EKMH Innovators Interview Series
Getting a Job in Fintech: An interview spotlighting the job search process
October and November are traditionally the months when university and grad students are finishing up their summer internship applications, setting their interview schedules and making serious career decisions. Often students set up informational interviews, surf the web, spend hours at career services to determine their next steps. In the booming fintech industry, jobs abound. But how do you reach that first step? That second step?
We’ve all been there. We’ve all been asked — and now likely ask others— the question. Readers, you know the one: What do you want to do with your life? Most of us now know that our lives may have several careers or opportunities to “rewire” as fintech entrepreneur Ron Suber.
Basic job search advice includes conducting useful research, setting up a strong LinkedIn profile, utilizing social networks intelligently, listening to industry-specific podcasts/interviews, reaching out to industry contacts for informational interviews (after conducting careful research), showing curiosity, wearing clean clothes and shoes (yes, this is important), not assuming that you know more than the person who is interviewing you, preparing relevant questions to which you want to know the answers, acting politely and writing a follow-up error-free thank you note (yes, spelling and grammar matter). Readers, please share additional advice and anecdotes.
Over the years I’ve had the absolute pleasure interviewing C-Level executives and learning about their experiences as industry mavericks, mavens, entrepreneurs and innovators. For this post I am shifting gears and interviewing Alon Adir, Head of Global PR at DM Communications, who is relatively new to the fintech/tech PR sector to learn more about his recent experience with the interview process.
I reached out to Alon via email to learn more about his recent experience interviewing and how he prepared for interviews, and asked him to share some advice for job seekers entering the fintech market. Adir joined the DM Communications team in 2017. Founded by David Malits in 2011, DM Communications is a global marketing and communications agency based in Tel Aviv. The boutique agency has represented IronX, a joint venture between the IronFX Group and EmurgoHK, developers of Cardano (ADA) who recently raised 26 Million USD in their ICO; STOX; and MoneyNetInt. Our interview follows.
EKMH: Please share an anecdote from one of your best or worst interviews. What did you learn from the experience?
Adir Alon: I had a fantastic interview where the conversation went well. The interviewer and I really connected, and he was able to see that I’d be a terrific asset to their team. When the interview ended, I was escorted to the front door by my interviewer, who had to rush off to another meeting in the conference room. Unfortunately, I could not figure out how to open the front door to the office. Five minutes after appearing intelligent, sharp and quick-minded I found myself walking into the conference room and asking my interviewer how to open a door.
I had another interview that was simply terrible. I decided to walk fifteen minutes from the train station to the office where the interview was taking place. It was a hot, sunny Tel Aviv day, and by the time I arrived at the office in my suit I was dripping wet. I was distracted throughout the interview and spent the entire time wishing it would end so I could change out of my suit.
Each of those incidents taught me something valuable. As awkward as it was to walk into the conference room and show a room full of potential co-workers that I couldn’t open a door, I was able to turn that into a positive interaction. I introduced myself to future colleagues, turning an unfortunate situation into an opportunity to connect with more people in the company.
The sweaty interview taught me something even more valuable, which gets back to what I said earlier about paying attention to details. I should have checked the weather that day and either worn something more comfortable or taken a taxi instead of walking to the office. I was so focused on creating a good impression with my suit that I ignored the seemingly trivial weather and transportation details that could have saved that interview.
EKMH: What advice would you share for those going through their first round of interviews?
Adir Alon: I’ve gone through my share of job interviews, and the most important advice I could offer to a job hunter is to be prepared. Find out who’s interviewing you and browse through their employment history on LinkedIn. See if you have any common connections or shared interests which can help create a more personal relationship. During the interview, ask questions about the company to help demonstrate that you’re looking for a long-term position, rather than just a quick stop on your career path. Candidates need to be patient. A job search doesn’t usually end overnight. Avoid getting too excited after a good interview or feeling too low after a disappointing one. If you’re consistent in your job search and have faith in yourself, you will find a job that is tailor-made for you.
EKMH: What university and internship experiences proved valuable to you in the interview process? When you are hiring, which skills do you consider most important?
Adir Alon: I learned how to write a formal email in one of the first classes I took at University of Mount Olive. Before the class, I thought writing a formal email was easy. Afterward, I learned the importance of simple nuances, such as paragraph distribution, salutation, and closing, which can tip the scales in your favor. That skill really helped me to reach out to hiring managers, and land interviews for the type of job that I wanted.
I also had two powerful internship experiences before I entered the workforce. My first marketing experience was working for former Israeli government minister MK Meir Cohen. I had a front-row seat to the way government’s work, including submitting bills, answering public inquiries, and writing speeches. More importantly, though, was my exposure to marketing while interning in the office because that experience led directly to my internship at the Public Diplomacy Department at the Israeli Consulate in New York. As an Israeli living abroad, I felt the tremendous mission I had to represent my country to the best of my ability. That responsibility motivated me to work overtime and learn whatever I could, in addition to keeping up grades and attending practices.
As a hiring manager, obviously I am looking for someone who has the skill set that I need. However, the candidate who gets hired might not be the most “qualified.” The first thing I look for is someone who is pleasant to be around. I know we’re going to spend a lot of time working together, so if someone is unpleasant, it doesn’t matter how much talent they have - we aren’t going to work together. The second attribute I look for is what I call “fire in the eyes.” Does the candidate have the desire to succeed, and is s/he willing to learn new things? A pleasant, results-driven candidate who is willing to learn can accomplish anything, even if the person lacks the resume experience.
EKMH: What skills did you find most valuable in your own interview process?
Adir Alon: Communication skills are paramount. The interview process, which involves email, text messaging, and in-person conversations, gave me opportunities to demonstrate a range of communication skills. I also found that displaying emotional intelligence during a job interview allowed me to connect with my future employer. I needed to strike a balance between promoting myself, my skills, and my accomplishments with appearing humble. There really is no place for arrogance in one’s day-to-day client management activities, and so putting that side of my personality on display during the interview process helped demonstrate my future worth. Lastly, I felt it was important to talk about my performance goals. I made sure that the interviewer understood that as a former athlete, I set high expectations for myself. I could never accept mediocrity from myself, and as a team player, I would ensure that my goals matched that of the company.
EKMH: Why did you opt to pursue a career in PR? Why focus on fintech and crypto?
Adir Alon: As a former college athlete, I was looking for a career that would deliver the adrenaline rush, satisfaction, and passion that I felt on the soccer pitch. I found all of that with my career in public relations. The preparation I go through while onboarding a new client draws on my experience in training, while the process of writing press releases, working with members of the media, and seeing my clients’ articles published delivers a rush that I didn’t expect to find outside of sports. I believe sports is a tremendous training ground for work in any field, but the exhilaration I feel when I see our client’s stories gaining traction in the media and delivering results is as strong as any I felt on the pitch.
DM Communications serves clients in both the financial industry, which includes both fintech and crypto, and technology, particularly IoT and cybersecurity. Finance and technology touch are so intertwined with our lives in ways that no one could have imagined just ten years ago. These are exciting, evolving industries that really get me and my team excited. The company has significant experience managing crises, marketing, and running PR campaigns, that the team has a deep understanding of how these industries work. Beyond that, the industries we focus on are filled with great people. We enjoy working with our clients, and being part of the vibe that surrounds finance and tech.
EKMH: Which skills set you apart in your current role?
Adir Alon: Three skills set me apart in my current role. First, interpersonal skills are vital in any client-facing position. My clients rely on me to advise them, handle difficult situations, and develop positive relationships with the media. Through these interpersonal relationships, we can build the trust needed to succeed in our environment. Attention to detail and accuracy is another essential skill for someone looking for a successful, long-lasting career in public relations. My ability to tell my client’s story in a fast-paced, ever-evolving media demands accuracy and attention to details. Even the smallest mistake can be the difference between a campaign’s success or failure. Finally, I think my Israeli chutzpah helps take my clients where they need to go. I’m not afraid to go the extra mile for them, to ensure that their story is heard.
EKMH: As a newer member of DM Communications, how do you contribute to its growth? How do you see DM Communications growing?
Adir Alon: DM Communication serves technology and finance companies of all sizes. As part of our public relations work, we engage in crisis management, digital marketing, and reputation management from a strategic level. As a newer member of the team, I bring a fresh perspective to our clients. Sometimes that means an innovative approach to an old problem or looking at a situation from a different angle.
As an Israeli-based PR firm, we help our clients address and influence different markets throughout the world. The technology startup scene is continuing to grow, and we are perfectly positioned to help newly formed brands and businesses reach across oceans to tell their story. Additionally, we work with international clients who are looking to penetrate the Israeli market.
EKMH: What challenges does PR face and how does DM provide the solutions? How does DM set itself apart from its peers? How do you and your team secure more clients?
Adir Alon: The way people consume news has changed, and media is increasing their reliance on social distribution. The worlds of PR and digital marketing are merging, and agencies that don’t adapt to this change will disappear. DM Communications has a number of different departments to respond to our changing environment. In addition to public relations, we provide social marketing services, PPC performance, reputation management, and more.
Beyond those services, we know how to integrate customer methodologies from every area and provide our clients with a holistic response. Simply put, we have the strategic capability to produce organic articles and put them in front of our target market. We emphasize both strategy and performance with our clients, test messages in front of focus groups, and build detailed tactical plans with tightly adhered-to schedules. Execution is what sets us apart. The results we’ve achieved for our clients have helped build our brand reputation. Technology and financial companies looking for an experienced communications firm often reach out to us.
EKMH: Which book are you reading at the moment?
Adir Alon: I’m fascinated by the interrelationship between marketing and politics, which is why I’m reading Netanyahu, Master of Political Marketing by Baruch Leshem, Ph.D. Regardless of how you feel about Netanyahu’s politics, the book offers a marketing perspective of Israel’s longest-running prime minister, with professional analysis from leading communications consultants on how Netanyahu has successfully conveyed his messages while building trust with the voters.
Readers, best wishes for a successful job search!