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

    The world, especially within the tech industry, is changing faster than you realize. Many jobseekers are nervous about what these shifts mean for their future, as layoffs hit an all-time high in 2022 and business investments seem to be in flux. 

    So what do job candidates have to do in order to keep up with the hottest skills, languages, and trends in the industry? 

    Watch this on-demand webinar to hear experts discuss key findings from Hired’s 2023 State of Software Engineers report and share approaches to help you succeed in the developer job market. 

    You’ll hear from:

    Career Expert, TopResume, Amanda Augustine

    CTO, Hired, Dave Walters

    Engineering Manager, Greenhouse, Jeff Surrett

    Sr Software Engineer, Yum! Brands, Erik Andersen

    VP of Growth & Marketing, Educative, Steven Yi

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

    How should software engineers prioritize which skills to learn in 2023? 

    Steven Yi

    There’s such a wide canvas of technologies out there and there’s demand for a lot of those in different scenarios. 

    If we start with enterprise, there’s a lot more interest there in the cloud, especially in regard to Amazon Web Services. The cloud is almost table stakes for most enterprises right now. There is also a lot of emphasis on back-end development specifically around APIs and integrating within existing systems and connecting front-ends to back-ends and things like that. 

    I also think there’s a lot more emphasis on more mature technologies. Examples include programming languages where you see more prevalence of Java and .NET. There are also more expectations around having data skills, specifically how to query and write sequel statements against relational databases (think Oracle and SQL Server). 

    If you’re targeting working at a smaller company or startup, I think the emphasis there is on having a more full stack experience — understanding both the front-end and the back-end. Front-end skills like React are certainly more important for those company sizes. For back-end skills, that transitions a bit more toward Go and Node.js in some of the newer programming languages and stacks out there. 

    And as far as the cloud, I think looking at this data is pretty interesting. Google Cloud Platform and Azure are more popular with smaller companies and startups, particularly because they’re easier to start up with. I think AWS has become a bit more complex over the years. 

    The last thing I would leave with this is to follow your interest and your passion to see what’s interesting to you. There are a variety of different niches out there. 

    Take mobile, for example. If you carved out a specialization on mobile development for Android, that means Kotlin. If you’re exclusively developing for Apple, that means Swift. Or cross platform development using a variety of different frameworks like Dart, Flutter, React Native, or Microsoft’s offerings like .NET, Xamarin, or .NET MAUI. 

    Data science and machine learning are exploding. That means Python or even the newer emerging technologies and programming languages like Rust. Or, go on the other end of the spectrum and go old school. 

    There are still niche offerings out there if you’re a Pascal developer with Delphi. I actually did a Google search this morning and several hundred companies are still hiring for COBOL.

    Related: Want to Ace Your Technical Interview? A Guide to Prepare Software Engineers 

    Watch the full collaborative panel discussion to learn how to: 

    Stand out as a top candidate in a crowded job market

    Efficiently and effectively prepare for behavioral and technical interviews

    Develop career plans to maximize growth and compensation opportunity  More

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    Tech Candidate Spotlight: Andre Almar, Site Reliability Engineer

    Why did you choose Hired for your search?

    I liked the simplicity of the platform and processes in general. It’s very easy to fill in your information there. The quality of the companies searching for talent on Hired’s platform is excellent. The whole platform as a whole is great!      

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

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

    Try the platform and see for yourself. Personally, I believe it’s much better to have companies reaching out to you as opposed to the other way around. Finding a new job can be a pretty miserable process if you are doing it the “old way.” 

    Hired is similar to other platforms I’ve tried before but the main difference is in the quality of the companies searching for talent. We get to connect with larger companies all around the world!

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

    It was the “same old” in the sense of me having to reach out to companies, then be vetted by each one with a different test (which is very time-consuming). Hired accelerates this process, which saves time for both sides. 

    If you’re thinking about using Hired or are currently a jobseeker on the platform, my advice is to be yourself and present yourself transparently. Don’t be afraid to show what makes you the candidate you are and what you accomplished during your past experiences.

    Related: How to Get Approved on Hired

    About Site Reliability Engineering

    Companies need Site Reliability Engineers when computer systems are not operating up to snuff. Those interested in this role likely know there is much more to it than just building and maintaining computer systems. These engineers are involved in all aspects of the application, software, and system development. 

    Top industries hiring Site Reliability Engineers

    eCommerce

    Analytics

    Security

    Platform

    Learn more about this tech role. More

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    The Ultimate Guide to Salary Negotiation

    What You’ll Learn

    Which factors contribute to your salary

    What not to say during a salary negotiation

    How to negotiate beyond base salary

    About this Guide

    Whether you’re looking for a new job or simply hoping for a raise within your current company, salary negotiation is a skill that can not only help you secure higher pay, but positively impact how your work is valued as your progress through your career. To ensure that you’re not only prepared but ready to land the salary you deserve, make sure to arm yourself with the right information.  More

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    Want to Ace Your Technical Interview? A Guide to Prepare Software Engineers

    Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned full stack, back-end, or front-end engineer, technical interviews may be stressful if you feel unprepared. While the most important piece of these interviews is, of course, your technical skills, we have some strategies to help you put your best foot forward. 

    After all, going in with confidence and preparation is the best way to ease those nerves and let your skills shine through. So, what is it you’re getting yourself into? 

    Technical interviews put a (fun?) spin on the typical job search process. In many ways, they let you, as an engineer, do what you do best! Take them as your opportunity to “walk the walk” instead of just “talk the talk.” 

    We’ve collaborated with our partner Educative to bring you tips to level up your technical interview game.

    What this Technical Interview Guide for Full Stack, Front-end, and Back-end Engineers Covers

    1. How to prepare for technical interviews

    Technical interviews take many forms and are known by various names. We break them down. We also give you a multi-week plan to give you plenty of time to work through examples and study up using suggested resources.  

    2. What employers look for in technical interviews 

    We review some of the major concepts and skills interviewers assess specifically for front-end developers, back-end developers, and full stack developers.

    3. Common technical interview mistakes to avoid 

    After spending time reviewing what you should do, we warn you on what to avoid. Find the top three technical interview no-nos in this chapter. 

    4. Helpful resources 

    By this time, you’re well on your way to nailing your next technical interview. Use our compilation of links to more resources to continue studying with a narrower focus.

    5. After the interview

    In this section, we coach you through this post-interview phase, including how to use it to your advantage and other best practices. 

    Ready to download your comprehensive Technical Interview Guide? Here you go! More

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    Data and Financial Technology: What it’s Like to Work at Bloomberg

    Finance and business professionals are faced with the challenge of navigating increasingly large volumes of data to make the most informed decisions possible.Bloomberg, a financial technology company, plays an important role in connecting the world’s decision-makers to accurate information about the financial markets. Through innovative tools such as the Bloomberg Terminal, the company provides access to financial data, news, and insights that help clients turn knowledge into action.Bloomberg’s Data team is responsible for the end-to-end intake and delivery of data behind the company’s products and services. The team processes billions of pieces of financial information daily and plays an integral role in ensuring the breadth, depth, and quality of financial data for which Bloomberg is known.In this article, we’ll learn more about the Data department and its ever-evolving role at Bloomberg and within the financial technology industry. Additionally, we interviewed James Hook, the Global Head of Data, about the latest industry trends, his career trajectory, and the traits and skills needed to succeed in Data roles today.Bloomberg’s Data Department At Bloomberg, data analysts combine both financial market knowledge and technical expertise to collect, analyze, and supply the most relevant content to clients operating across industries and asset classes. At its core, the team is primarily responsible for: 1) acquiring, modeling, and enriching proprietary and third-party data so that it can be used by clients, 2) providing support to client data queries, and 3) innovating workflow efficiencies that enhance the company’s systems, products, and processes.Data management is an emerging area that comprises many academic

    disciplines, including data modeling, artificial intelligence, data science, and data quality management. Individuals who focus on data at Bloomberg are given training and client exposure to better understand how data fits into the financial markets. As the data industry evolves, ample opportunities to expand one’s skill set and experience emerge across various domains.The rapid evolution of the industry also requires Bloomberg’s data team to adapt to the latest trends and practices to help clients solve their current business problems. The team proactively stewards data that addresses future client needs.

    The Career Trajectory of James Hook

    During his 18-year tenure at Bloomberg, James Hook has embodied what it means to be an effective team member and leader. At Bloomberg, James has demonstrated an ability to work across different disciplines, first as a software engineer and later as a Team Leader of the Structured Products team, where he developed both technical and financial market expertise to deliver valuable client solutions.That experience led him to the Data Technologies Engineering team, where he  managed the talented individuals who built the systems that on-board all the reference data that drive Bloomberg’s applications and enterprise systems. Now, as the head of the Data division, he focuses on combining domain expertise with innovative data management techniques to increase the overall value of our data products

    Through his intellectual curiosity, collaborative spirit, and diligence, James has grown his career at Bloomberg. While his path is unique, it speaks to the career possibilities available in Bloomberg’s Data Division. Global Opportunities in Data

    During our interview, James Hook described what Bloomberg – and the data industry in general – looks for in candidates, and the qualities it takes to succeed and make an impact as an employee.

    Successful Bloomberg data professionals can come from a variety of academic backgrounds and share two common traits – first, an aptitude to delve into specific data and financial domains, and second, an appetite for innovation and experimentation.

    In addition to developing subject matter expertise and technical skills, data analysts collaborate with a range of stakeholders around the globe, from Engineering to Sales, on product development.While most of Bloomberg’s employees work in major cities around the world, many data analysts work in Princeton, NJ, a suburban community about an hour from New York City. The Princeton location offers a research campus-like culture and boasts open, outdoor spaces that facilitate unique collaboration opportunities among the departments working there. This location also allows the team to build relationships with local universities and foster a continuous learning environment where new and bold ideas are developed, tested, and brought to life.With a diverse data team based around the globe in Princeton, New York City, and more than half working in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, James is focused on nurturing a culture of collaboration and inclusivity throughout the department and the broader organization as a whole. 

    Bloomberg runs on data. Thus, developing strong data management skills is critical for Bloomberg’s continued and sustained growth as a company. Positioned at the intersection of technology, finance, and data management, employees have a lot of range to explore their passions and pursue different projects throughout their careers with the firm.Not only is the culture and environment of Bloomberg special, but also the company’s philanthropic mission makes a real impact on the world and is incredibly motivating.If you’re interested in learning more about open roles at Bloomberg and taking a step further into the world of data and analytics, check out their current job listings. As the world of data grows, so do the opportunities, so don’t hesitate to make your move! More

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

    In recent years, organizations across all industries have made strides when it comes to building diverse and inclusive teams. In fact, companies are increasingly hiring and promoting employees from historically underrepresented groups, and they’re also extending offers to more and more women, who now make up the bulk of the US workforce. But despite this progress, there’s still a lot more work to be done, as outlined in Hired’s 2022 Wage Inequality Report. 

    While organizations might have improved the gender and ethnic diversity of their teams, many are still discriminating in other regards, such as against employees who are further on in their careers. This form of discrimination called ageism.

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

    What is ageism?

    Simply put, ageism is a prejudice causing organizations to overlook qualified older candidates and hire younger workers instead. 

    According to the AARP, ageism is pervasive in America. They found nearly 25% of workers 45 and older have been the subject of disparaging comments due to their age. What’s more, roughly 60% of older workers have seen or experienced ageism in the workplace. Ageism is perhaps most prevalent in the tech sector, where the average worker is 38 years old (compared to 43 years for non-tech workers).

    Add it all up and it comes as no surprise the same AARP survey found 76% of older workers agree ageism is a major obstacle standing in between them and a new job. 

    Youngism: The Reverse Ageism 

    This facet of ageism, now increasingly studied, focuses on bias against younger individuals. You might imagine someone muttering, “kids these days” or rolling their eyes as they groan, “millennials.” 

    Although positive words like “intelligent” and “tech savvy” surfaced, one study found common negative responses in descriptions of younger generations included “entitled,” “coddled,” and “disrespectful.” 

    In the same way ageism can hold back older adults from opportunities, youngism does the same to younger individuals. 

    What causes ageism?

    Ageism is a bias that makes businesses see older employees as liabilities more than assets. 

    In an age of technological innovation, companies may think older employees might not be technically proficient enough to work productively. At the same time, older individuals are thought to be stuck in their ways, making it harder for them to embrace change or try something new.

    In some instances, ageism might be linked to the fact that older employees tend to earn more than their younger colleagues due to their deeper professional experience. Cash-conscious companies might opt to extend offers for candidates just out of college who are happy to work for less.

    While the deck may be stacked against older workers to some extent — all hope is not lost. With the right approach, older professionals can overcome the bias of ageism in the job search, ending up with meaningful employment on the other side.

    With all this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the tactics you can employ to navigate your job search in your later years.

    How you can combat ageism and be confident in your job search

    First things first: Update your resume so it fits on one page and is reframed to reflect your current goals. After you’ve done that, it’s time to start looking for work.

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

    As you begin your job search, here are five tips to keep in mind tohelp you overcome the challenges associated with ageism — and move forward to the next chapter of your career with a positive mindset.

    1. Demonstrate your enthusiasm

    At the end of the day, companies are looking to hire energetic, passionate individuals. Perhaps you worked for 25 years in corporate America and have all the requisite skills and experience. Still, if you come across as apathetic or as if you’re just going through the motions, hiring managers may hesitate to gamble on your candidacy. 

    Instead of reciting your experience, lead with your passion and excitement for the company and role.

    We also encourage you to market any mentoring skills. Your experience may be more valuable to other team members than you realize! Frame your experience as an advantage in this way and an opportunity to share your wealth of knowledge.

    2. Develop new skills

    Commit yourself to continuous learning and always try to develop new skills and learn new things. One easy way to do this is to complete certifications through popular business platforms like General Assembly, Exponent, Educative, and AWS. 

    3. Be curious and teachable

    Succeeding in today’s ultra-collaborative business landscape requires being a team player and a willingness to be flexible. By demonstrating your curiosity and teachability throughout the interview process, you can prove you have the right mindset to become a critical contributor to the team.

    Two ways to show your willingness to learn and ability to quickly acquire new skills are:

    Taking up interesting hobbies (e.g., learning how to write code) 

    Taking on volunteer opportunities (e.g., mentoring at-risk youth)

    4. Lead your interviews

    Acing an interview isn’t just about giving good answers to each question. It’s about forming a personal relationship and connection with the person on the other side of the table (or the Zoom call).

    By connecting with your interviewer on a deeper level and bringing a positive, pleasant attitude to the session, you can make a great first impression. This can carry you to the finish line and lead to a job offer!

    Related: Video Interviews 101: How to Impress in the Digital Age

    5. Arm yourself with data

    When you’re older, be cognizant of how your interviewer might perceive your age as a disadvantage. So, be prepared to defuse those objections right out of the gate.

    Related: 7 Interview Questions You Never Have to Answer (& How You Should Respond) 

    One way is to proactively bring data to the table. For example, research suggests workers continue building knowledge and expertise well into their 80s — traits correlated with job performance. Furthermore, data suggests the average successful startup founder is 45 years old. 

    It’s also important to make sure you have a good understanding of what a fair salary is for your experience and role. Make sure you leverage tools like Hired’s Salary Calculator to understand your value before the interview.

    Related: What Does Your Tech Salary Look Like? A Review of Salary Trends 

    The more nuggets of information like this you have, the more confident you will be when you finally sit down at the table.

    Ready to land your next job?

    With the right mindset and a determination to land a new job, it’s possible to overcome the challenges associated with ageism and start the next phase of your career. Keeping these tips in mind as you begin your next job search. Good luck!

    Continue reading our Ally Series: More

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    Tech Candidate Spotlight – Decebal Dobrica, Software Architect

    Why did you choose Hired for your search?

    Compared to other platforms I’ve tried, Hired stands out because of the quality of employers, especially those in London.

    Related: How to Get Approved on Hired

    When searching for a new role, the ability to have a direct contact with the company looking to hire is extremely useful. It’s more efficient to be in touch with a CTO or someone with an active role, as opposed to going through an agency.

    As for specific features on Hired, I love the “Profile Preferences” section. It allows me to filter out specific technologies and characteristics. I can get search results that reduce the need for further filtering after meeting the companies.

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

    Hired puts you in front of the best employers in London while helping you refine the way you present yourself to them. Hired gives you tips based on employer feedback to optimize your profile. This makes your edits so much more relevant than what you might come up with yourself, and helps you stand out to companies on the platform.

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

    How does Hired compare to other methods you have used in your job search?

    Hired was the fastest in terms of helping me connect with new employers and streamlining the recruitment process. Companies come to you, instead of the other way around, which I have experienced with many other platforms. When I get matched with an employer, I already know the company wants to have a conversation tailored to me. I don’t have to make the effort to convince them my profile is what they should search for.

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

    Before Hired, I was jumping between recruitment agencies to get more exposure to different types of employers. Most couldn’t even tell the difference between Java and JavaScript, as most of their own filters were backfiring!

    What tips would you give to other jobseekers using the platform?

    Take advantage of the tips Hired offers and remember to apply them when creating your profile. Most importantly, make sure to be available and be respectful to employers. Being responsive and active helps build employers’ impression of you when making a decision about whether to interview you. More

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    How Citi is Paving the Way for HBCU Grads and Black Professionals in Finance

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

    Although a lot of progress has been made for POC in the banking and finance space, they are still at a disadvantage. The facts of the matter are that POC are disproportionately underrepresented in finance and face a harder time breaking into the industry than others. 

    As a company that emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), 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 contributions and ideas that these POC would have contributed to the finance world would never see the light of day. This lack of input and improvement would slow down the finance world as we know it. 

     Citi has made sure to create a space where POC not only feel welcome but motivated to succeed as well, creating a virtuous cycle for individuals, Citi as an organization and the financial services industry more broadly. In order to create this space, Citi has rolled out a series of initiatives that are paving the way for POC in finance. The first of which has to do with their recruiting strategy. 

    HBCU Recruiting and Presence 

    To employ the brightest minds, first, you have to find them. That’s why Citi decided to set up an ambitious recruiting strategy at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). And we’re not just talking about free koozies and stickers. Citi is showing up on campuses, sometimes even with school alumni, to share background on their diversity and inclusion efforts, educate students about opportunities and show they are a company that values the success of their diverse employees.   

    Here is what one Global Banking Analyst 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 is building a workforce that includes incredibly talented individuals 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!  
     Global Consumer Banking Analyst 

    Through her involvement with the HBCU Alumni Network, she 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 

    Like the HBCU Alumni Network, there is the Black Heritage Inclusion Network at Citi. Within this group, Black professionals can come together, share their thoughts, seek out mentors, and essentially just share space with people who look like 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 inclusion networks is so advantageous and why Citi chose to do it themselves. 

    POC in Leadership Positions 

    One very direct way to help POC succeed in financial services is to connect and grow them in leadership and management positions. By doing so, you not only diversify the leadership on your team, but you also create mentors, role models, 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. 

    As he said, it’s comforting to grow and be trained by people who are like you. When you can relate to these people, it makes the relationship better on all ends.  

    One Corporate Banking Analyst had a similar experience with her mentor during her time at Howard.  

    When I was a Freshman at Howard, my mentor, who was a Senior, had a full-time offer in Investment Banking at Citi and was the Citi Campus Ambassador. She recommended me for the Freshman Discovery Program, and I ended up getting in. At the time I was not super familiar with Citi or Wall Street as a whole, so I did not really know what to expect. However, when I arrived, I was completely enamored with the experience and completely threw myself into it. At the end of the program, I was sad to leave and knew this is where I belonged. 
    Corporate Banking Analyst

    If it weren’t for Citi putting her mentor into that Campus Ambassador position, it’s possible that she 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 Citi’s Action for Racial Equity, 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