Who is Derrick?
Derrick is a First Generation Filipino-American and native of San Francisco. I spent my childhood traveling back and forth from the Philippines and the U.S. while my parents and sisters were completing their immigration. We grew up holding onto our Philippine heritage and doing our best to build a support system locally. Growing up I leaned into my passion for arts as well as athletics to help build relationships, discipline and express myself. I’m a product of both the public and private school systems, and was part of the inaugural graduating class of University of California Merced in 2009. I immediately went on to complete my Master’s Degree in Organizational Development at the University of San Francisco while breaking into the Recruiting & Talent industry specifically within Tech.
Tell us more about your role in Bitski.
As VP of Talent, I must drive the strategy, operations, and execution to help us meet our hiring needs. In a start-up environment that means rolling up my sleeves as either Coach & Player to put us in the best position to succeed.
Today my team and I focus on 3 aspects:
1. Acquisition – How we identify, engage, and hire the best talent available.
2. Operations – The design of our interview processes, candidate experience, performance metrics, and decision making frameworks which allow us to scale sustainably.
3. Brand – The development of Bitski’s talent narrative, our voice in telling the Bitski employee story, and the channels we foster to give everyone a fair chance to reach and be considered for our opportunities.
What is the most difficult part of your job? But the most rewarding one?
The most difficult part of my job is that making sure we aren’t growing unsustainably. This making sure we aren’t hiring too fast, are compensating equitably, and are not compromising on our values and talent bar. Sometimes this means that we have to pass on great junior candidates, because our company does not yet have the infrastructure to support their development, or have limited openings due to a very focused budget.
The most rewarding part of my job is getting to see the culture and identity of our company take shape each day from a front row seat. With each new teammate we add, we ideally have exponentially improved our problem solving ability, our productivity, and infuse a diverse range of energy into our company.
Is there anything that you would change about your professional path?
If there is anything I would change, I would have personally looked into more practical education for start-ups. Today there are much more alternatives to traditional Master’s programs which offer just as much if not more value out of the gate.
I would also have not tried to be in such a rush in the early days of my career. Career is a marathon, not a sprint. I believe there can be a balance between investing the right amount of time in each opportunity while still growing at the pace you are ready for.
What’s your key strategy for the development of your company?
The key pillars of our Talent strategy at Bitski are:
1. Giving every candidate the care, energy, excitement, and urgency they deserve.
2. Acting as a partner to help both our hiring managers and candidates come to a win-win scenario that will align long term goals. This also means using creativity as a lever to unlock better forms of deal making.
3. Evolving acumen. My team needs to be so passionate about what we are building and the ecosystems we play in that we are not only educated, but we are able to think forward and develop our own opinions. This level of detail and research must be given to every role and aspect of our job to be the strongest partner for our hiring managers and for our candidates.
What do you think about the next period of time, keeping in mind the pandemic and the new business climate? How will your industry be affected?
When I think about the future of work, I see inevitable flexibility. More choice in the hands of candidates. I see companies developing roles and opportunities around delivering results as opposed to how to perform a job and in what environments.
I see a more connected global workforce where professionals can have multiple streams of income without the confines of a 9 to 5. For example an a recruiter deliver amazing candidates for a Medical company in the States and also get paid as a management advisor for a start up overseas? Can a parent manage an operation based business during the day, and maybe teach classes virtually?
Our Technology industry is already being affected with the need to support hybrid and remote workforces. I believe the next iteration is to support multi-role professionals.
Please name a few technologies which have the greatest impact on your business.
Today my favorite recruiting based tool/platform is TopFunnel. Essentially it is a platform that allows you to construct smart messaging campaigns for efficient outreach.
What books do you have on your nightstand?
My favorite book of the last two years is “The Ride of a Lifetime” by Bog Iger.
I connect with this leadership memoir because I believe in relationship driven business and the ability to create win-win situations if both parties act in good faith. I also really appreciate the realm of possibilities which can be unlocked if you are willing to step out of your professional comfort zones. This book articulates so many complex concepts in a well paced and engaging flow.
