Lucas Bean

CEO @ Social Proof | Leader, Ai, Adtech, Analytics, AiO, Fintech, Games, Entertainment, Web3, Creator Economy | ex Atari, Sony, Experian, Deloitte | User Acquisition Expert | speaker, advisor, ENTP

I’m a seasoned tech executive with deep entrepreneurial experience ready to help you build, scale and win.

I'm top 3 globally in:
• User acquisition
• Retention
• Community building
• UX optimization

20+ years in marketing, data science and product leadership
Author of Community Market Fit - Published April 2025 
Ex-Atari, Sony Pictures, Experian, Deloitte
Founder, CEO, GM, CMO, COO, SVP of Marketing & Ops

I specialize in scaling businesses fast through:
• User acquisition & retention strategy
• Data-driven marketing
• Product development
• P&L management
• Advanced automation
• Consumer experience design
• Growth operations

Proven wins:
✔️ Helped raise over $50M in venture capital
✔️ Built & exited a solo venture at $500K+/year
✔️ Took an adtech company public (founded in 2008, IPO in 2017)
✔️ Executive roles at 3 companies that exited for $1.4B+ combined

Marketing expertise:
• Copywriting
• SEO
• Email marketing
• Content creation
• Influencer strategy
• Video & display ads
• Marketing automation
• Flywheel effects
• Full-stack paid media (desktop/mobile)

Industry experience:
Fintech, Adtech, Gaming, Entertainment, Dating, Web3, Creator Economy, Social E-commerce

Leadership style:
I’ve built scrappy teams from scratch and turned underperforming teams into high-output machines.

I believe complex systems can be distilled into simple, marketable messages that resonate deeply with customers, fans, and stakeholders.

Now? I’m focused on helping others build fast, scale smart and stand out.
Open to clients, partnerships, and strategic opportunities.

GM & Head of Product 

Strategic Consulting to startups, founders, executive management of fortune 1,000 companies. Providing expert advice and execution on Web3, NFT, Operations, General Management, digital marketing efforts, Web3 onboarding, core operational issues, Data Analysis, Strategy, P&L Management, Product Development, Product Innovation, User Experience, User Acquisition & Retention. 

I help turn new and existing businesses into finely tuned digital powerhouses by auditing current 
 internal processes. I then use analytics, acquisition, retention, mentoring & media management to determine KPI's and hyper improve performance metrics with precise strategic tactics. 

Channels Leveraged: Analytics, Influence Marketing, Community Building, Social, Display, Search Paid + Natural, email, mobile.

Current Business fields of expertise (no one is an expert, always learning):
NFTs
Web3 (P2E Gaming, Metaverse etc.)
Gaming and esports 
Mobile Gaming
Fintech
Influence Marketing
e-commerce (social selling)
Entertainment 
Mobile Apps
Digital Products
Digital & IRL Events

10 things to ask in your next Job Interview,
(And what NOT say):

Interviews are like any first meetings,
Awkward and uncomfortable.

They only give you 60 minutes to:

✅ See if you’re a fit.
✅ Sell your strengths.
✅ Show your enthusiasm.

To do your research is to be prepared
Practice what you'll say and how you'll say it

Avoid saying these 10 things:
(And what to say instead)

1/ "I don't have any questions."
↳ Why: Shows zero preparation or interest
↳ Instead: Ask specific questions about the team's current projects or culture

2/ "I’ll take any job right now."
↳ Why: Signals desperation, kills your negotiating power
↳ Instead: Highlight skills that match specific role

3/ "I don't like taking direction."
↳ Why: Makes you seem un-coachable
↳ Instead: Share how you've grown from feedback

4/ "I don’t have any weaknesses."
↳ Why: Sounds unrealistic and arrogant
↳ Instead: Share a real weakness and how you're improving

5/ "I hate my current boss."
↳ Why: Raises red flags about professionalism
↳ Instead: Focus on your career growth goals

6/ "I'll figure it out as I go."
↳ Why: Suggests you don’t prepare
↳ Instead: Emphasize your (proven) ability to learn quickly

7/ "This is a stepping stone for me."
↳ Why: Companies don't want to invest in short-term employees
↳ Instead: Share your interest in growing with the company

8/ "What's your work-from-home policy?" (too early)
↳ Why: Makes work flexibility seem like your top priority
↳ Instead: First discuss role, fit and get them interested

9/ "What time do people leave?"
↳ Why: Implies you're just watching the clock
↳ Instead: Ask about daily workflows and responsibilities

10/ "I don't handle stress well."
↳ Why: Suggests you'll crack under pressure
↳ Instead: Describe how you organize work to manage deadlines

Remember:
Be Prepared and be positive, they go a long way.


P.S. What's your #1 interview tip? 👇



♻  Repost toinspire your network 
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Lucas Bean 

20 years Marketing, Data Science & Product Executive | Author of Community Market Fit | ex Atari, Sony, Experian, Deloitte | User Acquisition & Retention Expert | consultant, speaker, advisor, Ai Automation Expert

No alternative text description for this image

This is why most people quit.

When
it takes
more work
than we thought
it would.

It’s way easier to:

- quit
- make excuses
- get discouraged
- go watch Netflix
- grab a bottle of booze
- go and smoke weed and zone out 


Instead, set yourself up to win by:

- setting time blocks
- setting expectations
- setting up exact tactics
- setting up a realistic timeline


Our aspirations are always greater
then the reality of how much work it is.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 > 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Don’t let 2025 get away from you 


share this to help others in your community 
Follow me Lucas Bean for more
We need you back Mr. Obama

Be brave enough to suck at something new 


Scared to:

→ write that article 
→ publish that video
→ post that comment 
→ send that DM to someone
→ Just do it and figure it out later


Your goals should be that of action:

→ have a sense of urgency
→ take action instead of overthinking
→ Focus on the future, not on the past 
→ plan 20% and execute 80% of the time

A ship does not sail on yesterday's wind. 

________________________________

♻️ share to help others take the leap

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li_at

JSESSIONID

Talks about #ai, #web3, #adtech, #entrepreneurship, and #influencermarketing

Increase your luck surface area by showing up

90% of success is literally just showing up.

So create your own luck 

How many:

days
weeks
months
decades

were they showing up consistently? 

They showed up everyday and you call it luck?

It only takes that one time to land an opportunity of a lifetime or to miss it. 

Be consistent.


Follow me Lucas Bean for more

I’ve learned not to hold people hostage 
to who they used to be.

We all carry outdated versions of ourselves: 

mistakes we’ve made
ignorance we’ve acted on 
pain caused before we knew better 

I’ve seen how one bad chapters can become someone’s whole story in the eyes of others 

But people grow
They stumble
They learn 

They often try to make things right. 

We all have regrets
but that doesn’t mean we can’t begin again.
I’ve watched friends become softer,
more grounded. 

Change isn’t always dramatic
it’s often slow and quiet. 


But it’s real. 


When we dismiss someone for who they were
we miss who they’ve worked to become.

No one should be forever judged
by a version they’ve outgrown.

If we offer ourselves grace
we should offer it to others too.

♻️ Share this with someone who inspires you 
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A lot must go wrong 
Before 

it can go right. 

Don’t worry about being too early 

Worry about being too lazy 

Worry about not giving up 

It only takes once 

Follow me Lucas Bean for more

Hard truth: every relationship is transactional
(here's how to make it work for you)
 
Every connection runs on exchange.
Some trade trust, others trade time or attention
The flow is always there.


Work is clear.
You get paid. You perform.
The deal is direct and defined.

Friendship is quieter.
No terms, but the contract exists.
Support, loyalty and time are traded.


Scarcity mindset
When you meet someone for gain,
you think short term.
You ask before you give.
Trust fades before it grows.


Growth mindset
See people as long term partners.
Invest first. Listen first. Give first.
That is how trust compounds.


Here are 8 ways to build social capital:

1. Play long term games
↳ Act like every bond will last decades.

2. Build before you need
↳ Offer help early, without a return.

3. Make introductions
↳ One link can create years of value.

4. Stay in touch
↳ Send notes. Celebrate wins. Show up.

5. Invest in depth
↳ Spend real time when it matters most.

6. Earn reputation
↳ Do work that speaks when you are silent.

7. Be patient with asks
↳ Quick favors reveal short term thinking.

8. Think in decades
↳ What if this person stayed for 40 years?


Charisma can open doors fast.
But trust keeps them open.
Short term charm fades.
Consistency endures.


Strong relationships are built slowly.
They outlast opportunity.


P.S. Do you agree? 

P.P.S. which is is your favorite? 


♻ Share if you believe real trust compounds.
🔔 Follow me Lucas Bean for more leadership

10 Signs You're Emotionally Intelligent:
(and you might not know it)

First how do you define emotional intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize, 
understand and manage emotions in yourself and others.


The pros: 
These powerful skills help you bring out the best
in both yourself and others.


The cons:
They can leave you feeling drained and exhausted
having to manage peoples emotional state to get the best out of them. 


10 signs you are an emotional intelligent powerhouse:

1. You sense what people need
↳ You can tell when someone needs to talk
 vent or just be left alone.

2. You read between the lines
↳ A short “okay” in Slack tells you everything you need to know.

3. You absorb emotional tension
↳ People naturally calm down when talking to you
 even if you don't say much.

4. You speak everyone’s language
↳ You know exactly who needs all the details 
 and who just wants the headlines.

5. You catch unsaid questions
↳ You notice when someone wants to speak but stays silent.

6. You feel others' stress
↳ Deadlines, tough meetings you feel nervous for your coworkers 
 even when you’re not involved.

7. You notice fake enthusiasm
↳ You can tell the difference between genuine excitement
 and polite agreement.

8. You're everyone’s reality check
↳ People often ask, "How did that really go?" 
 because they trust your judgment.

9. You sense when meetings go off track
↳ You recognize the moment people start checking
 their phones more.

10. You spot hidden burnout
↳ You notice when colleagues aren’t themselves
 even if they try to hide it.


♻️ Repost to inspire someone.
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You're never too important to be kind
(weakness or a strength)

I used to think:
Do good work and it will speak for itself
That being too kind was a weakness
Show weakness and you get hurt

that kindness had to be earned
never given freely.

But here’s the truth:

The strongest leaders...
Heck the strongest people I’ve seen?

They lead with kindness.
↳ Its not weakness.
↳ It's not people-pleasing.
↳ Just real kindness.

They set standards ➟ without shame.
 They give tough feedback ➟ without cruelty.
 They inspire ➟ without ego.

Here’s what I’ve come to know  ↓ 

→ Kindness is strength.
 → Fear doesn't buy loyalty.
 → You can can still win without being feared. 

Now I lead with 5 daily rules:

1. Being kind won’t make everyone like you
 ↳ But it will make people feel safe around you.

2. Being kind is infectious 
 ↳ People will start following your lead 

3. Empathy isn't weakness 
 ↳ It unites your team in understanding

4. Kindness doesn’t lower expectations
 ↳ It raises people to meet them.

5. Respect isn’t optional
 ↳ It’s the foundation of true leadership.


💬 Know a leader like this?

 Tag them below 👇

♻️ Repost if you believe being kind is a strength. 
Follow me Lucas Bean for more 

(Shout out to Luke Tobin for the essential message and image)

If I could teach one habit that changes everything.

 It would be this:

- Take nothing personal
- Let things go
- Stay focused

When you do that,
it’s hard for anything to stop yo

Two things that hold most people back:

1. Fear of failure.
2. Fear of embarrassment. 

Everyone has to climb cringe mountain 
to make it to the land of cool. 
Easy to say right?

The only true way to beat the thing
is by doing the thing. 

So just start doing it.

don't think about doing it
don't write about doing it 
don't say you're gonna do it tomorrow
don't tell someone else you're doing it 

just do the thing. 

when you find one path that doesn't work
take another path.

You're aloud to change course 
anytime you want to, 
as many times as you want. 

who cares what anyone thinks. 


When I ran marketing for a fortune 500 brand
I had major restrictions on me

→ My job
→ My boss
→ The optics 
→ The company I worked for

You're not aloud to be an online person
when you worked at a fortune 500 company
and anytime you're speaking anywhere
you are speaking for that brand

today, its different. 

brands are looking for:

→ people that have audiences already. 
→ that can articulate and communicate well. 
→ That aren't scared to talk to people or the camera. 
→ That think fast on their feet. 

Today you have access to the biggest stage in the world
You don't need a Tedtalk

You need your smart phone and thick skin. 

Thats it. 

Use that smart phone
Develop that thick skin 
or you'll always fear
going for it.

♻️ Share this with some one who needs to hear it 
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Here are 10 ways emotionally intelligent people manage toxicity:


1) They practice healthy coping mechanisms to calm their mind.
2) They set firm boundaries against toxic behavior
3) They rise above pettiness and refuse to engage in toxic behavior.
4) They seek constructive solutions rather than dwelling on negativity.
5)They avoid negative individuals who don't take responsibility.
6) They remain confident in their values and are unfazed by others' opinions.
7) They have high emotional awareness & can manage emotions effectively.
8) They let go of their ego and focus on peaceful solutions.
9) They persevere in finding healthy solutions despite difficult personalities.
10) They learn from the past with toxic people. 


Which one is your favorite?
Tell me below


♻ share to help other high EQ people like you 
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Here is a list of things that are not doing the thing:

“Preparing to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Scheduling time to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Making a to-do list for the thing isn't doing the thing.

Telling people you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Writing a banger tweet about how you're going to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on yourself for not doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on other people who have done the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Fantasizing about all of the adoration you'll receive once you do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how other people did the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading this essay isn't doing the thing.

The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.” 
— Strangest Loop

Now go do the thing 🛠️

Feeling stuck? 
That's because 

you are.

New results don’t come from old habits.
Change isn’t luck. 
It’s action.

You want a new future?
Do something different today.

Hard truth:
You’re not stuck because life’s unfair.
You’re stuck because comfort feels safer than change.

♻️ Share this with someone who needs to hear it 
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There is someone out there right now

less talented than you, living your dream life 


Do you know what the difference is 
between you and them? 


They took action. 

That's it. 

They started before they were ready. 


Does that make you upset? It should. 


Here is a simple framework to action today:


- Find a topic you like
- Start writing about that topic
- Start talking about that topic
- Start posting content about that topic
- Start making videos talking about that topic
- JUST START ALREADY


It really is that easy. 
It doesn't have to be perfect. 


The common things that hold people back:

- Peoples opinions 
- Fear of embarrassment
- Fear of being on camera 
- Fear of things not being perfect 
- Fear of pigeon holing themselves 
- Fear of speaking to people in a public setting


People will either:

- Love you (customers)
- Hate you (who cares)
- Join you (network)
- Follow you (students)
- Ignore you (already are)


Consistency + action will change your life. 



Sharing this post on your timeline 🚀

Follow me Lucas Bean 



#PersonalGrowth
#Challenges
#LinkedInCommunity

9 Soft Skills that will accelerate your career
(and what to avoid while learning them)

Most people obsess over technical skills.
 But soft skills?
That’s where real growth happens.

Here’s a quick list of what to do and what to avoid:

1. Emotional Intelligence
 ✅ Listen first, react second (count to 5!)
 ❌ Don’t send that angry email right away

2. Public Speaking
 ✅ Tell stories, not just facts
 ❌ Don’t read your slides word-for-word

3. Active Listening
 ✅ Put the phone down
 ❌ Don’t think about your reply while they’re talking

4. Time Management
 ✅ Block time for focused work
 ❌ Don’t say yes to every meeting

5. Adaptability
 ✅ Try new tools and methods
 ❌ Don’t say “but we’ve always done it this way”

6. Problem-Solving
 ✅ Break it into small chunks
 ❌ Don’t jump to conclusions

7. Conflict Resolution
 ✅ Tackle issues early
 ❌ Don’t avoid hard conversations

8. Written Communication
 ✅ Edit for clarity
 ❌ Don’t send emotional emails

9. Decision Making
 ✅ Gather input first
 ❌ Don’t let analysis paralysis kill progress

Want to grow faster in your career?
Get better at these 9 skills daily.

P.S. Which of these do you need to work on most?

♻ Repost to help someone level up
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5 ways to crush it on Linkedin in 2026:
(its not what you think)


𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁

On LinkedIn, your content must deliver real value.
Think actionable insights, career hacks, or deep dives into industry trends.

Your audience is here to learn and grow professionally, so make every post count.



𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹

It’s all about the conversation.
Don’t just broadcast; interact.
Comment, respond, and engage.
Build a community, not just a following.

Your network's growth depends on the relationships you cultivate.



𝗠𝗶𝘅 𝗜𝘁 𝗨𝗽

Keep your content arsenal diverse.
Text, videos, stories – use them all.
Different formats appeal to different people and keep your feed dynamic.
Remember, variety can be the key to keeping your audience hooked.



𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗺 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲

Learn LinkedIn's rules and use them to your advantage.
Hashtags? Timing? Conciseness?

It’s not just what you say, but how and when you say it.



𝗕𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂

Consistency in your branding and authenticity in your message are non-negotiable.



𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨.

Share your real experiences and thoughts.
Be the thought leader people can relate to and trust.



𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

Provide value
engage genuinely
vary your approach
understand the mechanics
stay true to your unique voice.


Share this to help your community 
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Which one do you like the most?

#entrepreneurship
#Innovation
#Digitalmarketing

5 ways to crush it on Linkedin

The average person sits for 12 hours a day 
(Moving will increase your EQ)


Research shows that people who engage in regular physical activity 
will have higher levels of emotional intelligence


So here are 15 habits to increase your emotional intelligence:

1. Dedicate at least 30 mins to physical activity daily.
2. Use a fitness tracker to monitor your daily steps.
3. Participate in group fitness classes for motivation.
4. Use a standing desk while working.
5. Hold meetings while walking instead of sitting.
6. Go outside during lunch when the weather is nice.
7. Challenge yourself by setting achievable fitness goals.
8. Choose stairs over elevators whenever possible.
9. Walk or bike to work if feasible.
10. Incorporate stretching exercises into your daily routine.
11. Stand up and stretch every hour.
12. Use apps or alarms to remind you to move every hour.
13. Engage in active family outings like hiking or biking.
14. Dance to your favorite music as a fun way to get moving.
15. Do simple exercises like leg lifts or seated marches at your desk.

A sedentary lifestyle is also a silent killer,
that takes away our health every day we don't move.

The less time you spend sitting during the day,
the better your chances of living a healthy life. 🙏

♻️ Repost this to spread the message
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10 Signs You work for a Visionary Leader

Most people just want to 
order people around 

but the smart ones listen first
Great leaders reveal themselves in small ways


Here’s what to look for in your next interview:


✅ Says “we” not “I”
They focus on team not personal glory

✅ Gives credit to others
Big wins are shared not hoarded

✅ Open body language
They lean in not cross arms and shut down

✅ Welcomes your questions
Curiosity is encouraged not feared

✅ Owns their mistakes
Blame is replaced by responsibility

✅ Talks about the big picture
Vision beats busywork every time

✅ Puts people first
They make time for those who matter

✅ Talks about learning
They are students not know it alls

✅ Inspires not intimidates
You feel lifted not smaller around them

✅ You feel it in your gut
If it feels right it usually is


Great leaders do not need to say they lead
You can feel it in every word and choice

Which one stood out to you most

♻ Share this with someone who is job hunting
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How to respond to criticism at work:
(and what NOT to say in response)

Most people shut down when they’re criticized.

The truth?
That reaction kills your credibility.

You know what works? Owning it and asking for clarity.

I used to react badly to criticism.

Even when it wasn’t personal:
↳ Yeah, it’s terrible
 ↳ I was wrong
 ↳ I blew it

🚩 Taking criticism poorly hurts growth.

Here’s how high performers handle criticism and stay respected:

Presentation Criticized
 ❌ Yeah, it’s terrible
 ✅ What can I improve?

Decision Questioned
 ❌ I was wrong
 ✅ Explain your concerns?

Work Criticized
 ❌ I failed badly
 ✅ What does good look like?

Missed Deadline
 ❌ I blew it
 ✅ Let’s set a more realistic deadline

Strategy Challenged
 ❌ The plan was flawed
 ✅ Let me walk you through it

Unprepared
 ❌ I’m not ready
 ✅ I don’t know right now, let me get that answer for you

Numbers Are Wrong
 ❌ I’m not wrong
 ✅ I’ll review the numbers and get back to you

Idea Rejected
 ❌ I guess my idea sucks
 ✅ What does a good idea look like to you?

Going Off‑Track
 ❌ I’m lost
 ✅ Let’s get back on track shall we?

Bad Communication
 ❌ I’m awful
 ✅ Let me explain this more clearly

Overstepping
 ❌ My bad, that’s just me
 ✅ Let’s be clear about boundaries up front

Priorities
 ❌ No idea
 ✅ Let’s confirm what’s most important

Your words have meaning.
Your response shapes how you are perceived.
Choose your words wisely.

Take nothing personal even when it was meant that way

P.S. Which one of these will you use in your next tough conversation?

♻️ Repost to help your network elevate 
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How high performers respond to criticism. 
Lucas Bean

I empower millennial & gen X job seekers in tech to interview with confidence

Do you feel frustrated with the current job market?
Do you struggle to communicate in interviews?
Do you get rejected often? 
Do you get ghosted?

It usually takes a handful of interviews to warm up. 
But those handful of interviews are jobs. 
Jobs you might really want. 

For the last 20 years, I’ve been studying interviews. 
First as a candidate, then as a hiring manager. 
I’ve been in hundreds of interviews. 

I interviewed countless candidates and interviewers. 
I worked with interviewers to make hiring decisions. 
I learned what worked and didn’t work. 

And I learned that interviews aren’t about trivia. 
They’re about human connection. 
They’re about story telling. 

Interviewers want to experience working with you. 
Interviewers want to see if you’re like them. 
People want to work with people they like. 

I know what rejection feels like. I’ve been there. 
And I know what it’s like to crave feedback.
I know what it feels like to be ghosted. 

And I know what it feels like to get the offer. 
What it feels like to crush an interview. 

Today, I help people make a lasting impression. 
I help them show, not tell, how they work. 
I coach them on how to tell their story. 

I give them the feedback they crave. 
So they don’t have to warm on when it counts. 

Dozens have worked with me so far. 
And they’ve seen results in as little as 7-8 weeks. 

So what are you waiting for? I’m here to help you.

Jonathan Corrales

"I got laid off and don't know if I will find a job again. I can't land an interview. Non stop rejections."

Getting laid off is bad enough. But landing zero interviews and getting only rejections is salt meeting a freshly opened wound. 

It's important to know what to do, but also 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰. You have limited time and energy. For many, job seeking will take six months on average.

In a recent poll with over 2,302 respondents, 37% (852) reported being on the job search for 9 months or more. That's consistent with my conversations with 1,188 job seekers in the last two years. Source in comments. 👇

Here are seven things I've noticed that 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 someone's job search:

1️⃣ Applying for everything:
If it's remotely related to your experience, you apply. Your audience will be confused because it's not obvious how you're a fit, especially if you use the same resume for everything.

2️⃣ Applying because it was posted an hour ago:
I know it's a common piece of advice to apply within an hour. But if you're not qualified for the role, you'll just get rejected faster. Take the time to figure out if you're qualified. Focus on min qualifications.

3️⃣ Not reading the job description:
There are many reasons to read the job description. But one of them is to make sure there aren't special application instructions buried in it. Sometimes you need to send an email. Sometimes you need to record a 1-2 minute video. Read the fine print.

4️⃣ Arbitrarily messaging random people at a company:
Another common piece of advice. Message everyone at a company in the hopes that they'll give you a referral or backdoor into an interview. Your message usually gets ignored. Especially if you're asking for value first.

5️⃣ Sending "what do you have for me" messages:
If there's one way to annoying recruiters or hiring managers, it's sending them a message like, "what do you have for me?" with your resume attached. Especially if that recruiter doesn't recruit for your position/seniority.

6️⃣ Not tracking applications:
If you apply somewhere, they might call you randomly. If you don't remember applying, you're either applying to too many places or you're not using a job tracker. You need to note why you applied and why you're a good fit.

7️⃣ Not applying to jobs consistently:
Once you have a target role and seniority, you should start building a pipeline of opportunities. The best way to do that is to apply to your target roles every day. If it's your target and you're qualified, apply. Expect a response in 2-3 weeks. 

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👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan.
I empower people in tech ace their job interviews.

#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips

I empower millennial & gen X job seekers in tech to land and pass interviews with confidence

I spoke to a job seeker that hasn't interviewed in 14 years. That's staying power.

When I was a kid, I remember hearing about people having long careers at one company. 

In college, I learned that didn't necessarily apply to tech, especially if I wanted my salary to go up. A lot of people in industry suggested I hop around every couple of years.

(There were some exceptions. Microsoft was supposedly a place to retire from.)

The average tenure for a person in tech is roughly 3 years, based on my experience. 

But I've met plenty of job seekers that changed my view on how long someone can stay at one company.

One of my clients worked at a company for over 20 years, he out lived two acquisitions. When we met, he said this would be the first time he's made a resume or interviewed. Ever. 

I met another job seeker in ed tech that hadn't interviewed in 14 years. She expected a layoff at the beginning of next year. She saw the writing on the wall and decided to plan her exit. 

It's hard to imagine updating a resume after a decade or two, but I see it more often than I thought I would. 

Lesson
If you're employed, you don't have to update your resume every week. But you should record your accomplishments regularly. You don't want to forget important details.

Application
- Create a doc on a cloud drive. 
- Name it "my awesome doc."
- Block 30 minutes every Friday. 
- Name the event "deep work."
- Add the problems, actions, and results (PAR). 
- Use this doc for resume updates, perf evals, etc. when you need it. 


--
👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan.
I empower people in tech ace their job interviews.

#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips

One shot: if your resume's summary is 12 lines, it's too long. That's a cover letter, not a summary. 

Another: if your bullets are four lines, they're too long. That's a paragraph, not a bullet. 

Your resume is a sample of your communication skills. You're demonstrating your ability to discern what's important or relevant information to share. 

I understand the idea is to show how much you know or can do, but putting everything you can think of into that document doesn't work as well as you think. 

Less is more when it comes to a resume.

A great test is to give the job description and your resume to someone. Ask them if they see an obvious match with your resume as written. If they can't do it, recruiters and hiring managers will struggle too. 

Remember that you're resume is skimmed, not read word for word. 

--
👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan.
I empower people in tech ace their job interviews.

#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips #techresume

A year after you got your job, you feel like you should get a pay increase. Now what?

If you're a year into your new job and you want to prepare to have a conversation with your manager about increasing your pay. This is for you.

Having that conversation is easy. Preparing for it is hard. 

Well, not really hard. Tedious is more like it. But with a little planning you can do it easily.

Save your job description 
Your job description has all sorts of useful information for performance evaluations. It's got responsibilities, goals, etc.  It's your scope of work. If you're doing more than what's expected, we'll use that. 

Build an awesome doc 
Write down all your wins. If you make mistakes, write down how you overcame it and what you learned. If you're doing stuff that wasn't in your job description, write it down. This is your reference doc. 

Record achievements and accolades
Anytime you get rewarded or recognized for your achievements, write it down. Help close a sale? Led delivery of a project? Helped someone get promoted? Record what you did and how you helped.

Time, money, and scope 
Here's where you demonstrate the value you delivered. Companies care about making money, saving money, going faster, and improving quality. If you can demonstrate that in terms of money (increased revenue or decreased cost), time (delivered sooner), or scope (closed 300 tickets or led 12 engineers), you're golden. 

Research
Here's where you tie everything together. Do some research on what someone with your qualifications, skills, and experience is making. Figure out what the average and 75th percentile are. Get a sense of what's reasonable. 

Given everything you've accomplished and based on your research, what's a number you would be comfortable asking for?

--

👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan.
I empower people in tech ace their job interviews. 
#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips

"What is a good software project and how do I make one?"

Before getting into it, think about your goal here. If you're building software to land a job, your goal is to learn and show potential employers what you can do. 

A good software project is one that works. If it does something interesting, that's good. But if it solves a problem, that's better. 

Problems can be all sorts of things. Like broken processes, repetitive tasks, or boredom. Solutions can be new tools, automation, or entertainment (think games). 

But software alone isn't enough. You have to describe what you did, how you did it, and why you did it. Do it in writing or on video. Discuss trade offs and design decisions.

Note what you learned and what you would do differently. You can put that information in your portfolio (e.g. GitHub) or use it in your interviews (in your responses). 

Frameworks, languages, and so on will change overtime. Feel free to explore different combinations. Get creative. Just make sure it's inline with the job you want. 

When you try different stacks you'll see new ways to solve problems. You'll be invaluable. 

Don't know where to begin? Find a job description you're interested in. Note skills, tech, or experience they want. Then build pick a tech stack to work with. 

Pick a problem and get after it. 

--
👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan.
I empower people in tech ace their job interviews.

#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips #techportfolio

Going for a technical project or program manager role? Don't call people resources. They're people.

There are some words you just don't say at work. But I didn't think resources would be one of them...

A few years ago, I had to fill a technical program manager role. I got a referral from a coworker. 

When I opened that person's resume, he had decades of relevant experience. He seemed like a shoe-in. 

I gave him a phone screen. We spoke for an hour. I was excited about working with him. 

I booked him for an on-site interview with all the team leads in my org.

When he showed up, I escorted him to the interview room. I introduced him to the leads and left. 

He had his interview. I was hopeful. 

I got feedback from all the leads. No one was thrilled with his performance. 

"He called people resources," one team lead said. "He's not going to fit in here."

That's when I realized the candidate inadvertently talked himself out of a job. He said a bad word: resources. No one wanted to be called a resource. 

In the candidate's defense, project management books called people resources for decades. It's part of the vernacular. Human resources, for example. 

But times changes they do change. 

Eventually, we interviewed another candidate for the position. He nailed the vibe check. He called people people, not resources. He got the offer. 

And that's why it's important to practice how you respond to questions in an interview. Remember your interviewers are paying attention to the words you choose. 

--

#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips

We all start new jobs with potential. Sometimes those hopes are dimmed by unexpected challenges.

A few years ago, I'm sitting in my office looking out of my window. It oversaw a little air strip where small planes and helicopters landed. 

One of my devs leads, M, knocks on the door. He wants to talk about a recent hire, J. 

J passed his interviews without any issues. But he wasn't performing as expected.  

M starts to tell me about J's performance issues. He asks me for guidance. J is a few months in. I worry M is about to recommend J goes somewhere else.

"J isn't doing well," M says. "Maybe there's another team he's better suited for."

"Actually," I say. "I have an idea. Our support team could use a resident dev to help with support requests. I've got buy-in from leadership to fill that role."

"That sounds like a plan," M says. 

I meet with J and review the plan with him. I ask if he's interested in making the switch. 

"Let's do it," J says. "Sounds like fun."

Fast forward to J's performance evaluation a year later: his new lead gives him a glowing review. "J is one of the best hires we've ever had."

J still works there six years later. 

And that's why it's important to understand expectations before beginning a new job. Ask as many questions as you can throughout your interviews. 

Make sure you understand those expectations clearly. 

--
#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips

I was about to fail my job interview, and I knew it. 

It's 2005. I'm standing in a room with three interviewers staring at me. It's not a big room. I'm not sure why I'm standing. 

I feel like they're waiting for me to say something impressive. 

They're about to be very disappointed. 

I'm holding a dry erase marker that smells like strawberries. They want me to solve a problem that reminds me of a physics problem I couldn't solve in class. 

"That's it. You're screwed," I think to myself.
"Can you repeat the question?" I ask. 

I start writing whatever they say. I underline things like distance, speed, and draw a circle. I'm hoping I magically remember how to calculate the circumference of a circle. 

"I know pi is part of it," I think to myself. "I should have paid attention in math class. Fu..."

"Jonathan," one interviewer says. "Can you say what you're thinking out loud? We want to understand how you're doing thinking about the problem."

I look at him. I probably made a face that showed I was irritated or nervous. Both would have been correct. I can feel a bead of sweat forming on top of my head.

"Sure," I say. "No, problem."

But there was a problem. I couldn't solve this problem in silence. How was I supposed to solve this problem thinking out loud? Awkward.

That's when I realized I was going to fail that interview. There was no way to save it. 

Ever since that experience I practiced solving problems out loud. I would practice with others, my friends, my family, my wife. Anyone that'll humor me for a few minutes. 

And that's why today I help my clients practice solving problems out loud. I help them organize their thoughts and deliver responses clearly and concisely 

That's what turns interviews in to offers, especially in the tech industry. 

--
👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan.
I empower people in tech ace their job interviews.
#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips

"Interview process is moving very fast. I'm suspicious."

It's easy to feel like something is wrong now that we're conditioned for hiring to be slower than molasses. 

But lesser-known companies still need to fill roles urgently. And they don't want good talent to go anywhere. 

Still, if you feel like it's going too fast, don't be shy about understanding the rush. Get curious and ask questions. 

Sometimes, job descriptions will say something like urgent or immediate. Ask about that. Why is it urgent? What's the expectation for the next couple of months?

Learn about what you're getting yourself into. It might be a great opportunity. Not a scary one. 

--
👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan.
I empower people in tech ace their job interviews.
#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips #oneshot

He was exhausted from working holidays and weekends, but terrified of what it meant to chase his dream in tech. 

A year ago, one of my clients was working in retail as a manager. He worked 60 hours a week for more than 10 years. 

He was tired of it. He wasn't a fan of working holidays and weekends. He wanted to spend more time with his wife. He wanted to break into the tech industry. But he was terrified it was too late for him.

He went to school while working retail and got a bachelor's in computer science. He went to school at night. Still, he was worried he couldn't break into tech because he lacked experience in the field.

When I met him, he wasn't getting a lot of interviews. The ones he got ended in rejection. 

He was working on a side project to build experience and keep his skills sharp. He was helping a bootstrapped startup build a cloud-based platform by building its infrastructure. 

He had something to talk about in his interviews. If only he could get someone to look at his application and see potential. If only someone gave him a shot to prove himself. 

After I heard his story, I was emotionally invested. 

I helped him get organized and stay consistent throughout his search. He started getting interviews. It helped him get traction.

Then I made sure his resume showed his qualifications for a systems engineer role.

One day he got an interview at local university in one of their engineering departments. He passed his interviews. A few weeks later, they gave him an offer. 

On the way to his retail job, he got a phone call. It was an offer for his first position as a systems engineer. He broke in to tech. He called his wife and cried with her the phone. 

He was finally able to take nights and weekends off. 

And that's why I'm a firm believer in showing employers what you can do, especially in tech. I help my clients put together portfolios, pitch desks, and complete take home assignments to secure offers. 

--
👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan.
I empower people in tech ace their job interviews.
#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips

"I don't need to tell you about how dehumanizing the application process has become."

To make sure I stay empathetic and compassionate for the job seeker experience, I like to help clients apply to jobs. 

I'll join call with them. Then invite them to open a position they're interested in and we go to work. I show them how to parse job descriptions, tailor resumes, and so on. 

Occasionally, we come across applications that require so much information, it's kinda like a body cavity search. 

Some applications want a video recording. And some want to see demos of side projects. Some ask for sexuality. One asked for a spirit animal. (I wish I made that up). 

I'm talking applications for all sorts of companies from large to small, and everything in between. 

I'm old enough to remember when applying to a job meant filling out a single double-sided piece of paper on a clipboard with a pen that barely worked. 

Today, the expectation for job seekers is exhausting. Frustrating. Intrusive. Exhausting.

So when a job seeker says, "I don't need to tell you about how dehumanizing the application process has become," my response is "Nope. I'm well aware."

If you're a job seeker in this market. I see you. I feel what you're going through. This mess isn't your fault. Employers need to focus on improving the candidate experience. 

Everyone has been a job seeker at one point. Everyone can be a job seeker again. 

--
👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan.
I empower people in tech ace their job interviews.

#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips

"I just graduated college and don't have any professional experience."

When I graduated college, most of my classmates and I had zero professional work experience. We worked retail jobs and did some gig work. Employers didn't count that.

Some of my classmates were savvy enough understand the value of internships (and how to get them). Many, like me, thought a degree alone was enough to land a job.

In some ways, the field has changed drastically. It's remained the same in others.

Entry level positions still require three years of professional work experience. After 20 years, it's still a requirement today. That part hasn't changed. 

Some job posts today even explicitly mention the internship experience doesn't count. 

If you're a recent graduate and need to add experience to your resume, here a few things you can do.

Open source
Open source contributions is basically a simulation of working a job out there. You have users, version control, and an issue tracker. It'll help you build out your Github profile. Checkout goodfirstissue[dot]dev for entry-level issues to tackle. 

Volunteer 
You can contribute your skills to organizations that need them but can't necessarily afford to pay for those services. Volunteering can lead to job offers, just like internships can lead to offers. Checkout 48in48[dot]org. Add that work to your portfolio. 

Side project
If you see a problem you can solve, go for it. The great thing about a side project is that you can pick your tech stack, design your own solution, and so on. The downside is you'll like be working on it alone. If you need inspiration, check out theforage[dot]com. 

Post grad internships 
Some companies offer internships for recent grads. They have  restrictions on how recent your graduation date should be, typically about a year. But it's a great opportunity to build experience and your network. Search for "recent grad internships."


As you work on those things, keep a notebook of your experience. Note the problems you solve, how you solve them, and what impact your work has. 

That'll give you stories to tell and a body of work to demonstrate what you're capable of. 

--
👋 Hi, I'm Jonathan.
I empower people in tech ace their job interviews.
#techjobs #jobseekers #interviewprep #protips

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