Immersive

      Learn to approach problems with creative and technical acumen and design the next generation of successful apps, websites, and digital products.

      Throughout the course you’ll learn to: 

      Identify and implement the most effective methods of user research to gain a deeper understanding of what users want and need. Use interaction and visual design techniques to craft a dynamic digital product that brings delight and function to users. Conduct usability testing to make product experiences more accessible for diverse user populations and environments. Learn best practices for working within a product team, employing product management techniques and evaluating technical constraints to better collaborate with developers. Produce polished design documentation, including wireframes and prototypes, to articulate design decisions to clients and stakeholders. Touch on the basics of hot topics like service design, design operations, and design leadership. Engage in real client work to execute the UX design process from start to finish with sketches, user research, and prototypes.

      Where does Hired come in? 

      Simplifying the sourcing process

      When a graduate finishes the program, Hired and General Assembly have a specific process to connect companies with talent in the respective Immersive sectors. Here is insight from Outcomes Partnerships Manager, Lupe Colangelo, on the process:

      “When a student is close to graduating, their Career Coach outlines the Hired platform to the class and shares the signup process using materials GA and Hired have collaborated on to make the process easy!

      GA and Hired have created onboarding materials to make the signup process seamless for students. We communicate closely when students have questions and have held quarterly Ask Me Anythings where we walk through the Hired platform and have the Hired team join to answer student questions live.

      We recommend that all of our graduates sign up for Hired so they can take advantage of the platform and showcase their skills in this way.”

      Connecting employers to non-traditional talent

      At Hired, we encourage organizations on our platform to search for and connect with General Assembly graduates. Employers can do this easily by searching, “General Assembly Immersive” in the keyword search. GA students get interview requests from top organizations and these employers take advantage of focusing on skills-based hiring and diversifying their teams with non-traditional talent.

      Caroline Sequeira, HR Coordinator from OpenAsset was impressed by high-quality candidates with unconventional backgrounds:

      “I was blown away by how prepared Nell was overall. Because she comes from a non-traditional background as a former nurse, I was very impressed with her ability to walk me through some of her projects she worked on at GA, the way she talked about different technical skills that she learned at GA and how she used them in her projects. Overall I was impressed by her ability to incorporate her skills and experience in the healthcare industry into being a successful Support Engineer on our team at OpenAsset.

      She came prepared to discuss her background and did a great job talking about her experience as a nurse and her experience at GA, and how both of those experiences have led her to where she is today.

      Nell has been an absolute pleasure to work with and we are very happy to have her. For future opportunities, it is a no brainer I will be reaching out to GA grads on Hired. I really enjoy using the Hired platform – it’s straightforward, organized, and sends reminders for scheduling interviews. Plus, there are definitely a lot of highly intentional candidates on the platform – just like Nell!”

      Empowering companies to build their teams

      Marc Fischer, CEO of Dogtown Media, and General Assembly go way back. He considers access to General Assembly grads on Hired a fundamental part of building his business: 

      “General Assembly has been a fantastic partner since the early days of founding our mobile tech studio, Dogtown Media. In fact our first UX design hire was a graduate of GA’s first ever UX Immersive cohort. We’ve found GA’s emphasis on training UX designers, product, and engineering talent to address real world problems via user-centric technology has been a huge contributor to our team’s success in the mobile app development space. Whenever we have talent needs, our partners at Hired and GA have been there to support us and I’d recommend them to any company looking to supercharge their growth.”  

      Ready to make your career transition?

      As an Immersive student, you’ll receive dedicated support from career coaches who will help you set goals, make a roadmap for success, and stay on track with your job search.

      With a GA course, you’ll:

      Get an inside look at the industry through day-in-the-life talks, hiring panel discussions, guest speakers, and more.Cultivate a competitive candidate mindset, learning to assess your skill set against job descriptions, track progress, and recognize opportunities.Develop your professional brand: Polish your online and in-person presence, and build confidence to set yourself apart in interviews.Tap into an exclusive global network of experts, influencers, and peers, plus learn strategies for leveraging your existing connections, in person and online.Become an active contributor to the General Assembly alumni community.After graduation, you’ll also gain access to resources to help fuel a lifetime of learning. Dive into new topics or continue honing your new skills with discounts on a suite of tools, passes, and packages to premier events, and more.

      Regardless of where you are in your career right now, this is your reminder that it’s not too late to make a change to do the work you love. The Hired and General Assembly partnership was designed to guide professionals like you toward their dream job.

      See a GA Immersive Program you’re interested in? Get more information and see if you’re eligible for a discount. More