Skills and puzzles and work

Back in 2007, I applied for an Administrative Associate job at Google. All incoming Admin applicants had to take a test full of LSAT-style logic questions (in addition to a free-writing portion). At the time, I was confused, and assumed it was just something Google did because they were Google and liked testing people. They were big on metrics and applying math to people, and that was SO not my world and I thought it was ridiculous. But I wanted to work at Google. So I studied, and I prepped, and I took the test. I don't know what my exact results were, but I know I scored high enough to earn a coveted role as an "Eng Admin". That is, I was an Administrative Associate supporting a team of engineers (I had hoped for Google Books). Of course, at a company where Engineer is King, they told me that they "save their best Admins for the Engineers" (a nice ego boost, even though it's a ridiculous thing to say - and do).

Anyway, after only a few months working at Google, I learned the importance of that test. Scheduling meetings for the 7 busy executives I supported was like playing Tetris with calendars -- it was all about matchmaking and prioritization and contingencies. If I move this meeting to this spot, what will be affected? How can I maneuver things to get these 20 people in 4 time zones in one 30 minute meeting? If this guy can't make it, can I suggest changes to his own calendar to make room for my boss?

Similar challenges have come up at Disqus, most often when rearranging seating. As a small startup, we have to be nimble. When products or projects change, so change our teams. And teams work best when they can sit near each other, so sometimes we change the seating arrangement every quarter, if not more frequently! While we try to make things as minimally-disruptive as possible, sometimes what's best for productivity is a total overhaul. And when people work on more than one team, things can get a little complicated, and quickly! Not only do you have to consider how to place one specific team within the space in your office, you also have to consider the necessary proximity of each team to each other (for example, if specific people or entire teams work closely together - here's where the whole "people work on multiple teams" things can complicate your seating chart).

It's a lot of "if this, then that". It's like a puzzle, figuring out which pieces go where...but it's a puzzle where the pieces keep changing and there is no one right fit for each piece. It's a fun challenge, and a little bit of a crazy one, but I love it. There's something so satisfying about moving a bunch of pieces around, over and over, until you find the right combination. Especially satisfying if the people you're doing it for appreciate your time and talents :)


What are some skills you never thought you'd need? What did you realize you're good at, perhaps only after you realized how important it was?

ICYMI: Blogged at Disqus

In case you missed it, here's a link to my blog post on the Disqus blog about finding community at the BlogHer conference this year. Community is incredibly important to me, and working at Disqus is invigorating...working for a company that builds products to make better online communities and a better internet? Hell yeah. Working to make our company a great community of its own? Hell yeah. Connecting in real life (IRL) to communities I'm a part of online? Hell yeah.

<3

This Is Halloween

It's not too late to share Halloween pictures, is it? Good.

After the Nightmare in Elmwood, I was determined to have an awesome Halloween. And it was just the kind of low-key fun time I was hoping for. We had an awesome work party, with pumpkin carving, witches' brew, a costume contest, and lots of rad decorations...all dreamed up by my kick ass People Ops team. They really are the best. And bonus: I got to carve an extra pumpkin, which I took home to replace our stolen babies.

After work, our lovely friends Sonja and Jack came over and we headed down to the neighborhood block party. Now, this neighborhood goes pretty nuts...the street shuts down for several blocks, people do crazy displays and interactive walkthroughs in their yards, and it's estimated that we handed out 2,000 pieces of candy over the course of about 3 hours (the cops shut it all down around 9pm). The block party is family-friendly, and there was a wide range of costumed folks out there, from the babies that were almost too cute to look at to the teenagers we forced to explain their "costumes" in order to receive candy.

After the festivities, we headed back to our place for candy and youtube videos (Chromecast, thank you for working!) and seasonal beers. A fine mix while catching those last groups of trick-or-treaters. I tell ya, after reading this, I have a new place in my heart for the half-costumed teenagers. And what the heck, why not give out the last of the candy at 11pm?

Anyway, here are my photos from Disqusoween (work party) and Halloweevening (after work). I hope your Halloweens were fun and spooky and candy-filled and just as awesome as you wanted them to be.

Disqus 2012

If you're reading this on my blog and not in a reader of some sort, you may have noticed that the commenting system looks a little different. If you've been reading for a while, you know that I work for Disqus. And if you've been doing your online-tech-startup-etc-research, you might know that we just beta launched the latest version of our system.

You can read more about it and sign up to test it out on your own blog or website here!

There's still a ways to go before the Big Fancy Public Launch next month, but you can get a sneak peek right here :) So play around, and let the team know what you think via the feedback link (or just let me know and I'll pass it along).

How Not to Get a Job

A quickie little post to tide you over until I post a big, photo-laden post about the proposal...

I've been helping our CEO hire for one of our open positions at Disqus, and I've been absolutely horrified (and ok, entertained) by some of the atrocious cover letters in my inbox.  I remember going through the same thing last year at Fantasy, and it never fails to make me just a little bit sad.

That said, I thought I'd offer a little advice (or anti-advice, really) -- How Not To Get A Job 

• Capitalize random words in the middle of your sentences.
• Use the wrong job title in your cover letter. The more times the better!
• Better yet, don't include a cover letter at all!
• Write entire paragraphs with no punctuation.
• Address your letter to "sirs".
• Have a 2 (or three!) page resume when you just graduated from college 6 months ago.
• Just copy paste chunks of your resume (or worse, our job posting) into your cover letter. No need to customize!
• Wax on and on about your "freakish obsession with grammar" but fail to recognize the difference between a comma and a semicolon only one sentence later. 

These are just a few of the lovely tips I have to offer.  I'd quote bits from cover letters, but that just seems mean.

Seriously, people.  If you want a job, learn to write.  And if you're applying for a job in recruiting, you should probably know how to submit a proper application.

Rant over.

Just your average Friday

So, I have a crapload of things to blog about (seriously, I need to take a day off work and just sit and blog.  What's that you say? It's called a weekend?  Yeah, well, too bad I am always too lazy busy).  I have blank walls to brainstorm about and gooey cheesy pictures to show you, and yes, the inevitable gardening mishaps. But hey, guess what? Will and I are going to Sonoma this weekend for a little getaway, just the two of us.  We're hoping to kayak in Bodega Bay, and we're getting massages tomorrow night...ahh, to relax. Such a joy. Unfortunately for you (oh I know, I see the tears a-comin'), that means I probably won't blog this weekend, unless I am feeling not lazy inspired on Sunday when we get back.

But oh well.  Because look! I'm blogging now!  Even if it's not what I meant to blog about.  This Friday at work has just had some silly moments, and I've been enjoying myself, and I want to share. Because despite some truly crazypants things that are going on in the world, and in our lives, sometimes you solve a crossword puzzle with your boyfriend, and sometimes things happen that make you laugh, and well, I think those are the things worth sharing.  See how I snuck that whole crossword puzzle thing in there? Yeah, super cool.


Exhibit A:

Yes, I felt the need to include this in our weekly company newsletter.
You may need to click to enlarge to read it.

Exhibit B:

I finally found out why some of the leaves of the plant by my desk look like they were attacked by a five year old with dull scissors.  See: helicopter blades.  See also: inability to control a landing.  Sadly, my iPhone lacks the ability to capture this on video.


I love my job.

PS - We're hiring.  You should work here too.  It's great.  Trust me.

Hello, Custom Domain!

At long last, I have upgraded my domain name.  What was once www.kimskitchensink.blogspot.com is now the much simpler www.kimskitchensink.com.  And thanks to Google, it was supremely easy.  File this one under "These are the reasons I love Google."  Also under "It was really that easy?" and "It was cheap!" and "I am one happy camper."

I've been thinking of making this switch for some time, but was too lazy or intimidated or something to actually do it.  I thought it would be complicated, and expensive, and hey, what's so bad about having "blogspot" in the url of your blog anyway?  The tipping point?  I'm going to be attending some bloggy networky types of events soon, and I'm making some fancy business cards so that I can connect with other bloggers or potential sponsors or people who want me to review their products or who want to give stuff away to you guys.  Because that sounds like fun.  Anyway, the blogspot-inclusive url was too long to fit on the card, and it looked messy, and I think I'm ready to step it up a notch (is that even a phrase?).  Go blog.

If you blog using blogger and you want a custom domain, just read the instructions here.  It was seriously as easy as telling Google what name I wanted, agreeing to pay $10/year, and waiting about 15 minutes for it to become active.

If you read this blog via RSS feed, you may need to update your feed subscription. I think it should still work as-is (that is, if you were subscribed before, you should still get the feed without having to change anything), but I don't know for sure.  Let me know if you have problems and I'll figure it out.

But hey! What about those events you mentioned?  Why, do you want to join me?  Ok!

1. BlogHer Holiday Meetup (San Francisco, December 7, 2010)
2. FoodFete  (San Francisco, January 17, 2011)
3. BlogHer 2011 (San Diego, August 5-6, 2011)!

Are you attending any of these?  Let me know!

PS - know what else is new this week?  Disqus!  We launched v4 of our website and product...it's a complete overhaul, and it's pretty exciting.  Personally, I like the sweet, interactive design element on the new homepage, because I am easily amused.  The backend and admin changes are also great though - for complete info on the new stuff, read our CEO's blog post.  If you're not using Disqus for commenting on your site, and you want to, what are you waiting for?  It's pretty easy to set up, and our customer service team is supremo excellente if you have troubles.  Plus, I can see them from my desk. 

And that's all, folks!

I told you there was news...

You may have noticed that over the last few days, I've begun to use Disqus as the commenting interface on this little blog o'mine.  It's not just because I've suddenly gone fancy on you and decided to veer away from the commenting interface that comes pre-installed with every Blogger blog.  No, my friends, it is because as of September 20, I will be working for the small-but-mighty tech startup!  You heard me, new job!

I'll be starting out as their Office Manager, while also taking on some more General Manager-y tasks and helping to develop their internal Human Resources programming.  They are a true San Francisco tech startup in the sense that their staff is comprised mostly of engineers, and the time has come for the company to hire someone to manage the day to day workings of the office while helping to build a solid foundation for growth.  Enter: Kim.

I am beyond excited about this opportunity, which seems like a great combination of using my current skills in office management, organization and communications while developing myself as a Human Resources professional (ooh fancy).  Some of the things they have expressed an immediate need for assistance with are New Hire Onboarding (a particular passion of mine), Office Organization (both physical and structural), and Corporate Culture - they are expanding from what was once a small group of buddies building a product and want to ensure they maintain a consistent message (including training, communications, and general environment) while they grow.  So yeah.  All things that sound great to me.

And oh, did I mention that the office has a ton of windows? One of the hardest things for me about working at the recording studio is the lack of natural light; I didn't realize how much better I feel when I can see the sky.  I will also be commuting via public transportation, and will be getting about two miles of walking in a day, including a nice 10 minutes or so walking lakeside on my way to and from the BART station.  I'm also planning on going back to school part time to earn my Certification in Human Resources Management through the UC Berkeley Extension program.  I recently attended an information session, and was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of taking these classes.  I haven't been this excited about the prospect of going to school since I started my Freshman year at UCLA.

Sorry to tease for so long about the news, but if you're following me on Twitter, you got some of the information already.  :)  And a big hello to my new coworkers, some of whom helped me get Disqus going on my blog (hi, Giannii), and some of whom have been making me feel welcome via Twitter.

Quitting my job was difficult, and there are definitely things and people I will miss when I'm not at the Studios anymore, but I am very excited about this next step in my career.  I'll keep you posted!