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    • 188 Shares139 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

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

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

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

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

      You’ll hear from:

      Revenue & Product Marketing Manager, Multiply, Lee Brooks

      Senior Platform Engineer, RVU, Suraj Narwade 

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

      Founder & CEO, Hustle Crew, Abadesi Osunsade

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

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

      Suraj 

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

      Lee 

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

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

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

      Heidi 

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

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

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

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

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

      Watch the full collaborative panel discussion to learn:  More

    • 125 Shares159 Views

      in Career Hacks

      5 Things to Avoid in Your First Job or Internship

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      While there is a lot of excitement that comes with your first job or internship, there can also be a level of uncertainty that can make you nervous about the upcoming milestone. Given that these are first-time experiences for a lot of people, it is natural not to know exactly what to do and what not to do in these new professional settings.

      At WayUp, we help thousands of young professionals land their first job so we are no strangers to the missteps and errors made during these early days. To help make sure you don’t make the same mistakes some of us did, we interviewed a few WayUp and Yello employees to highlight some things to avoid doing in your first job or internship.

      [embedded content]

      Cramming Doesn’t Cut It

      Something many of you will learn going into your first job or internship is that the habits that worked in college don’t always work in the professional world. One particular habit that doesn’t cut it anymore, is cramming. 

      While a college course often only lasts for a couple of months, a job will hopefully go on for much longer than that. This being the case, it becomes even more important to take the necessary time needed to complete your work. If not, you might end up in a nightmare situation like Jimmy did. 

      One way to avoid this is by setting completion goals for yourself. Instead of having one deadline, have multiple, with each one coordinating to a certain percentage of your upcoming task.

      Don’t Take on Too Much Work

      Another important thing to keep in mind is not to take on too much work. Although you may be eager to show your new employer how much you’re capable of doing, keep in mind that your responsibilities may take some time to get comfortable with.

      While it can sometimes be advantageous to overachieve in your work, it is wise not to aim too high when you’re just starting a new job. In the aforementioned situation, Carter tried to take on too much and his work ended up suffering for it in the form of sore arms, likely impacting future shifts, and a messy uniform which most likely made him seem unprofessional. 

      Instead of biting off more than you can chew, start observing what other people are doing and maybe take the time to ask some more senior members how they manage time. This way, you can start grasping and comprehending what it takes to get more done in your position.

      Stay In Your Lane

      This next hazard to avoid is very specific and has to do with the interview process. Applications and interviews can be incredibly stressful with lots of anticipation. However, you never want that stress and anxiety to lead what this person did

      In this situation, this individual likely came off as both uninformed and probably a little bothersome. Not only did they make themselves look bad, but unfortunately, they also brought Luis down with them! 

      As Luis mentioned, the best way to find updates about your application is to go through your HR recruiter or the hiring manager for the role. Check out this blog to find more great ways to follow up after an interview!

      Don’t Ignore Your Sleep

      When you’re starting your first internship or job, you’re likely going to have to get used to a new schedule. This means that you’re going to have to start valuing your sleep a lot more and getting a more refined schedule. If not, you might end up falling asleep in a meeting like Jess did during her first big internship in NYC.

      =

      This incident is nothing short of a horror story and clearly has remained a lesson with Jess throughout her professional life. At times, it can be very hard to stick to a tight sleeping schedule, especially if you have other things going on in your life like school or family obligations. 

      Our recommendation to you is to rid yourself of the unnecessary things that consume your time. That means no more back-to-back Netflix episodes, no post-dinner espressos, and definitely no scrolling endlessly on social media when you’re in bed!

      Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions

      Our last piece of advice when it comes to things to avoid in your first job or internship is something that you should keep in mind throughout the entirety of your professional career and not just when you’re first starting out. While some situations vary, asking questions will always be beneficial – especially when you’re just starting to familiarize yourself with a new role.

      The intern in this situation was likely feeling pressure not to come off as needy or uninformed. Instead of clarifying what she was supposed to do and the deliverable that was required, she went ahead with what she thought was expected and ended up making more work for herself in the end. 

      As you make your way through your first professional experience, there very well might be mistakes you make that are specific and unique. The most important thing to keep in mind is not to let yourself get discouraged by those shortcomings and instead make it a learning experience that you improve from.

      For more career insights and professional development tips, make sure you keep up with the WayUp blog! More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Career Hacks

      The Ideal Side Hustle You Can Do Where You Want, When You Want

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      Over the past few years, the work-from-home industry has undergone incredible growth with numerous companies shifting to partly or fully remote operations. With this change, a lot of opportunities have opened up for college students looking for part-time jobs and individuals looking for side hustles. However, the rise of all these opportunities has also led to a crowded job market that has left job seekers directionless looking for the right fit.

      As a company that helps thousands of young professionals find jobs, we’ve been able to identify the makings of great remote job opportunities. During our search, we came across Appen, a machine intelligence company, and its Yukon Raters program.

      As a Search Engine Evaluator within Appen’s Yukon Raters program, you are responsible for rating the quality of web pages and the relevance of search results. Undertaking any number of tasks such as rating automated voices, determining what topics are central and secondary to what a given web page is about, and more, being a Yukon Rater allows you to work at any time and from anywhere you have a computer with internet access

      Recently, we spoke with a few former Yukon Raters who were recently promoted within the company to Quality Analysts. In our conversations with them, we learned that the flexibility, the engaging material, the impact of their work, and their ability to grow professionally at the company all contributed to Yukon Raters being the perfect part-time, work-from-home job.

      Set Your Own Schedule

      As a college student or professional looking for a part-time gig, being able to set your own schedule is a very rare, but sought-after feature. At Appen, you are able to work at any time of day on any day of the week! The work is always there so you can log in and log off when you choose.

      While there is a minimum amount of hours you must work, you are still able to complete tasks on your own schedule.

      There’s so much that opened up for me because the work is literally there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I was able to take a last-minute trip in 2017 to Japan because the schedule was so flexible. Another instance was when my mother had some health problems and I was able to travel in order to provide care for my family without missing work. I have worked in hospitals, restaurants, and even in a car. For me, it’s just allowed me to really do what I want while earning a living.
      Laura James, Quality Analyst*

      Chelsea Mitchell, another long-time Yukon Rater turned Quality Analyst, said the flexibility of her schedule allowed her to pursue another job at the same time.

      The hours were very flexible. You could work as much as you want as long as you don’t go over a certain amount of hours each week. You could even work in the middle of the night from 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM if you wanted. It was great because I was able to have my other job with the set schedule and then just work around that. I could work on the weekends, I could work three days a week, I could work five days a week, just as long as I met the minimum and didn’t go over the maximum.
      Chelsea Mitchell, Quality Analyst

      The ability to manage your own time as a Yukon Rater gives people the freedom to pursue other goals in life, both professional and personal.

      Learn About Interesting Stuff

      Another thing that makes the Yukon Rater position so sought after is the fact that the material you’re looking into is engaging and oftentimes never the same. Due to the nature of the job, having to examine different websites and different types of content, you are exposed to a wide expanse of information. This keeps the job fresh and new!

      I think it’s a job where it’s really difficult to get bored. We’re researching different types of information and content that you get to learn about through the process of rating. You get to learn about all different kinds of topics whether it’s cultural things, current events, or cool science stuff. So I think that that helps to keep it really interesting.
      Elizabeth Parker, Quality Analyst*

      For Elizabeth, she was really interested in politics. So for her, getting paid to read about topics that she finds interesting has been more than ideal!

      It wasn’t really a boring job at all and I was always learning something. There was a lot of diversity in the tasks that we would get in our queues every day. You never kind of knew what you’re gonna be working on so it was really cool in that regard.
      Susan Garret, Quality Analyst*

      While the work the Yukon Raters were doing was enjoyable and engaging, it was just as much impactful to the digital world and the billions of users who occupy it.

      You’re Making the Digital World a Better Place

      The main goal of the Yukon Rater is to make searching the web a better experience. While this has to do with assessing the accuracy and relativity of web pages and search results, it also has to do with making sure no offensive or harmful material is present. 

      For example, this might have to do with a Yukon Rater flagging a children’s YouTube video because it has inappropriate content in it or a rater flagging a blog for containing offensive language. 

      One responsibility of ours has to do with offensive-type tasks. One of the big things was trying to weed out upsetting or offensive videos on YouTube. We would also examine videos and pages to make sure there was no porn or racist material which is really important. It’s a rewarding job because I did think we were making a difference. Everyone wants to have a pleasant internet browsing experience and we are helping facilitate that.
      Laura James, Quality Analyst*

      The Internet is a place full of endless information and opportunity, but it also has some shady and dark places. Luckily, there are people like Laura and the rest of the Yukon Raters keeping the website clean and free of offensive material.

      We’re definitely helping to make search a better experience for users and that’s something to take a lot of pride in. Everybody uses search, so it’s exciting to be a part of what’s making that better.
      Susan Garret, Quality Analyst*

      Ability to Grow Within the Company

      During your work as a Yukon Rater, you get the opportunity to grow your skills in a number of ways. Whether it’s research skills, data and analytics muscles, communication abilities, or general knowledge, being a Yukon Rater is just as good for your resume as it is for conversation at a dinner party.

      However, Appen and their Yukon Raters program also help you grow your professional career as well. All of the Appen employees we spoke with were former Yukon Raters that are now full-time with Appen working as Quality Analysts who, in addition to other job functions, oversee the raters.

      While Appen wants their employees to enjoy the liberties of their incredibly flexible and lucrative Yukon Raters job, they also want to encourage and enable employees to grow within the company. While Raters are invited to become Quality Analysts, they are also encouraged to reach out to management if interested in the position. More often than not, management will give you the tools you need to make it to that level!

      So if you’re looking for a part-time, work-from-home job that allows you to work when you want, learn about interesting topics, make an impact on the world, and grow yourself professionally, be sure to check out Appen and their Yukon Raters program.

      Start browsing open roles at Appen today!

      *Names of employees have been changed* More

    • 138 Shares99 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      Expert Tips: How to Manage Your Finances While You Job Hunt

      by

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

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

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

      The importance of managing your finances while job hunting

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

      Reduce financial stress

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

      Sets you up for future success

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

      Builds good financial habits

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

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

      Expert tips for managing your finances while you job hunt

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

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

      1. Understand your current financial situation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      It helps you prioritize your expenses

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

      Increases your financial stability

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

      Improves your financial planning

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

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

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

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

      Here are a few ways to cut unnecessary expenses:

      Look for ways to save on fixed expenses

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

      Cut back on variable expenses

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

      4. Draw up a savings plan

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

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

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

      Set a goal

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

      Take a look at your budget

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

      Choose a savings plan 

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

      Automate your savings

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

      Monitor your progress

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

      5. Take on part-time work or freelance gigs

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

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

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

      Flexibility

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

      Networking opportunities

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

      Skills development

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

      6. Manage your credit responsibly

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

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

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

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

      Here are some of the most effective credit management tips.

      Always pay your bills on time

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

      Keep your credit utilization low

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

      7. Avoid taking on new debt

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

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

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

      Use cash or a debit card instead of a credit card

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

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

      Use your savings

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

      8. Use resources and support systems

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

      Below are some of the best support systems to explore.

      Unemployment benefits or government assistance programs

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

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

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

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

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

      Lean on support from friends and family if necessary

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

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

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

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

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

      Take control to manage your finances and the job hunt

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

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

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

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

    • 138 Shares179 Views

      in Career Hacks

      Day in The Life of an Investment Analyst at Insight Partners

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      The private equity and venture capital space is one of the most exciting and dynamic industries to work in. So much so, that job descriptions often fall short of capturing the incredible opportunities and fulfilling work that professionals get to do.

      This being the case, those who want to pursue a career in PE and VC don’t always have a clear picture of what it looks like. To shed some light on what a career in investing entails, we spoke with a pair of former analysts and current associates at global software investor Insight Partners about their day-to-day work. Insight Partners invests in high-growth technology, software, and Internet startup and ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries

      Sourcing

      Analysts are responsible for identifying new investment opportunities in the form of businesses and products, or what’s known in the industry as “sourcing.” At Insight Partners, analysts look to source promising companies in a variety of software subsectors such as FinTech, HealthTech, cybersecurity and more.

      Simply put, sourcing is the active process of identifying and evaluating potential investment prospects. The actual undertaking of that can consist of anything from market research and referrals to outreach and pitching. What’s so enjoyable about this part of the job is the excitement surrounding the discovery of a new business or opportunity that no one has come across before!

      Talking to Founders

      A big part of sourcing is talking to founders and executives. As an analyst, you’re given the opportunity to speak directly with these founders as they share what oftentimes is their life work, and something they have built from the ground up. In addition, being able to speak with some of the smartest subject matter experts across a variety of industries and sectors presents analysts with a massive opportunity to grow and learn about different technologies and domains.

      Zack went on to say how thought-provoking it is to listen to someone sharing the most interesting things that they know—things that might have taken them years to find out, test, or hypothesize. For Zack, having access to that kind of information and learning more about the world are what he really loved about being an analyst. 

      Becoming a Market Expert

      Although talking to founders is a crucial aspect of being an analyst, it is just one of many levers pulled on the track to becoming a market expert. Analysts also need to be well-versed and informed on particular markets in order to evaluate the potential of a business. While much of this is done by individual research, the analysts at Insight Partners have the opportunity to learn from those around them, which makes for an incredible culture of learning and development for all.

      For Ana Hugener, the Onsite Diligence & Growth Strategy team and the broader Insight Onsite team were two of the biggest influences to her becoming a market expert. The Insight Onsite team is made up of 140+ operational experts who work side-by-side with Insight’s portfolio companies in the key functional areas of a software company, including talent, sales, marketing, product, engineering and strategy. Onsite’s different Centers of Excellence mirror these company functions.

      These Centers of Excellence allow analysts the opportunity to grow in a variety of fields while also setting themselves up for future opportunities.

      Diligence

      While becoming a market expert is crucial for sourcing, it is equally as important for conducting diligence. The end-to-end diligence for new investment opportunities can consist of talking to founders about what they are building, telling them about Insight Partners, learning about markets, and more. Whether that’s looking at the model, the customer data, the competitive landscape or talking to customers, analysts at even the most junior level are given the opportunity to get involved.

      In our conversations with Ana and Zack, one thing they made clear about diligence is how much Insight allows entry-level and junior-level employees to get involved. Right from the get-go, analysts are making lasting impacts and contributions to the firm and their portfolio companies.

      Meaningful Work with Meaningful Companies

      Whether it’s sourcing, diligence, or portfolio work, one of the most gratifying aspects of working as an analyst at Insight Partners is the opportunity to do meaningful work with companies that make a difference. 

      After meeting with these successful analysts, it became clear that the software and technology industry is an incredibly fascinating and ever-expanding industry. This being the case, there is no shortage of interesting companies to work with.

      For Zack, his favorite portfolio company that he’s worked with sells software to pharmaceutical companies to help with clinical trials. The software allows the companies to simulate parts of the clinical trial process so that they can get FDA approval for drugs faster. For Zack, this meant he was helping a company that might be responsible for getting life-saving medications and drugs to market faster. This was an incredibly fulfilling opportunity in his day-to-day work as an analyst.

      For Ana, her favorite companies to work with were startups that were early on in their growth journey. Ana claimed that these companies are so interesting to work with because of all the questions that still need to be answered and the opportunity to have a real impact on the success of a business. For Ana, growing something from these early stages is what made the analyst role so appealing for her.

      Whether it’s sourcing, talking to founders, becoming a market expert, doing diligence, or making meaningful impacts on businesses, the work of an analyst at Insight Partners is an unbounded position with infinite potential. If you’re interested in a role where you can launch your career in private equity and venture capital, check out some of Insight Partners’ open roles today. More

    • 138 Shares199 Views

      in Career Hacks

      How Two Engineers Found Success with Klaviyo and Their Boston-Based Experience

      by

      When you think of an ideal internship, what comes to mind? Do you think of a sprawling office space in a big city? Maybe you imagine rooms filled with massive whiteboards and colleagues sharing ideas and making moves? Or maybe, you think of an ideal internship as a place where everyone is friends as much as they are colleagues with a fantastic work-life culture?

      If you answered yes to any of those questions, then the Boston-based e-commerce marketing automation platform, Klaviyo, may be the place for you. Their summer engineering internship is a dynamic opportunity for aspiring engineers to find their footing in the industry and get a taste of the local tech scene in the Northeast. 

      We decided to sit down with a couple of Klaviyo engineers, one of whom started as an intern, to find out what it is that makes the program so special. In our conversations with them, we discovered that the hands-on work, vibrant office space, and incredible culture at Klaviyo helped make their internship experience memorable, and their work today as engineers so satisfying.

      Building Real World Applications

      Everyone we spoke to at Klaviyo agreed that part of what makes Klaviyo’s engineering internship unique is that interns get to work on things that have real business applications and problem-solutions for the company. Klaviyo’s goal for their interns is that by the end of the summer, they will have a project they worked on where they can really see their contributions taking hold.

      Maya Nigrin, a former intern and now senior software engineer, recounted how these very real engineering endeavors and projects made her feel like she was progressing in her career.

      Maya went on to share that never felt like she was being treated like an intern or somebody that didn’t know what they were doing. The fact that she was trusted to write code, do a good job, and take on difficult projects gave her the confidence needed to grow herself both as an engineer and early career professional.

      A Vibrant Office Space

      One of the biggest headlines over the past few years at Klaviyo is without a doubt the arrival of their downtown Boston office. With multiple floors fitted with everything from coffee, beer, and snack bars, a large outdoor balcony/terrace, open format workspaces, and even arcade games, ping pong, and shuffleboard, there is little that the sprawling office space doesn’t offer.

      In our conversation with Dmitry Mamyrin, a veteran engineer with tons of experience in the industry, he remarked on how much he enjoyed the layout and overall aesthetic of the space.

      Definitely not a bad view to have while writing some code or working on a project!

      Keeping a Level Head

      For Dmitry Mamyrin, it was the way in which his fellow colleagues dealt with high-intensity situations that made him admire the culture so much. Referring to a problem he and his team were addressing, Dmitry remarked that “everyone was so cool-headed during the event.” It made him realize how much he wanted to be a part of a culture with people who, “think critically and seriously, but don’t freak out and continue the process when out-of-the-ordinary events occur.” From our conversations with Dmitry and Maya we could tell that they are impassioned engineers who work alongside a cohort of similarly passionate colleagues who love what they do and the customers they do it for.

      As Klaviyo continues to grow, so too does its summer engineering internship and the opportunity it affords everyone who participates in it. For more information on Klaviyo and internship application details head over to their company profile today! More

    • 125 Shares99 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      My Learnings from Helping 1000 Software Engineers Negotiate Job Offers

      by

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

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

      Why salary and job offer negotiation matters

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

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

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

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

      What we’ve seen

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

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

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

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

      3 steps to an effective negotiation 

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

      Step 1: Build leverage

      Leverage your BATNA

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

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

      What does BATNA mean? 

      It stands for your Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement.

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

      a side hustle

      freelance work

      advisor engagements

      mentorship

      volunteer commitments

      part-time work

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

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

      Related: Try Hired’s salary calculator

      Be open to possibilities 

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

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

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

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

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

      Leverage the company’s BATNA

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

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

      Why is this role open? 

      Did someone leave? If so, why?

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

      Is the hiring manager currently back-filling this role?

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

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

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

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

      Step 2: Create and invest in building social capital

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

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

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

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

      The significance of deadlines

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

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

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

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

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

      Step 3: Make a strategic ask

      Think beyond the money

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

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

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

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

      Level up

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

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

      Avoid a bad fit

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

      Collect career capital

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

      Freedom in flexibility

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

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

      The role scope/opportunity for you to make an impact 

      The company’s opportunity for growth and impact 

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

      Take smart risks

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

    • 88 Shares169 Views

      in Talent Acquisition

      How to Earn Referral Bonuses on Hired

      by

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

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

      How will I know if my friend signed up?

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

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

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

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

      How will I know if my friend was hired?

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

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

      Are there ever special referral bonuses? 

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

      What happens if my friend gets approved on Hired?

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

      Related: How to Get Approved on Hired 

      When do I receive my referral bonus?

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

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

      Originally published June 2015, updated April 2023. More