As the application deadline for Hack’n’Lead approaches on the 22nd of October, there’s growing excitement and interest surrounding the event. In response, the women++ team recently organised a Q&A session for those eager to participate in this unique, women-friendly, and inclusive hackathon. Having had the opportunity to attend this session, I decided to share the most asked questions in a blog post to help you and potential participants decide if Hack’n’Lead is the right event to invest your time.
As a recap, the 3rd edition of Hack’n’Lead is taking place in Zurich on November 11-12. Hack’n’Lead is a women-friendly and inclusive initiative that welcomes women and all genders, especially those starting or transitioning to tech, to explore new career paths, learn new skills, innovate with cutting-edge technology, and network with inspiring professionals.
Now, let’s dive into the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Hack’n’Lead.
1. Who can take part? Is there an age limitation?
Not at all! At women++, we stand behind diversity on many levels, not just gender, but also diversity of mind, experience level, backgrounds, nationalities, etc. Ultimately, the benefit of diversity is that you will create better products and solutions and come to a better result when you present your product. So, we welcome career changers, first-timers and seasoned professionals looking to upskill.
2. What do you look for in an ideal candidate? How do you select participants?
When selecting participants, there isn’t a secret formula to get in. We value diversity and aim to create a balanced mix of skills. Our team will look at the bigger picture to ensure the right blend of talents to solve the challenges.
3. When will the selected participants be confirmed?
We’ll be sending out invitations to the selected participants on October 27th. Spots are limited to 120 participants. After sending out the invitations, we’ll give everyone 1-week to secure their spot, meaning until November 3rd; if you haven’t confirmed your spot by then, we will offer it to somebody else. Important to note that we have a no-show policy, so if you are not available to join after confirming, please let us know to pass your spot to someone on the waiting list.
4. Why is there a no-show fee?
Great question! Organising an event like Hack’n’Lead requires a lot of effort and resources. And, remember, we’re a nonprofit organisation and the participation is free of charge…
…However, we have 120 spots and wish to have them all filled at Hack’n’Lead. So, if someone doesn’t show up, it’s not just an empty chair – it’s a missed opportunity for someone else who wanted to be there. And, unfortunately, we can’t just call someone last minute to fill that spot. So, after some thought, we introduced a no-show fee, which will ensure commitment and will cover the minimum budget required per person to run such an event.
5. What are the challenges about?
In total, there are three challenges brought by sponsoring companies and women++. Challenges are focused on software development, machine learning and blockchain. A small description per challenge will be shared 1 week in advance with selected participants, together with the top skills necessary to solve the challenge. The full challenge description, including the resources available to solve it, will be provided at Hack’n’Lead during the opening ceremony. This is to ensure that everyone has the same opportunity to start the challenge simultaneously.
6. How does the team-building process work?
Once you confirm your spot, you will receive the ‘starter pack’ with our team-building guidelines to help you out. But I already can tell you that these are the three things to have in mind:
- Teams should consist of 3 to 5 members.
- Begin by identifying the challenge that resonates with you the most (limited capacity of teams per challenge).
- Assess your skills and consider what complementary skills you might need in your team
Team-building will take place in 2 steps. First via Hack’n’Lead Slack workspace with selected participants 1 week before the kick-off on Nov 11. The second part is at Hack’n’Lead; right after the opening ceremony and presentation of challenges, participants will have the opportunity to build their team on-site (or finish finding the last skills needed).
7. Will there be a dedicated channel for team formation on Slack?
Yes. We have set up a dedicated Slack workspace for each challenge. We suggest you join the channel that aligns with your interests, introduce yourself, highlight your skills, and share what you’re looking for in teammates. Also, during our on-site Prep workshop happening a week before the event, you will have the chance to meet participants to network and continue the team formation process.
8. What if the event day arrives and I still don’t have a team?
It is ok. Right after our opening ceremony, it is all about team building. It’s a chance to mingle, chat, and find your crew. Everyone present will have name tags highlighting their top skills, making it easier to spot potential teammates. Plus, Hack’n’Lead mentors from all the companies and women++, will be ready to facilitate this process.
9. How does the mix of skills and experience influence team formation, and does having less advanced experience affect the likelihood of a team successfully delivering a product?
At Hack’n’Lead, team formation is a blend of skills, experience, and the challenge at hand. The challenges description will guide you on what’s expected. As participants search for teammates, transparency is key. From our past experience, participants will share their strengths and areas they might need support with. For example, someone might excel in understanding a financial or legal case but might not be as versed in coding. Also, keep in mind, that if someone’s been invited to Hack’n’Lead, they bring value, even if it’s not in the form of coding expertise.
10. Who are the companies participating in Hack’n’Lead?
All the companies supporting Hack’n’Lead are listed on our website, and we’ll keep updating it if more companies hop on board in the coming weeks. Confirmed participants will receive a Hack’n’Lead starter pack with all info that will come in handy prior to and during Hack’n’Lead. It includes a dedicated section about each company, with job openings, company values, recruiters on-site information etc. This way, you can be well-prepared and know exactly who to chat with during the event. We suggest bringing a digital copy of your CV, maybe using a QR code and making sure it’s up-to-date because we have surprises at Hack’n’Lead, like a CV check dedicated space. This initiative is part of the resources we like to share with participants at Hack’n’Lead to help with their career growth. Happy networking!”
In Closing
Those were the most burning questions we received and I hope this blog shed some light to help you decide if Hack’n’Lead is the right event to invest your time on.
Now, if you would like to apply, keep in mind that …
… applications for Hack’n’Lead are closing on October 22nd, 2023 and, as mentioned before, spots are limited. I strongly advise you to do so as soon as possible as spots are filling fast.
Apply here!
Want to learn more? Check out the blog post below!
