Meet the Founders Behind Jobscan - Jobscan Blog

Meet the Founders Behind Jobscan - Jobscan BlogPosted on April 19, 2016October 10, 2019 by Richard Poulin I love a good stspeciesup story.The odds are always huge on the personal level, because entrepreneurs have to take lots of risks in buchung to put their ideas to the test. And theyre fully aware that most startups fail.So when I welches on Skype with Jobscan founders James Hu and Michael Lee, to find out how Jobscan worked, I also asked a few questions beyond the technical stuff. How the idea came about, the pitfalls, the lessons Heres a bit of their story. The job search problemIt begins in October, 2013, when James was out of a job, coming back from Asia. He was caught in the grueling process of looking for work. He researched how resumes were handled and decided to invest a lot of energy into tailoring keygenaus. His goal was to convince automated resume screeners that he was a good candidate. But he felt he was spending too much time, for each application, identifying the rig ht keywords to include in his resume. Such a tedious process Being a techie, he knew this could be automated, so he got to work on what would become the core Jobscan functionality comparing keywords in your resume with those of the job listing.Not only would an automated solution improve his job search, it would also become a remarkable part of his portfolio. Two birds with one stone This was indeed a good project to showcase his technical abilities. So he coded away, by himself.For about two months and a half, he was using his keyword tool and improving it. The idea of sharing his little app became obvious While I was building this, I figured I might as well make it useful to others. Maybe its something I could turn into a tafelgeschirr one day.Once it was relatively bug-free (James and Michael like that term relatively), he started telling his friends. And thats how Jobscan was launched. In a remote corner of the web, somewhere, without blogger-magnet startup stunts like chocolate -covered grasshoppers or lying about a yoga video It was just out there, for people to use. And it grew organically. The word got out about this cool new keyword-matching app. (A very decent minimum viable product, or MVP, as its called in the Lean Startup movement in the Silicon Valley.)In the meantime, James found work. And hes not the only one that got good results with Jobscan the feedback he was getting was positive. So he kept going, dug deeper into each ATS, despite working full-time.A year later, James quit his job and focused solely on Jobscan. The website started picking up more traction and now needed to level up engineering. Enter Michael. A software engineer who spent 8 years with Google in New York. They met during a street clean-up volunteering event in Seattle. (Yes, it does read like something they would make up.)In February 2015, we were looking at a healthy, but still quite small project. And now that James and Michael wanted to see it blossom, they did some serio us testing (Why It Works). It allowed them to deepen their understanding of how resumes were processed by computers, and to adapt their tool accordingly. Riding the waveIn the following months, Jobscan was getting more and more attention. Actually, just a few days after launch, they got mentioned on Lifehacker.com. When youre a startup, that stuff really helps. Each month, new bentzers were coming in. Which meant that James and Michael were working hard to improve it, but were also feeling the pressure of running a legitimate startup. Heres JamesWhen you work on something thats not exactly working a product or service that people dont really want, it feels like youre dragging the project along. Youre just hammering away and youre not getting traction. This time around, theres a market force. The product and the users are dragging us along. Its almost like were riding a wave, and the wave is pushing us forward. Thats a nice feeling, but at the same time, theres an obligation. A pres sure to keep doing better.James realized that he was surfing that wave while he was employed. Thats when it clicked for him Jobscan had taken off. It wasnt a side project anymore. People were really using itAnd the pressures of a real service were kicking in. The two guys were working very closely together, owning the entire project. For Michael, the main programmer, stepping out of his comfort zone used to mean customer support. But now, he needed to do some marketing and SEO. And had to learn these skills.Also, in the early days, the two entrepreneurs would personally reply to every single email they received. Now, they had extra hands for that. People they needed to hire and manage and payFor a long time, Michael was afraid of the scale of the website. Could it handle the expanding number of users? We were growing month over month in terms of traffic. But I didnt really have the background to know when the website would stop working.That does sound like a big concern when your we bsite IS your productThere were some scary moments We got to migrate a couple of times (servers, service providers, etc.). Migrations are fun.To handle all that stress, James even started muay thai (martial art from Thailand). Michael enjoys driving around, something he missed out on in his years in NYC.Now, while this might look like just another tech startup story, its very different when its your story. For example, it wasnt clear from Day One whether this would actually take off. It was an adventure, far from the paths they were expected to walk. A lot of people around them thought that safe jobs at Google or Microsoft were much better than this little side project.What about your 401(k)? And how will you meet a nice young lady if youre working on this all the time? You get the picture.The purpose of JobscanIve asked them about the black hole of resumes that dreadful silence after youve sent one, ten or fifty resumes. Its sort of a hot topic in the job market space, as it deeply resonates with the unemployed. Why dont I hear anything back? What am I doing wrong?James understands both sides of the coinTheres a technical perspective and theres a human element. Ideally, recruiters could get back to candidates, to bring a human touch. No one wants to be rejected by a machine or feel ignored. But at the same time, ansprechbar applications have become so easy that it causes a flood of resumes which causes recruiters not being able to respond. And then people apply more Its a cycleThe cycle that leads to the blackhole conundrumOur job is to help people know why the black hole exists and how they can improve their chances.And thats really the purpose of Jobscan. They understand how broken the job search process is, especially the lack of feedback. But Jobscan can help you navigate around the black hole (explained here). Theyve tested the impact of tailoring keywords and they know it works.Theyre quite serious about trying to help jobseekers. As Michael noted We ca nt solve the problem completely, because theres multiple aspects to it. But we can help job seekers surface their resumes within the applicant tracking systems.And each step forward matters.Improvement and the Seattle Nomads Caf GuideIn the first half of 2015, James and Michael were working out of coffee shops around Seattle. In order to help them choose the right one, they even created a spreadsheet in Google Sheets. But they brought this spreadsheet to another level.They used the spreadsheet to keep track of each venue and its prices, but also its temperature, number of outlets, wifi speed and free parking availability. And you could sort the list according to your needsWhats even funnier is that, when they told me about that spreadsheet, it really wasnt a big deal for them. (Doesnt everybody track the number of outlets in their favorite coffee shops?)I was laughing my head off.The very specific Seattle Nomads Caf spreadsheetIt just illustrates how optimizing and improving is a na tural part of their mindset.For instance, theyve recently improved how Jobscan tracks skills, distinguishing among soft and hard skills. They also provide more and more recommendations for your resume, such as scanning for measurable results.So what does the future hold for Jobscan?More improvements, of course They pay attention to user feedback and theyre adamant about always striving for a better product. And while the ultimate vision is building the best tools for job seekers, they remain focused on their core service providing you with the right resume keywords to get past resume screeners.* * *If youve been using Jobscan for a while, James and Michael would love to hear your ideas on how to make it better for you. Send them your thoughts at emailprotectedAbout the AuthorRichard Poulin is the founder of Resume Hacking, a website and book series to help job seekers with tailored advice, by profession. One of his big ideas the 3 laws of resume writing.Facebook Commentswpdevar_comm ent_1 span,wpdevar_comment_1 iframewidth100% important

Top Good Program for Writing a Resume Choices

Top Good Program for Writing a Resume Choices Good Program for Writing a Resume - Is it a Scam? A resume summary might be more powerful than a resume objective. It is essential that you should have each of the informations in advance just before you place in the facts. Know the purpose of your resume Some men and women write a resume as though the aim of the document was supposed to land work. Writing your first resume may look like a daunting undertaking. Generally speaking, higher school students have a tendency to concentrate on their club parteicipation whilst college students often incorporate major class projects. Of course when you know what kind of task you want, it will be less painful to come up with your resume. Resume writing can look like an intimidating endeavor, but its actually simpler than you believe. The Truth About Good Program for Writing a Resume Aside from programs, theres additionally a very long collection of resume making software available. Pay attention when you subscribe, however, because most services offer you a number of different plans and a few plans limit the qualities or number of resumes youll be able to create. The program is web-based as opposed to downloadable, and the variety of features, along with the websites connectivity and convenience, are difficult to beat. fruchtwein grad programs require some type of private statement, which is where youll receive the very best opportunity to inform the school why your experiences and interests make you the very best candidate for the program. A simple resume template is going to be your very best bet. When you have written and organized your information according to the sort of resume youve chosen, be certain to format it according to typical professional standards. You may also place either the work title or the company name in the very first line based on whether you wish to emphasize the position or the provider. As a consequence, the resume may be put un der file. Whats more, it is going to maintain course for the Hiring Manager to learn why they ought to hire you over other candidates. Infographic resumes become increasingly more common. The Advantages of Good Program for Writing a Resume The majority of the times your prior work experience will be absolutely the most significant part the resume, so put it at the top. You are earning a career change. Look at getting qualified help If youre having a difficult time to create your resume, or in case youre receiving no response whatsoever from companies, you could think about employing a professional resume writing service. There are lots of basic forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. What You Dont Know About Good Program for Writing a Resume Language skills are sometimes a good selling point on your resume. When youre asking for work, your very first aim is to let employers know your abilities and talents align with the demands of their open positio n. With persistence and patience, you will gradually land the job that you want. Granted, you must be in a position to keep up your job without letting your grades slip.

Google Em - Spark Hire

Google Em - Spark HireSometimes the simplest way to weed through job seekers isnt with reading a long-winded resume and cover letter, but by just going to Google. Job seekers have carefully crafted a vision for themselves that they want you to see. Google is the key to unlock the door behind that potential candidate and see a less carefully crafted version. Looking to Google is a successful tool in the hiring process.First, Google may act as a truth serum. You may be able to cross-reference a candidate with their listed activities and previous jobs. Its elend a perfect algorithm, but Google can help you identify if job seekers are telling the truth in their resumes and cover letters. Beware though, if you cant find a job seeker at a formerly listed position it may not be because he/she wasnt there. The internet isnt perfect after all.Setting up a Google alert on job seekers may also help alert you to any changes on status. This may be something newsworthy, or a change in employment s tatus. If a candidate chooses another position it may help you avoid wasted time calling him or her or reading his/her resume and cover letter.Not everything you find on Google may be bad. It may be you find something a job seeker missed, orcouldntfind space for in his/her resume, that shows he/she might be the perfect personality fit for your workplace environment. These could include extracurriculars, accolades, etc which could identify a good (or possibly bad) fit.Google can be your best friend for vetting job seekers. It helps you do a little extra dirty work to ensure you make the right hire for your company. Utilizing Google for your candidate vetting process will help identify the best job seekers without wasting time.Do you already use Google in your candidate searches? Or do you have another candidate vetting tip for our readers? Wed love for you to share them below.ansehen Courtesy of Flickr byYodel Anecdotal

Biomedical Equipment Technician Careers in the Military

Biomedical Equipment Technician Careers in the MilitaryBiomedical Equipment Technician Careers in the MilitarySo you want one of those high-pay, high-tech jobs, and you want the military to give you a head start. But how do you choose a field when tech is so ubiquitous in todays job market? You could play it safe and go for information technology, but what if you want to carve out a more specific niche from the get-go? One option is to specialize in biomedical equipment repair, which Payscale.coms Ask Dr. Salary reports was one of the top technology jobs for veterans in 2012 with projected growth of 27% through 2018. True, the military does train many of its medical professionals to operate in austere environments, where conditions arent so friendly to high-tech equipment and low-tech skills can be your best friend. But they dont dare shun the diagnostic and treatment advantages afforded by the latest technology. Thats why the Army, Navy, and Air Force all train their own Biomedical Equipment Technicians (BMETs) to keep everything from lab equipment to diagnostic imaging tools running in tip-top condition. Education Now that the military has standardized and consolidated all medical training, students from the three service branches attend BMET school together at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) aboard Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. (As of 2012, you can ignore any information out there claiming the course is given at Sheppard Air Force Base or other locations.) The Biomedical Equipment Technician course lasts 41 weeks, beginning with basic electronics and troubleshooting before moving on to titelbild each of a wide variety of medical equipment categories, including surgical, dental, diagnostic imaging, and information technology equipment. There is also a segment built into the curriculum for each branch to conduct training specific to soldiers, sailors, or airmen. The ultimate goal is to produce technicians who can not only troubles hoot, adjust, and calibrate biomedical equipment, but perform repairs down to the component and circuit board level because as the Air Forces website aptly observes, when youre in the middle of nowhere, you cant send out for parts, especially when lives are on the line. After initial training, working military BMETs can (and definitely should) enroll in additional certification programs to bolster their performance and credentials. The Army and Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online sites, and the Air Force Credentialing and Education Research Tool, all recommend possibilities such as Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician, Certified Technicians in Biomedical Electronics and Biomedical Imaging, and Certified Specialists in Radiology or Laboratory Equipment. BMETs can also get an edge using tuition assistance and the GI Bill to complete a college-level education like the Community College of the Air Forces Biomedical Equipment Technology degree program. Military Requirements As an enlisted specialty in any branch, entering the BMET field generally requires at least a high school diploma. Normal color vorstellung is a must given the circuit board work. In addition The Army requires a composite Electronics score of 107 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB.) They also expect credit for 1-year high school Algebra or score of 45 or higher on GED Test 5, according to their welcome letter to students at the BMET course.Using their own version of ASVAB scores, the Air Force sets the bar at 70 for Electronics and 60 for Mechanical. (See the difference between Air Force and Army scoring systems here.)The Navy requires prior enlistment as a Hospital Corpsman and a rank of at least E-4 to enroll in BMET training (more on that below.) The Different Service Branches toJoin While it seems like a matter of personal taste, there are practical considerations when choosing between Army, Navy, or Air Force BMET careers. The Army and Air Force bot h have an entry-level Military Occupational Specialty or Air Force Specialty Code for Biomedical Equipment Technicians. As long as the recruiter can find you a slot, this guarantees a fast track to paid training and a career where youll develop a solid resume focused exclusively on medical equipment repair. The Navy, on the other hand, treats BMET as a secondary specialization under the broad purview of Hospital Corpsmen (HM). This means the BMET field isnt entry-level for sailors youd have to enlist as a Corpsman first but there are advantages. BMET is just one of many specializations possible for HMs, so theres more flexibility available over the course of your career, and you could build a wider range of marketable skills. Biomedical engineering blogger Joaquin Mayoral, Ph.D. points out that Navy BMETs are probably the best prepared . . . because they have an insight into the medical professionals needs which no current A.S. or B.S. BMET curriculum can or will ever match. The d ownside? Theres no stipulation on a Navy enlistment contract guaranteeing the specialization. Even after you get promoted to E-4 and apply for BMET school, youre not guaranteed a seat. So if you want to join the Navy and study biomedical equipment repair, its best to have an interest in the medical field as a whole with healthy doses of patience and flexibility.

New Insider Guide to Student Fed Careers Released as Report Predicts Wave of Skyrocketing Fed Retirement

New Insider Guide to Student Fed Careers Released as Report Predicts Wave of Skyrocketing Fed RetirementNew Insider Guide to Student Fed Careers Released as Report Predicts Wave of Skyrocketing Fed RetirementNew Insider Guide to Student Fed Careers Released as Report Predicts Wave of Skyrocketing Fed RetirementBaltimore, MD (PRWEB), March 4, 2014A stunning Government Accountability Office report, released January 29th, predicts that more than a third of career fed-workers will be eligible to retire by 2017. Their retirement could produce mission critical skills gaps if left unaddressed, the GAO concluded.These findings shows that the government will need to hire young people and new grads to move toward the future, observes leading fed jobs expert Kathryn Troutman. Her revised and updated 3rd edition of The Students Federal Career Guide has just been released. This guide is a must-have if you want to be among the chosen ones who are hired by the feds, she says. Troutman co-wrote the book with Paul Binkley, EdD, former Director of Career Services at George Washington Universitys Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.The guidebook offers crucial info about the feds new Pathways Programs for internships and initial federal employment. In addition, it features eight examples of outstanding federal resumes that enabled real-life college students and recent grads to land positions with Uncle Sam.Pathways streamlined the process students and new grads use for applying for their first federal positions and made them more accessible through the USAJOBs website, Troutman explains. And there will be other USAJOBS openings that recent grads, including veteran grads, will want to apply for. But in todays highly competitive environment, you need to be armed with special writing techniques to make a hiring manager want to pull your resume from the growing pile.Troutman says the way to make a strong first impression is to supply more of the important d etails in your resume. And there is room in federal resumes as they typically run four pages. She recommends highlighting the most impressive projects, presentations and papers from your college years, along with relevant courses and academic honors.You want to show the skills you developed in college, Troutman says. What roles did you play? For instance, though school projects, an engineering student will have worked on a team, performed tests, done design work and given presentations. If someone can do a great job with a project at school, then they can do a great job with a project at work.This guide is a must-have if you want to be among the chosen oneswho are hired by the feds. Kathryn Troutman,President, The Resume PlaceFor the first time, Troutman decided to include private industry resumes after each of the eight sample federal resumes in her student guidebook. This makes it easier to understand the striking differences between these two types of resumes, she notes.All sampl e resumes are in an easys include Ann Crane, a candidate with one year toward a PhD, who went from a $16.50 an hour job to a GS-11/12 position as a Health Insurance Specialist. Using Troutmans writing techniques and adding more technical skills to her resume, Crane welches hired with the first fed job application she ever submitted. Philip W. Sang, a recent grad, landed a Mechanical Engineering position with the US Army Corps of Engineers after adding more details about college projects and an internship to his resume. Jason Jackson, a college student, was selected for a Navy internship. The book includes three resumes for him, to show how a resume can be slanted towards specific interests or positions sought. Jeremy Denton, a veteran from the Marines who recently graduated with a BA in Government and Public Policy, was hired as an GS-9/12 Intelligence Analyst for the Department of Homeland Security.For their military service, veterans get valuable education benefits. The guidebook provides background on these benefits and offers job-hunting tips for vet students and vet new grads in a section just for them. When vets apply for fed jobs, they often get extra points added to their application score. They also get extra time to apply to Pathways as a recent grad. Regular students get 2 years, vets get 6 years.Other helpful features in The Students Federal Career Guide, 3rd Edition include The 11 College Majors that Are Hottest Now and Their Equivalent Federal Job TitlesAn Updated College Major and Equivalent OPM Occupational Series ChartInstructions on How to Read the Federal Vacancy Announcements Scientific and Professional Positions Where Veterans Preference Does Not Applyhintergrund on the Federal Student Loan Repayment ProgramApplication Options for Those with DisabilitiesThe 178-page Students Federal Career Guide, 3rd Edition is available through www.resume-place.com in paperback ($11.96) and PDF ($9.95) and from www.amazon.com in paper ($11.96) and Kindle ($9.99). Organizations, such as colleges or military bases, can license the book for $1500.This book gives you the tools to clearly show decision-makers that you have what they need, say co-author Binkley.About Kathryn Troutman The Resume PlaceKathryn Troutman, nicknamed the Federal Jobs Guru, has over 30 years of experience in the federal marketplace. In addition to publishing, her company, The Resume Place, also offers federal resume writing and federal job-search coaching services. Troutman is a popular federal resume writing coach at government agencies and military bases worldwide.

Embedding Ethics in Engineering Education

Embedding Ethics in Engineering Education Embedding Ethics in Engineering Education Embedding Ethics in Engineering EducationEthics in engineering has evolved considerably over the years as engineers recognize their responsibility to society in not only bringing new technology, discoveries, and designs to the world but also in protecting the public interest as they do so. While case studies in ethics discussions mucksmuschenstill include examples of major design flaws, much of the focus today is also placed on general professional ethics, and engineers are reminded of their responsibilities starting in early-college coursework and progressing throughout their careers in continuing education courses. Early on, the obligation to hold the public interest in the highest regard welches considered a personal responsibility, not a broad professional industry concern. But the thinking changed when public and private projectsbridges, tunnels, factories, private vehicles, public transports, po wer plantsendangered citizens, and that led to the establishment of codes of ethics by professional engineering societies. States also began considering and legislating licensing requirements. Today in the U.S., regulations about the licensing of engineers are governed by each state, and many engineering organizations have not only adopted codes but also set up boards to interpret the codes and issue advisory opinions on ethics cases. For example, the Board of Ethical Review of the National Society of Professional Engineers has issued around 500 advisory opinions since its formation in 1954. In the belastung two years, the cases have dealt with a number of topics and run the gamut from conflicts of interest to issues related to serving as an expert witness to acceptance of gifts and other payments. Plagiarism Issues Joachim Heberlein, engineering professor at the University of Minnesota, says of continual concern is the issue of data falsification. Its sometimes inadvertent and some times consciously done, he says. He adds that another major concern is plagiarism among not only students but also scientists. Its become rampant. Every journal editor is battling that. William M. Worek, dean of engineering atMichigan Technological University, says there are related concerns about how to handle intellectual property in regard to confidentiality and attribution. He believes science is now doing a better job of attribution when it comes to displaying other peoples work, in part, throughplagiarism detection programs now available. Issues of plagiarism and attribution of material often are an engineering students introduction to ethics in college. Margaret Bailey, professor of mechanical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology, believes there needs to be much more. She is considering proposing a course or workshop that conveys the responsibility engineers have in the discussion about the impact on society of the designs they make. After teaching a class this ye ar that combined advanced thermodynamics and public policy, particular related to energy issues, Bailey says it was clear The students didnt strongly identify with a responsibility of our profession to be engaged in such dialogues. She was surprised they did not grasp they have a responsibility to not only design things but also participate in how they are legislated and how they impact the planet. Nancy Giges is an independent writer.Students did not grasp that they have a responsibility to not only design things but also participate in how they are legislated and how they impact the planet.Margaret Bailey, professor of mechanical engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology

Heres Every Company Thats Ever Been #1 on Best Places to Work

Heres Every Company Thats Ever Been 1 on Best distributions-mixs to WorkHeres Every Company Thats Ever Been 1 on Best Places to Work In the ten years that Glassdoors Employees Choice Awards have been around, just six companies (some with repeated wins) have taken home the honor of being personennamed the 1 Best Place to Work . But while a lot has changed over the past decade - the rise of smartphones, the increasing relevance of social media, the man bun trend - one thing that hasnt is the fact that these six companies are all great places to work.So if youre in the market for a job, consider working at one of these proven winners.Details General Mills was the first company to be crowned the 1 Best Place to Work in the inaugural year of Glassdoors Employees Choice Awards. While their win was back in 2009, both early and current reviews of General Mills praised the companys commitment to community, diversity and doing the right thing. On top of that, they offer competitive pay and benefits and an out-of-this-world HQ in Minneapolis featuring a fitness center, salon, coffee shop, deli and mora.Details Since Southwest secured the 1 position in 2010, the company has made Best Places to Work every year after. Reviews indicate this is largely due to the great people and excellent company culture the company has cultivated. You are treated very well and like family, says one current Flight Attendant . The culture is amazing, the employees are truly happy. Another recurring theme was the excellent perks and benefits. Southwest offers flight benefits, profit sharing and 401k match up to 9.1%, one Senior FP&A Manager shares .Details This years top Best Place to Work is no stranger to the 1 spot - 2018 marks the hat trick for Facebook. So what keeps employees so enamored with their employer year after year? Working with smart and innovative colleagues, career opportunities, a strong mission and transparent management, to name just a few. Oh, a nd did we mention the perks ? Get ready for free meals and snacks, onsite health and dental centers, laundry services and four months of paid parental leave. Ability to drive impact from day one. Incredibly lean teams, great management exposure, people bring their authentic selves, a current Business Analyst says. Fantastic wellness benefits, amazing restaurants on campus, great shuttle service throughout the Bay.Details Bain & Company is the only other company to have made the 1 spot on Best Places to Work three different times. On top of that, the company has also made the list every single year since the award first started. Employees thrive on the intellectually stimulating work, which is creative and challenging. We work with change oriented executives to drive transformational change throughout organizations in the toughest areas. We work collaboratively with our clients and enable the organization from top to bottom to own and drive change, says a current Manager . Emp loyees - or Bainies, as theyre known - also mention the supportive nature of the workplace community. For me, its the people that make Bain such a special place to work. Every day, I come into the office and I learn from people above, below, and at the same level as me, a third current Manager says.Details Things have changed a lot at Google over the past decade - their size, their product offerings, their logo but despite these differences, their company culture is still just as strong as ever. Working with some very smart, driven and effective colleagues is very engaging, says a former employee . The scale of work (big) is very motivating. Most clients or campaigns or businesses partners are the tops in their respective industries. As such youre more likely than not to work with big budgets, large user figures, and hot technology. On top of their awesome culture, Google also happens to be one of the highest-paying companies in 2017 - not too shabbyDetails Two words trav el coupons. Employees at Airbnb receive this awesome perk each quarter, which add up to $2,000 per year . But thats certainly not the only great thing about Airbnb. The company is generous, mission driven, and works hard to make employees heard, says a current employee . Great location, motivated and sincere people. Each time I strike up a conversation with someone new, I feel like Ive made a friend. I can be my self, quirks and all, and am embraced. Word on the street is that its an especially great place to work around the holiday season. Holiday shutdown. Everyone gets off from Dec 20th till Jan 1st, says a current Cloud Engineer .