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Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Why your job applications keep getting ghosted: Top tech executive reveals red flags young candidates ignore
In a world brimming with glossy job titles and Instagram-worthy offices, it's easy for young professionals to fall for roles that sound cool but have little alignment with their experience. But according to Chidi Achara , the Global Chief Product Officer at design and tech powerhouse Huge , that mismatch is one of the most common—and fatal—mistakes fresh candidates make. Speaking to CNBC Make It at Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Gala and Summit , Achara reflected on his years of experience leading teams at major companies including Nike and investment app Stash. With a keen eye for talent, Achara has conducted countless interviews and learned to spot red and green flags almost instantly. Humor and Storytelling Go a Long Way In an era where AI can mimic professionalism and resumes are increasingly polished, Achara values something far more human: personality. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Vergiss die blaue Pille: Diese Methode stellt alles auf den Kopf Undo 'Do they have a sense of humor?' he told CNBC Make It . 'Do they have storytelling ability so they can communicate clearly?' These two qualities, he believes, are not just soft skills—they're essential signals that a candidate can gel with a team and carry ideas forward with impact. It's not just about ticking technical boxes anymore. The ability to tell a story, to inject warmth and clarity into communication, is a trait that separates good hires from great ones, Achara emphasizes. You Might Also Like: This job search hack helped a candidate land 3 interviews in a week. Here's how Applying Without Alignment But for all the charm a candidate might bring, a lack of relevant experience is still a dealbreaker. One of the biggest issues, according to Achara, is the 'scattergun approach' many young jobseekers take when sending out applications. 'They're just applying for a bunch of stuff because the title sounds cool, or they like the comp, or they like the location,' he explained. This unfocused strategy may stem from desperation in a tough job market, but it rarely works. 'Hiring managers can very quickly see those people are not qualified,' Achara warned. And when it's clear that a resume doesn't match the role, 'I'm probably going to move on to the next.' Experience Doesn't Always Mean Employment Still, Achara isn't suggesting that recent graduates need years of full-time work behind them. He's a strong believer in the value of side projects, internships, and passion-driven pursuits. 'Say you're applying for a web developer or an engineering job and you've never worked full-time in either but on the side, you've built an app,' he said. If you've published it and drawn users—even just a few thousand— that counts. You Might Also Like: Bill Gates predicts only three jobs will survive the AI takeover. Here is why Tailoring your resume to highlight such accomplishments can tilt the odds in your favor. 'Immediately, you'll take that person more seriously,' Achara noted. The hiring team is looking for proof of potential—not perfection. So, what's the key takeaway for job-hunters, especially those at the start of their careers? Be selective. Be strategic. And be honest. 'If they're just applying because they think it sounds like a cool job, then it's probably not going to work,' Achara concluded.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
When Steve Jobs gifted brand new Jaguar to secretary after he got late to office; said ...
Apple founder Steve Jobs, known for his intense leadership style at Apple, once surprised a late-arriving secretary with a brand-new Jaguar. Ron Givens, Apple's director of quality from 1981 to 1986, shared the story in a 2011 interview with WRAL. During the interview, Givens recalled a day when a secretary showed up late for work. Jobs, he said, walked over and asked her why she was late. She explained her car had broken down. 'That afternoon, he walks into her office, tosses a set of keys to a brand-new Jaguar and says, 'Here, don't be late anymore,'' Givens said. At the time, a Jaguar XJ cost about $35,000—roughly $123,000 today (adjusted for inflation). The moment captures what Givens called the 'paradox' of Jobs. He described him as a boss who could both intimidate and inspire. 'He could motivate you out of your socks,' said Givens. Jobs, then just 26, was known for constantly walking the halls, questioning engineers about minute design details one moment and delivering surprise gifts the next. Givens, who was about 20 years older than Jobs, said many of the young CEO's ideas seemed 'stupid' at first—until their brilliance became clear. He also recalled being handed a $1,000 Steuben-glass apple from Jobs, with no explanation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Apple needs 'only A players': Steve Jobs Jobs pushed hard for excellence, famously saying Apple needed "only A players." He admitted firing weaker employees was 'very painful,' but necessary. Pixar's Pete Docter later said Jobs was known for 3 am phone calls—something he never wanted to repeat. According to a recent CNBC report, Docter told Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Gala that Jobs would phone colleagues 'at any time, day or night, three in the morning … you're on vacation, doesn't matter'. He further stated that Jobs' after-hours calls were non-negotiable and that the intensity often ignored personal boundaries. 'He wants to talk to you about it, you're on,' Docter further added. As per the report, Docter admitted he sometimes sends late-night emails himself but added, 'That's what my wife's trying to get me to stop doing.' Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Highlights: Biggest Game Reveals, New Consoles & More!
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Apple founder Steve Jobs' work habit shared by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos that Pixar executive says his wife told him to 'junk'
Apple founder Steve Jobs would reportedly call colleagues at hours, as revealed by Pixar 's Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter. According to a recent CNBC report, Docter told Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Gala that Jobs would phone colleagues 'at any time, day or night, three in the morning … you're on vacation, doesn't matter'. He further stated that Jobs' after-hours calls were non-negotiable and that the intensity often ignored personal boundaries. Docter's comments come amid ongoing discussions about tech's always-on work culture. He positioned his own leadership style as a contrast to that of Jobs — and to the hustle culture promoted by figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos . 'He wants to talk to you about it, you're on,' Docter further added. As per the report, Docter admitted he sometimes sends late-night emails himself but added, 'That's what my wife's trying to get me to stop doing.' Jobs' intense style, however, didn't extend to Pixar's creative process. 'Steve was pretty amazing at saying, 'This is not my business,'' Docter noted, crediting Jobs for stepping back and allowing animators to lead on storytelling and visuals. Pixar CEO praises Apple's Steve Jobs He also praised Jobs' ability to quickly cut through complex issues. 'He could walk into rooms where he knew nothing … sit for about five minutes and analyze what the conversation was really about.' For those unaware, Steve Jobs purchased Pixar in 1986 from Lucasfilm. The company grew under his ownership before being acquired by Disney in 2006 for $7.4 billion. In a related news, Steve Jobs' iconic 2005 Stanford commencement address completed 20 years last week. Sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), CEO Tim Cook wrote 'It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since Steve told Stanford graduates to stay hungry and stay foolish.' He continued, 'His powerful advice still rings true, and I hope it helps guide this year's new grads as they begin their journey to become tomorrow's leaders.' Top 7 Essential Gadgets for Trekking & Hiking in the Mountains (2025) AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pixar exec says former boss Steve Jobs called workers anytime, even at 3 a.m. and on vacation—but it's a red flag he won't repeat
A Pixar executive said his former boss Steve Jobs would call 'at any time, day or night, three in the morning,' even if 'you're on vacation, doesn't matter.' It's a leadership trait he doesn't want to emulate at the $7.4 billion animation studio. Other CEOs like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have fostered company cultures that expected workers to be 'always on.' While Steve Jobs may be best known for revolutionizing tech with the iPhone and iPod, few people may know about his double life bringing beloved films like Finding Nemo and Toy Story to life. He was one of the three founding fathers of Pixar Animation Studios, purchasing the group from Lucasfilm in 1986. But in helping lead the iconic movie company, Jobs had a certain habit that would drive any employee up the wall. 'He would call—especially the producers—at any time, day or night, three in the morning, you're on vacation, doesn't matter,' Pete Docter, chief creative officer at Pixar who formerly worked under Jobs, said at Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Gala last week. 'He wants to talk to you about it, you're on.' Docter assumed the Apple cofounder disregarded people's downtime because he was so passionate about the work—after all, Jobs was particularly skilled at problem-solving and relinquishing authority at Pixar to let the animators really shine. But Docter said the after-hours calling is one leadership trait he doesn't want to emulate, even though he slips up sometimes. Even though the late Apple CEO did not seem to respect staffers' personal time all too much, he did hold their work in deep reverence. Docter recalled how Jobs was 'pretty amazing at saying, 'this is not my business,'' and letting the creatives have control over their projects. Docter said Jobs carried a disposition that 'I'm not going to come in here and direct this movie or tell you what to do.' If it weren't for the financial backing, supportive leadership, and animation geniuses at the helm of Pixar, it might not be the filmmaking giant it is today. The studio's first movie was Toy Story, released in 1995—one of the most beloved films to come from Pixar, launching a five-film franchise, and counting. Pixar then went on to churn out hits like The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, and Up over the next 15 years. Under fierce competition to keep pace with the studio's immense popularity, Disney acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion in 2006. There were undoubtedly growing pains in scaling the studio, but Jobs had a particular talent in helping employees solve problems. Docter said he was able to understand issues quickly and provide guidance. 'He could walk into rooms where he knew nothing about what was going on…sit for about five minutes, and analyze what the conversation was really about.' the Pixar executive continued. 'I think that came from years of practicing.' The expectation that staffers should be 'always on' at the whim of their bosses is no new fad; it's often the culture of high performance, so businesses can 'move fast and break things.' Tesla leader Elon Musk is famous for sending out emails at odd hours, as early as 2:30 a.m., and expecting his staffers to match his intense work ethic. 'There are way easier places to work, but nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week,' Musk tweeted in 2018. Amazon is also known for fostering a pretty tough work culture. A New York Times article from 2015 reported that employees were expected to be on top of communication, even if emails came in past midnight. If staffers didn't answer promptly, they would get text messages asking why they didn't reply. Founder Jeff Bezos has since promoted work-life harmony over 'balance.' This story was originally featured on
