Most of us view our routers as something that brings wireless connectivity to the home or the office. But they’re not just about Wi-FI anymore.
Securifi, with offices in the U.S., Dubai, India and Taiwan, is creating a next-gen router, one with home automation capabilities. Their Almond router was the world’s first touchscreen router, used in homes across four continents. Now, Securifi, with over 100 employees, is setting its sights on the smart home and security space. We asked Devesh Rai, VP of Software at Securifi, what they look for in a new hire.
How do you work to retain the tech talent you have?
We map skills to roles to ensure there is enough room for talent to grow. We have a very robust performance management and compensation and benefits system in place to reward talent and keep employees motivated.
What’s your interview process like?
We have a multi-level interview process that starts from a basic profile screening to technical aptitude tests followed by extensive one-on-one rounds of interviews with the reporting manager and functional head.
What specific skills do candidates need to have/know in order to work for you?
People who can evolve everyday with an agile startup, who are willing to learn and contribute as a team player.
What areas of the company are growing fastest right now?
Engineering and research as well as all customer facing roles - business development, marketing and communications are growing fast as we expand to more geographies and more consumer segments like B2B.
How do you ensure the right cultural fit?
We look for open minded, intelligent and passionate people. Roles in startups can change quickly and we want people who can embrace such changes.
What should a candidate NOT do on a resume?
Too much hard sell and indulging into a self-praise mode. Having the relevant skills and work experience is a good start to making an effective application.
What are some surefire ways to nail your cover letter?
Being honest and real. Employers want to know who you are, what you stand for and how you can contribute to the role, irrespective of your qualifications and experience.
How do you spot an innovative thinker?
Being innovative is more of an attitude rather than a skill. People who can challenge the status quo and disrupt the processes are the ones who lead innovation. As a tech forward company, we are closely knit in tech communities and since innovation is core to our DNA, it is easier for us to attract like-minded people.
Do you use social media to research candidates?
We use LinkedIn to screen profiles and research prospective candidates.
How does your company address diversity in the workplace?
Diversity is an important element of our culture by default. Our presence in Taiwan, India, Dubai and the USA gives us an opportunity to hire people from different ethnicities and cultures, with an exposure to diverse educational, professional and life experiences. Diversity of thought and background helps us build products for over 300K consumers across 20 countries. We encourage and train our managers to be empathetic to various perspectives and foster creativity across teams.
