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      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Miranda Waters, Software Engineer

      by

      Hi Miranda! Can you start by sharing a little bit about your educational background?

      I have my Bachelors degree in Nutritional Sciences. About 7 years after college, in 2019, I attended a 6-month full stack web development bootcamp. Before attending the bootcamp, I had no previous web development experience or knowledge.

      The bootcamp I attended, which was hosted through my alma mater, had a huge impact on my career. I took the course on a whim, thinking at the very least it would help me land some sort of tech-related job in sales or customer service. I ended up realizing software engineering was something I really enjoyed!

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

      What would you like to learn more about?

      I’d like to learn more about cybersecurity. I did some training in my previous job, and it was so interesting to see the common ways systems (and people) are taken advantage of.

      I’ve also been meaning to learn how to play the guitar that’s been gathering dust in my office…I’ll get there eventually!

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I’ve always wanted a career helping people, but I didn’t know where to start. At the same time, I wanted to be challenged and leverage my creative problem solving skills. I realized a career in tech would allow me to potentially change lives on a large scale and offer plenty of room for growth.

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

      I’m still pretty new to the field, so everyday I’m excited and proud about the things I know today that I didn’t know yesterday. Dev ops/systems architecture is where my skill set has evolved the most, but I still have so much to learn. Coding is only a small part of web development!

      Related: Curious about a Career in DevOps? How to Prep for Strong Interviews

      Do you specialize in any specific area?

      I haven’t chosen to specialize in a specific area yet. Right now, I’m focused on becoming a solid full-stack developer and seeing where that takes me.

      Is your new role different from previous ones and what are you most excited about?

      My new job is in a completely different industry (I moved from FinTech to Travel & Leisure). While my role is the same, and the tech stack I’m working in is very similar, the two positions have their own unique challenges!

      At my new company, Engineers are much more involved in what’s going on in different departments (Customer Service, Design, Marketing, etc.). Looking at problems through these different lenses will really help me grow as an Engineer and hone my leadership skills.

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

      Not fun. There were so many different places to keep track of job postings and where I applied. Plus, all the cover letters…ick!

      There was also a lot of wasted time. I would write up a whole application for a job, go through a few interviews, only to learn their salary offering was way lower than I was looking for or we weren’t on the same page for some reason.

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

      Be specific about what you’re looking for and don’t be shy to ask for it! To me, Hired is about transparency and honesty from both sides. No need to keep all your cards to yourself.

      Also, take advantage of the coding challenges they offer. It’s great practice for interviews!

      Related: Discover upcoming coding challenges and events tailored to help jobseekers

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

      Joining Hired is like having your own personal assistant/interview advocate. They’ve thought of everything! I got multiple interview requests in the first couple days after signing up. The whole process was so smooth and enjoyable. I would absolutely recommend Hired to anybody looking for a job in tech.

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

      My new company told me they like to hire people who should have an ego but don’t. I think a lot of companies share this motto in one way or another. Obviously, your knowledge and skills are important but it’s just as important to show vulnerability, ask questions, and be curious.

      About Harvest Hosts

      Harvest Hosts is a membership program for RVers offering unique overnight stays and over 3,000 community locations all over North America. Harvest Hosts aims to help millions of people live happier lives through road travel, while supporting wonderful small businesses and communities along the way. Founded in 2018, Clio has 51-200 employees and is headquartered in Colorado.

      Tech Stack

      React, React Native, TypeScript, Redux, AWS, Laravel, Jest, Cypress

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision insurance, 401K plan, performance bonus, paid time off, employee discount programs, career growth, and more. More

    • 150 Shares119 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

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

      by

      About this eBook

      If you’ve ever been laid off you know it’s often an emotional time full of uncertainty – but it doesn’t have to be that way! Learn what to do after a layoff and the steps to take to set yourself up for a successful job search. From getting financially organized to strengthening your network, preparation will build your confidence and put you in control of turning the page on this chapter. 

      What You’ll Learn

      How to process emotions and get your financial house in orderPractices around leveraging your network, informational interviews, and job search preparationWays to confidently approach interviewing and become a top candidate More

    • 138 Shares109 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Ahmed El Bialy, Senior Software Developer Engineer

      by

      We’re so excited to speak with you, Ahmed! Will start by sharing a little bit about your educational background?

      I have a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Special Education. I’m a self-taught Software Developer! I specifically taught myself mobile development. I took some Computer Science courses in university. Those got me excited about programming and I grew to really love the Software Development field.

      When it came time to teach myself about programming, I took an online course through Udacity. It taught me Native iOS development using a programming language called Swift. From there, I worked on a few personal projects that eventually propelled me to land a full-time position.

      Which opportunities made the biggest impact on your tech career?

      Teaching myself code through Udacity and going to tech meetups. I had my foundational knowledge in programming from my university education, but the biggest impact came from the self-taught courses and professional experience I gained later on.

      Networking and attending those meetups were also essential. I had the chance to meet great speakers in the tech industry and learn new skills and techniques. It presented me with an opportunity to get my next role and to help others get theirs!

      What would you like to learn more about?

      Backend technologies and how businesses operate. I’m also very interested in language learning — both human and computer languages. I’d like to continue my journey learning Spanish. As for computer languages, I am focusing on JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, and Ruby on Rails for backend.

      I would also love to learn more about the cloud and security. My focus on mobile development security is of the utmost importance and there aren’t many professionals who specialize in this area. That’s certainly another field for me to further explore.

      Related: What are the Best Programming Languages to Get a Software Developer Job?

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      When I was a teacher I wanted to work in an industry with the flexibility to work from anywhere. I also wanted to be able to work on my own projects and start my own business or consultancy. I always had a deep passion for technology I wanted to explore more. With the ease of access to technology and powerful computing machines, we can solve, automate and simplify so many problems and impact how we go about our daily lives.

      I was also intrigued by the opportunity to work across industries and with different types of professionals. So far, I have worked in the education, healthcare, media, and legal industries. I have learned a lot from this varied experience! 

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

      I think my skillset has evolved quite well. I now play more of a mentor and teacher role for younger professionals. I still have a lot to learn from a technical perspective but I’ve had the opportunity to understand how the industry works and what areas of growth I can work on.

      I have become familiar with industry best practices and how to work on a cross-functional team with a variety of backgrounds and problems to solve. My skillset has certainly expanded compared to when I initially started as a mobile developer.

      What area do you specialize in and why?

      I chose to specialize in mobile application development. It’s magical to just pull out my phone and show someone a project I’ve worked on. I really enjoy the hands-on aspect of mobile development and I have the chance to work with the latest and greatest devices. It’s also fun to take on a lot of unique challenges that come with developing mobile applications such as battery life, memory, computing, network connectivity, security, and privacy. Mobile development is full of endless possibilities!

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      Yes, it is! It is a change in tech stack I’m really excited (and a little nervous!) about. It’ll be a good opportunity for my career growth. My background is in Xamarin and Native mobile development. I really look forward to working in the world of React Native now. I also have the opportunity to work on some backend and infrastructure tasks which are definitely new to me.

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

      I’m excited to collaborate with hard working, forward thinking folks and to really make an impact in the industry. I’m also thrilled to work with some cool technologies I did not have much exposure to previously. This technology includes Angular, Ruby on Rails, React Native, and TypeScript. All of these are relatively new to me so it’s exciting and is a different experience than what I’m used to.

      Related: Hired Releases 2022 State of Software Engineers Data Report

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

      It wasn’t as diverse. I had the chance to match with amazing opportunities I would not have known about without Hired. Some of these opportunities were from companies in different industries like real estate and fintech, which I didn’t have access to before. It’s a really nice way to learn more about what’s out in the market.

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

      Always respond and keep in touch with recruiters who reach out to you on Hired. Make connections and never ignore anyone. You never know where your next role might be. Always keep an open mind and take the time to fill out all the necessary information so employers can get to know you better.

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

      Definitely check it out and stick to it. The platform is very effective and I think you will be able to get really interesting opportunities you might not otherwise have access to. Hired is also great if you wish to change careers or roles. Let’s say you want to become a developer and have some previous QA experience, Hired is a great place to find what you’re looking for.

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

      Always be on the lookout for roles a little outside of your comfort zone. You never know where your next best career move will be. Never miss an opportunity that comes knocking on your door. Network, learn, help others, and create the community you wish to see in the future!

      About Thomson Reuters

      Thomson Reuters is the leading provider of news and information-based tools to professionals. They enable professionals in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, and media markets to make the decisions that matter most. Founded in 2008, Thomson Reuters has 5,000+ employees and is headquartered in Toronto.

      Tech Stack

      Java, Cloud, JavaScript, Angular, React, Python, AWS, Azure, C# and many more cool technologies!

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, pension plan, catered lunches, and more. More

    • 125 Shares169 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Ahmed El Bialy, Intermediate Software Developer

      by

      We’re so excited to speak with you, Ahmed! Will start by sharing a little bit about your educational background?

      I have a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Special Education. I’m a self-taught Software Developer! I specifically taught myself mobile development. I took some Computer Science courses in university. Those got me excited about programming and I grew to really love the Software Development field.

      When it came time to teach myself about programming, I took an online course through Udacity. It taught me Native iOS development using a programming language called Swift. From there, I worked on a few personal projects that eventually propelled me to land a full-time position.

      Which opportunities made the biggest impact on your tech career?

      Teaching myself code through Udacity and going to tech meetups. I had my foundational knowledge in programming from my university education, but the biggest impact came from the self-taught courses and professional experience I gained later on.

      Networking and attending those meetups were also essential. I had the chance to meet great speakers in the tech industry and learn new skills and techniques. It presented me with an opportunity to get my next role and to help others get theirs!

      What would you like to learn more about?

      Backend technologies and how businesses operate. I’m also very interested in language learning — both human and computer languages. I’d like to continue my journey learning Spanish. As for computer languages, I am focusing on JavaScript, TypeScript, Ruby, and Ruby on Rails for backend.

      I would also love to learn more about the cloud and security. My focus on mobile development security is of the utmost importance and there aren’t many professionals who specialize in this area. That’s certainly another field for me to further explore.

      Related: What are the Best Programming Languages to Get a Software Developer Job?

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      When I was a teacher I wanted to work in an industry with the flexibility to work from anywhere. I also wanted to be able to work on my own projects and start my own business or consultancy. I always had a deep passion for technology I wanted to explore more. With the ease of access to technology and powerful computing machines, we can solve, automate and simplify so many problems and impact how we go about our daily lives.

      I was also intrigued by the opportunity to work across industries and with different types of professionals. So far, I have worked in the education, healthcare, media, and legal industries. I have learned a lot from this varied experience! 

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

      I think my skillset has evolved quite well. I now play more of a mentor and teacher role for younger professionals. I still have a lot to learn from a technical perspective but I’ve had the opportunity to understand how the industry works and what areas of growth I can work on.

      I have become familiar with industry best practices and how to work on a cross-functional team with a variety of backgrounds and problems to solve. My skillset has certainly expanded compared to when I initially started as a mobile developer.

      What area do you specialize in and why?

      I chose to specialize in mobile application development. It’s magical to just pull out my phone and show someone a project I’ve worked on. I really enjoy the hands-on aspect of mobile development and I have the chance to work with the latest and greatest devices. It’s also fun to take on a lot of unique challenges that come with developing mobile applications such as battery life, memory, computing, network connectivity, security, and privacy. Mobile development is full of endless possibilities!

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      Yes, it is! It is a change in tech stack I’m really excited (and a little nervous!) about. It’ll be a good opportunity for my career growth. My background is in Xamarin and Native mobile development. I really look forward to working in the world of React Native now. I also have the opportunity to work on some backend and infrastructure tasks which are definitely new to me.

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

      I’m excited to collaborate with hard working, forward thinking folks and to really make an impact in the industry. I’m also thrilled to work with some cool technologies I did not have much exposure to previously. This technology includes Angular, Ruby on Rails, React Native, and TypeScript. All of these are relatively new to me so it’s exciting and is a different experience than what I’m used to.

      Related: Hired Releases 2022 State of Software Engineers Data Report

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

      It wasn’t as diverse. I had the chance to match with amazing opportunities I would not have known about without Hired. Some of these opportunities were from companies in different industries like real estate and fintech, which I didn’t have access to before. It’s a really nice way to learn more about what’s out in the market.

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

      Always respond and keep in touch with recruiters who reach out to you on Hired. Make connections and never ignore anyone. You never know where your next role might be. Always keep an open mind and take the time to fill out all the necessary information so employers can get to know you better.

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

      Definitely check it out and stick to it. The platform is very effective and I think you will be able to get really interesting opportunities you might not otherwise have access to. Hired is also great if you wish to change careers or roles. Let’s say you want to become a developer and have some previous QA experience, Hired is a great place to find what you’re looking for.

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

      Always be on the lookout for roles a little outside of your comfort zone. You never know where your next best career move will be. Never miss an opportunity that comes knocking on your door. Network, learn, help others, and create the community you wish to see in the future!

      About Clio

      Clio is the leader in cloud-based legal technology offering practice management, CRM, and client intake software. Clio is transforming the practice of law in a permanent and meaningful way that’s bettering the lives of legal professionals while increasing access to justice for all. Founded in 2007, Clio has 501-1,000 employees and is headquartered in Vancouver.

      Tech Stack

      Ruby on Rails, Ruby, JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Node.JS

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, paid holidays, flexible working hours, maternity/paternity benefits, tuition reimbursement, and more. More

    • 150 Shares189 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Ready to Find Your Dream Job? Start with Knowing What You Want

      by

      Searching for a new job, let alone a ‘dream job,’ may feel daunting, especially if you have been out of the market for a long time or weren’t expecting to need a new position. In our recently published blog series, “Recently Laid Off? A Jobseeker’s Guide to Bounce Back Better than Ever,” we dive into the steps you can take specifically after experiencing a layoff so you can set yourself up for a successful job search. 

      Whatever your situation may be, you are likely creating a mental list of things to do before navigating interviews. This might include updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, and starting to look at what opportunities are out there. The first and most important step in your job search, however, is to look within and take stock of what is most important to you in your next opportunity.

      Salary is important, but it’s not everything

      Loving or hating your job pivots first upon how you feel about your compensation. Nearly 3 in 4 workers who hate their job say they stay there in the meantime predominantly because they need financial stability while they search for something new — and 1 in 2 workers report they left their most recent job because the salary didn’t cut it.

      Besides being underpaid, the most commonly cited grievances by people who hate their job include lack of opportunities for growth, a lackluster company culture, and not getting along with their manager or colleagues.

      According to our 2022 State of Tech Salaries report, candidates would trade a higher salary for a flexible work schedule, PTO, and practical benefits such as health insurance and 401K retirement matching.

      Salary and benefits are incredibly important — but those factors are really the tip of the iceberg. A flashy salary is great, but probably won’t keep you happy day-to-day if you don’t click with the management philosophy or lack opportunities to grow on the job.

      Evaluate your wants & needs in a dream job

      Depending on what professional and life stage you are or will soon be in, your non-negotiables and ‘nice to haves’ may vary. Starting a job search requires reflection on your top priorities and deal breakers in your next opportunity. You should decide on these before speaking with a recruiter. What motivates you? What makes you tick? 

      Our study shows people who hate or feel iffy about their jobs tend to focus more on extrinsic factors — like better pay, work-life balance, and feeling appreciated for their work. On the flip side, once salary expectations are met, many people are intrinsically motivated by things like building mission-driven products and services they feel proud to have on their resumes, or opportunities to learn.

      The areas jobseekers should evaluate include (but are not limited to):

      Finances, such as preferred base salary, bonuses, equity or stock options, and total compensationBenefits and perksWork-life balanceTech stackCompany size, stage, and industryCompany cultureLocation, which would include considering if you’re comfortable with and able to commute into an office in a post-COVID world

      As you consider these areas for yourself, know that what you don’t want is equally important to what you do want. 

      Additionally, while it is important to showcase your skills and strengths, being able to identify what you are interested in learning more about will help you immensely. This is especially true in regard to your technical experience. You’ll be able to communicate those desires effectively in your online presence, cover letters, and interviews.

      Pro Tip:

      Moving forward, if you’d like to take a class on a new skill or would feel more fulfilled by spending 20% of your time on internal entrepreneurism, coach your manager on what’s important to you at this point in your career. Get in the habit of discussing your goals day to day — not just at yearly performance check-ins.

      Related: Looking to Land Your Dream Engineering Job? Stop Clicking “Apply Now”

      Empower yourself with data

      After you outline a list of your preferences, requirements, and deal breakers, you should empower and equip yourself with data and research on the role(s) you are interested in. Be sure to look into:

      Job requirementsCompensation for the title, level, and market the role is located inCompanies actively hiring, especially as they relate to your list of preferences

      Information on company size, stage, industry, location, and culture is often easily accessible online, especially on the company’s website. Thoroughly read up on this prior to even applying for open roles. 

      On the other hand, information on compensation, benefits, and perks might be a little harder to find unless you’re actively interviewing with that respective company. In these instances, it is especially important to know what you want so you can ask the right questions in your interviews. There, you’ll uncover the information to make the best decision. 

      In terms of compensation, while company-specific information may not be readily available, equip yourself with market research by using these tools:

      According to our 2022 State of Wage Inequality Report, what candidates actually expect to receive perpetuates the wage gap. This deficit is known as the expectation gap. This is consistent not only across gender but race, age, and markets too. Because their expectations are lower than their market value, tech workers are asking for less and getting paid less. 

      Know your worth 

      When you know your value, and it is backed by data, you can go into conversations about compensation and confidently ask for what you deserve in a dream job. By analyzing data from multiple resources, you can cross-reference the numbers. This gives you a good idea of an appropriate salary range based on your experience and skills.

      Don’t dilly dally — speed matters

      The longer you spend looking for a job, the less likely you are to believe dream jobs are possible. In fact, optimism drops 10% every 3 months you spend on the hunt. With tools like Hired, you can cut the length of your job search in half or more.

      Looking to hire talent seeking their dream role at your organization? Source active candidates on Hired. More

    • 138 Shares169 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Simon Fisoye-Kings, Software Engineer in the UK

      by

      Can you share a little bit about your educational background and what opportunities impacted your tech career?

      I studied Computer Science, which can be seen as the traditional course. I actually did not do any coding before university.

      The best thing I did in my career was participating in a year-long placement. High-quality experience on my CV before graduating made me stand out from other candidates. In addition, completing it at a top software company in SAP allowed me to use my technical knowledge in a corporate environment. The skills you learn at university are beneficial but using them in a working setting is very different.

      What would you like to learn more about?

      I want to explore cloud and machine learning further. I believe this is the biggest thing in technology currently. I’m interested in learning more about how machine learning can be used in various areas of our lives. For example, the technology around Amazon Echo and Google Dot devices is fascinating, and I would love to learn more about how they work.

      Related: How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I started with an interest in gaming at a young age and was curious about the technology behind the scenes. Then, I went into web and mobile applications. I was curious about how apps worked and intrigued by how easy it was to create your own. I believe the main reason for my early passion for tech was its ability for users to be creative and express themselves with it. From age 12, I remember working on a mobile application where users could view comedic images and videos in secondary school. I always enjoyed making people laugh and technology brought that to life.

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

      Over time I have become more confident and excellent in my coding ability. I started Computer Science with a general interest in technology but became more interested in the programming side.

      Do you specialise in one area?

      Yes, I specialise in back-end development. I realised I was interested in algorithms and how systems work behind the scenes, making this area the best fit for me.

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      I left a high-profile bank for an internet publishing/insurance company. My previous role was old-fashioned, less flexible, and had little room for progression. My new role is flexible and offers a transparent route for progression.

      Related: How to Maximize your Job Offer as a Remote Engineer

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

      I’m thrilled about the opportunity to learn from a range of different people. I’m looking forward to the chance to grow and develop myself on a personal level too.

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

      It was slow-paced and challenging to navigate. There were many unknowns and it was difficult to communicate with employers. I always felt out of the loop and did not know whether I would hear back.

      What would you tell someone curious about Hired?

      I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new role. With Hired, you will feel confident speaking to companies as they approach you first.

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

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

      The best thing I would say is to know your worth. If you are confident in your abilities, don’t settle for anything less than your expectations. Remember, the employer has to impress you as well. A job is a transaction, not a favour. 

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

      About Compare The Market

      Compare The Market is a price comparison website and provides customers with an easy way to make the right choice on a wide range of products including motor, home, life and energy. Founded in 2005, Compare the Market has between 501-1000  employees and is headquartered in London.

      Tech Stack

      JavaScript, Node.js, MongoDB, AWS, C#, .NET, iOS, Android, Docker, Git, HTML, CSS, Scala, Java, Kafka, Kubernetes, Python, React, Redux, Big Data

      Benefits

      Life/disability insurance, work-from-home flexibility, volunteer time off, flexible working hours, employee discount programs, and more. More

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Engineering Manager or IC? Which Tech Career is Best for Me? (Video)

      by

      Have you ever wondered whether to follow an Individual Contributor (IC) path or an Engineering Manager (EM)? According to the Hired State of Software Engineers report, one-third of engineers report they want to advance to become managers, while the remainder says they want to continue being ICs.

      What are the pros and cons of the Engineering Manager career path versus the Individual Contributor one? Let’s find out!

      Hired, along with our partner Exponent, recently completed a video series to explore engineering career advice. The series featured three of our talented engineers: Nico Thiebaut, Prakash Patel, and Dan Baker, discussing subjects such as:

      In this article, we recap Exponent’s conversation with Prakash Patel. Prakash is an Engineering Manager at Hired, a tech marketplace that matches talent with employers for roles around the world. He followed his passion for data engineering and solving complex data problems, spending two years as an Individual Contributor and one year as an Engineering Manager. 

      Although Engineering Managers currently command the highest salaries across all technology roles on Hired’s platform conventional wisdom says, 

      You should not become an Engineering Manager if you… 

      Want dedicated time to work on specific projects or hone in on programming skills Are uncomfortable managing team dynamics  Prefer to own your own code   Want to quickly build new technical skills Would rather your success be measured by your individual contributions.

      Here’s a quick summary of the conversation between Prakash Patel and Lucas from Exponent. To watch or listen to the full interview, scroll down to the bottom of the article.

      Engineering Managers often don’t get dedicated time to work on a specific project or hone their programming skills. What is your experience with the flip side of this: being focused on supporting your team and making them successful?

      Based on my time as an IC, I understand the pain points and problems my team faces and will face since I have already experienced it. Engineering Managers are responsible for the smooth execution of projects while minimizing the concerns that arise. 

      There are different phases of projects but every phase has a challenge. As an Engineering Manager, I support my team to succeed while minimizing all those concerns. I enjoy focusing on the vision of the company and blending it with the personal and professional growth of ICs.

      As an Engineering Manager, you’re working with an entire team’s dynamics, meaning you need to resolve conflicts when they arise. What do you think the upside is to managing the dynamics of a team?

      Conflicts are inevitable and as an EM, the more you handle them the better you’ll get. One upside is you help all Individual Contributors on the team succeed. Another upside is eventually you get better at saying no.

      There will be so many things to control as an EM. By managing these dynamics, I see I am helpIng my engineers wholly – both in their technical competence and project management abilities. 

      As an Individual Contributor, your code contributed to the codebase and you could point to what you owned. In your role as a manager, how does your involvement with the codebase change, and how does this impact your team’s work?

      Well, as an EM I don’t get a lot of opportunities to actively maintain the codebase but I do participate in the code reviews. I can always suggest ways to improve the tech stack and that’s where I help my team adjust the roadmap. WhIle I am not maintaining the codebase, I am motivating my team to participate in constructive code-based reviews to help make them better engineers. 

      Insight from Exponent 

      Your experience as an Individual Contributor helps here as you’ve developed the technical know-how and understand how to grow from progress from a junior to senior engineer in terms of coding ability.

      Related: Curious about tech salary trends? Check out the data in this review.

      As an EM, you’ll develop tech skills more slowly. You’ll be focused more on macro than learning new languages or libraries. What kind of skills do you build as an Engineering Manager?

      As an EM I developed a “think big” and “make it happen” attitude. On top of that, I learned to give constructive feedback and how to negotiate.

      When you’re an Engineering Manager, your team’s success determines your success. It can take longer to ship products and code. How is success measured as an EM, and what do you find fulfilling about it?

      My success is measured by the performance of my team and my individual reports. My goal is to develop technical excellence across the company as an EM. I enjoy driving project execution but I make sure my individual reports receive exciting, diverse responsibilities in a way that infuses the company’s culture with our team. 

      If you’re not sure whether to pursue an IC path or transition into an EM, here’s my advice: if you’re even a little interested in becoming an EM, talk about it with your manager. Ask them to provide more responsibilities that will help you become an EM. 

      From there, you can evaluate whether you enjoy the work and if that role feels like the right fit. If so, request more tasks. If you progress, you can eventually transition into an Engineering Manager role.

      Ultimately, the two paths are very different experiences so it’s all about what you enjoy. 

      How to use Hired to find Engineering Management roles

      Hired is completely free for jobseekers and it takes just minutes to create a profile. Once you upload your information, you’ll get interview requests from companies seeking talented candidates like you! Learn more about creating your Hired profile. 

      Already have a profile on Hired? Here are 5 Key Tips to Get Better Matches & More Interviews.

      Should you switch to an Engineering Manager role internally or seek out an EM role when looking for a new job?

      Transitioning within a company is a better and easier decision, especially since you are already familiar with your team. On the other hand, if you are an Individual Contributor seeking a job as an EM at a different company and you do not have that proven experience, it’s harder to make the jump.

      Eager to pursue a role as an Individual Contributor or Engineering Manager? Learn how Hired works for jobseekers!

      Click below to watch the full interview: 

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      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Rodrigo Mejia Sanchez, Senior Software Engineer

      by

      We’re excited to learn about your story, Rodrigo! Can you start by sharing a little bit about your educational background?

      I have a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Georgia Tech. I had a bit of experience in programming before, but for all intents and purposes, I essentially started from scratch my freshman year of college. I have done online courses on sites such as Pluralsight, but I don’t have any certifications and would consider most of my education to come from school and on-the-job experience.

      Related: Check out our partners who offer upskilling and certification opportunities.

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

      Definitely my formal education. It gave me a structured learning environment with lots of resources to advance my career. I also gained many non-technical soft skills, understood how to go about engaging potential employers, and learned the “how” and “why” behind common software engineering processes.

      What would you like to learn more about?

      I would like to learn more about hardware. I personally enjoy tinkering with small microcontrollers and bare-bones computers such as Raspberry Pis and Arduinos. I’m also currently enamored by the maker movement and am trying to expand my 3D modeling/printing skills, and eventually pick up some woodworking skills too.

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I went to a programming summer camp in middle school. I learned to make video games through a drag-and-drop game engine and fell in love with it. I didn’t touch it much again until college, but that summer made me certain tech was what I wanted to study and pursue.

      Related: What are the Best Programming Languages to Get a Software Developer Job?

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

      Initially, my skillset centered around a lot of theoretical knowledge and I had a focus on making “clever” code. Over time, I’ve learned that readable and easily changeable code is much more valuable. It’s easy to write new code but it’s hard to refactor and maintain it. I have also broadened my skillset with lots of Linux knowledge and that has been really valuable for debugging difficult production issues.

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

      I haven’t decided to specialize, but automation is a common theme in my job roles. I particularly like it because it’s often about scaling up an existing process and understanding how many different systems come together to solve a problem. Plus, it’s needed in almost all industries, so the diversity of problems keeps me engaged.

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      I went from a large corporate financial firm, Goldman Sachs, to a small insurance tech startup called Owl.co. My title is roughly the same, but my current team/company feels much more focused. I enjoy that the work we do is directly related to the core business model, and I enjoy that the smaller size allows for more flexibility when coming up with solutions to engineering challenges.

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

      The opportunity to work within a smaller and more focused organization is a major aspect that excited me. Additionally, the prospect of being able to contribute to making an industry slightly less biased and more consumer-friendly is another plus. I had a goal in mind when seeking my next role. I wanted to work somewhere I could be proud of the product and the impact it had on people.

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

      It mainly consisted of LinkedIn recruiters reaching out to me and me applying on my own to companies I thought would be interesting. I had many traditional financial roles that recruiters reached out to me for. It was difficult to peel away from the perception that because I worked at a large financial firm, I was mainly interested in finance. I was actually more interested in working for places with an exciting product or interesting engineering problems. I wanted to turn away from finance to avoid being pigeonholed into a certain skill set or role.

      Related: Build Confidence and Take Control of Your Tech Job Search Series

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

      Contrary to the “spray and pray” approach on other platforms such as LinkedIn, it makes more sense to focus on roles that actually seem interesting. I noticed that companies reaching out on Hired actually had a substantial interest already. So, it was less about casting a wide net to identify leads, and more about deciding if I could actually see myself working at the companies that contacted me. Also, being really responsive on the platform was key. I felt more eager to proceed with interviews when a company reached out on Hired as opposed to another platform.

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

      Try it out! There’s no cost and creating a profile is really easy so you have nothing to lose. I had a really positive experience with companies and with Hired employees as they assisted me through my job search. Also, know that you can conveniently pause your profile if you find yourself with many ongoing interviews.

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

      Don’t be discouraged by many rejections. The technical interview is not a good measure of how good of an engineer you may be. It is simply a tool used during the recruiting process. Focus more on finding the right company for what you are looking for and you may be surprised at what you find in places you weren’t originally looking.

      Related: Get more practice with technical interviews through events like coding challenges.

      About Owl.co

      Owl.co is an enterprise software company leading a change in how insurers verify the legitimacy of claims by replacing a bias-prone and labor-intensive process with a data-driven one. Founded in 2018, Owl.co has between 51-200 employees and is headquartered in Vancouver.

      Tech Stack

      TypeScript, Clojure, Python, TensorFlow, AWS

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, performance bonus, 401K matching, paid time off, mentorship opportunities, flexible working hours, and more. More