Braedon Dorsey’s Post

Searching for jobs isn't easy, it's time-consuming and emotionally draining work. But I find myself grateful that in this time and space, I have the opportunity to do a couple things that I really enjoy: 1) Reflect on my past work and skills in new ways. How do I recognize what I've done and translate it to a new audience? How do I make connections between the work I've done and the work they're hoping to do? 2) Learn and create new things. What skills can I brush up on? What new skills can I pursue? How can I apply my skills to new tasks and problems? I'm taking space to be grateful for these things today, to avoid letting the stressful parts blind me to the good parts—the opportunities to pursue growth. And, of course, I'm also grateful to the people on this journey with me: my colleagues who were also laid off, my former colleagues who are signal boosting job opportunities they see for us and making connections, and anyone who has sent a kind message or text or comment. Thank you for being the best part.

Exploring New Directions: Navigating Career Crossroads 🤔 As I find myself at a pivotal moment in my career journey, I'm taking the time to reflect on where my passions lie and where I see myself in the future. Having had the privilege of experiencing both the challenges of software engineering and the responsibilities of management, I'm faced with a choice: to continue down my current path or to explore new avenues. The decision to transition back to a software engineering role or to pursue further opportunities in management is one I'm carefully considering. Each path offers its own set of rewards and challenges, and I'm taking the time to weigh my options, considering factors such as my strengths, aspirations, and the impact I hope to make. While I haven't yet reached a definitive conclusion, I'm excited by the prospect of embracing change and discovering a path that aligns with my values and ambitions. I'm grateful for the support of my network during this introspective journey and welcome any insights, advice, or opportunities that may help inform my decision. As I navigate this period of exploration and self-discovery, I'm reminded that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to career development. Each individual's path is unique, shaped by personal experiences, passions, and aspirations. I look forward to the journey ahead and the opportunities for growth and fulfillment it may bring.

Reflecting on the past month, I've found myself navigating the space between full-time positions. While this period can certainly be challenging, I've come to recognize the invaluable lessons that temporary and contract roles offer. Exactly one month ago, I bid farewell to my previous full-time position. Since then, my journey has been marked by milestones: 😊 Applying to over 100 job opportunities. 😥 Experiencing rejection from 18 of those applications. 😩 Finding myself left on 'read' by 3 recruiters. 😇 Engaging in 4 interviews and phone screenings. 💖 Successfully completing my inaugural contract assignment with Tews Company. These experiences have underscored the significance of temporary and contract positions for professionals. They provide an avenue for expanding one's skill set in diverse environments while offering clarity on the type of work and workplace culture that align best with long-term career satisfaction. As I continue to explore new opportunities, I remain grateful for the insights gained during this transitional phase and am appreciative of any connections anyone may be able to throw my way! 🌻

After 3.5 years, it’s bittersweet to announce that I’ll be moving on from my time at Proof (fka Notarize).  In this time, I’ve experienced some of the largest accomplishments of my career and I couldn’t have done it without some of the best team members I’ve worked with to date.  While I’ll no longer be on the team, I’ll be louding cheering for the success of the team developing one of the most influential products I’ve ever been a part of helping influence.  While my time at Proof was filled with a roller coaster of highs and lows such as navigating a pandemic fueled booming real estate market from 2020-2021 into a slowing market in 2022 and 2023 as well as learning how to balance a career while being a first time Dad, I wouldn’t change it for the world.  The opportunity to learn and grow both professionally and personally is an experience that will serve me exponentially into the future.  In the meantime, I plan on taking some time for myself and my family over the next few months (for those of you that know me well, let’s be serious…it’s ski season), but remain open to opportunities for my next endeavor.  One thing that has not changed in the last 3.5 years is my passion for working towards a best in class experiences for both customers and employees.  Building and developing performance driven teams that have a foundation in continuous improvement is something that I firmly believe has a resounding effect on both customers and the people serving them. This is something I will not waiver from and hope to continue to offer in my next role.  The tags that would be relevant to say thank you are many, so rather than run the risk of forgetting anyone, I would just say thank you to all of those that I’ve worked with this past 3.5 years. It’s been a pleasure and I hope the feeling is mutual.  I’m sure many of our paths will cross again in the future and I wouldn’t have it any other way. To my network, I’d love to hear from you about where you are in life.  Knowing many are currently in the job market as well, let’s plan some huddles to discuss our experiences and hold each other accountable to not letting the turbulence get us down!  I’d love to reconnect with anyone interested! 

Career trajectories are fascinating. I have long admired those who possessed a clear sense of their desired vocation from a young age. Such certainty provides a fairly defined path to follow. Then there are those like myself who have navigated their professional journeys based on interests and passions. While my route has had its twists and turns, it's been enriched by invaluable experiences and connections for which I'm so grateful. I've also learned that there are multiple paths that can lead to our own vision of success and happiness. I'm proud of my career thus far and am excited to see where the journey takes me next! Who am I today? I am a client advocate. I am a goal crusher. I am a company loyalist. I'm passionate about retention and client success. As I start to explore the next path in my career, I'm eager to utilize my skills with a team that values, supports and aims to grow their client base. Preferably, a mission-driven company that recognizes the importance of SMB/mid-market clients. If you or anyone in your network knows of a role that may be a good fit, I'd love to connect.

The path forward to success is through customers (no-duh). Not using them to grow but helping them and having growth as a by-product of true positive impact. That's really easy to say, but exactly how? Well first, you need to be engaged with them, in some shared purpose, like using your product or service (another no-duh). Note, getting them to be customers in the first place is very hard, but let's assume you have a few. Then what? Next you need some way to figure out what they really need (often not what they are saying...). To do that you need empathic, business-minded teammates who are smart enough to advise clients but humble enough to realize they are always learning so they listen. They know what to listen for. They know what to ask about. Summer Boyd was a great teammate (Lev, a Cognizant Company) who helped us grow in this very manner.

An asset to any organization, Zohar is a results driven leader who builds highly engaged teams.

Commenting for reach. Anyone who has met my husband will agree, he's one of the smartest people they've ever met in their lives. A true savant. Able to literally learn anything in minutes. He's got a lot of great management experience, and is one of the strongest leaders I know (his teams will attest!). After killing it in product and in marketing, he decided to move on to sales with no sales experience...and won the national top sales award at his company by year two. If you are looking for a unicorn, you have found him - and I'm not saying that from a place of bias because I'm his wife. (Although, I do have great taste!) I'm saying that because he never ceases to amaze me...yet again. #unicorn #sales #management #opentowork

Embracing Hope & Encouragement in the Job search Journey ☀️ Dear LinkedIn community, As we enter the holiday season and gear up for the new fiscal year, I am reaching out to tap into the incredible network we have here. I've been actively seeking a Product Manager role and have noticed a promising surge in hiring lately. Any referrals / Connections / opportunities will be helpful. Your support means a lot, and together, I believe we can make the start of the new year even more promising. In these moments of reflection, I find myself empathizing with those facing similar challenges. It's crucial to hold onto hope. Allow me to share a sentiment that resonates deeply with me: "For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." To everyone navigating uncertainties and seeking opportunities, maintain faith and hope. Miracles still happen, even when it may not feel like it. Believe in your journey, have faith, & confidence in your abilities and know that your moment will come. Wishing you all a hopeful and joy-filled holiday season.