@Nicholas McFadden @Ryan I did three more interviews today with Data folks. All are aligned with working in office, in teams, aware of evenings and weekends.
Tsege - great personality, potential for management as she currently is in charge of onboarding and training new team members and checking their work James - very good communicator and strong customer engagement experience. Has some inherent leadership qualities, need to unpack his management experience Zekarias - not the most dynamic but may have the strongest skill set (heavy SQL)
I want to reiterate, as a company we are really "investing in people". I will take people that have a strong work ethic, a desire to work hard, and have a great attitude any day of the week ahead of someone that has the "best talent" but doesnt work hard. Please keep this in mind. You can always teach someone new skills, you cant teach them to work hard.
Our plan is to hire 4 to 5 people, immediately, within 10 days, one of which as the manager of the team. Let's roll.
Thanks gentlemen -- @Nicholas McFadden - if you can share some days/times with me for meetings I will do my very best to get them aligned with your schedule.
Would this next round be virtual again (video/phone) or in person?
Thank you
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL 10:30am-Noon and 2pm-3pm each day this week I can be available
tomorrow: @ 11am for tsege @ 215pm for Zekarias
If this works for you, please send the video link you want to use to chat with them - otherwise I can have them call you directly on your cell - whichever you prefer.
Thanks.\
Interview - Tsege
Thursday, August 22 · 11:00am – 12:00pm
Time zone: America/Los_Angeles
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/uws-oynt-khe
Or dial: (US)
Interview - Zekarias
Thursday, August 22 · 2:15 – 3:15pm
Time zone: America/Los_Angeles
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/stm-tczc-eeg
Or dial: (US)
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL please send their resumes
I like Zekarias - nice guy, easy to talk to. Slight accent, but not too bad at all. Working on a contract right now for Sutter Health, but no long term stability, so he's open.
He's currently making about $130k on the base -- but -- it's a contract, he doesnt have benefits, and he has zero long term stability or promises. He would be open to something closer to 110/120k on the base for the right situation.
He'd like to find somewhere close to home to put down roots. He lives close near summerlin, so your office move would be close to home for him. He is currently working remote for Sutter who is in CA -- and yes he understands this role with you is purely on site and hands on.
He has good SQL and API exposure, but very light in python. The one caveat on this guy is he doesnt have a ton of direct mgmt experience, which, I realize, may limit his earning potential for a higher level role - but, again, in the interest of showing you who is out there and ready to talk to - he's worthwhile, I think
Tsege - I actually liked her a lot. She does have a slight accent, but easy to understand and I liked her from moment one. My only downfall on her is that she does not have API experience. She has lots of SQL, and has ETL experience (tangential to API - but not the exact same thing). She has excellent tenure at Costco (4 years) and Bank of Texas ( 4 years). Is on the market because her contract is ending.
@Nicholas McFadden @Ryan you guys do not need to discuss any type of salaries with these folks. I will handle that directly with Cory.
No worries, just letting you guys know
@Nicholas McFadden - Do you still have availability to talk to James Turner tomorrow in those same open times?
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL I can do 10am-Noon but not 2pm
@Nicholas McFadden - lets do 1115am tomorrow for James, please
Will you please send the link ASAP - please and thanks
Interview - James
Friday, August 23 · 11:15am – 12:15pm
Time zone: America/Los_Angeles
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/mxn-nsab-nmt
Or dial: (US)
@Nicholas McFadden - Are we moving both Zekarias and Tsege to the next step with Ryan?
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL Neither really have any experience with APIs or coding knowledge. When presented with a scenario of a non-respondent client Zekarias at least explained he would get on the phone and was more proactive in trying to solve it. I am afraid Tsege won't take initiative when resolving issues and just sit back and wait for an email response. Therefore of the two I would move forward with Zekarias.
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL @Cameron Rentch however with their SQL and Excel experience they might be good candidates for Brittany’s team and then we could shift Edward and/or Aiden over. Thoughts?
*Thread Reply:* @Nicholas McFadden not an option at moment.
*Thread Reply:* Okay no worries understood.
@Ryan - unfortunately Jose has pulled himself from the process and has decided not to pursue our role any further - I apologize
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL , understand. Will await next interview.
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL @Cameron Rentch Just got done with James and I really liked our conversation. He has some basic Python knowledge but most importantly has experience with Power Automate and is a great communicator. His response to my scenario was by far the best. His eagerness to learn, be resourceful, and problem solve was great to hear and was more forthright than the other two candidates. Also, he was the only one that had truly insightful questions for me at the end. He does not have a lot of formal management experience but has been a team lead and been responsible for tracking and communication. I would feel comfortable putting him in front of any client engagement.
@Nicholas McFadden - good for me to set up with Ryan?
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL, here is my schedule for Monday and Tuesday next week.
@here , I like James. His tech skills are a little light but he would be the perfect person to connect to each clients non-technical, non-attorney contact for integrations.
Then he can learn more about our business and make an impact on the internal data warehouse, data marts and dashboards with a focus on user feedback, enhancements and ongoing support. He is a great fit for that need.
@Cameron Rentch - what are your thoughts on that and do you want to move to offer stage for him?
make him offer @deleted-U056TJH4KUL keep going - we need to keep hiring for this team. Also, please see if we can identify a supervisor or manager within candidates
@Nicholas McFadden @Ryan @Cameron Rentch -- Hey Nick and Ryan can we do a quick catch up?
We still have Zekarias (Zack) Haile and Tsege G in the process at this point. They spoke to Cam already, and then chatted with Nick last week on Thursday.
Are we moving them forward in the process to Ryan - or are we cutting them loose and passing on them altogether?
Thank you
@Nicholas McFadden @Ryan @Cameron Rentch - Hi Nick and Ryan, checking back in on this. Did you have thoughts on moving Zack and Tsege forward in the process?
@Nicholas McFadden, let us know on Zack and Tsege.
Dustin Surwill: • Good comm skills • Open to looking after layoffs at his last company • Excellent tenure -- 3 years at last company, and 5 years at the one before • Seems to have strong API, Python, and SQL experience - happy to be hands on at all levels • Is working on finishing his bachelors at nights/weekends (go at your own pace classes) through an online university in Data Management/Data Analytics - He's the kind of guy that seems to want to just keep learning no matter what • Does not have a ton of actual hands on management skills - but he has reviewed other's work, and might be a good fit in the Supervisor role @Nicholas McFadden - can I get you on the phone with this guy ASAP please?
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL I would say lets move forward with Zack but not Tsege. Dustin looks great on paper and I hope it goes well! I can be available between 1-4pm tomorrow and 10-Noon Friday.
@Nicholas McFadden - How about today at 2pm for you and Dustin?
@Ryan - morning, sir - What times today, tomorrow, or Tuesday would you like to talk to Zack?
*Thread Reply:* @deleted-U056TJH4KUL, Tuesday from 11AM to 2PM PT works: https://calendar.app.google/dGYXStMtNLHausBx9
Interview - Dustin
Thursday, August 29 · 2:00 – 3:00pm
Time zone: America/Los_Angeles
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/wgq-ftrs-vud
Or dial: (US)
confirmed for 2pm - will have him call your cell at that time
@Nicholas McFadden - Hi Nick, are you logging in to the interview, sir?
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL yes on with him now
Yes and I would consider him for the manager position
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL @Cameron Rentch @Nicholas McFadden
Spoke to Zack. I'm aligned with Nick on him, he's a good team manager that can handle the law firm integrations board, meetings, technical staff (David S. / Nick W. handle the legal staff). Then was we evolve the webhooks into a non-email solution and its own GCP application (if LawRuler doesn't solve it first), he can use his level 8 out of 10 rated SQL skills to help get the next iteration of Integrations solutions ready.
That is the priority I told him. Make the guys above him and the guys below him feel is his presence in supporting the total integrations team and he will be successful. He said he loves the sound of the opportunity.
He has my :largegreencircle:
good @Ryan make the offer @deleted-U056TJH4KUL
@Ryan @Cameron Rentch - Do you guys want to hire 1 or 2 managers?
I could be wrong - but I thought Nick said Zack could be good for a middle of the road guy - not the Manager
I thought he was saying Dustin Surwill could be the Manager.
@Nicholas McFadden - can you opine please?
@here , he can be the technical liaison if there is a better fit for manager.
I personally think Dustin is the better Manager candidate.....but, I know, of course, you and Nick will know better than me.....
Let’s make the call after tomorrow once I talk to Dustin
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL @Cameron Rentch, Dustin has better skills on technical side and from a Manager candidate perspective he will excel at the "law firm tech contact" role once he understands our current integration solution, and his SQL can help on the next solution @Nicholas McFadden and I are envisioning.
He lacks some real "people management experience" but I told him that this role is managing the technical implementation of the integrations with enough engineering skills to really understand the issues from the Integration Engineers, solve their problems and help get us to next level on service, speed and scale.
Zack is not the best fit for this in comparison to Dustin. Zack would be a good Data Analyst doing SQL work for BI needs if that is a hire.
Dustin for Integrations Technical Manager a "Yes" :largegreencircle:
@Cameron Rentch @Ryan - I agree with you, Dustin is the better Manager candidate.
If we are all on board, I will make the offer to Dustin for the Mgr role -- but then the remaining answer is do we need another body in Zack for a day in/day out worker bee....?
@Cameron Rentch, Zack could be the luke replacement so that Dustin, David S., Dwight, Ahsan, Nick W. and team can focus on Integration priorites. But glad to wait and use David S., Ahsan, whoever.
@deleted-U056TJH4KUL hire both, we are going to lose people and or let people go if they cant perform efficiently. @Ryan API integration team first, every integration must be done timely, on time, and properly. So everyone can start there - keep your eye on Zack and let's make a decision on who to pull into any financial related role downstream based on performance and reliability.
@Cameron Rentch @Ryan - Dustin Surwill has verbally accepted -- He could start as early as Monday, if you wanted, but I understand that's very soon.
When would you want him to start?
@Ryan @Cameron Rentch - Zack accepted 94k last night - He needs to hand in a more traditional 2 week notice.
We will work with Shellie now on getting that process started for his on boarding -- thank you