Tag: Career Growth

Careers Blog, Engineering, Find Remote Work, Interviews, Job Applications, Women in STEM

Elevate Your Career: The Definitive Guide to a Standout LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is more than just a job board—it’s a dynamic social media platform that empowers professionals to connect, network, and unlock new opportunities. Whether you’re actively searching for a job, looking to grow your network, or focused on  building your personal brand, your LinkedIn profile is crucial. As Long (2016) states, “Your LinkedIn profile is not a resume; it’s your digital introduction to the world. Make it personal, engaging, and aligned with your goals.”

Like any social platform, LinkedIn it’s about building meaningful connections, highlighting your expertise, and strategically positioning yourself to align with your objectives. In this blog post, we’ll share practical tips to ensure your LinkedIn profile effectively showcases your professional journey and catches the eye of the potential employers and collaborators.

Craft a Compelling Summary

Your LinkedIn summary is often the first thing potential employers or collaborators see, so make every word count. Use this section to introduce yourself, showcase your professional goals, and convey your value proposition. Beyond your experience, emphasize what you’re passionate about, the impact you aspire to make, and the strengths you bring to the table. Consider  sharing your future goals or the skills you’re actively developing, demonstrating your commitment to continuous growth. A strong, forward-thinking summary can leave a positive, lasting impression.

Make Your LinkedIn Headline Work for You

Your LinkedIn headline is a valuable opportunity to make a strong first impression, so use it wisely. Instead of just listing your job title, enhance it by showcasing key skills, tools, or a desired job role that highlight your expertise. A well-crafted headline attracts the right audience and increases your chances of appearing in searches.

When recruiters visit your profile, the headline is one of the first things they see, along with your location and summary. A strong, specific headline helps them quickly determine if your experience aligns with the role they’re hiring for. By using the right keywords and focusing on your unique skills, you increase your chances of standing out. As Bernstein (2022) says, “Your LinkedIn headline is prime real estate. Use it wisely—it’s your first chance to make an impression.”

Complete Your Profile and Showcase Your Experience

An incomplete LinkedIn profile can create a negative impression. Make sure all sections are filled out, including education, experience, skills, certifications, and languages spoken. Including a professional photo not only enhances credibility but also boosts visibility. The more detailed your profile, the greater your chances of attracting potential employers or collaborators. As Long (2016) notes, “Your LinkedIn profile is your digital introduction.”

Provide clear context for your work experience by highlighting your responsibilities, achievements, and the tools you use, such as programming languages, frameworks, and software. Recruiters use Boolean search operators with keywords related to job roles—so the more relevant details you include, the more likely you are to appear in searches. Specify the languages you speak and any industry certifications to strategically align your profile with your career goals.

Protect Your Privacy: Keep Sensitive Info Secure

While LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking, remember that it’s a public space. Be cautious about the information you share. Avoid sharing personal details such as your home address or private phone number, as this could compromise your safety. Only share such information when necessary and directly with trusted contacts. Maintaining control over your personal information helps ensure your privacy and security.   

Additionally, consider adding your pronouns to your profile. Including pronouns can enhance inclusivity and clarity in professional interactions, helping others address you correctly and fostering a more respectful networking environment.

Stay Active: Post, Interact, and Build Your Network

To increase your visibility, consistently share valuable content and engage actively with colleagues and industry peers. This not only keeps your profile active but also expands your network. If you have written articles, blog posts, or participated in webinars, consider showcasing them on your profile to demonstrate your expertise and thought leadership.

Requesting recommendations from colleagues, supervisors, or clients can boost your credibility. Endorsements for your skills highlight your expertise, while endorsing others promotes mutual support.

Conclusions 

LinkedIn is more than just a static profile—it’s a dynamic platform where both visibility and engagement are crucial. Actively engaging with others, sharing insightful content, and showcasing your professional accomplishments can greatly influence how you are  perceived on LinkedIn.Ensure your profile is always up-to-date and reflects your active industry presence. Update job changes, responsibilities, contact details, location, and whether you seek local or remote roles. This consistent  interaction positions you as a professional who is engaged, knowledgeable, and approachable, unlocking new opportunities and connections.

References

  • Long, S. (2016). LinkedIn for personal branding: The ultimate guide. Post Road Press.
  • Bernstein, B. (2022). How to write a KILLER LinkedIn profile… and 18 mistakes to avoid. The Essay Expert LLC.

Written by:

María Luján Ciommo
IT Recruiter
Country: Argentina

Careers Blog, Engineering

Staying Up to Date as a Software Engineer

As software engineers, there is an overwhelming amount of technologies that we either want to or keep up with. Staying current is not only a competitive advantage but also essential for keeping our resumes relevant. I learned this the hard way. 

To address this challenge, I decided to design a structured methodology to effectively stay updated. The approach consists of the following steps:

  1. Gather Information
  2. Filter the Information
  3. Practice What I’ve Learned
  4. Reflect on the Knowledge
  5. Repeat the Process

On top of these five steps, I developed a strategy over the years and have shared it with coworkers and students. The feedback has always been positive. Here’s a detailed look at my approach:

Gathering Information

I like to gather information from diverse sources such as videos, articles, books, news, and newsletters. However, I prefer to consume information asynchronously, on my own schedule. For this, I use an RSS reader, specifically Miniflux. RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication” and is a way to subscribe to periodically published content, which is perfect for my needs. I decided to manage the information gathering with RSS instead of email so I have everything in one place and avoid notifications. This provides me with a dedicated space for information gathering that is fed periodically and automatically with my topics of interest.

Filtering Information

Not all information is equally valuable. To avoid information overload, I filter the content I gather. This involves skimming through articles, reviewing videos, and checking book reviews before committing time to them. I focus on the sources and topics that are most relevant to my current projects and career goals.

Once a day, for 5-10 minutes, I review unread links and skim those that catch my attention. I use the Eisenhower Matrix to decide on each link. I either:

  • Add it to “starred” on Miniflux or to my Pocket.
  • Delete it.
  • Add it to my today’s TO DO list(a simple markdown file per day).

I usually quickly check the content and decide to add it to my reading list

by bookmarking it with a tag. I use Firefox bookmarks since it is my default browser on my devices. If I decide to read an article later, I will add it to Pocket.

 A P2K service automatically sends the content I save in Pocket to my Kindle every Friday, along with the 10 most recent links I’ve saved. This feature is fantastic because it allows me to focus on specific topics depending on the device I’m using.

  •  I may use my phone to quickly review my Pocket list.
  • My laptop if I’m doing some code or POCs.
  • My Kindle if I want to submerge in some reading.

Practicing What I’ve Learned

It’s not enough to just read or watch content; practical application is key. I make it a point to integrate new knowledge into my projects as soon as possible. This might mean implementing a new tool, trying out a new programming language feature, or following a new methodology. I introduced Golang and Typescript to different companies by learning and teaching what I have learned.

Every day, I dedicate 30 minutes to actively learning about specific technologies. This time helps me stay updated with the latest trends in the industry. I might spend this time:

  • Reading an article.
  • Working on a proof of concept (POC), or
  • Reading a chapter of a technical book.

 The choice of activity depends on my energy levels and current interest in a topic. I trust the content because it has already been gathered and filtered through a process. Putting this knowledge into practice is crucial. By working on POCs or coding exercises allows me to turn theoretical knowledge into practical skills. This hands-on experience reinforces my learning and helps me understand how to apply new concepts in real-world situations.

Consistently dedicating time to learning and practicing new skills builds on previous sessions, gradually increases my proficiency and depth of understanding. It is compound knowledge.

Reflecting on the Knowledge

Reflection is an often-overlooked step in the learning process. After applying new knowledge, I take the time to think about what worked, what didn’t, and why. This helps solidify the learning and allows me to make changes for future applications. I use my journal for this reflection process.

Repeating the Process

The final step is to repeat the process. Staying updated is an ongoing effort. Technology evolves rapidly, and there is always something new to learn. By consistently applying this method, I ensure I remain current in my field.

Conclusion

Keeping up to date as a software engineer requires a deliberate and structured approach. By gathering information from diverse sources, filtering it, practicing it, reflecting on it, and repeating the process, I stay ahead in my field. This method has been effective for me and has received positive feedback from those I’ve shared it with. I highly recommend trying these tools and methods to see how they work for you.

Bibliography

Written by:

Lester Angulo
Sr. FullStack Engineer
Country: Costa Rica

Careers Blog, Employee Spotlight, Mismo Blog, Talent Spotlight, Women in STEM

Joyce Araujo’s Journey: From Brazil to Global Impact in Technology

Mismo thrives on the strength of its exceptional team. We provide top-tier remote software development teams that seamlessly integrate with companies worldwide, driving exceptional results. Many organizations have partnered with Mismo to augment their development capabilities and achieve their technology goals.

At the heart of these successful teams are the talented individuals who make Mismo what it is. We’re committed to celebrating our remarkable employees and their invaluable contributions to our company culture. Our employee spotlights showcase the genuine relationships we’ve forged with team members and clients, highlighting their dedication and the positive impact they have on our collaborative environment.

Meet: Joyce Araujo

FullStack Engineer

Country: Brazil

  • Tell us a little about yourself: I am a 31-year-old woman from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with an enduring curiosity about how things work—a passion that led me to pursue Computer Science. I chose this field because it offers endless opportunities to explore diverse areas, and in recent years, it has enabled me to collaborate with people from around the globe. The flexibility of remote work has been transformative, allowing me to engage with dynamic teams and gain unique perspectives.
  • What initially attracted you to engineering and how have you found inspiration in this career? The opportunity to tackle complex problems and develop innovative solutions has been incredibly rewarding. In a country like Brazil, where inequality remains a significant challenge, technology has opened doors to opportunities I might not have found in other fields. The more I work in tech, the more I recognize its transformative potential—not only in reshaping how we live but also in giving us more time to focus on what truly matters, like family and personal connections. Technology holds the remarkable power to democratize information, breaking down geographical and social barriers. While some regions still lack access, it’s inspiring to see how it connects us to global issues and makes the world feel smaller—in the best possible way.

  • What innovation or technical advancement have you been a part of that you consider to have made a milestone in your engineering field? I’ve had the privilege of working on impactful projects, ranging from developing AI-powered diagnostic tools in healthcare to optimizing logistics. Currently, I’m focused on autonomous vehicle technology, a field I believe will revolutionize transportation. It’s deeply fulfilling to contribute to advancements that enhance lives and transform industries.

  • What made you choose Mismo? Mismo values work-life balance, which is my top priority when selecting a company. We regularly hold meetings that allow us to connect on a deeper level, play games, and discuss market trends, among other activities.

  • How would you describe the work environment at Mismo? Mismo values gender diversity and actively considers how it influences our daily work and productivity. I feel supported and appreciated, which makes a world of difference in staying motivated and fulfilled in my role.

  • What learning and development opportunities have you had at Mismo and how have you utilized these opportunities to grow as a professional? Mismo offers the flexibility to dedicate time to learning and growth, whether through formal training, self-directed exploration, or exchanging knowledge with teammates.

  • What is your personal vision of a future where gender equity is a reality in all organizations, including Mismo? It’s a future where women are not only present but are leading, influencing, and shaping decisions at every level. A future where everyone, regardless of gender, has equal opportunities to grow, contribute, and succeed. Inclusive workplaces, where diverse perspectives are valued equally, and where the barriers that have historically held women back are eliminated.

  • What aspects of working at Mismo’s engineering team make you proud and motivate you in your daily tasks? The environment fosters open communication, allowing me to seek help and share ideas freely, knowing that my voice is valued. Additionally, Mismo’s emphasis on work-life balance and support for gender diversity cultivates an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, which motivates me to contribute with enthusiasm every day.

  • How do you believe the company and engineering can positively impact the world, people’s lives, and make a difference in their respective industries? Creating solutions that truly address everyday challenges and make life easier for people.

  • What Mismo policies or practices have helped you improve your work-life balance? Flexible PTO!

  • What inspiring advice would you give to someone considering a career in engineering or looking to join a company like Mismo? Never give up—ask for help whenever you need it. Happy endings always come from great effort.

  • What tools or technologies do you use most frequently in your daily work as an engineer at Mismo? Lately, I’ve been using tools like Copilot, JetBrains AI Assistant, and ChatGPT to boost my productivity and problem-solving. However, effectively communicating my needs and collaborating with teammates remains a crucial part of the ongoing process of finding solutions.
Careers Blog, Mismo Blog, Talent Spotlight, Women in STEM

Inspiring Through Code: Meet “Joss” Guzmán

Mismo thrives on the strength of its exceptional team. We provide top-tier remote software development teams that seamlessly integrate with companies worldwide, driving exceptional results. Many organizations have partnered with Mismo to augment their development capabilities and achieve their technology goals.

At the heart of these successful teams are the talented individuals who make Mismo what it is. We’re committed to celebrating our remarkable employees and their invaluable contributions to our company culture. Our employee spotlights showcase the genuine relationships we’ve forged with team members and clients, highlighting their dedication and the positive impact they have on our collaborative environment.

Meet: Josseline Guzmán

Jr. Software Engineer
Country: Costa Rica

  • Tell us a little about yourself: I’m a software engineer from Costa Rica who loves video games and rating movies on letterboxd.
  • What initially attracted you to engineering and how have you found inspiration in this career? I have always loved challenges and solving problems and that’s a big part of being a software engineer. I found inspiring starting a new day ready to tackle problems and open to new learning opportunities.
  • What innovation or technical advancement have you been a part of that you consider to have made a milestone in your engineering field? At Mismo we work really closely with startups, which enhances and values creativity and innovation because they are keys to develop unique products and services and we are able to see the impact that our work can provide.
  • What made you choose Mismo? I had the opportunity to know about Mismo in the process of starting an internship and I found their values and culture able to tone with mine. Since day one I have been really happy and sure it was a great decision.
  • How would you describe the work environment at Mismo? We are like a family, the remote culture isn’t a limitation because Mismo ensures we share and help each other, which at the same time is a reflection of Mismo’s values and ours as collaborators.
  • What learning and development opportunities have you had at Mismo and how have you utilized these opportunities to grow as a professional? There are many opportunities such as learning platforms, resources and a personalized career path. At Mismo they are aware that each collaborator has a different background and milestones to achieve.
  • What is your personal vision of a future where gender equity is a reality in all organizations, including Mismo?  Women have access to the same opportunities as men and we also change our mindset as a society.
  • What aspects of working at Mismo’s engineering team make you proud and motivate you in your daily tasks? Fellowship, empathy and all of us are always open to help and learn from each other, so we can grow up as a team and individuals.
  • How do you believe the company and engineering can positively impact the world, people’s lives, and make a difference in their respective industries? As I mentioned before, software engineering has taken a place in plenty of industries and people’s lives, software is a tool that can help people and become a solution to different challenges.
  • What Mismo policies or practices have helped you improve your work-life balance? Thanks to Mismo policies, I’m able to work remote and flexible hours, so I can balance personal and work life.
  • What inspiring advice would you give to someone considering a career in engineering or looking to join a company like Mismo? Give it a try, It’s a wonderful company full of opportunities that can enrich their professional path.
  • What tools or technologies do you use most frequently in your daily work as an engineer at Mismo? I mostly use Ruby on Rails, React and GraphQL which are fundamental for the projects and features I work on a daily basis.
Careers Blog, Employee Spotlight, Mismo Blog, Talent Spotlight

From Data to Impact: Fabián Sánchez’s Career in Colombia

Mismo thrives on the strength of its exceptional team. We provide top-tier remote software development teams that seamlessly integrate with companies worldwide, driving exceptional results. Many organizations have partnered with Mismo to augment their development capabilities and achieve their technology goals.

At the heart of these successful teams are the talented individuals who make Mismo what it is. We’re committed to celebrating our remarkable employees and their invaluable contributions to our company culture. Our employee spotlights showcase the genuine relationships we’ve forged with team members and clients, highlighting their dedication and the positive impact they have on our collaborative environment.

Meet: Fabián Sánchez

Data Analyst
Country: Colombia

  • Tell us a little about yourself: I’m a sociologist and economist from the National University of Colombia. I’ve been working for the data analytics team for 2 and a half years now.
  • What initially attracted you to engineering and how have you found inspiration in this career? I’m not an engineer, but I found interest in data the first time I started working on this. I started working for non profit organizations that collected and analyzed data about the conflict in Colombia and I found a lot of value and potential there. This never gets boring as you combine technical skills with other soft skills. You have to know how to tell a story, how to convince people, how to sell an idea and how the organization works in order to bring value to the table, while also keeping up to date with other technical requirements, coding languages and new tools.
  • What innovation or technical advancement have you been a part of that you consider to have made a milestone in your engineering field? There’s innovation everywhere, but I’d say that automating and improving some businesses processes. We have implemented some innovations that are saving thousands of hours to the company and helping people get rid of some manual and repetitive work to start doing what they’re best at.
  • What made you choose Mismo? I’m kind of an outlier since Mismo contacted me directly. However, I’ve found a lot of value in Mismo: Everyone from the HR team is available and happy to help with anything you need. People are kind, clear and open. This definitely helps create a healthier work environment, create engagement with other coworkers and bring some stability and benefits that contractors don’t usually have.
  • How would you describe the work environment at Mismo? Collaborative and kind!
  • What learning and development opportunities have you had at Mismo and how have you utilized these opportunities to grow as a professional? I was promoted recently, which required an incredible amount of work and effort. I’ve made contact with people from all kinds of different backgrounds and perspectives, learning new ways to do things and improving my own work habits. It’s surprising that, besides all the technical abilities you have to learn, you also end up improving some soft skills and at a personal level too.
  • What aspects of working at Mismo’s engineering team make you proud and motivate you in your daily tasks? I’d say being part of a team that is mainly in South America. I think there’s a lot of talent here that has not been fully explored yet. I also think we break stereotypes and make people change their minds regarding certain preconceptions that are somewhat generalized.
  • How do you believe the company and engineering can positively impact the world, people’s lives, and make a difference in their respective industries? Making life easier for all kinds of teams within the company. We’re constantly helping people make better decisions, sooner, and this implies getting rid of manual work, automating processes, making tasks faster and easier. This allows workers to have more free time to enjoy their time doing what they love, while keeping a high productivity at work.
  • What Mismo policies or practices have helped you improve your work-life balance? Karma activities help me distract from my day to day work and clear up my mind a bit. Some other socialization activities are super nice to have and have helped me know my coworkers better. Finally, having the opportunity to work remotely has helped me work in different environments, adjust times to my own schedule and have more time to do other things I love
  • What inspiring advice would you give to someone considering a career in engineering or looking to join a company like Mismo? Be your best, do your best! There’s a world out there waiting to be explored, and constantly challenging ourselves is what makes life interesting 
  • What tools or technologies do you use most frequently in your daily work as an engineer at Mismo? Snowflake, Tableau, Visual Studio, Retool, Google Suite
Careers Blog, Find Remote Work, Job Applications

Working in the U.S. remotely: How to apply for a job?

Buenos Aires (Argentina), March 2023. Fully remote employment, which benefits both companies and their employees, comes with certain features, such as saving time and money on commutes and the ability to work from anywhere in the world, reducing stress levels and improving mental health.

Certainly, working remotely (especially in the field of engineering and IT development) offers numerous attractive benefits for anyone, as achieving a balance between personal and professional life is a top priority and need in today’s world.

But what does it take to apply for one of these dream jobs that offer not only dollar salaries and job flexibility but also the opportunity to work and learn from emerging startups in Silicon Valley?

What you need to apply

Having at least a B2 level of English (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is essential to access these positions and stand out among other candidates, considering that for companies like Mismo (which offers software consulting), there are no distinctions of gender, age, or race when hiring.

“Speaking a second language is a powerful competitive advantage because it allows us to thrive in multiple cultural and professional spaces. Mastering another language, in addition to your native one, will enhance opportunities, meaning the possibility of entering a global workforce increases significantly,” says Diego Gamboa, Chief Technology Officer of Mismo.

Furthermore, continuous training and development of the skills that the job market is currently demanding, such as software development and data science, are necessary to take the first step toward remote work in the digital world. For American companies, these skills are a differentiating factor, but they are aligned with soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and creativity.

It’s worth noting that in the current global situation, where economic instability has led many companies to conduct mass layoffs, Mismo continues to strengthen its IT workforce due to its talent selection and training processes. This effectively positions and incorporates Latin American engineers, specifically Argentinians, who have become essential not only because of the time zone and geographic location but also due to their commitment, passion, and technical and professional expertise over the years.

Forum Desai, co-founder and CEO of the software consultancy firm with over a decade of experience providing IT consultancy through Latin American talent to American companies, primarily located in San Francisco, CA, says, “At Mismo, we seek to inspire, showcase, and connect Argentine professionals with leading IT firms. We are aware that we may be facing a global recession, but here, we believe in the transformative power of our talent and the contributions each of them makes to the organizations we connect them with to create materialized opportunities.” She adds, “One of our goals is to recognize the importance of working together with a clear objective to boost our clients’ results and our employees’ growth.”

Ready to Apply?

Those interested in applying for these positions can do so at Mismo Jobs

Find Remote Work

Vacancies in foreign companies offer payments in dollars to Costa Rican talent

San José (Costa Rica), January 2023. Costa Rica, due to its proximity in time zones and geographical location similar to the United States, has become an attractive destination for hundreds of foreign companies seeking qualified software developers who can quickly join their teams and take advantage of the numerous benefits of remote work. Employees under this arrangement typically receive various professional and personal growth incentives, in addition to a salary paid in dollars.

This is precisely one of the sectors that has benefited the most from the local currency’s performance against international currencies, a situation akin to that experienced by other Latin American countries facing irregular financial fluctuations, while the global strength of the US dollar persists.

According to job listings on Costa Rican job portals, IT professionals from Costa Rica who work remotely for these companies can earn up to twice as much as the national average salary without having to leave their homes. They also have access to additional perks, such as covering their internet connection expenses or setting up a home office for added convenience.

One software consulting firm that connects local talent with such opportunities, often concentrated in the rapidly growing startups of Silicon Valley, is Mismo. “We take pride in creating growth and transformation opportunities for software engineers in Latin America. At Mismo, we are fortunate to bring together ideas from different parts of the continent, fostering the creativity of each of our collaborators. This guarantees optimal and innovative solutions for the companies we partner with,” assures Forum Desai, co-founder and CEO of this renowned software consulting firm, recognized for its significant impact in recent years in connecting Latin American talent with US-based companies, primarily in San Francisco, California, as well as other parts of the United States.

In addition to the competitive US dollar-based salary, Mismo’s offerings include various benefits, such as flexible work schedules, paid time off, internet and education reimbursements, and professional development programs, among others. Because of this, Diego Gamboa, Chief Technology Officer of the company, recommends that Costa Ricans applying for these positions with such bonuses (which can be found at https://mismo.team/) should prepare for interviews in advance, refresh their knowledge of fundamentals and general knowledge areas, and highlight both technical and soft skills. It is essential to note that at least a B2 level of English proficiency is required to succeed.

“On a daily basis, we are deeply interested in understanding the needs of each person we hire, supporting them comprehensively to facilitate their development and growth in their professions,” says the executive. “In the midst of 2023 and post-pandemic, the workforce has given considerable thought to achieving a better work-life balance. That’s why, at Mismo, we constantly consider how to create growth opportunities for Costa Rican engineers through technology, educational programs, and the enhancement of both soft and technical skills, ensuring professional development aligns with the objectives of the companies we collaborate with,” says Gamboa.