CATS Applicant Tracking System

We all know that the first few weeks on the job are going to be the ones where you’re going to find yourself being incredibly challenged. There’s a lot to take in and learn. Between getting to know your coworkers, learning the ins and outs of the company, to figuring out what you should do on your lunch break; it’s a lot.

I’ve been a part of the CATS team for nearly a month now and nothing was short of my expectations. When I interviewed for the position, I was drawn to the vibe that they have. It’s a laid back office, yet they work their tails off every single day to make sure that their customers demands and needs are satisfied. Coming into the office my first Monday morning, I was welcomed and made to feel comfortable right away. I knew right then and there that this would be ok.

The challenges started right away and I loved it. CATS is an intuitive and customizable applicant tracking system and recruiting software built for internal HR and recruiting agencies. Let me tell you, I knew little to none about the industry, but thanks to everyone on the team, it all started to come together quickly. The CATS software alone was a great learning tool. It is complex, yet easy to navigate and understand. Something I found to be of great help was having a coworker walk me through a demo of how our software works. I was also assigned a trainer, which has helped immensely with making sure I’m on the right track. Several teammates took the time out of their day and projects to help me along and make sure that I was fully understanding what was going on. Luckily for my sake, they still help! This company is one that gives you the sense of family. It is a room full of creative, intuitive and absurdly smart minds. That highlights the kind of place CATS is. It is a place where several collaborative ideas come to mind and get put into action. A place where every opinion is valued, input is appreciated and no idea is a dumb one.

Whether it was my fellow marketing teammates updating me and explaining how to complete my duties or one of our developers explaining the software to me, they all worked and continue to work hard to show me the ropes. Even though I have only been here for a short amount of time, that doesn’t limit the lessons that I have learned that can be taken away from my experience thus far.

Put yourself out there. Being in a new work environment can be intimidating. Whether it is a full-time or part-time job, I’ve found that there’s no better way to calm those nerves than to just jump right in and be yourself. In the CATS office we have lounging chairs, a break room equipped with a tv, games and basically anything you could imagine. Along with that, most of the office is open concept. It makes it real easy to get to know your coworkers, socialize and work in a fun way. For me, this really helps me be creative and allows me to constantly look for new things to research and write about. When you’re surrounded in an environment like this, it’s hard to not be motivated.

My first week here, a few of us went out to happy hour and it was awesome to get to know my coworkers outside of work. If you were to ask me, I would say that it is pretty cool to be a part of a team that can still stand each other at the end of the day and go out to kick back. Along with the happy hours, it’s common to spend some time on Friday just relaxing in the office. You can go play the infamous Rocket League video game, watch Netflix, or just do whatever you gotta do to just chill out and take some time to have fun with your coworkers. It’s truly a fun atmosphere and great place to be.

Don’t be afraid to use your voice. “Honesty is our policy.” What I have grown to love about this company is that any and all questions and opinions are important. I have never felt intimidated to ask any of my coworkers a question. Asking questions is the number one way to learn and get things done right. It is not any fun wasting your time stuck on a project all because you don’t know what you are doing. This goes along with honesty in the office. Working in the marketing department, there’s a bunch of phrases, designs, strategies, projects and graphics coming in and out. Being honest with each other on what we do and do not like helps the entire process and maybe even speeds it up a bit. At first I was timid with my input in fear of stepping on toes or saying something ridiculous. It’s clear that teamwork is essential and with the clear path of communication we have, we collaborate well. Never be afraid to speak up in fear of seeming dumb. You could quite possibly propose the company’s next big idea!

Work hard and keep up. I have learned quickly that this is an industry where everything is constantly changing. Whether it be that our boss has a new idea that he wants to execute, we have a new update, an event or sponsorship we need to line up and market or simply changes in the industry alone, things continue to change and evolve. There’s no denying that the technology these days is constantly changing. If you do not stay on your toes, you are going to get swept up in the chaos. Being a new member of the software industry, a coworker of mine suggested I do some research about the industry. I can’t deny that after doing so, it helped. She provided me with a lot of informative learning tools. Information on virtually any question that I wanted the answer for. You’ve got to want to learn to keep up in this industry. It is so important to have a go-getter attitude and be willing to explore many different avenues on your own and come back with ideas to the team.

I’m excited for what’s yet to come and lies ahead of me and this company. This is a place where people can go and their ideas become a reality. It’s a place of encouragement and teamwork, which ultimately leads to success.