We were lucky to catch up with Jonathan Javier recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jonathan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)? Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style.
During my journey to Entrepreneurship, I found myself employed at my dream tech companies: Snapchat, Google, and Cisco (https://www.wonsulting.com/blog/the-interview-tips-that-landed-us-offers-at-snapchat-google-microsoft-linkedin-accenture-udemy-and-more). Originating from a first-generation Filipino-American background, the prospect of breaking into these companies initially seemed unreachable. However, my story took an unexpected turn when I realized that my true passion lay in helping those who come from non-traditional backgrounds land their dream jobs.
Jonathan , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
When I realized that my true passion was in helping those who come from non-traditional backgrounds land their dream jobs, this led to the creation of Wonsulting (wonsulting.com), a career consulting firm with a mission to “turn underdogs into winners”. What began as a side hustle has now evolved into a startup, having now a team of 30+ professionals and accumulating a following of 2 million+ across various social media platforms, including TikTok (https://www.wonsulting.com/blog/how-wonsulting-tiktok-achieved-500k-followers-within-4-months), Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. My journey has been recognized in esteemed publications such as Forbes 30 Under 30 (https://www.wonsulting.com/blog/how-to-get-on-forbes-30-under-30-from-someone-who-made-the-list), Fortune, New York Times, Business Insider, CNBC, The Times, TikTok News, LinkedIn News, Yahoo! News, Wall Street Journal, and more.
Now, my team is on a mission to redefine the job search landscape through the transformative power of AI. Introducing AI tools like ResumAI, NetworkAI, CoverLetterAI, and AutoApplyAI under WonsultingAI, we now have 800,000+ users and counting. We’re looking to continue making a positive impact on the world with a vision of accelerating job offers and empowering thousands of job-seekers regardless of their backgrounds.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Upon venturing into the tech industry post-university, my LinkedIn outreach yielded a mere ~5% response rate from nearly 100 weekly connection attempts. Gratefully, Jerry was among the few who engaged with my message.
Over the course of a year, our connection strengthened. I visited the Bay area, and Jerry invited me to the Google office for a coffee chat and to talk about our careers.
This connection played a pivotal role in securing a position at Google. At the time, I was hosting resume and LinkedIn workshops for underserved communities and countless universities; upon moving to the Bay, Jerry expressed interest about hosting workshops with me, so we did our first one starting with the one at UC Berkeley in October 2018.
Fast forward over 5 years, and Jerry and I are collaboratively crafting AI job search tools (https://www.wonsulting.com/blog/the-best-ai-tools-for-job-search-wonsultingai-user-guide) at Wonsulting & WonsultingAI (wonsulting.ai), aiming to empower millions, particularly those from underdog backgrounds, in their job pursuits. These tools, born out of a shared vision, are ones I yearned for during my own job search journey. I’m grateful for the opportunity to co-create them with Jerry, fostering a mission to transform every underdog into a winner.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
To cultivate a thriving team and sustain high morale, fostering open communication is paramount. Regularly engage with team members, listen actively, and create a culture where everyone feels heard. Encourage collaboration and value diverse perspectives; a collective sense of purpose boosts morale.
Recognition is a powerful motivator. Acknowledge achievements, both big and small, and celebrate milestones. This not only validates hard work but also instills a positive atmosphere. Invest time in understanding individual strengths and align tasks accordingly—when team members leverage their talents, morale naturally flourishes.
Empowerment is key. Provide autonomy and trust your team to make decisions. This not only boosts confidence but also instills a sense of ownership, driving commitment to shared goals. Encourage professional growth by offering opportunities for skill development, and demonstrating a commitment to their success beyond immediate projects.
Flexibility and work-life balance are crucial. Recognize the importance of personal time and avoid unnecessary demands. Foster an environment where well-being is prioritized, resulting in a more energized and committed team.
Lastly, lead by example. Demonstrate enthusiasm, resilience, and a positive attitude. Your demeanor sets the tone for the entire team. In challenging times, transparently communicate and exemplify a solution-oriented mindset, reinforcing a shared commitment to overcoming obstacles. Overall, a combination of communication, recognition, empowerment, work-life balance, and leadership by example creates a foundation for a motivated and cohesive team.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wonsulting.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanwordsofwisdom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathanwordsofwisdom
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-wonsulting/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwordsofwisdom
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2zTR6nmPZ8wVgEJKGhuHA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=hxMOcb9XM9hIFiuE47j7DA
- Other: https://www.wonsulting.ai/