Training ML Models

Training Our Own Models at Talk Hiring

At Talk Hiring, we developed NLP-based text classification models to tackle two significant challenges:

1. Analyzing mock job interview transcripts: We focused on detecting the PAR method (Problem-Action-Result) in behavioral interviews and identifying rambling (e.g., discussing multiple unrelated examples).
2. Classifying job application emails: Using our Gmail-API integration, we built a model to classify emails based on whether they pertained to a job application and, if so, determine...

Building Virtuous Product Loops

All great consumer products need positive feedback loops, where events that happen via the product reinforce further usage of the product. Here’s how we built this kind of a virtuous, positive feedback loop within Hire Rewards.

The Challenge

Hire Rewards was struggling. We had a promise that users loved: earn cash back while you job search. However, skepticism was high. Many people feared it was a scam, a fear heightened by the fact that...

Earned Secrets

For the last six years, I have been building Talk Hiring. Our goal has always been to improve the efficiency of the job training program (a.k.a workforce development program), job seeker, and employer triangle.

We started with automated mock interviews to enhance the efficiency of workforce development programs. Initially, we didn’t set out to build an automated mock interviewing tool, but we pivoted to that, and customers liked it a lot (we conduct ~35k automated...

Leveraging Consumer Fintech Apps for Effective Distribution

We were fortunate to discover a highly effective distribution channel for Hire Rewards, our cash back job searching platform: consumer fintech apps.

Consumer fintech apps make excellent partners for apps that help users earn or save money. These fintech apps often feature an “offer wall” presenting various opportunities for user engagement. By helping users save or earn money, these offers enhance user retention, increase bank balances (boosting revenue for the fintech app), and improve overall...

How to Hire on Upwork

Upwork’s wealth of high-quality talent, detailed bios, and ratings is unmatched. Over the years, I’ve hired at least 25 people through Upwork, and it has significantly contributed to my success. Here are some of the key strategies I’ve developed for hiring effectively on Upwork:

1. Avoid Paying for Boosts

I’ve found that paying for boosts is unnecessary. High-quality candidates consistently apply without the need for extra promotion. Save your budget and focus on evaluating...

Signals That You Are Building Something People Want

When building a new product, it often feels like you’re walking through a dense fog. You may be confident that what you’re creating is important and needed, but user metrics and feedback can frequently lead to frustration, fear, and a lack of confidence.

On my journey to creating a product with strong product-market fit (where over 2/3 of users would be very disappointed if it didn’t exist), I discovered some key indicators that provided confidence...

Rethinking Pilots

Pilots can be a challenging proposition for software companies. While they might seem like a good way to attract new customers, they often come with significant downsides. Pilots are typically offered at a lower cost than standard plans, leading to lost revenue. Additionally, once the pilot period ends, you face the task of convincing the customer to continue using your service.

Instead, I’ve developed an alternative approach that has proven to be more effective: offering...

Viral Loops in Hire Rewards

At Talk Hiring, we set out to reinvent the job search experience. We developed an innovative product called Hire Rewards, where job seekers earned cash back as they applied for jobs. It was a unique offering, the only one of its kind on the internet. Similar to how Rakuten and Ibotta provide cash back to attract consumers to brands, we discovered that offering a small cash back incentive (ex. $1 per job submission) was more...

How to Automate Your Customer Support

If you run a business and want to automate most of your customer support for cheap/DIY, follow these steps:

1. Organize Your FAQs

Take your frequently asked questions (FAQs) and put them in a simple, easily editable location. For us, this means using a Google Sheet.

2. Create a Contact Us Form

Develop a straightforward web form for users to contact you.

3. Integrate with an LLM

Every time a user submits...

Getting into Techstars

Today was my last day of the innaugural Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator. It was the greatest entrepreneurial learning experience of my life. But, in this post, I’m not going to talk about that. I’m going to bring you back in time to September 17, 2020.

Over a period of 73 days from July 6 to September 17, I had 7 interviews with Techstars. I was also sending biweekly business status update emails to them....