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    • 138 Shares99 Views

      in Career Hacks

      How Citi is Paving the Way for African Americans in Finance

      by

      Ever since Maggie Lena Walker established and presided over the first bank to service black organizations, African Americans have been shaping the history of finance. 100 years later, people of color are still making contributions that leave everlasting impacts on the industry.

      Although a lot of progress has been made for people of color (POC) in the banking and finance space, they are still at a disadvantage. The facts of the matter are that POC are disproportionately represented in finance and face a harder time breaking into the industry than their caucasian counterparts.

      As a company that emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion, Citi identifies with these issues wholeheartedly. Citi also knows that if these trends continue, an entire legacy of future Maggie Walkers might cease to exist. Even worse, the ideas that these people of color would have contributed to the space would never see the light of day, slowing down the evolution of the finance world as we know it.

      In order to allow diverse mindsets to continue benefiting their company and the industry as a whole, Citi has made sure to create a space where people of color not only feel welcome but motivated to succeed as well. In order to do that, they have rolled out a series of initiatives that are paving the way for people of color in finance. The first of which has to do with their recruiting strategy.

      HBCU Recruiting and Presence

      In order to employ the brightest minds, first, you have to find them. That’s why Citi decided to set up an aggressive recruiting strategy at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). And we’re not just talking about free koozies and stickers. Citi is going to these campuses and doing presentations on diversity and inclusion, educating students about opportunities, and portraying itself as a company where people of color can really succeed.

      Here is what Global Banking Analyst Brianna Demming had to say about the impression Citi left when they visited Howard University during her time as an undergraduate.

      By continuing to establish meaningful relationships with students at HBCUs, Citi intends on building a workforce that includes both incredibly talented individuals and people from diverse backgrounds.

      HBCU Alumni Network

      By creating groups and communities that allow people from similar backgrounds to come together and share thoughts, companies can create new environments to help their employees thrive. That’s why Citi established the HBCU Alumni Network! As you might be able to infer, the HBCU Alumni Network is a group at Citi that allows alumni from different HBCUs to connect, network, and help one another grow. Which, for a lot of people, helped them succeed and learn in a lot of ways. 

      My involvement with the HBCU Alumni Network has taught me the importance of being proactive when you’re on a team. I was tasked to work alongside another team member to initiate contact with 19 schools. I hesitated on whether I should wait for him to reach out first since he has been employed at Citi longer than me but I ended up having the courage to set up the first meeting. He expressed how impressed he was that I took charge right away and set up a strong foundation for the work we’ll be completing together. That experience taught me to never doubt myself or my capabilities, even if I may be the youngest on the team, and if there is an opportunity to showcase your skills or leadership, you always jump at it! Brianna Demming, Global Consumer Banking Analyst

      Through her involvement with the HBCU Alumni Network, Brianna not only gained more experience and confidence in herself, but she also made a good impression on her colleague. All around wins.

      Black Heritage Network

      Similar to the HBCU Alumni Network is the Black Heritage Network affinity group at Citi. Within this group, people of color can come together, socialize, share their thoughts, seek out mentors, and essentially just share space with people who are similar to them.

      After you graduate, the number of groups and organizations you can join to socialize, grow yourself, and feel welcome gets cut in half. When these groups are no longer available, especially in the corporate world, some individuals face issues that diminish their productivity and most importantly, their self-worth. That’s why establishing affinity groups is so advantageous and why Citi chose to do it themselves.

      POC in Leadership Positions

      One very direct way to help people of color succeed in the finance realm is to place them in leadership and management positions. By doing so, you not only diversify the leadership on your team, but you also create mentors, idols, and individuals who people from similar backgrounds can identify with. As a result, students and job-seeking individuals become more inclined to apply for positions at the company.

      No one likes being the only spotted duck in the pond. It’s comforting to grow with and be trained by others who have similar experiences to you. They are the only ones who can truly understand what it takes to succeed in this business with a background similar to my own.

      As Chike said, it’s comforting to grow and be trained by people who are similar to you. When you can relate to these people, it makes the relationship better on all ends. Corporate Banking Analyst Brielle Self had a similar experience with her mentor during her time at Howard. 

      If it weren’t for Citi putting Brielle’s mentor into that Campus Ambassador position, it’s possible that Brielle may have never ended up at Citi. By creating this position and ones like it, Citi now has talent pipelines that will draw in some of the brightest minds in finance for years to come. Pipelines that might just end up finding you one day.

      What’s Next for Citi?

      While these initiatives may seem bold, Citi has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Much like the Action for Racial Equity Initiative, a $1 billion+ commitment to help close the racial wealth gap and increase economic mobility in the United States, the ideas Citi is putting forth will have a substantial impact on the industry and the world for years to come. 

      If this is an endeavor that you would like to be a part of and contribute to, check out the positions Citi is currently hiring for. Who knows, in just a few years it could be you leading the change. More

    • 188 Shares199 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

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

      by

      A survey of tech and sales talent revealed there’s some confusion around the acronym DEI, prompting some respondents to ask, “what is DEI?” In this article we’ll explain it as well as explain how Hired, as a company and a tech and sales career marketplace, helps jobseekers and employers experience more equitable hiring. 

      What is DEI?

      Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), together, are indicators of a progressive and supportive workplace centered around employee wellbeing and sense of belonging. In a field as forward-thinking and transformative as tech, DEI provides the necessary foundation for greater innovation through a range of voices, experiences, and backgrounds. 

      Diversity 

      The first pillar of DEI, diversity, signifies the presence of difference in characteristics including:

      EthnicityRaceGenderAge Sexual orientationDisabilitySocioeconomic statusReligion

      Diversity means everyone is welcome. In a less palpable sense, diversity also exists in the vein of thought. Different people bring different ideas and approaches spurring creativity and efficiency. In these areas, homogeneity can’t compete. 

      Therefore, to be competitive, it benefits organizations to consistently identify non-traditional talent. It creates more robust pipelines of candidates with new ideas to drive businesses forward.

      Equity 

      Equity helps level the playing field by ensuring impartiality and equal access to opportunity for every individual through recognition of biases and barriers. 

      In the context of gender, data from our 2022 Wage Inequality Report shows despite progress, women are still overall less likely to receive an interview request than men. This situation could be described as an “opportunity gap.”

      Equity means everyone has the opportunity to participate. A robust pipeline of diverse candidates will not have the chance to develop unless there are equitable processes in place to allow a variety of individuals to be considered.  

      It’s important to note that equity and equality are not interchangeable terms. While equality also aims to provide resources for everyone to succeed, it does not consider that people start on a different footing. Equity, on the other hand, accounts for these disparities by providing support, or opportunity, based on imbalances in power and privilege. 

      Inclusion 

      Inclusion, the last pillar of DEI, ensures the workplace is a safe space for every employee to engage and feel they belong. It means empowering employees to bring their most authentic selves forward and feel comfortable contributing their insights, knowing they will be heard. 

      Inclusion means everyone gets to contribute. It upholds diversity by embracing every identity and fostering a workplace for all individuals to thrive. 

      DEI gives everyone a seat at the table, creating opportunities for novel connections, pioneering conversations, and unprecedented insights.

      What does DEI mean to Hired as a company?

      As a leader in diversity recruiting and hiring tools, we have a direct impact on equitable hiring and are committed to building equity in the hiring process. We are on a mission to empower connections between ambitious people and teams, but can’t accomplish it without supporting a diverse workforce. Embracing diversity helps us live out our values and drives our mission forward.

      By putting people first, we prioritize development and wellbeing. Doing so helps people flourish and feel valued, knowing they can bring their best, authentic selves to work.

      At Hired, we find strength through inclusion because what makes each person unique makes us all strong. 

      How Hired embraces DEI as an employer

      As a company, we’re always evolving, but some of the ways Hired demonstrates DEI is following the principles when attracting and hiring talent. 

      For example, when we create job descriptions, we use tools like Textio to identify any language considered counter to our DEI efforts. 

      We support an employee resource group, or ERG, called Unite. They lead internal efforts in partnership with the People Team in the form of professional development, open discussions, and building awareness. 

      This year, one of Unite’s activities has been to host a book club featuring books by diverse authors. They also sponsor philanthropic activities. 

      Interested in working with us? See open roles here.

      5 Specific DEI features and tools on Hired’s platform to help jobseekers and employers 

      One of the reasons leading talent organizations use Hired is to drive diversity in their hiring. Here are some of the features we’ve developed based on data and insights to reduce bias. 

      When employers use them, it creates greater equity for jobseekers and a more DEI-friendly environment. Along with our policy of including salary upfront in interview requests, these help improve gaps in expectations, wages, and opportunities. 

      1. Diversity Goals

      We launched Diversity Goals last year as a new way for employers to prioritize outreach to underrepresented talent, without removing relevant matching candidates. Updated filters easily surface these jobseekers to recruiters and hiring managers. 

      Diversity Goals makes the impact of DEI in hiring clear. Companies with open positions using this feature more than doubled their pipeline of underrepresented candidates. Companies using Diversity Goals also had both a lower wage and expectation gap compared to companies who didn’t use the feature. 

      More good news is the amount of employers using Diversity Goals continues to grow rapidly, meaning companies and jobseekers will continue to see the benefits of DEI in action.

      2. Salary bias alert

      Our data continues to show groups who are paid less also expect lower salaries than their white, male counterparts – even if they have the same experience. In our 2022 Wage Inequality Report, we found race contributes to the expectation gap – with Hispanic women and Black women only expecting $0.91 to every $1 salary of their white male counterparts in 2021 Hired data.

      The Salary Bias Alert feature addresses wage inequality goals by notifying employers if they are offering a lower salary than they typically do for a given job role. This helps eliminate the impact of bias on a job offer and holds employers accountable.

      3. Bias reduction mode

      Bias, even when it’s not conscious, can impact sourcing decisions. Activating this mode removes jobseekers’ profile pictures and names so employers focus evaluations solely on skills and experience. 

      4. Salary Calculator

      Hired’s Salary Calculator determines salary benchmarks based on real interview requests, helping jobseekers know their worth. It is a great tool to compare salaries in some of the top cities worldwide, depending on your years of experience. See what you could be making with a company on Hired!

      Related: Evaluate the Job & Negotiate the Job Offer You Deserve

      5. Assessments

      Hired assessments enforce skills-based hiring by helping employers evaluate applicants’ skills remotely with customizable relevant, valuable, and consistent questions. These assessments help reduce hiring bias by leveling the playing field and standardizing evaluation processes.

      “Technical assessments are a valuable tool for candidates to showcase their skills to employers because it goes beyond explaining what you do on a resume…it shows the employers how skilled you really are!”Lupe Colangelo, Employer Partnerships Manager @ General Assembly

      Jobseeker resources: partners who support DEI

      Numerous Hired partners promote opportunities for underrepresented jobseekers across upskilling, cross training, and community. By supporting and partnering with organizations like these we can help connect employers with a more diverse pipeline of employees: 

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

      Are you an employer looking to drive DEI in your organization? Hired is here to help. By leveraging our platform’s innovative DEI tools and transparent salary data, build diverse teams and close critical wage gaps—one hire at a time. 

      Want to learn more about how to advocate for DEI and be an ally? Watch the 2022 State of Wage Inequality in Tech: Close the Gap with Advocacy & Allyship Webinar below.

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    • 100 Shares189 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Ricardo Xavier, Software Engineer

      by

      Thanks for joining us, Ricardo! Can you share a little bit about your educational background?

      I have my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and I later pursued a Masters degree in Distributed Systems, which I completed in 2019.

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

      My Bachelor’s degree was the experience that really shaped my way of thinking when approaching problems. It made me realise building software is more than making something fulfill a basic functionality. It is also about fulfilling non-functional requirements and thinking ahead about possible issues we may encounter during the whole software lifecycle.

      What would you like to learn more about?

      Taking into account my new position in software engineering, I would like to dig into some of the most common databases and how they work internally. Non-tech related, I would like to read more about soft skills like time management.

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      My interest in solving problems using software and my natural curiosity about things are the two main reasons behind my pursuit of a tech career. Since I was a child, I knew what I wanted to do when I was older. I was lucky to have a computer at an early age.

      This unlocked my passion for computers and since then, I’ve spent a lot of time in front of a screen. However, I only began coding in high school and by then, I already knew I wanted to study Computer Science at university.

      Related: Hired Releases 2022 State of Software Engineers Data Report

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

      It’s definitely still evolving. I feel like there is a lot to learn. Initially, I felt having knowledge gaps wasn’t okay but with time I’ve realized it is totally fine – I just need to continue working on filling the gaps.

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

      I chose to specialise in Distributed Systems. I am fascinated by the problems that arise when software needs to scale up and how every little detail can make the difference in these systems.

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      It’s completely different. Previously, I worked for one of the top low code platforms on the market. My role was to ensure that one of the high availability services was fully operational all the time and I was tasked with incrementally adding functionality to it.

      My new position is a data-centric engineering position in which the biggest challenges are connected to ingesting and processing big loads of data.

      Related: Tech Candidate Spotlight – Kyle Mercer

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

      Making software that scales with large volumes of data is something that excites me. Entering this new area that I don’t know a lot about is also a great opportunity for learning.

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

      I’ve only been through the job search once after college. It was the traditional way of finding a job where I created a CV and searched for positions on numerous websites. It was a tiring and frustrating experience.

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

      Build a strong profile! Highlight your best achievements, show the impact you had in your previous job experiences, and share the value you can bring to a new company. If you have a hard time assessing your impact, ask for a second opinion from someone who has worked closely with you.

      They will probably be able to identify things you’ve done that impacted the team/company positively. Remember that a team achievement is also your achievement, so I encourage you to share those achievements with the world.

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

      If you’re looking for a job in tech, give it a try. You have high chances of finding a great match for your profile. Hired is new to HRs in my local area so I was unsure of whether I would find something that would match my profile and skills here. However, I was surprised to see Hired got me my best offer after searching for jobs on multiple platforms. It has brought me here so I definitely recommend that you try it out.

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

      The best advice I can give a tech professional was given to me a few years ago at a college conference: Take half an hour each week to learn about and work on yourself. It will bring huge benefits in the long run, and you should focus on learning both hard and soft skills.

      About LandTech

      LandTech is a software company building B2B SaaS Products for the Property Industry, empowering property developers to build the places that communities need to thrive. Founded in 2014, LandTech has between 51-200 employees and is headquartered in London.

      Tech Stack

      Node.js, MongoDB, EC2, JavaScript, Vue.JS, AWS, Kubernetes, Elasticsearch, TypeScript, Test Driven Development (TDD), Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Delivery (CD), DevOps, PostgreSQL

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, maternity and paternity benefits, unlimited time off, tuition reimbursement, conferences reimbursement, flexible working hours, and more. More

    • 150 Shares189 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Starting a New Job? 10 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success

      by

      The First 30 Days are Critical When Starting a New Job

      Starting a new job is often a mix of emotions: excited, nervous, and frequently, overwhelmed. Regardless of the company and role, the first 30 days are instrumental in setting yourself up for success. Use these 10 tips to help you get the most out of your first interactions, and ensure you’re ready for the inevitable challenges.

      1. Introduce yourself – a lot

      No matter the role or team, it’s important to take the initiative to introduce yourself when starting a new job. You likely won’t know everyone you will end up working with over time. Establishing introductions early will help you connect with more of your colleagues and avoid awkward interactions down the road. Even if you’re not a social butterfly, make an effort to at least say a quick hi – it’ll be worth it.

      2. Ask questions

      No one expects coworkers starting a new job to know everything at first. Even if you’ve performed the exact role somewhere else, there will be things to learn about your new role and company. It might be workflows, policies, or leadership preferences. 

      Approach this time with a beginner’s mind. Demonstrate your curiosity, interest, and enthusiasm. Ask questions when they come up – of leaders, peers, and people across the business. This helps you accelerate your learning, build interpersonal connections, and get a broader understanding of the company, your team, and role.

      Take notes during presentations to ask at the designated time. The goal is to be inquisitive, not disruptive. Listening is equally important to asking so be receptive to answers with eye contact and active feedback. Don’t forget to follow up with a thank you. This not only expresses your gratitude for their time and response, but fosters a positive relationship moving forward. 

      3. Say yes

      Even if you’re not exactly sure what you’re saying yes to, accept new opportunities. Perhaps a different team is looking for help on a project, or your manager has an unexpected request. By diving in you may earn respect, learn more about the business, and explore your potential there.

      Caution: 

      While it might be tempting to say yes in an effort to please colleagues or take it all in, do not overextend yourself. As you establish a good impression at the start of your new job, you don’t want to compromise the quality of your work by spreading yourself too thin. To combat this, ask questions about the project or opportunity, and discuss it with your team lead or manager. Ask for their help prioritizing and setting realistic expectations about these extra tasks. 

      4. Set goals as part of starting a new job

      Starting a new job often comes with (at least) some ambiguity. It’s only natural to want to get your bearings before committing to goals. However, you should have some preliminary targets to help you focus early on. 

      Your goals might change but this will help set you on the right track – or realize you should consider a different path. Many companies have best practices around creating a 30-60-90 day plan to structure priorities and communicate expectations during intro meetings.

      Related: 30/60/90 eBook with free template for employers onboarding tech engineers.

      5. Keep a list of roadblocks/opportunities:

      You have an incredible advantage as a new employee. When you’re onboarding, you have “fresh eyes.” This perspective is often a great value to your team and company. This is not about noting failures or complaints. Use starting a new job as detecting opportunities and potential solutions. 

      Keep a list and review them with others as appropriate. It might be in a 1:1 with your manager, or among team members. Sometimes, it’s helpful to phrase them as questions. 

      For example, “I’ve noticed we refer to X by Y. Is that an internal term? What’s the reason behind that?” Remember, you’re showing curiosity and interest. 

      If, in this example, there’s no good reason or history to support this label, then introduce your suggestion. “I wonder if it confuses customers? Most people refer to X as Z, even if it’s not the technical name. Maybe we should rethink the communication around X to make it easier for our customers to find.”

      6. Ask to be included

      Leverage being new to the team – you don’t know everything yet. Use this to your advantage by asking to be included in anything you are interested in. The worst answer you can get is no – and even then, colleagues and leaders will appreciate your curiosity, a valuable quality in a new team member.

      7. Figure out who you need to know

      Be aware of who to reach out to when you need to accomplish something. Use introductory meetings to understand how your role overlaps with and affects others. This will help you stay organized when seeking assistance with future tasks and provides direction amid what can feel like a sea of people. 

      Approach individuals wisely and don’t make the mistake of discounting support staff. Whether interviewing or working, treat everyone with respect. It’s often administrative staff who become allies or have the ear of key decision makers. 

      Being friendly with an executive’s personal assistant, for example, often helps to keep you in the loop on important conversations and decisions.

      8. Build alliances when starting a new job

      Observe and identify people you’d like to know better. They may be especially sharp, seem to have things figured out, or make a comment on a common interest. Even if you don’t end up working together, it’s important to form friendships in any workplace – for your sanity, professional network, and understanding of the company.

      Make an active effort to connect with a variety of colleagues. This includes team members across a range of levels and with varying tenure. You’ll collect a diverse portfolio of perspectives. Established employees can offer deep institutional knowledge to help reduce your learning curve, while new hires (like you!) can bring fresh ideas and the camaraderie you need to feel settled. 

      9. Get to know your team

      Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the beginning of a new job is prime time to really get to know your team. You generally get a bit of a pass when it comes to your output in the first few weeks, so take the time to set up one-on-ones, lunches, or whatever it takes to integrate into the larger team. 

      In addition to understanding what each person is responsible for within the business, do what you can to get to know them as people. Building authentic relationships generally leads to more effective collaboration and fewer tensions when resources are constrained.

      10. How to connect when starting a new job remotely

      Working from home, or remote work, for many employees has become the preferred option. In a Hired survey, only 1% of respondents said they preferred an in-office environment 100% of the time. So, if you’re starting a new job remotely, how do you make personal connections with your new co-workers? In a WFH setting, you’ll need to be extra intentional about communicating and making the effort to connect.

      Co-working Spaces

      Dropbox, like many large companies, uses co-working spaces like Studios. Located in many metropolitan areas, Studios provide spaces for co-workers to meet up, conference rooms for meetings, or just to get out of the home office for a while. 

      Dropbox Technical Recruiting Manager Marcus Mackey used one to participate in a Hired webinar event. 

      “I’m in our New York studio today. I’m doing this panel and there’s a number of other folks here as well. I try to get in here once a week to meet with a couple of folks on my team, to build those connections in person, which I think are super important.”

      Virtual Options

      Identify immediately which tools the company uses and familiarize yourself with them. Schedule casual introductory meetings, or “coffee chats,” and attend the company-hosted virtual events. Happy hours or “game nights” via Zoom may be essential to feeling integrated and comfortable with your team. 

      Outside of video, you can also be an active communicator via chat. See if your company has group chats available for employees to connect and discuss topics that may or may not be related to work. At Hired, fun Slack channels are aplenty (“Pupdates,” “Random Coffees,” and “Book Club” to name a few). 

      The “Random Coffees” channel, for instance, randomly pairs two employees each week for a one-on-one virtual meeting “over coffee.” These virtual “watercoolers” humanize our interactions and support socialization among employees across all teams and time zones. Consistently contributing and participating demonstrates your interest in being part of the team and helps you develop bonds in spite of the distance. 

      Starting a new job is easy when you are ready to hit the ground running.

      Implementing these tips will help you confidently establish yourself in a new role and make your first month a little less overwhelming. When you make your presence known, express your interest and enthusiasm in work, and make an effort to connect with team members, you are off to a strong start. 

      Are you looking for a new role in tech or sales? Complete a free profile and let employers come to you!

      Curious how Hired helps jobseekers find great roles in tech and sales? Learn how our platform helps you create meaningful connections with top employers. More

    • 150 Shares139 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      How to Handle an Employment Gap on Your Resume (Flip the Script!)

      by

      You’re not your work history

      Addressing an employment gap on a resume is one of the most common worries keeping job seekers up at night. It’s been drilled into our heads that if you’re not working, you’re wasting away. 

      There’s a prevailing, persistent belief out there that if a hiring manager or recruiter sees even a small gap on a resume they’ll automatically assume the applicant is a slacker who can’t hold down a job. 

      This simply isn’t true. Consider these recent stats from a 2021 LinkedIn survey: Just under four in five hiring managers (79%) say they would have no issues hiring a candidate with a gap in their resume.

      The relationship between “job hopping” and DEI 

      “Considering ‘job-hoppers’ for roles is a DEI practice many employers may not realize. In many cases, ‘job-hoppers’ have had more barriers than others in the workforce.” This could mean many things, including health challenges, economic hardships, caregiving responsibilities, or transportation issues.

      “To be frank,” being a serial “job-hopper” is one of the things I credit to my career success. My skills are varied, my familiarity with different industries is comprehensive, and my understanding of organizational culture is robust.”

      Brittany King, Senior Manager, TA-Talent Intelligence & Diversity, and a member of Sista Circle: Black Women in Tech. 

      Employment gap a deal breaker? Not anymore

      Not having a job for a year or longer may have been considered a deal breaker by most decision makers just 10 years ago or so, but the narrative surrounding career gaps has changed considerably since.

      You can probably guess the biggest reason why: COVID-19. The pandemic sparked an absolute tidal wave of layoffs, furloughs, and self-imposed sabbaticals to care for loved ones. 

      In light of everything that’s happened over the past few years, it doesn’t make business or ethical sense to discriminate against otherwise attractive job candidates due to a career break anymore (self-imposed or otherwise).

      That being said, you still absolutely have to touch on and explain your resume gaps. Here’s what Allison Rutledge-Parisi, senior vice president of People at Justworks, recently told Protocol: 

      “I sense in the atmosphere a change from the days earlier in my career. If you see a gap on a resume, it’s no longer a red flag at all. It’s an area of inquiry. But the inquiry is not assessing if it’s OK or not. The inquiry is more like, ‘Wow, what did you do?’”

      Give me a break!

      On a day to day basis, the average working professional has little time to consider the bigger picture of their career. When we’re preoccupied with what our current job needs from us on a particular day, it can be all too easy to forget about what we truly want from our careers.

      Another LinkedIn survey from earlier this year reports 69% of people say taking a career break helped them gain a new perspective and outlook on what they really want from life. 

      Even more revealing: That same survey tells us that just under half of hiring managers (48%) believe most candidates are too negative about their job gaps, undervaluing themselves in the process. Meanwhile, 64% of job seekers wish there were a better way to broach the subject of career gaps on resumes and during interviews.

      What does all of this tell us? Both employers and applicants are ready to put to bed the outdated notion that one must hold down a steady job from the moment they finish school to the time they retire. 

      Yes, your resume is about your career in your chosen field, but to a greater extent it’s about you. Your story isn’t limited to periods of employment. Here are a few ways to flip the script on career breaks, and use gaps in your resume to your advantage.

      There is no success without adversity 

      At Leet Resumes, we always encourage resume writers to emphasize their career wins and accomplishments. Showcasing successes sends a clear message to readers: “I’m good at what I do, and I’m ready for my next career challenge.”

      Well, what’s a success story without a little adversity to overcome? One research project published in the scientific journal Basic and Applied Social Psychology investigated what hiring managers want to hear from applicants during interviews. While achievements are great, the study found interviewers really wanted to hear about the setbacks and problems interviewees encountered on their way to those successes.

      Gaps in your work history can serve this adversarial role on your resume. Yes, taking a break from work for whatever reason isn’t ideal. But, if you frame these gaps in the right light, using the right verbiage, they may work in your favor by showcasing your resilience and commitment.

      Not working doesn’t mean not growing

      You may be wondering how exactly to frame unemployment as a positive, especially on paper. The simple answer comes down to staying busy. You need to address the time period you weren’t working in some other way on your resume.

      The best way to do this is via some type of institutional connection. Maybe you went back to school, or completed a new certification in your field. Volunteering for non-profit work, especially for a good cause, is another great way to show readers that you may not have been working – but you were still learning, growing, and pushing forward. 

      Consulting roles, attending industry conferences and virtual events, and even part-time or one-off freelancing gigs, can work too. 

      The biggest mistake you can make with an employment gap

      The #1 mistake to avoid here is leaving a year plus long gap on your resume totally unaddressed. Doing so virtually guarantees recruiters and hiring managers alike will assume you spent your time off moving exclusively from the couch to the kitchen.  

      Avoid lengthy explanations about an employment gap

      If we put COVID-19 aside for a moment, the three most common reasons people usually take an extended sabbatical from full-time work are:

      semi-retirement (taking a year off for travel, etc), they were fired, or electing to stay home as a full-time parent or caregiver.

      It’s likely that many who fall into one of those three categories did not maintain any type of formal institutional connection during their employment gap years. If this is your situation, don’t waste much room on your resume explaining the finer details of your story.

      At Leet Resumes, we believe brevity is best across all aspects of resume writing. Even when describing your biggest career wins it’s best to keep things short and sweet. This applies even more so when addressing gaps in work history.

      Instead, go with a single sentence addressing the time period in question with a positive spin toward the future.

      If you’ve spent the past couple years caring for your family, write something like:

      “Stay at home parent, family of five, excited to re-enter the workforce. 2020-2022”

      You can keep it even more vague:

      “Energized to return to work after a period of personal growth. 2020-2022” 

      You’ll have an opportunity to better explain your work gaps during the interviewing process. For now, there’s no reason to take up any more valuable space on your resume than needed. 

      Never adopt an apologetic tone about your employment gap

      It’s important to be transparent about your career breaks, but that doesn’t mean you should be apologetic. Again, the hiring handbook from a decade ago just doesn’t apply anymore. 

      Remember the statistic stating 48% of hiring managers believe candidates are too down on themselves over career lulls? If you frame your work gaps as a failure warranting an apology, or immediately sulk when the topic is brought up in an interview, it sends the wrong message. 

      “Do not apologize for doing what you need to do for your professional and personal growth.  Taking time off for whatever reason is sometimes necessary. Be confident in your decision to take time off and be prepared to be confident in your answer to why you did it.”

      Lexi B, Founder of Sista Circle: Black Women in Tech.

      Not all periods of unemployment are our own choice, but you always control the greater narrative of your story. Even if you were unceremoniously fired, turn it into motivation. Use it to propel you forward, not a hindrance holding you back.

      That was then, this is now

      Decision makers are no doubt more open to considering candidates with gaps in their work history nowadays, but they’ll still need to know that you’re serious about seeking employment. 

      Be sure to make it clear that today – in the here and now – you’re absolutely chomping at the bit to pick up where you left off and never look back. No employer wants to hire a new worker only to have them disappear shortly thereafter. It’s essential to frame your employment gaps as temporary siestas.

      Ideally, the message is you made meaningful use of your time off and you’re ready to return as an even better professional version of yourself.

      You’re not just your career

      As we wrap this article up, it may be useful to touch on resumes in general for a moment. Most people tend to think of their resume as a mere description of their careers, but that’s a gross oversimplification.

      “A resume is an art and not a science. As a recruiter I want to get a glimpse of the impact you’ve been able to accomplish and what you’re passionate about. The gaps in your experience are less important to me than the story I’m being told in your resume.” 

      Amal S., Fellowship Recruiter @ Formation

      When recruiters sit down to read your resume, they want to learn about you as a person – not just every job you’ve held since college. If you get the job, it’ll be you reporting for duty on Monday morning, not your resume.

      Addressing an employment gap the right way, and showing you didn’t let a bump in the road derail your journey, will speak to your character and persistence far more than any boring old corporate achievement.

      Need some help with your career?

      Feeling like you could use some assistance with your job search? 

      Consider creating a free profile on Hired and have companies apply to interview you for tech or customer-facing roles! 

      Related: 

      Hired partner Leet Resumes helps jobseekers revise their resumes for free. 

      Hired partner Sista Circle: Black Women in Tech (BWiT) is a solidarity group dedicated to supporting Black Women in technology, including providing community and networking.  More

    • 113 Shares169 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Graham Hensley, Senior Engineering Manager

      by

      Hi Graham! Can you tell us about your educational background?

      I got a traditional degree in Computer Science several years before the introduction of the first iPhone. I taught myself Android application development through reading the books of Reto Meier and attending conferences and meetup groups. I naturally found my way into leadership over the course of my career because I never had a problem explaining tech to non-tech people. 

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

      I have learned the most from meetup groups and gathering with fellow hobbyists and professionals. Passion can be contagious, so hanging out in groups where everyone is motivated to learn and develop a skill will give you the energy to keep going. 

      What would you like to learn more about?

      I’ve been pushing myself to better understand the crypto field and writing smart contracts in Solidity. 

      Related: What’s the Deal with Web 3.0 & How Does it Affect Tech Talent?, Partners for Upskilling

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      My parents were both in the field and understood how much it would be a part of the future. They made sure I was always exposed to tech. My first computer was an IBM 386. My parents showed me how I could use code to make the computer play guessing games with me.

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

      I wouldn’t say I’ve chased fads, but as the world has changed from Windows apps to websites, mobile apps, and crypto contracts, I have been following along and trying to adapt to what companies and consumers want. 

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      This new role is a change of industry. I went from being the manager of a team of Application Developers to being a manager of a team of Hardware and Firmware Engineers. 

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

      The opportunity to learn new things. After 3 years at my last gig, I didn’t feel like I was growing and I felt that I was just maintaining the status quo. It’s great to be outside of my comfort zone and learning new processes and acronyms. I was also worried that my skills would not transfer over and that somehow I had plateaued. However, it’s been very reassuring to change companies and still feel like I know how to make an impact.

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

      It was slow. I was searching over the web, looking for job descriptions that felt right. I was constantly writing intro letters and dealing with no or slow responses from companies. 

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

      Follow the site guides to get your profile in good shape – and then relax. The process works and you will start hearing about really interesting opportunities.

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

      Try it!! 

      About Mason America

      Mason America is a software development company transforming mobile deployments the same way AWS transformed website development, making it easy for anyone to turn an idea into a smart product and ship it to anywhere in the world. Mason has between 51-200 employees and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

      Tech Stack

      Android, Node.JS, AWS, Python, AOSP, Git, Terraform, Ansible, Kubernetes, Docker

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, maternity and paternity benefits, fitness reimbursement, mental health benefits, flexible working hours, matching charitable donations, and more. More

    • 125 Shares119 Views

      in Career Hacks

      How to Enter and Win The National Intern Day Competition

      by

      Once considered only for their ability to fetch coffee and take orders, interns are now becoming more and more important. Companies across the country are beginning to see these potential future employees both as valuable assets and future leaders, causing a ripple effect across industries.

      While some companies are just now catching on to the trend, we at WayUp have known for years how beneficial internships can be for both the people who participate in them and the companies that sponsor them. As a job platform that helps people find internships, we have seen first-hand how talented and driven these young entrepreneurs can be. 

      Our support for these so-called “rookies” goes so far that we even came up with a holiday for them – National Intern Day – that we will be celebrating the 6th iteration of on July 28th, 2022.

      Featured on The Today Show, NASA, and even Forbes, National Intern Day has taken the country by storm and for that reason, has grown pretty competitive. To increase your chances of making it on our Top 100 list for National Intern Day, we put together a list of suggestions to help bolster your application.

      Go Above and Beyond

      The first and most important thing you have to do to make your way on the Top 100 list is to be an excellent intern. It’s not enough to be a spectator during your summer internship or just go through the motions. You have to be an active participant who not only accomplishes what you’re assigned but goes above and beyond it.

      Another important factor to keep in mind as you’re excelling in your internship is the attitude you have. If you’re able to go through a really busy day, one that really tests you, and you do it with a smile on your face, your manager and the people around you will take note of it.

      Take Inventory of Your Experience

      On your National Intern Day application, you will be asked a series of questions that have to do with what you do in your internship, what you’ve learned, and how it has shaped your career goals. If you’re not prepared to answer these questions in an engaging and authentic way, then it might be best to take inventory of your experience before applying.

      Don’t just repeat what the job description says, speak from the heart and demonstrate that the internship had as great of an impact on you as you had on it. If you’re able to show that the significance of your internship was far-reaching, your chances will undoubtedly increase.

      Moderate Your Social Media Presence

      If you don’t know already, companies are watching what you do on social media. And when it comes to selecting our top interns of 2022, so do we! With this being said, make sure you moderate your social media presence to portray the intelligent and talented individual that you are.

      Those who are more active on social media and demonstrate someone who can engage audiences will definitely factor into the decision-making process of our internship but will in no way decide it! 

      Apply Early

      Lastly, the worst thing you can do if you’re trying to make it on the “Top 100 Interns” list for 2022 is wait to apply. The sooner you get your application in, the better, so fill out an application and see if you have what it takes to make the cut! More

    • 125 Shares189 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Evaluate the Job & Negotiate the Job Offer You Deserve

      by

      Editor’s note: this is Part 3 in our series with our partner, Makers, “Build Confidence and Take Control of your Job Search Series.”

      After a successful interview, a job offer often comes next. The offer stage sometimes creates discomfort and uncertainty for job seekers. When do you bring up compensation? How do you negotiate a salary? What should you ask for? Is the offer a good fit for you?

      These are all questions Hired and Makers answer in this chapter. Learn how to check offers and negotiate the salary you deserve! If an interview ends in rejection, learn how to tackle that, too.

      Get Started with Salary Negotiations

      Most of the time, the sourcer or recruiter will ask what you’re looking for in base salary or total compensation. Don’t feel put on the spot! Instead, if a screener asks for your expected salary range, ask about the salary band, or budget for the role.

      Pro Tip: It’s illegal in a growing list of areas to ask candidates for a salary history, or about their current compensation. Doing so promotes bias. These laws are known as a salary ban, not to be confused with a salary band, as mentioned above.

      If this doesn’t come up in initial phone screens, you can start the salary conversation early in the interview process. Be polite, don’t make it your first question, but don’t wait for an offer, either. Waiting to bring up salary until the end of the process doesn’t do you any favors. The early discussion helps you get in front of salary negotiations. 

      You could choose to say, “I’m sure you value alignment as much as I do. Can you share the salary band budgeted for the role?” You may have follow up questions to qualify that number. Is it base plus bonus? Is that a total compensation number, including benefits? Nobody wants to make a false assumption.

      Make sure you are clear about your personal priorities during the interview process. Determine your value in the marketplace before setting foot in an interview. This is very important for women. Female job seekers sometimes undervalue their contributions to the marketplace. This is known as an expectation gap.

      Hired’s salary calculator helps you with this task. We  recommend a starting point for you using data from the marketplace. The Hired platform alerts you to the discrepancy so you are able to make changes if you set expectations too high or too low.

      Remember, this number is just a starting point. Keep your priorities in mind as you negotiate. Some job seekers choose flexibility in exchange for entering a high-demand industry. Don’t share minimum expectations as they can result in low offers. Think about the salary offer that makes you excited to take the job and pursue this number.

      How to Negotiate Your Salary & Benefits

      Ask if you and the company are on the same page regarding salary after stating your expectations. The salary offer isn’t always what you expect or a number that satisfies your needs, and that’s ok. Communicate your desire to negotiate salary quickly so the company can respond.

      State your passion and motivation to join the company. Then, explain that the current offer doesn’t work for you. Be direct and be very clear if you intend to give a counteroffer for your salary. Let the company know that you plan to accept the role if they meet that number. Companies ready to move forward quickly respond when candidates are ready to start.

      Tech jobs and sales jobs have differing salary components. Base salary, target bonus, and equity are common for tech role offers. Fixed compensation and variable compensation or base salary plus commission are components of a sales job salary offer. Benefits and perks are usually included in both.

      Consider negotiating other benefits beyond salary. Getting creative can help you get what you want when there is no wiggle room in the base salary. Some possibilities include:

      Sign-on bonusGuaranteed annual bonusExpedited raiseMoving stipendStocks or RSUsPaid time offHealth benefitsLearning stipends

      Examine the Offer

      Once you lock in salary negotiations, it’s time to take a hard look at the offer. Look at all elements and decide which are the most important in your eyes. Write down your priorities – this trick helps you hold yourself to them.

      Consider these areas when checking your job offer:

      People element – your manager, team culture, and company culturePlace element – location of the office, company size, industryThings element – compensation, benefits, perksTiming element – do you need to find a new job right away, or is there time to be choosy?

      Rejection is Just Redirection

      Sometimes it just doesn’t work out, despite a great interview. Don’t take this personally! Rejection doesn’t always mean you did something wrong or weren’t qualified.

      Stay solution-oriented to keep future doors open. The way you handle rejection can make or break this relationship. Ask the company for feedback. Learn what you can to improve your future interviews. You never know when another position will open. Be civil and respectful despite rejection.  It often leads to new opportunities on different teams or at other offices. Besides, there’s no guarantee the person they hire will work out. It happens more than you think.

      Do you feel like you need to upskill to be more competitive? Makers offers opportunities to increase your technical skills!

      Land the Job Offer You Deserve on Hired

      Master the job search process from start to finish with these easy to follow steps. Hired.com helps you every step of the way! Our Customer Experience managers help candidates achieve success throughout the hiring process. Complete your free profile on Hired’s job marketplace. Be sure to optimize it with these tips, and let employers search for you!

      Related:

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