.gov to .comMaking the Switch to the Private Sector

#G2CDCLink to these slides: http://bit.ly/govtocom

What Are You Going to Learn?

● What it's like in to work in commercial● Is it for you?● How to find a company you like● How to get a job● Open discussion, ask questions!

○ Moderator: Ian Jones - Founder, FluidHire○ Dave Sandrowitz - VP Client Services, Optoro○ Mo Patel - Director of BI, AddThis○ Andrew Willis - VP Technology, CustomInk○ Charlie Reverte - VP Engineering, AddThis

Why are you here?

?Seriously..

Where We Work

● Social/Data Tools● Founded in 2004● Tyson's Corner● 120 employees

● E-commerce● Founded in 2000● Tyson's Corner● 600+ Employees

What it's Like to Work Here

● Choose your own adventure● Unstructured environment● Flexible hours, workload● Build something your friends can see● More than one customer● Latest technology● Hackathons

How to Succeed

● It's up to you● Teach yourself and get engaged● Look for ways to add value● Build relationships with others● Ask how you can help

Is it for you?

● Have to keep re-inventing yourself● No bonus for your clearance or certifications● Companies are sometimes less stable● Non-linear career path● Are you hungry?

But There Are Advantages

● Invest in your resume● Your work is often publicly visible● Blog and participate in open source● Build a name for yourself● Experiment with the latest tech● No contract end-date● Upside - stock options

○ Do you want to hear more about options?

What Makes a Good Company

● Solving a valuable problem● Loved by their customers● Strong team, trustworthy leadership● Culture: open and honest● Financials - it's ok to ask?● Trendiness/buzz not always good

What to Look For

● Has a mission you care about● Company and personal growth potential● Do they share your values?● Upside, will give you a stake● Age and size to match your risk profile● Rapport with your interviewers

How to Find Companies

Aside from indeed..● Go to meetups● AngelList - https://angel.co/washington-dc● proudlymadeindc.com● Biz Journal's 2013 Best Places to Work● Hackathons● Talk to your friends

What We Look For

● Self-starters● Motivation● Curiosity: side projects, coursera● What have you done?● Portfolio: github > certifications● Team players, no attitudes● Have you researched us?● Would you really love it here?● Resume turnoffs - acronyms and buzzwords

Ultimately it's About Ownership

● Of your work● Of the company● Of your career● It's up to you!

Panel Discussion

Link to these slides:http://bit.ly/govtocom

OK, what's next?

● Learn○ Proudly Made in DC - http://proudlymadeindc.com/○ Potomac Tech Wire, TechCrunch, DCTech Fb

● Do○ Pick up new, emerging skills○ Build something

● Connect○ StackOverflow, GitHub communities○ Generalized and specialized meetups

● Share○ Show what you are learning and building; the right

people will notice

Stock Options

● Scale - new car, new house or new life?● The denominator matters● Vesting● Exit● Tax basics