Author Archives: Kelli Delfosse

How to Interview with Your Whole Self

It's natural that interviewing can sometimes feel unnatural, as it can often be difficult to know “who you're supposed to be” during an interview. You might think that you need to interview in a certain way and try to be …

By Firsthand
We help applicants, students, job-seekers and professionals like you find the right career path using the power of firsthand experiences.
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How to Make Your Voice Heard in the Workplace (Especially as a Woman or Minority)

Have you ever sat silently as a coworker talked for 47 of the 50 minutes allotted for a meeting? Have you mentioned an idea only to be ignored or have someone else say it later and get credit? It can …

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McKelvey Engineering Virtual Meet-Up Draws 20+ Companies

The McKelvey Engineering Virtual Meet-up was held in partnership with the WashU Career Center on Friday, February 26th from 1:00-2:30 p.m. to foster career connections between engineering students and companies. Over 20 engineering and consulting firms attended representing start-ups to …

By Kelli Delfosse
Kelli Delfosse
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The Best Way To Answer Engineering Interview Questions

Want to know the secret to answering the toughest engineering interview questions? The key to the best answers is crafting the perfect PITCH.

You are so excited because you just landed an interview for an engineering job. But then, reality …

By Kelli Delfosse
Kelli Delfosse
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College And Career Advice From A Successful Engineer

Did you know on average Tesla produces 900 Model 3 cars per day? Manufacturing engineers play a pivotal role in achieving this impressive number. They are responsible for everything from determining how the car and the components will be made …

By Kelli Delfosse
Kelli Delfosse
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Working at a Start-up: Advice for Job Seekers on Resumes and Reaching Out

To help job seekers amid this crisis, I’m spending a lot of time doing 1-1s and resume reviews. Below are my most common pieces of advice.

Mail me your resume (ryan@ycombinator.com) if you want feedback or pointers. And if you’re …

By Kelli Delfosse
Kelli Delfosse
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5 Reasons You Should Write a Cover Letter—Even When the Job Description Says It’s Optional

We get it. Writing a cover letter for every application is hard. So when you come across the words “cover letter optional” on a job posting, you might feel a weight lift off of you. After all, your application just …

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What Size Company Is Right for You? Here’s What I’ve Learned Going From Startups to a Fortune 500 Company

Last year, after a decade of working at small startups, I set my sights on larger, established companies: Series Bs, recent IPOs, and the Fortune 500. Recently married, in my mid-30s, and staring down a global pandemic, I was looking …

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The Takeoff Interview: Jim McKelvey (Co-founder of Square, Founder of Invisibly, and Author of The Innovation Stack)

Jim on how Square fought off Amazon, his new book “The Innovation Stack,” starting Square with his former intern Jack Dorsey, what it means to be an entrepreneur, and more.

Interview Guest: Jim McKelvey (Twitter: @2000F)
Role: Co-Founder of Square; …

By Kelli Delfosse
Kelli Delfosse
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Experts Weigh-in On Current Job Market Trends: Featuring WashU’s Tao Ju

Given the change of course that has happened in the world, we wanted to provide expert opinions on what aspiring graduates can do to start off their careers in an uncertain economic climate. We wanted to know what skills will …

By Kelli Delfosse
Kelli Delfosse
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