Bytes of Brilliance: To Boost or Not To Boost
Highlighting the Stories we Feel Should Have Been Boosted
In October, we announced that we had been included in the Medium Boost Program. It took us some time to figure out what the Boost program was looking for in stories that they would accept into the Boost program.
In the first two months we participated, our acceptance rate was only 22%. We learned from our trial and error and saw it increase to 33% in December.
So we were thrilled in January when we achieved a 50% acceptance rate! We also started working more closely with the writers on their stories to help them get boosted. That went well; we held the 50% acceptance rate through February.
Something changed in March; our acceptance rate has dropped below 50%, even though we feel we are still submitting fantastic content to the Medium Boost curators.
Unfortunately, the way the boost program works, we don’t receive any feedback on why the stories are not boosted. Here is an example of the boost email that we get. It will either say that it was selected for boost or not, but we don’t get any more information.
We know that the Medium curation team has a lot on their plate, so we’ll continue to do our best to learn from the results of our nominations.
We're excited to share some fantastic stories submitted to the boosting program this month with you. Although they didn't receive a boost, they're still worth reading! We'd love for you to take a look and enjoy them. So, grab a coffee and settle in - these stories will make your day!
How to Be Bold and Speak Up In Meetings
Summary
Gain confidence in meetings with helpful tips from Vinita. Overcome obstacles such as imposter syndrome and fear of judgment to make your voice heard. These valuable insights will empower you to navigate meetings easily, whether you are a beginner or an experienced professional.
Why We Love It
- Empowering transformation: It helps readers overcome barriers and find their voice.
- Action-oriented: Offers practical steps for immediate implementation.
- Encourages authenticity: Promotes genuine self-expression and confidence.
- Universal relevance: Applicable to individuals across all career stages.
Owning Your Career: How to Smash Your Next Pay Review
By Kelly Benson
Summary
This article is a comprehensive guide on confidently navigating pay reviews and focusing on empowering women in the workplace. It breaks down the process into five actionable steps: understanding the review process, self-assessment, gathering feedback, market analysis, and presentation. It emphasizes preparation and self-reflection and offers practical strategies for negotiating fair compensation effectively.
Why We Love It
- Empowers Women: The article addresses the gender pay gap issue and provides practical strategies for women to assert themselves in pay negotiations.
- Practical Guidance: It offers concrete steps and examples, making the advice actionable and applicable to real-life situations.
- Holistic Approach: Covering various aspects of the pay review process provides a comprehensive framework for success.
- Encourages Confidence: Emphasizing preparation and self-advocacy encourages readers to approach pay reviews confidently, fostering workplace empowerment.
Would You Return to the Office for a 30% Pay Increase?
Summary
The article explores the financial implications of returning to the office for a 30% pay increase, comparing it to the current work-from-home (WFH) setup. Using Ontario, Canada, tax rates as an example, the author calculates the net benefits of a salary increase and weighs them against potential costs associated with commuting, housing, childcare, wardrobe, grooming, and dining out. The analysis reveals that, in many cases, the increased salary may not offset the expenses incurred by returning to the office.
Why We Love It
- Realistic Assessment: The article provides a practical examination of the financial aspects of returning to the office, considering various factors beyond the salary increase.
- Detailed Analysis: It breaks down the potential costs associated with commuting, housing, and other lifestyle changes, offering readers a comprehensive view of the situation.
- Empowers Decision-Making: The article clearly compares the financial implications of staying at home versus returning to the office, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their work arrangements.
- Personal Perspective: The author shares their experience and verdict, adding a personal touch that resonates with readers facing similar choices.
Spotting Red Flags in Your First Week as a Software Engineer 🚩
Summary
The article discusses the crucial first-week experience for software engineers, highlighting nine red flags that may indicate potential challenges ahead. It emphasizes the importance of observing team dynamics, communication patterns, access to resources, and company culture during this period to make informed decisions about one’s career.
Why We Love It:
- Insightful Guidance: The article provides valuable insights for software engineers starting a new job, helping them navigate the complexities of the initial week with clarity.
- Practical Advice: By outlining specific red flags to watch out for, the article offers actionable advice that readers can apply directly to their own experiences, enhancing their ability to assess and respond to potential challenges effectively.
- Empowerment: The article empowers software engineers to take ownership of their career paths and make informed decisions about their professional development by encouraging individuals to trust their instincts and proactively address concerns.
- Relevance: The discussion of team dynamics, communication, and access to resources resonates with anyone entering a new role, making the article highly relevant and relatable to a broad audience of professionals.
- Bonus: We love the image they used for the article!!
Navigating The Chaos: Strategies For Success In Today’s Turbulent Job Market
By Neela
Summary
The article shares Derrick’s journey of navigating the challenging job market and landing a role through unconventional methods after eight months of fruitless searching. It explores the concept of the hidden job market, where many job openings exist but are not publicly advertised, offering strategies for job seekers to tap into this lucrative yet often overlooked territory.
Why We Love It:
- Inspiring Narrative: Derrick’s story provides inspiration for job seekers facing similar challenges, demonstrating the power of persistence and thinking outside the box in a competitive job market.
- Practical Advice: The article doesn’t just recount Derrick’s experience but also provides actionable tips for job seekers to explore the hidden job market, empowering them with practical strategies to enhance their job search efforts.
- Insightful Analysis: By delving into the concept of the hidden job market, the article sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of job hunting, helping readers understand why traditional methods may not always yield results and offering alternative approaches for success.
- Human-Centric Approach: The author acknowledges the frustrations and complexities of the modern job search process, empathizing with readers and offering encouragement to navigate the challenges with resilience and adaptability.
And that's a wrap! We hope you enjoy this collection of articles, each filled with valuable insights and practical tips to assist you in excelling in your professional journey. Whether it's enhancing your confidence in meetings or navigating the concealed job market, we hope you found what you were looking for.
Become a Code Like A Girl Writer
https://code.likeagirl.io/become-a-code-like-a-girl-writer-e9c996addedb
As we continue to grow and refine our platform, we’ve significantly enhanced our writing guidelines to ensure we can amplify our authors’ voices most effectively. We’ve updated our submission process and will only accept stories in draft form in the future. This change will allow us to collaborate more closely with our writers during editing, ensuring the articles are polished and impactful before publication.
We believe in the power of diverse voices and unique perspectives. If you’re passionate about technology and would like to contribute your insights to our newsletter, we invite you to join our community of writers. To join check out our writer’s guide.
More Amazing Content Awaits at Code Like A Girl!
As we look ahead to the future, we are excited to continue sharing interesting stories, valuable insights, and some fun moments to brighten up your day and inspire your career endeavours. So, sit back, relax, and get ready for some more exciting content that we will bring your way soon!
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Let's toast to a bright future filled with growth, innovation, and empowerment. Until our paths cross again, happy coding!
