The Hire Road: What Recruiters Wish You Knew

In this episode, Mollie and Claire interview Rachel Lindsay, an experienced tech recruiter. The discussion covers various aspects of the current tech job market, the role of recruiters in the hiring process, how they evaluate candidates, and advice for job seekers as they navigate their job search.</p>Show Notes</p>(02:50) - Rachel's Background in Tech Recruiting</p>(05:46) - Current Tech Job Market Landscape </p> - Increased competitiveness in tech recruiting</p> - Challenges in finding candidates with specific expertise</p>(08:11) - Recruiting Process and Challenges</p> - Importance of understanding roles being recruited for</p> - Balancing candidate volume with specific requirements</p> - Role of referrals in the hiring process</p>(15:47) - Entry-Level Hiring and Challenges </p> - Difficulties for entry-level candidates</p> - Importance of passion and communication skills</p>(23:30) - Candidate Behavior and Online Presence</p> - Impact of candidate attitudes during the hiring process</p> - Importance of professional online presence</p>(36:47) - Referrals and Networking</p> - Significance of referrals in hiring</p> - Advice on networking and getting referrals</p>(54:00) - Advice for Job Seekers</p> - Staying patient during job search</p> - Continuous learning and skill development</p>(58:15) - Advice for Companies and Recruiters</p> - Improving communication in the hiring process</p> - Streamlining interview processes</p>

01:01:18

Breaking Up with Your Job: Lessons from Layoffs

<strong><u>Summary</u></strong></p>In this episode, Mollie and Claire discuss the emotional toll and challenges of being laid off or fired from a job. They share personal stories about their own experiences of being laid off, the self-doubt and negative thoughts that followed, and the process of finding new jobs. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining relationships with colleagues, as those connections can lead to future opportunities. They also provide advice on coping strategies, such as taking temporary jobs for financial stability, being positive during the job search, and not beating oneself up over circumstances beyond one's control. This episode aims to offer a candid discussion about the difficulties of job loss and the resilience required to bounce back.</p><strong><u>Show notes</u></strong></p>(00:53) - Getting Fired or Laid Off </p>Mollie and Claire discuss the emotional impact of being fired or laid off, sharing their personal experiences and the self-doubt and negative thoughts that followed.</p>(12:35) - Coping Strategies </p>They talk about strategies for coping with job loss, such as taking temporary jobs for financial stability, maintaining a positive mindset during the job search, and not beating oneself up over circumstances beyond one's control.</p>(27:17) - The Importance of Relationships </p>Mollie and Claire highlight the importance of maintaining relationships with colleagues, as those connections can lead to future opportunities and support during difficult times.</p>(39:10) - Advice and Reflections </p>They offer advice on how companies can handle layoffs more empathetically and transparently, and reflect on the lessons learned from their experiences of job loss and the resilience required to bounce back.</p>

00:47:08

Designing a Career: Crafting Your Own Path

This episode features a discussion with Trevor Nielsen, a digital product designer. The conversation covers Trevor's career journey, how he transitioned from graphic design to product design, the differences between working at startups versus larger corporations, the risks and challenges associated with the startup world, and his recent experience of being laid off from a crypto startup.</p>Trevor shares insights on the importance of being open to new opportunities, the value of freelancing, and the potential benefits of having multiple income streams.</p>(01:11) - Breaking into Product Design</p>- Trevor shares his journey of transitioning from graphic design to product design, initially through a job opportunity within the same organization.</p>- He discusses the importance of being open to new opportunities and stepping out of one's comfort zone.</p>(04:13) - Startups vs. Large Company working dynamics</p>- Trevor compares his experiences working at startups versus larger corporations, highlighting the differences in team dynamics, processes, and the level of hands-on work.</p>(10:08) - Risks and Challenges in the Startup World</p>- The conversation shifts to the risks associated with the startup world, including the potential for failure and the importance of having a safety net or multiple income streams.</p>- Trevor shares his experience of being laid off from a crypto startup and the resilience required to navigate such situations.</p>(18:15) - Freelancing and Multiple Income Streams</p>- Trevor discusses his transition to freelancing and the benefits of having multiple income streams, including increased financial stability and the ability to bet on oneself.</p>- He shares insights on finding the right balance between the number of clients and maintaining quality work.</p>(29:37) - Celebrating Revenue Metrics and Supporting Others</p>- The hosts and Trevor discuss the trend of celebrating revenue metrics in the freelance community and the potential downsides of excessive self-promotion.</p>- They emphasize the importance of supporting others in the design community and sharing work with context.</p>(34:06) - Stop, Start, Continue</p>- Trevor shares his perspective on the 'start, stop, continue' framework, suggesting what practices the freelance community should start, stop, and continue.</p>

00:57:20

Work Self vs. Authentic Self: Finding Balance

In this episode, Mollie and Claire interview Sara Wachter-Boettcher, a leadership coach, speaker, and author who is the CEO of Active Voice, a company focused on creating bold leaders and better workplaces in design and tech. The conversation covers: </p><ul><li>Sara's career journey and transition from consulting to founding Active Voice</li><li>The challenges faced by product teams and designers in balancing their values with business priorities</li><li>The importance of setting boundaries and maintaining a sense of identity beyond one's job</li><li>Fostering psychological safety within teams</li><li>Advice for newcomers entering the tech industry amidst ongoing changes and uncertainties.</li></ul><br />(01:08) - Guest Introduction </p>Sara is introduced as the guest, and her background as a leadership coach, speaker, author, and CEO of Active Voice is highlighted.</p>(02:17) - Sara's Career Journey </p>Sara shares her career journey, starting as a web writer, transitioning into content strategy and UX work, building a team at an agency, and eventually moving into consulting.</p>(04:09) - Founding Active Voice </p>Sara discusses the motivation behind founding Active Voice, stemming from her observations of people struggling to find their voice and power within organizations.</p>(06:31) - Work-Life Balance and Identity </p>The conversation explores the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, the tendency to wrap one's identity around work, and the importance of separating personal identity from professional roles.</p>(10:23) - Navigating Gender Biases </p>Sara shares her experiences navigating gender biases in the workplace, the double standards women face in tech, and strategies for asserting oneself while maintaining authenticity.</p>(16:33) - Fostering Psychological Safety </p>The discussion focuses on fostering psychological safety within teams, the role of leaders in creating a safe environment for vulnerability, and the importance of open communication and setting boundaries.</p>(21:21) - Work Pressures in the Tech Industry </p>Sara addresses common challenges faced by individuals in the tech industry, such as the pressure to prioritize metrics over human-centered values, the dissonance between personal beliefs and organizational priorities, and the need for self-awareness and boundary-setting.</p>(28:48) - Sara's Biggest Challenges in the Workplace</p>Sara reflects on her challenges, including setting boundaries, communicating effectively, and building mutually beneficial working relationships.</p>(34:47) - Advice for Newcomers to Tech</p>Sara offers advice for newcomers entering the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of accepting change, maintaining a sense of identity beyond work, and finding ways to express personal values both within and outside of one's job.</p>

00:55:31

Check Your Ego at the Door

In this episode of Bounce, hosts Mollie Cox and Claire Flowers interview Laura Baker, a global design leader. The conversation covers Laura's career journey from industrial design to leading design teams and agencies. The discussion provides insights into Laura's personal experiences, challenges faced in leadership roles, and her views on collaboration between different roles and the future of the design field.</p><strong>Key topics discussed include:</strong></p>- Laura's transition from industrial design to UX and service design roles</p>- Her experience being unexpectedly thrust into a leadership position and navigating imposter syndrome</p>- Her perspective on what design leadership means, focusing on building trust with her team</p>- The relationship and dynamics between product management and design roles</p>- Advice for designers looking to move into leadership positions</p>- The potential impact of AI on the design industry and whether it could replace human designers</p>- How the design landscape may evolve in the coming years</p><h1>Show notes</h1> Here is a summary of the transcript divided into chapters with timestamps:</p>(01:01) - Guest Introduction </p>- Hosts Mollie Cox and Claire Flowers introduce the podcast and guest Laura Baker, a global design leader.</p>(01:44) - Laura's Career Journey </p>- Laura discusses her transition from industrial design to UX and service design roles.</p>- She shares how she unexpectedly ended up in a leadership position.</p>(04:11) - Navigating Imposter Syndrome </p>- Laura talks about dealing with imposter syndrome when thrust into leadership.</p>- She discusses her approach to overcoming self-doubt and breaking down challenges.</p>(10:10) - Design Leadership </p>- Laura explains what design leadership means to her, emphasizing building trust with her team.</p>- She shares how she navigates situations where her young age may cause others to question her authority.</p>(17:00) - Check Your Ego at the Door </p>- The discussion explores the relationship between product management and design roles.</p>- Laura provides her perspective on finding the right balance and shared understanding.</p>(29:29) - Advice for Transitioning to Leadership </p>- Laura offers advice for designers looking to move into leadership positions.</p>- She stresses the importance of doing it for the right reasons and being prepared for a significant mindset shift.</p>(35:07) - The Impact of AI on Design </p>- The conversation covers the potential impact of AI on the design industry.</p>- Laura shares her views on whether AI could feasibly replace human designers.</p>(43:43) - The Future of Design </p>- Laura discusses how the design landscape may evolve in the coming years.</p>- She explores the possibility of more strategic roles for designers as AI handles tactical execution.</p>

00:51:56

Chaos to Clarity: The Product Ops Impact

In the 8th episode of Bounce, co-hosts Mollie Cox and Claire Flowers interview guest Fo Neale-May, a seasoned senior director of Product Operations in B2B SaaS startups. They discuss the core aspects of product operations, including its definition, key responsibilities, strategies for overcoming resistance, and the common challenges faced in the field. The conversation discusses the scaling of product ops, integration with other functions like design ops, and the importance of effective insight utilization and boundary setting. With practical anecdotes and advice, the episode offers a comprehensive understanding of how product operations contribute to the efficiency and success of product teams.00:00 Introduction to Bounce Podcast</p>00:14 Meet the Hosts: Mollie and Claire</p>01:04 Introducing Today's Guest: Fo Neale-May</p>02:06 Defining Product Operations</p>02:32 The Role and Impact of Product Ops</p>07:09 Challenges and Resistance in Product Ops</p>14:38 Boundaries and Responsibilities in Product Ops</p>17:26 Scaling Product Ops Across Organizations</p>20:23 Common Themes and Challenges in Product Ops</p>26:34 The Reality of Design Systems</p>28:11 Challenges in Product Operations</p>29:25 Identifying the Right Time for Product Ops</p>30:53 Organizational Structure of Product Ops</p>32:37 Misunderstandings and Resistance in Product Ops</p>35:58 The Importance of Seeking to Understand</p>38:25 Staying Motivated in a Misunderstood Field</p>41:38 Hot Buttons in Product Ops</p>46:01 Gardening and Final Thoughts</p>

00:48:31

Design Leadership - Holding the Shit Umbrella

An interview with Thom Rimmer, a global design leader with over a decade of experience building industry-leading products and developing a culture of design as a competitive business advantage. The discussion covered:</p>- Thom's background, including his transition from working at agencies to the world of SaaS.</p>- His experience at Huddle, a sports tech company, where he worked on globally distributed product teams, managed designers, and helped bring products to coaches and athletes worldwide.</p>- The challenges of working on a hardware product (a camera) at Huddle, including building a team, overcoming technical hurdles, and convincing stakeholders of the opportunity.</p>- Thom's decision to leave Huddle at the peak of its success and join Intercom, a B2B customer support SaaS company, to seek new challenges and growth opportunities.</p>- Insights into building trust and relationships with teams, handling failures and maintaining motivation, and being a leader who protects their team while giving them credit for successes.</p>Key Moments</p>(1:11) - Guest Introduction </p>(2:46) - Globally Distributed Teams at Huddle </p>(12:21) - Designer Relationships with Product Managers</p>(18:11) - Leaving Huddle and Joining Intercom</p>(20:44) - The importance of knowing how to sell your work</p>(41:00) - If you're not failing then you're not trying hard enough </p>(47:42) - Advice for Product Managers </p>

00:49:18

Product Marketing: An Integrated Approach

In this episode of Bounce, we discuss the role of product marketing teams and the challenges they face. The hosts, Molly Cox and Claire Flowers, interview Olivia McNaughton, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Grinn, about her experience working in product marketing.</p>Olivia explains that product marketing acts as a go-to-market specialist, supporting the product, sales, and customer success teams. Their primary responsibilities include launching products into the market and funneling market information back to the product team. She highlights the importance of aligning with different teams, communicating effectively, and showcasing the value of product marketing within an organization.</p>The discussion covers various topics, such as defining the roles and responsibilities of product marketing, potential friction points with product managers and designers, strategies for proving the value of product marketing, and the challenges of coordinating successful product launches. Olivia shares her insights and best practices based on her extensive experience in the field.</p><strong>Episode Details</strong></p>(1:30) - Guest Introduction</p>(3:00) - Defining Product Marketing</p>(6:00) - Challenges in Product Marketing</p>(12:00) - Proving Value as a Product Marketer</p>(18:00) - Collaboration with Product Managers and Designers</p>(24:00) - Product Launch Processes </p>(28:00) - Biggest Stressors in Product Launches</p>(30:00) - Stop Doing This: Requests from a Product Marketer</p>

00:47:54

Take Control of Your Career: Get Off the Couch

<h1>Show notes</h1>Join Mollie and Claire in their discussion with Christopher Nguyen, the founder of UX Playbook. From a computer science dropout to a business graduate, turned self-taught designer, and now a content creator. This episode covers Chris's career journey, including his experiences in toxic work environments, his decision to quit his job during the pandemic, the process of starting and growing UX Playbook, his approach to writing and content creation, and his future plans to evolve his business into coaching designers to build their own businesses. Key discussion points include recognizing signs of an unhealthy work culture, taking ownership of one's career path, the importance of self-reflection, the role of writing and content marketing, and Chris's vision for helping designers become entrepreneurs. </p>(1:11) - Guest Introduction </p>The hosts introduce their guest Chris, a product designer, founder of UX Playbook, and former head of design who has worked with companies like Google, Nike, and Coca-Cola. They discuss Chris's background and career journey.</p>(3:01) - Toxic Work Environments</p>Chris shares his experience of joining a company that turned out to be toxic, despite being warned beforehand. He describes the red flags, lack of innovation, and the 'good enough' culture that eventually led him to quit.</p>(12:31) - Taking a Break and Starting UX Playbook </p>After quitting his toxic job, Chris took some time off to experiment with different projects before accidentally stumbling upon the success of UX Playbook through writing online content.</p>(19:21) - Knowing When to Leave a Job </p>The discussion shifts to recognizing signs that it's time to leave a job, such as physical aversion to going to the office, draining interactions, and lack of excitement about the work.</p>(23:41) - Layoffs and Career Transitions </p>Chris offers advice for those feeling stuck in their current roles due to the fear of layoffs, emphasizing taking small steps towards exploring new opportunities.</p>(28:21) - Chris' new venture - The Job Sprint Program </p>Chris talks about his new program 'The Job Sprint', created to help people land their dream jobs through a tailored approach and active learning activities.</p>(33:11) - Future Business Evolution </p>Chris shares his vision for evolving his business beyond just serving designers, potentially helping them build their own businesses and potentially owning a stake in their ventures.</p>Be sure to check out Chris' latest venture - <a href="https://backlog.design/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://backlog.design/</a>?ref=bounce</p>

00:49:24

Unmasking Resilience: Being a Trans Woman in Tech

In this episode of Bounce, hosts Molly Cox and Claire Flowers dive deep into the incredible journey of Erika Flowers, a renowned author, designer, and technologist currently working at NASA. Erika shares her inspiring story of resilience and transformation, from her early days as a web designer in the 90s to becoming a digital service expert. She opens up about her personal journey as a late-in-life transgender woman and the challenges she faced along the way. Join us for an insightful conversation about identity, growth, and the power of being true to yourself.</p><h2><span class="ql-size-small">Show Notes</span></h2>(00:37) - Introduction</p>(01:31) - Erika Flowers Career Overview</p>(07:56) - Journey of Self-Discovery and the Transgender Experience</p>(17:20) - Masking and Authenticity</p>(19:00) - Implications of Coming Out at Work</p>(22:33) - Transitioning and Personal Relationships and Transition</p>(24:27) - Coping with External Perceptions</p>(28:24) - Navigating Professional and Personal Identity</p>(35:28) - Positive Outcomes Post-Transition</p>(37:13) - Intersection of Identity and Workplace Treatment</p>(40:21) - Passing and Workplace Misogyny</p>(41:49) - Importance of Creating a Support Environment for Transgender Individuals</p>(51:02) - Empathy and Visibility</p>(53:23) - Being a Good Ally</p>

01:01:39