Event link: https://www.meetup.com/rvacloudwranglers/events/283401214
Description:
Breaking into the tech field...sucks. And what makes it an even bigger bummer is that it seems like there's no ladder, no support system, no love from everyone on the "inside".
Well, enough with that mess. This is a 45-minute overview of what's going in Richmond's tech scene, how to stop throwing your online applications at the proverbial wall, and how to squirm your way into the front door.
After Ford's overview, we'll moderate an epic panel discussion featuring some of the brightest, most loving technologists in the Richmond area:
Crystal Harvey, VP @ Robert Half
Alyssa Paulette (Engineer @ Capital One)
Dominique Meeks Gombe (Engineer @ Capital One)
Sam Thacker (Engineer @ CarMax)
Kim Mahan (Founder @ MAXX Potential)
After, we'll be raffling a couple of hot items:
AirPods (thanks to Robert Half)
Interview.io $150 voucher (thanks to Interview.io)
Tons of swag (thanks to AWS & Azure)
Buckle up! This is going to be our most legit event yet.
4. āEntry-level, minimum 5
yrs experienceā
ā4-year degree
requiredā
Hiring manager is a
52 year-old named
Dave
Location: Innsbrook
Whatās the point?
6. We about to get lapped.
We need to evolve together!
7. What we know
RICHMOND IS AN AWESOME PLACE TO BE
A TECHNOLOGIST
THEREāS A GREAT COMPANY WHO WOULD
LOVE YOUR TALENT AND ENERGY.
THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE THAT CAN HELP
YOU.
9. An example approach, step-by-step:
Credit @QuinnyPig: https://twitter.com/quinnypig/status/1364361569899974658
1. Find a company you like
2. Search for (LinkedIn/Twitter) connectionsā¦or a recruiter
3. Ask for āvirtual coffeeā
4. Figure out what company needs & what to apply to
5. Tailor resume, upskill, attack!
13. ā¢ Who are you
ā¢ What are you good at
ā¢ What your goals are
ā¢ Summary of experience
ā¢ Specific tools
ā¢ Vision for excellence
ā¢ Tailored to audience
ā¢ How you can help
ā¢ Success stories
RELEVANCE
DETAILS
YOU
Elevator Pitch Format
15. Strategy #1:
Play the numbers!
As long as the number of places in Richmond where youād love to work is GREATER
THAN zero, then all you have to do is figure out how big to make your funnel (i.e. your
denominator).
Hereās a couple ways to fill the funnel.
16. Angle 1.1:
Biggest fish
The Greater Richmond
Partnershipās list is here and
includes companies that
combine headquarters and
local branch locations in
their employment numbers.
Note: it excludes government
jobs! E.g. Chesterfield County,
Police, military.
Tier 1 tech shops
17. Angle 1.2:
Active fish
Check out the Richmond
Tech Councilās member
list to see who is
investing in tech in RVA
(and who are often hiring
locally).
18. Angle 1.3:
New fish
StartUp Virginia shares
this list of the dozens of
start-upās they are
currently incubating.
Hereās a great list by
Venture Richmond, the
other big incubator. And
another list by BizJournals.
..and dozens more.
22. The Interview, the part where youāre
feelings get hurt
#1 tip: you cannot
take it personally. Lean
into the pain.
#2 tip: come to the
next meetup on How
to Interview!
23. My Top 3 Events
ā¢ Have fun
Tech Jam (link)
ā¢ Learn something
Data Summit (link)
ā¢ Hack stuff
RVASEC (link)
25. Where to propose coffee, according to Reddit:*
Top picks
ā¢ Quirk or The
Jefferson
ā¢ VMFA
Also great:
ā¢ Blanchardās
ā¢ Urban Farmhouse
ā¢ Cancan
Fallbacks:
ā¢ Starbucks/Panera
ā¢ Gather ($)
ā¢ Common House**
*Actual answers: Broad Street Waffle House, moving van, Paper Moon (Link)
**Membership required, but you can use my name.
26. Misc. Problems & Solutions
Problem: Nobody gives me
honest feedback after an
interview!
ā¢ Solution: Find 3 people you
respect and ask them for do a
15-minute mock interview
and provide honest feedback
ā¢ Interviewing.io
Problem: Nobody knows me!
ā¢ Solution: attend at least 1
meetup/month. Comment on
LinkedIn posts & DM
interesting people. Attend at
least 1 rvatech event this year.
Problem: I donāt have the right
skills!
ā¢ Solution: Map out your gaps
& strength areas. Engage
partners & collaborators.
Make an easy 3-month
learning plan, stick to it, and
share your story!
Algoexpert.io, educative.io
Problem: Is this company
really a great place to work?
ā¢ Solution: Find employees on
LI and ask them, check out
Glassdoor.com, or find gossip
@ Teamblind.com & Reddit.
29. ļµ Founded by local tech leaders
ļµ Apprenticeship = Experience + Skills
ļµ People-first culture
ļµ Progress at your own pace
ļµ No career-limiting time or income
share agreements
ļµ Register for career lab:
https://maxxpotential.com/career-
lab/
Maxx Potential
Apprenticeship
30. Capital One Developer Academy (CODA)
ļµ ā$75k for the 6 month training and $90k once you join TDP in Richmondā according to
Reddit, 3 yrs. Ago
ļµ One of the most powerful, innovative companies in Richmond
31. CarMax Technology
Academy (CTA)
ļµ 14 month program designed to
jumpstart a tech career
ļµ 8 weeks in a CarMax Bootcamp,
ļµ Followed by two 6-month rotations
within Engineering teamsBeing in the
academy program, at least for me
ļµ Same pay as normal
32. LeapIT
ļµ 4 months intensive training
ļµ 1 year on the job
ļµ Conversion to employee
ļµ Veteran focused
ļµ Ask me to connect you w/
Scott!
34. Other Recruiters I ā¤ļø
ļµ Kati Elder
ļµ Logan Bragg
ļµ Cammie Little
ļµ Many more!
ļµ Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ford-prior_ok-time-for-some-
recruiter-love-who-activity-6891771957856325633-c1gj
35. Upskilling
ļµ Plans are easy, follow through is hard. Hack: learn to learn!
ļµ I wish it were this easy:
ļµ This deserves its own 30-45 minute talk.
36. This is like
20%
important.
Fact: I was happier when I was
getting Ā½ the salary & had a
terrible manager. š¤·āļø
Fordās closing remarks