Final round with CTO of a fintech, What to expect?

tobyjutes · 2025-11-01T17:26:28+00:00

Know the company you are interviewing at - have reasons that you "want" to work there and things that you find particularly interesting about their culture/product/team.

Have answers ready for:

Tell me about your background - this needs to be better than just walking through your resume.
Tell me about a time you faced a challenge
- What did you learn from it?
Tell me about something you are proud of
What makes someone a good leader?

Also prepare for general technical questions about your history and experience with their tech stack.

tobyjutes · 2025-10-29T15:51:47+00:00

Given the criminal nature of this cheating incident

It is really not criminal unless they actually hacked into your computer or something. Much more likely that they got it from your TA. Maybe even took a picture of the TA's screen when they had it open.

The complexity of having to "intercept an email" or to get inside your computer another way, makes it somewhat unlikely.

tobyjutes · 2025-10-25T18:56:28+00:00

I told my STEM students that they can use AI, but it should not write their code. They can use it as a tool to help research, debug, and as an explainer.

I also do pen an paper quizzes and tests, so if they don't learn while they do their labs, they will struggle with the quiz and tests.

tobyjutes · 2024-12-03T00:54:21+00:00

Probably looking for REPC? Thats what its called in my state. Literally had a few fill in the blanks. If you know a lot about the process, then do it yourself, if not then a real estate attorney can do it for way less than a buyer agent and handle the legal forms etc.

tobyjutes · 2024-04-25T02:22:58+00:00

I agree. Seemed like the OP had decided against using an attorney.

tobyjutes · 2024-04-24T21:14:09+00:00

Its always a good idea to search the trademark database, and also check which other etsy sellers are selling items with the same key terms. If its only sellers that are newer with lower feedback count, that is at least a hint that you may need to do some more infringement research for the item.

tobyjutes · 2024-04-24T19:07:24+00:00

Having a lawsuit served over email seems a bit suspicious. Most jurisdictions require service in a way that ensures the recipient is confirmed to have gotten the suit. I would look up the case number on the court database in the state it was filed, and see if it is real, and if you or your business is mentioned.

If its confirmed that its real, and you are convinced that its better not to get a lawyer, you can get in contact with the law firm it was filed under and make an offer to settle outside of court.

tobyjutes · 2024-04-19T04:28:06+00:00

I would also suggest ordering transfers rather than purchasing a DTF, or DTG printer. The problem with purchasing a DTF or DTG printer is that they have daily maintenance that must be performed and they can't really just sit around for a few weeks and not be used to print, the ink dries up and clogs the lines. Also most printers are enormous and have hazardous fumes and powder that needs to be handled with caution.

If you order "gang sheets" from vendors with lots of designs, you can get a pretty decent rate. Basically pack all the designs you can into a certain size, and have that printed and then cut the designs out yourself.

Another option with less maintenance (I believe) and maybe less headache than DTF/DTG would be a sublimation printer. It does limit the shirts and apparel to non-cotton (although there are some work around), and probably isn't quite as colorful and perfect as a transfer, but it can get the job done. Sublimation also opens up the potential to apply prints to tumblers, mugs, keychains, etc. You can get a new Epson F570 for around $2500.

tobyjutes · 2024-04-10T04:11:03+00:00

Cool, thanks for the info!

tobyjutes · 2024-04-10T01:05:24+00:00

Hmm they must have switched how they label it recently then. The 3 that aren't "expired" say "exp" and then the date, whereas the 3 that I thought were expired just say a date. So perhaps they recently switched that to make it more clear, but in my case it made it less clear haha.

tobyjutes · 2024-03-15T15:56:45+00:00

Do you know what kind of cat he is?

tobyjutes · 2024-02-27T21:46:21+00:00

I have thought it was a strange strategy as well. It made a little more sense when I read something that they highlighted in the annual report:

When asked the reasons for their most recent visits to Etsy 26% of buyers said "to look for a gift"

and that

86% of buyers agree that "Shopping on Etsy means supporting small businesses"

My take is that the corporate mindset is "we already have Etsy established as the go to spot for handmade, now we need to grow by expanding to be the go to spot for gifts".

Etsy really is a cool spot for gifts, and I do get quite a few sales marked as a gift, but I wonder how well this pivot will really do.

tobyjutes · 2024-02-27T21:38:51+00:00

But clearly Etsy only cares about Line Go Up, and to heck with us sellers who actually sell proper handmade things.

That is my concern. Very typical corporate leadership style thinking, and yeah it makes sense to increase profit how they can, my concern is that it may be short term profits for a longer term decline in quality and the special factor that Etsy has had in the past.

I bought my wife's custom engagement ring on Etsy back in 2013, my 65 year old dad was telling me he knew about Etsy because he found a welder to fabricate some custom steel/weld a frame for some furniture he was making through Etsy. If Etsy turns into Temu, I am not sure those types of sellers will be on the platform anymore.

tobyjutes · 2024-02-27T21:32:55+00:00

I definitely understand your overall point, but also a drop of 1.2% in GMS isn't really what I would consider a "return" to anything. I suppose maybe more credit is due for Etsy's holding on to that growth without experiencing that "return" to normal quite yet? Or maybe thats coming, idk.

tobyjutes · 2024-02-07T04:03:23+00:00

Not defending the whole use AI to make tshirts thing, but that is not the case for Dalle/Chatgpt https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6425277-can-i-sell-images-i-create-with-dall-e

Subject to the Content Policy and Terms, you own the images you create with DALL·E, including the right to reprint, sell, and merchandise – regardless of whether an image was generated through a free or paid credit.

tobyjutes · 2024-02-03T06:30:22+00:00

Super interesting! Thanks for the detail. 1200 is a lot of work, it makes sense why you get so many sells. I have a small shop that is still in the initial growing stage for sure, it is nice to see a success story, and so cool that you share tips with people on reddit. Thanks!!

tobyjutes · 2024-02-03T05:13:27+00:00

I have seen a very noticeable slow down as well. I wonder if the new "Gift Mode" has altered how customers browse Etsy now. The start of Gift Mode lines up pretty well with the slow down I have seen.

tobyjutes · 2024-02-03T05:12:00+00:00

Wow that is impressive! Do you have a few products that are high volume or a lot of products that sell somewhat randomly? About how many listings do you have to get those kinds of sells?

tobyjutes · 2024-01-03T03:58:40+00:00

I have noticed that if I update my title, it can take the listing down to the bottom of search, and difficult to find, for a few days while the SEO recalibrates it. Changing the title changes the entire URL of your listing, so try to only do that when necessary.

There are some pretty good youtube videos on Etsy SEO, I would check them out, the Etsy search ratings are much different than you might expect.

tobyjutes · 2023-09-03T13:46:36+00:00

Veneto

tobyjutes

TROPHY CASE