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Devon, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome: Advize Career Interview
A journey from journalism and marketing at the University of Arizona, including roles at *The Daily Wildcat*, to a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome, this professional's career path is inspiring.
The interview reveals a dynamic day-to-day life encompassing full-lifecycle recruiting, proactive pipeline building, and employer branding initiatives.
Success in this demanding role requires organization, creativity, curiosity, and resilience, juggling multiple openings while building strong candidate relationships.
A passion for people and an outbound research strategy drive the work, resulting in significant fulfillment from seeing candidates thrive and impacting both individual careers and DataDome's growth within the cybersecurity field.
Navigating economic fluctuations and advocating for oneself are key lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset and networking, even from extracurricular activities like sororities and clubs during undergraduate studies.
This professional's story highlights the value of diverse experiences, adaptability, and a confident approach, particularly for women in technology.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Devon Walo
Senior Talent Acquisition Manager
DataDome
University of Arizona, 2017
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Creative Writing, Journalism
Recruitment
Human Resources (HR)
Disabled, Greek Life Member
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Career Path of a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome
Devon's journey began with a journalism and marketing background at the University of Arizona, including roles at *The Daily Wildcat* and other publications. An entertainment journalism internship in Los Angeles, involving "researching stories" and even working on a Disney Channel set, unexpectedly developed crucial skills in communication and interviewing, ultimately setting the stage for Devon's current career in talent acquisition.
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome
As a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome, Devon's main responsibility is "full lifecycle recruiting," encompassing all aspects of the hiring process from initial contact to offer negotiation for various business functions. This includes proactive pipeline building, candidate relationship management, and, during slower hiring periods, focusing on employee retention and initiatives like employer branding and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A Day in the Life of a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome
A senior talent acquisition manager's day is "completely different" each time, involving candidate screening, conducting first-round interviews ("diving in deeper on their experience"), extensive online sourcing via LinkedIn and other job boards, and considerable internal communication to collaborate effectively and mentor junior colleagues on sourcing, interviewing, and negotiation.
Most Important Skills for a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome
A senior talent acquisition manager's success hinges on "organization," juggling "double-digit openings" and detailed documentation, combined with "creativity" to stand out and build rapport with candidates by finding "common ground." The role also demands "curiosity," adapting to new technologies and processes, and "resilience" to navigate the unpredictable nature of working with people and overcome setbacks.
Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome
Devon, a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, thrives on the "outbound strategy and research" involved in finding niche profiles, taking particular satisfaction in crafting creative approaches to attract candidates and witnessing their success at DataDome, "working alongside the people that [Devon] hire[s]" and seeing their growth. The fulfillment Devon derives comes from building strong relationships and seeing candidates "thrive," leading to a mutual sense of accomplishment.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Senior Talent Acquisition Manager At DataDome
Devon, a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager in cybersecurity, cites "managing the economic fluctuations and how that impacts shifts in the job market" as the biggest challenge. This involves navigating the recent "influx of talent" and adapting hiring strategies to the constantly shifting balance of power between employers and candidates in a competitive market.
Favorite Parts of Working in Cybersecurity as a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager
Devon, a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome, finds the most rewarding aspect of their industry is the ability to "help professionals move forward in their careers," making a tangible impact on both individuals' lives and the company's growth within the ever-evolving cybersecurity field. The continual learning and exposure to niche areas like bot protection, previously unknown to Devon, are also key aspects that they enjoy.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Recruitment, According To A DataDome Senior Talent Acquisition Manager
DataDome's Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, Devon, highlights that successful recruiters possess "passion for people" and "a lot of energy and curiosity," essential traits given the demanding nature of conducting numerous interviews daily while maintaining consistent enthusiasm and providing each candidate with a positive experience.
What a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Recruitment Industry
Devon, a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, learned that "you can't always control the outcome, but you can control your mindset" – a crucial lesson in navigating the unpredictable nature of the recruiting industry. This realization, gained through experience, allowed Devon to develop resilience, focusing on personal effort rather than becoming emotionally invested in uncontrollable events.
Entry-level positions for aspiring recruiters
Entry-level roles in the field include entry-level recruiter positions, where companies "develop them in the way they see best fit," and sourcer roles, partnering with senior recruiters for on-the-job learning. Additionally, office manager, HR, or people operations specialist roles offer exposure to various aspects of human resources, potentially leading to recruiting or other functions like benefits and payroll.
Significant Career Lesson From A Senior Talent Acquisition Manager At DataDome
Devon's significant career lesson is the importance of "advocating for yourself," a skill particularly valuable in recruiting where understanding organizational structures and diverse skillsets facilitates internal career advancement. This self-advocacy has enabled exploration of different business areas, leading to successful lateral moves and leveraging existing stakeholder relationships for better career trajectory.
College Experiences That Helped a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome Succeed
Devon, a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, credits extensive involvement in extracurricular activities—"sorority, clubs, marketing associations"—during undergraduate studies as key to career success, highlighting the unexpected value of networking and building relationships, as evidenced by a current business relationship with a former sorority sister. This emphasizes the importance of embracing opportunities to connect with others, stating, "never turn down an opportunity to have a conversation."
How Identity Has Influenced a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at DataDome's Career
Despite the underrepresentation of women in technology, a senior talent acquisition manager's career success stems from "not being afraid to take up space" and confidently contributing expertise. This approach, combined with a diverse mentorship network and the guiding principle of "ask for forgiveness, not permission," has been instrumental in their advancement.
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