Summary
In this talk, I plan to share my experience over the last year (April 2023 - April 2024) trying to get hired in Design Operations after being laid off from a Design Operations Manager role at Meta. I will share my stories - both the good and the bad - and what I learned from those moments. I’ll then shift my focus from the candidate experience to how we as a community can improve the job search experience from the perspectives of hiring teams and recruiters. I have and will continue to source thoughts and feedback from professionals in these roles.
Key Insights
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Unemployment is an emotional rollercoaster and can take significant time to process and recover from.
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Job hunting requires relentless effort; treat it like a full-time job.
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Tenacity is crucial, as demonstrated by submitting 710 applications resulting in only 50 interviews.
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It's essential to create organized tools, like application trackers and interview guides, to stay efficient and effective.
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Confidence, even after multiple rejections, is vital to success in interviews.
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Embrace humility by seeking feedback and support from peers and former colleagues.
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Community is important; use support networks to share experiences and cope with the challenges of unemployment.
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Employers need to communicate transparently and treat candidates' time with respect to improve the hiring experience.
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While qualified candidates should be recognized, hiring decisions must consider the long-term impact on team dynamics.
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Feedback and clear timelines in the hiring process are essential to maintaining candidate trust.
Notable Quotes
"Unemployment is a full-time job that requires relentless effort and resilience."
"You will be humbled and rejected, but these moments are opportunities for growth."
"I submitted 710 applications throughout the year, and only 50 resulted in interviews."
"Confidence is key, even after facing rejection in past interviews."
"True storytelling of your experiences during interviews is essential to portray your authentic self."
"Communicating transparently with candidates can greatly improve their experience."
"Don't ghost or ignore candidates; show them the respect they deserve."
"Lean on your community and engage with supportive networks during tough times."
"Employers must give all their attention to candidates during interviews; respect their time."
"The candidate experience can be improved through simple communication and structured processes."
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