At Vinted, our team of Resource Analysts play a key role in keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. Kotryna, who joined the team in June 2023, shares what it's like to work in this dynamic role – balancing data analysis, forecasting and teamwork to help our members access the help they need. Let's dive into her day-to-day responsibilities and discover what makes the job so unique.<h2>Meet Kotryna</h2>After earning her degree in information system engineering, Kotryna decided to dive into the realm of analytics. She kickstarted her career in the banking sector, working in transaction monitoring as an AML/CTF officer. While the role was rewarding, she was eager to find more opportunities for creativity.Seeking a mix of data and communication, she found her perfect match in Resource Analysis: "Resource Analysts have a variety of responsibilities, and our work is not just defined by calculations and numbers. [We work] with our partner teams and Vinted's internal teams – as a person who prefers teamwork, these were the key points that caught my attention."<h2>Inside the role of a Resource Analyst</h2>As a Resource Analyst, Kotryna and her team help our Customer Support department to assist our members in a timely manner. "In one sentence, a Resource Analyst ensures that we have enough agents in the right place at the right time."One of her key tasks involves preparing calculated and data-based forecasts to predict the number of support tickets from our members and, thus, the demand for agents, then planning staffing accordingly. According to Kotryna, accurately planned staffing and efficient scheduling are crucial when preparing for busy seasons, as training and preparing our agents takes time.<h2>Expecting the unexpected</h2>No matter how well a forecast is prepared, sometimes things go differently than planned, and an unexpected event may occur that causes a spike in support tickets. In those situations, Kotryna and her team work on backlog management so we can help our members as soon as possible.Kotryna’s role also involves a lot of communication with the teams that handle support tickets for our members. "Once we've prepared the forecast and staffing plan, we share this with our partner teams – we work closely with them to make sure agents are in the right place at the right time, ready to help our members."<h2>Collaboration is key</h2>Kotryna credits Vinted's positive and supportive work culture for her success. "My team is a very friendly team! We care about each other, and there's always a helping hand when needed. We try to do everything in a timely manner so there'll be no stress or pressure from tight deadlines."While they share core responsibilities, each team member shines in their own way. Some excel in project management and stakeholder collaboration, others are analytical wizards, and some are great at finding and implementing technical solutions.Beyond her immediate team, Kotryna collaborates with other departments, particularly when beginning new projects that involve different parts of the platform. "As Vinted is always evolving, we have multiple projects, and we meet our colleagues from other departments during our kick-off meetings and while working on a project." &nbsp;

<h2>Tools of the trade</h2>To do all this, Kotryna relies on a range of tools or, as she puts it, "Google Sheets, Excel and Looker are my holy trinity." These go-to resources help her to work efficiently and collaborate with her team.But it’s not just the tools; it’s the processes behind them that really help to keep things accurate and reliable, “We have standardised procedures and templates in place, and we always do our data validation.” For Kotryna, the golden rule remains: "Measure thrice, check twice, cut once."Regular meetings and team support sessions are also an asset and can help review if a forecast "makes sense".<h2>The best bits</h2>In addition to her daily tasks, Kotryna finds value in the perks of working at Vinted. "Vinted has really great benefits, such as volunteering days. I love that we can contribute to our community and use volunteering days to help those in need."She also appreciates the learning budget Vinted gives each team member – "I was able to join a conference in Paris, and I use our Udemy business account to get as much field-related training as I can!" For Kotryna, though, one of the most rewarding aspects is truly enjoying what you do for work every day, "One of the most exciting projects I recently worked on is the Electronics category! It is really exciting as I can see this feature myself while using Vinted!"<h2>Advice for aspiring Resource Analysts</h2>For anyone thinking about becoming a Resource Analyst, Kotryna's advice is simple: "Always ask the "stupid" questions, and if needed, ask the same question as many times as you need. This is one of the things I mention in the first meeting when we onboard new colleagues."<h2>Looking ahead</h2>When it comes to the future, Kotryna's goal is to develop her skills even further. "I'd like to become a data scientist and take on even more difficult calculations!"Her journey at Vinted has only just begun, but with her passion for data analysis and teamwork, it's clear she has a bright future ahead.<h2>Final thoughts</h2>Kotryna's story is a great example of how our team members continue to learn and grow at Vinted. &nbsp;Are you interested in joining a team like Kotryna's? Check out our <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?page=1&amp;q=resource%20analyst" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">open roles </a>at Vinted and discover how you can make your mark. &nbsp;

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From Data to Decisions: Life as a Resource Analyst at Vinted

This year, we’re adding a new programme to our list of paid entry-level programmes at Vinted, created to support new graduates and career changers at the beginning of their field: the Data Science &amp; Analytics Academy. The Data Science &amp; Analytics (DSA) academy is designed to support budding Data scientists, Decision scientists, and Analytics engineers as they begin their upward career trajectory at Vinted. Where participants can develop their existing data science knowledge and skills, and apply them to real, impactful team projects. Read on for more information about the academy, who we’re looking for, and how to apply.<h2 style="text-align:justify;"> Let’s take you through the basics</h2> The DSA Academy is a paid one-year programme, starting in October 2024 in Vilnius or Kaunas. In the first 12 months you will be part of a rotation programme<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:common-ligatures;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">. The programme is split into two parts, lasting six months each, which are designed to help you broaden your data skills, engage with various teams, and explore different ways of working at Vinted. We have three distinct roles within Data Science &amp; Analytics:<ol><li>Data scientists weave data into our products and services, driving everything from personalisation to marketing mix models.</li><li>Decision scientists translate complex business questions and are behind every test feature, product metric, or decision we make.</li><li>Analytics engineers take charge of our data – treating it as a product and ensuring its quality and trustworthiness. You’ll choose which role you’ll be working in for your first rotation in advance, depending on your preferences. For the second rotation, you’ll change roles and domain/business area – giving you the chance to work with different teams on different things.</li></ol><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Your career growth, with our support</h2> Start making an impact right away. After a week of technical and company onboarding, you’ll be ready to dive in and start deepening your skills on the job, by joining some more senior colleagues on team projects. What’s more, while in the academy, you’ll have the full support of a mentor and will take part in workshops to enhance your knowledge not only in data science and analytics, but also in your own career building skills (such as goal setting, communication and problem-solving).The Academy is only just the beginning of your career at Vinted. By the end of the year, you’ll be equipped with all the skills and knowledge needed for a successful start here at Lithuania’s first tech unicorn.&nbsp;

<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Who should apply</h2> The ideal candidate doesn’t exist. But we do need DSA academy applicants to already possess certain qualities. We’re looking for people who are mathematically-driven, with a degree in a quantitative field such as physics, econometrics, economics, or business. Some experience or background knowledge in Python would be necessary. As already mentioned, you’ll be able to tell us your preferred role in DSA when you apply, but you should also have an interest in learning about and working in other roles and business areas. The DSA Academy is open to everyone with the necessary education or skills, regardless of where or how you developed them, or what life stage you’re at. We’re a diverse workplace – just like the people we build our products for, and we believe it’s this mixture of different backgrounds and perspectives that makes us stronger. At Vinted we nurture an inclusive environment of co-creation and collaboration. Everyone is listened to and heard, and all ideas and perspectives are valid and important. You’ll expect this same supportive environment across all our entry-level programmes, and we think it’s this attitude that makes us thrive together.<h2 style="text-align:justify;"> The selection process</h2> Does this sound good to you? Then you’ll need to know about the selection process, which consists of several stages. The Academy Programme is open for intake once a year (in Autumn), with hiring taking place in the summertime. When applications are open, there will be a <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?page=1&amp;q=academy&amp;departments%5B0%5D=Data%20Science%20%26%20Analytics" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">job ad posted</a> on our Careers page. Here’s where you can answer some general questions, and attach your CV and portfolio/examples of projects that showcase your skills and expertise. Selected candidates will then be asked to carry out a scenario-based Vinted Value Assessment, which was developed by psychologists to determine if your values align with our way of working. Hiring managers will then review the CVs again, and select candidates to move on to the homework task – an assignment designed to demonstrate your skills and analytical thinking, which you can carry out in your own time. The final part of the selection process is an hour-long interview where you can meet your future team. Half of it will be focussed on how you would fit with Vinted’s working culture, and the other half will be technical questions based on how you approached your homework task. You’ll be left with plenty of time to ask the team your questions as well.<h2 style="text-align:justify;"> Could you be our next Academy participant?</h2> Our culture of aiming high, taking ownership, co-creation, care and growth makes us the perfect creative environment for professional development. Together our dynamic teams make a positive global impact, and individually we thrive. We can’t wait to see who will join us next in our mission to make second-hand the first choice. If you’re interested in taking part in the DSA Academy, or any other &nbsp;career at Vinted, keep your eyes peeled for concrete dates. &nbsp;You can hear about our latest updates and job openings from us first by subscribing to <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/newsletter?gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our careers newsletter</a> and following us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinted/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn.&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;

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Vinted Data Science & Analytics Academy: our new entry-level programme

There comes a time in all our careers when we yearn for a new challenge. But sometimes, figuring out exactly what steps to take to reach the next level can be tricky. In this article, Nicole van Alphen, Director of Product at Vinted Go, shares her story of how she grew from a Product Owner at a close-knit startup to where she is today. You'll hear unique insights from her incredible journey at Vinted Go and discover some key tips for making the next big move in your career. &nbsp;<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">Meet Nicole van Alphen</h2>Nicole van Alphen kicked off her career as a Product Owner at a local startup and worked her way up from there. She dedicated nine years to sharpening her skills in Product Management, spending over half that time in the field of Logistics. But one day, a key experience ignited a spark of inspiration, and Nicole realised she was ready for a new challenge. That's when she stumbled upon an opportunity at Vinted Go and decided to take the leap, joining the team as Director of Products in the Vinted Go carrier&nbsp;domain in&nbsp;October 2022. Now, let's hear from Nicole in her own words about how she scaled her Product Management career, plus some tips for how you can do the same.

<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;" dir="ltr">It all starts with a goal</h2> I remember the moment I decided to move into Product Management very clearly. It was 2013, and I was in New York for an event, doing Sales for a startup at the time. During one of the seminars, the Head of Product came on stage. She explained the company's roadmap, their vision for the platform, and how they planned to get there. It was so inspiring to hear, and I immediately set a goal: one day, I would be on a stage at an event, talking about Product Management.&nbsp; Throughout the years, this goal has helped me to keep my eye on the prize. I didn't set out with a clear path for how I would become a Director of Product. But the goal I set allowed me to stay inspired and motivated along the way. &nbsp;<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"> Becoming a Product Manager &nbsp;</h2>I didn't study Product Management. I actually have a different background, with a Bachelor of BA in Hotel and Event Management. But, during my studies, I realised I was interested in all things E-Commerce. Following my studies, I joined a small startup and took on many different roles, including Sales/Account Management, Marketing and even some Office Management duties.Then came that inspiring moment when I set my goal to become a Product Manager. Around the same time, I noticed a gap in the company I was working for. We had a strong platform, but we needed someone to plan the roadmap and analyse the user needs in-depth to align them with the business objectives. So, I chatted with my manager and she agreed I could fill the role of Product Manager at the startup. After that, I took some courses, dove into the topic of product and climbed the ladder from there. &nbsp;But one path is just as good as any other. I firmly believe that a mix of different personalities and backgrounds makes a great team. I also believe in hiring junior team members, as this is how we build a stronger product community together. Since there aren’t any university courses dedicated to Product Management, the field is also ideal for people seeking a career shift. Each person has their own unique skill set to bring to the table. So, a wide range of professional backgrounds are valued.As Vinted grows, there are many opportunities. I've seen Product Managers move from Vinted Go to Vinted Marketplace and vice versa. There is definitely room for open discussions with your team leader about your personal development and growth, and Vinted always strives to find what will suit you best.&nbsp;<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">Product Owners vs. Product Managers</h2> These terms are often used interchangeably. However, there are some differences: Product Owners (POs) -&nbsp;come from the Scrum methodology. These people have specific tasks related to Scrum ceremonies (e.g. running sprint planning, creating user stories, etc.) Product Managers (PMs) -&nbsp;have a broader role and are not just bound to Scrum ceremonies. Product managers are responsible for ensuring their product meets the business objectives.&nbsp;At Vinted, we only work with Product Managers.<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"> Common misconceptions about PMs &nbsp;</h2>My favourite one is that Product Managers are mini-CEOs of the product. Although Product Managers are experts in the product, they're not actually running a company, nor are they the final decision-makers.&nbsp; Another common misconception is that Product Managers always have or must have a technical background. As a Product Manager, you’re the critical link between the business and engineering. So, some level of understanding is critical, but you don’t need to know every detail.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">Things every Product Manager should know</h2>&nbsp;Cross-team collaboration is vital for Product Managers in any organisation. And, it’s important for Product Managers to understand their users deeply. For example, in our domain, we often travel to package sorting centres. We work with the shift managers on-site, drive along with delivery drivers, and more&nbsp;– all to see our product in action. &nbsp;This means you must be a strong communicator, both with your engineering team and your stakeholders. Think of skills like storytelling (it’s our job to convey the vision of a product, so you’ll need to know how to explain why we’re working on certain topics over others), leadership, and influencing skills (it’s important to win people over in a collaborative way, rather than asking your team members to work on a task just because you told them to). &nbsp;A Product Manager should excel or have the potential to become very proficient at:&nbsp;Setting goalsTracking goals using measurable KPIsIdentifying the core of your user's problems and fully understanding their needsNavigating a complex trade-off between a fast, cheap and good Product Development triangle.&nbsp; &nbsp;Lastly, what's important is product-specific or industry-specific knowledge. To fully understand your users' pain points and identify opportunities, you must understand the space you're working in. Get to know your users in-depth, know the product, and understand your competitors.<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">The best part of being a Product Manager &nbsp;</h2>Product Managers ensure that the right features are built at the right time. They identify the user's needs, listen to the business needs and objectives, come up with a plan to measure success, and communicate all of this to the engineering team. Then, they communicate a development plan and ensure delivery happens on time.&nbsp; &nbsp;Product management is not just one skill. It's about being able to see the big picture and communicate with a wide variety of people in different roles.&nbsp;<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">Interested in applying at Vinted? Here's my advice &nbsp;</h2>Don't be afraid to dive in! Product management is great, and the level of collaboration is amazing. It can be daunting, but I believe with the right mindset, you can do it!We’re always looking for motivated and passionate people. So, if you want to stand out, highlight what gets you excited about Vinted or Product Management in your application.&nbsp; &nbsp;It's also a bonus when candidates are specific and can share what projects they’ve worked on and what their contribution was to them. Building a portfolio of the projects is helpful, as it's proof that you can do an amazing job in Product Management, even without having the title yet. &nbsp;Are you interested in a career in Product Management?&nbsp;<a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?departments%5B0%5D=Product%20Management&amp;page=1&amp;gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Explore our current vacancies on our Careers page.&nbsp;</a>

Nicole

Scaling up: The career path of a Product Manager

Have you ever wondered how Vinted effectively manages the thousands of items uploaded to our platform? For our Ontologies team, it boils down to one crucial element: collaboration. Join us as we sit down with Product Designer Eidvilė Bagdonaitė and Taxonomists Laura Horan and Charlie Lapin to discover how they leverage their unique areas of expertise to co-create a better member experience for all.<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:18pt;" dir="ltr">About the Ontologies team</h2>Ontology is all about describing items&nbsp;– from defining the category they fit into to details like their size and the materials they're made from. By exhaustively cataloguing each aspect of an item in our database, the Ontologies team helps Vinted members find&nbsp;exactly what they're looking for.&nbsp; &nbsp;In other words, the Ontologies team ensures items are discoverable throughout the member journey, including the moment a member uploads an item to Vinted and when they use filters to find the items they need while browsing our platform.&nbsp;"We do this by making sure our platform includes the metadata terms that members use to describe these items."&nbsp;Eidvilė Bagdonaitė says.

<h2>The Buyer domain</h2>As part of the Buyer domain, Laura, Charlie, and Eidvilė's work focuses on the initial stages of the buying and selling process. This covers everything from opening the app and listing an item for sale to searching for something to buy. The Buyer domain also includes the stage where members chat about an item or when they make an offer to buy something. The following steps – payment, shipping and feedback – are handled by another branch of the team.<h2> A unique structure</h2>Vinted’s Ontologies team is an Engineering Product team, which means Engineers, Data Analysts, Product Managers, and Product Designers all come together to achieve the same goal.What makes our Ontology team unique at Vinted is that it also includes Taxonomists. As Laura puts it, "Charlie and I were the first taxonomists at Vinted and the first employees with this background and expertise. Our first order of business was to meet with an array of stakeholders across the matching domain to introduce our skillset and ways we might be able to support their work through improved data modelling."As taxonomists working with colleagues from many different fields, the team finds it essential to clarify the language they use so they can keep their communication clear. After all, words that mean one thing to Product Designers may mean something else to Taxonomists.There are many different paths to the role of Taxonomy, including a History, Librarian, Museum Curation or Knowledge Management background. The ideal taxonomist is someone who’s a logical thinker and enjoys creating order from chaos.<h2 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:18pt;" dir="ltr">How Taxonomy meets Product Design at Vinted</h2>While our taxonomy data model is the backbone of every item on Vinted, having extensive information is only helpful when we can display it to our members. That’s why we've learned it's vital to get Product Design involved as soon as possible, as it's a lot easier to work in tandem before a launch than it is to start the design process after. &nbsp;So, how do these different approaches come together in the Ontology team’s projects? Eidvilė states, "One of the most straightforward ways we collaborate is by including member insights and perspectives into data structure decisions."&nbsp;This can involve user testing or showcasing how different data structure options influence user flow. Whenever a new approach is suggested, the team discusses how it will change the way Vinted members learn about an item and how this could benefit them. "By anchoring our communication around the user perspective, we're able to find common ground and collaborate towards member-centric experiences", Laura Horan says.&nbsp;Furthermore, in some scenarios, to address the needs of sellers on Vinted, we may need to present information in a way that’s relevant to them but would require a different level of granularity to be user-friendly for buyers. As Eidvilė puts it,&nbsp;“This nuanced understanding has empowered me to approach my design process with greater depth and to develop more solutions that meet the diverse needs of various member groups”. &nbsp;Another way the Ontology team collaborates is through the Kanban method. The team uses a virtual Kanban board to keep track of what everyone’s working on and facilitates meetings that foster collaboration and communication. Every day, the team has a 15-minute standup meeting where they update the status of their Kanban board tickets as a team. They also have weekly planning meetings, where they add new items to their Kanban board and host post-launch retrospectives for projects that go live. The Ontology team also uses Slack to discuss work topics and ask questions more freely&nbsp;– sometimes, these can be answered in a simple thread, but the team is always happy to jump on a quick call to explain the details, too. These methods help everyone to stay on the same page.

<h2>Achieving results</h2> Although Taxonomy has some Member-facing results (e.g. creating a new category in our taxonomy "tree"), they tend to fall into the existing Product Design framework. "We're not reinventing the wheel when adding a new subcategory under Jackets or Skirts", Charlie says.But their collaboration truly shines when the Ontology team works on a new concept. Charlie explains: "For example, in our current project we're working on...Taxonomy has a few options to choose from when building a data model, and we would have been stuck, but product design helped us settle on the best choice, and now we're actively working on implementing it for our members!"Sometimes, the taxonomy design options are limited by the current systems or product designs in place. By collaborating with a Product Designer, the Ontology team can identify opportunities for product design improvements, which enables us to create better data models that enhance the member experience. Eidvilė elaborates: "Like Charlie, I've realised that taxonomy and product design go hand-in-hand. When we combine our skills – thinking how to organise information with a solid grasp of how members think and manage information, it can help create solutions that make a difference to the user experience."<h2>Find out more &nbsp;</h2> Are you a logical thinker who excels at bringing order to chaos? Consider joining our Ontology team and collaborating on projects that make a real impact on millions of members. See our open positions <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here.</a> &nbsp;

Taxonomy

Fostering Collaboration in Engineering Teams: How does taxonomy fit into product development? 

Successfully rebuilding a career from scratch in a completely different field with no formal education or work experience is tough. But Tom Slaytor managed to defy all odds and successfully become a Backend Engineer, despite starting from a very different line of work. Read on to find out more about Tom’s remarkable journey into Vinted via our Engineering Academy, and discover how we at Vinted welcome and support our thriving career changers into our teams.<h2>Meet Tom Slaytor</h2> After working as a professional drummer for several years, followed by a role in sales, Tom Slaytor decided to pursue a new career path that ignited his passion. After developing an interest in engineering by chance, Tom stumbled upon an advert for the Vinted Engineering Academy and decided to apply (spoiler alert – he got the job). But switching careers is never easy – particularly without formal education or training. In his own words, let’s find out how Tom got on with this mammoth transition from professional drummer to Backend Engineer at Vinted, and hear the advice he’d give to people thinking of applying for the Engineering Academy. &nbsp;<h2>It all started with an app</h2> My work experience is pretty varied. After studying music at University, I worked as a professional drummer for several years. Following that, I had a job in sales within the finance sector. A career in engineering was never a consideration. Until one day I had a sudden idea for a training app for drummers. Without having any technical knowledge of engineering, I asked a developer friend to help me create it. As I worked alongside him, I watched him work on the code. I was immediately drawn to it, and found myself quickly getting to grips with what he was doing. The problem-solving element was particularly appealing, but without any experience or training in the field, it never occurred to me that this could be something I could do for myself. &nbsp;

<h2>Time for a change</h2> My job in sales came to an end, but I soon realised I didn’t want to pursue another role in this field. It didn’t spark my interest, so I began looking for another job that I felt more passionate about. I had some time and savings to fall back on, which gave me the opportunity to pursue something else. I took on some freelance work in the meantime, and set myself a deadline to begin applying for jobs, or start getting into a different field within a year. This was the springboard that allowed me to take the idea of programming more seriously, and further develop my skills in that area. As time started running out, the more I realised I really didn’t want to go back into sales. I always liked the idea of working for Vinted – it looked like a good company to join. But I didn’t feel like I had the skills, confidence, or experience to apply for a regular engineering role. I almost jumped out of my seat when I saw the advert for the <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/blog/engineering-academy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Engineering Academy</a>, which requires no experience to join. I applied straight away.<h2> Making the cut</h2> The selection process was pretty relaxed. We were asked to share examples of some projects we’ve previously worked on, but there was no strict specification. We just had to showcase the extent of our skills and experience. After that, I had to do some tests and scenario-based questions designed to find out if I would be a good fit within the company’s values and culture, making sure that I had the right soft skills to thrive here. The next stage in the whittling down process was technical. We had to complete a homework assignment in our own time. It was quite challenging, but interesting. I learned a lot from it, and I took it as a good sign that if I found the assignment interesting, I’d find the job interesting as well. Finally, there was the interview with a couple of future team members. It wasn’t as daunting as I expected, and felt like a discussion. Half the questions were centred around my values and how I would react in certain situations or overcome challenges, and the other half were about the technical &nbsp;decisions and choices I made during the homework assignment. &nbsp;

<h2>Finding my way</h2> After successfully making it through the selection process, I was hired. On my very first day at Vinted I learned that there’s a structured onboarding process for academy participants. This came in two parts: technical onboarding, which really focussed on the academy, and general company onboarding. For the first week of technical onboarding, we joined a lot of workshops, and got to grips with the basics. It was all very structured, and we had the opportunity to learn more about how things work, the different workflows, and the programming languages used at Vinted that we were unfamiliar with. After that was Vweek – company onboarding for all new joiners (not just academy participants). We were introduced to different departments and had the opportunity to get to know colleagues in different teams from all over the world. It was a great introduction to what the company is all about – it’s like a big community.<h2> Expectations vs. reality</h2> It sounds cheesy, but working at Vinted is even better that I thought it would be. I’m genuinely excited to wake up every morning and come to the office to work. I was expecting loads of pressure to achieve more or do more in the Academy, but that’s not the case. We push ourselves because we want to. Even with lack of experience, in an unfamiliar system, with languages we’ve never used before, we’re never made to feel not good enough. Many of us haven’t worked in an environment like this before. It’s very comfortable and stress-free. From the people you’re working with, to the projects we’re working on, managers’ expectations, and the way everybody within the company helps each other, the atmosphere is really positive. I’ve quickly bonded with people both inside and outside of the Academy. Everyone is really supportive and accepting of one another. The people and the company culture really make this a fantastic workplace to be in.<h2> Want to join the Engineering Academy? Here’s my advice</h2> Engineering skills are important. But they aren’t the be-all and end-all. To be successful in any company you have to feel like you belong, and that your values align. Stay curious, and keep solving problems. Get ready to tackle new challenges. If that means having to learn a new language, or familiarise yourself with a new paradigm, just dive in and have a go, even if you’re unsure. Take it step-by-step, and eventually you’ll find the answer. If you’re on the fence about applying, I’d say go for it, even if you’re not sure you’re ready. I wasn’t sure I was ready either, but here I am. What’s there to lose? Are you looking for a new career challenge in engineering like Tom? Find out more about the <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/blog/engineering-academy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vinted Engineering Academy</a>, or <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">apply here.&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;

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From Drums to Development: Tom’s Journey to Backend Engineering

<h2>Turning a love of luxury into a career: life as an Authentication Expert</h2>Recently, we introduced a new service – <a href="https://company.vinted.com/newsroom/vinted-introduces-item-verification-service" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Item Verification</a>. It allows our members to have selected second-hand designer pieces on Vinted checked for authenticity by our team of experts. Following last year’s acquisition of the German pre-loved luxury platform Rebelle – our teams joined forces to bring Rebelle’s expertise in item verification to Vinted members.Today, our trained teams have successfully verified many different designer pieces. And it’s all thanks to the knowledge of our experts, who bring together 5 decades of professional experience and accumulated knowledge about thousands of designer brands. That’s why today, we’d like to shed some light on the daily life of our Offline Authentication team.We sat down with Julia Boldt, Manager of Offline Authentication at Vinted, to learn more about verifying designer items and the future of the team. &nbsp;<h2>A typical day as an Offline Authentication Expert</h2>Every day, new items arrive for our team to check. Once our Admissions team has processed the items, we unbox them and remove any dustcovers so we can start verifying them.Then, we meet with our colleagues to discuss the potential authenticity features of these items, sharing our insights with each other. Sometimes, we also do research to enhance our knowledge of new brands or updated verification details. After this, we inspect the object, checking many aspects – from an item’s quality, stitching, and craftsmanship to even its texture, scent and other details. Once an item successfully passes our verification process, it's forwarded to the buyer.Thanks to our experienced team of experts, we can verify items spanning many categories, including handbags, shoes, clothing, accessories and all the popular sneaker brands you'll find on Vinted. We try to learn something new every day so we can soak up everything we can about the subject.<h2> The ideal candidate for this role</h2>A perfect fit would be someone with years of experience verifying items from every decade – perhaps you’ve worked at a luxury second-hand store or have been self-employed as a reseller. Or, if you haven’t worked in a similar role yet, maybe you’ve bought and sold a lot of second-hand items from home. For example, there are sneakerheads out there with a wealth of knowledge on this topic who’d be a great match for this position!Another option is someone who’s very passionate about fashion and has gained knowledge organically over the years but has yet to work in the industry. A degree in fashion design or management is nice to have, but it’s not essential for this role. It also helps if you have an interest in luxury goods.Either way, a verification expert should have a good eye for detail and a feel for quality and materials. They should be comfortable making decisions and be proactive when it comes to researching new features.It’s essential that our new colleague is a team player as well.&nbsp;

<h2>Working autonomously and as a team</h2>Our role includes both, which I think is the perfect mix. We independently verify items but consistently share knowledge and discuss challenging cases with the people we work with. Senior colleagues play a crucial role in training our junior team members, and we actively engage with the team during our double-checking processes.We also collaborate with the Customer Support team and the Admission and Shipping teams (who prepare incoming items for us). Whenever there’s an opportunity to co-create, we try to take advantage of it.With our teams in Hamburg and the UK currently experiencing growth, it's an exciting time to join us.&nbsp;<h2>Highlights (and challenges) of the role</h2>The most challenging part is, perhaps, that it's not a typical job – it isn't something you can study at a fashion school. It's about the experience and passion you have for this type of investigative work.Plus, you’re required to make quick decisions and keep your eye on the details. So, staying up-to-date with the latest authentication trends and insights is crucial as brands constantly update their designs.The best part of the job? We get to dive into fashion history and see stunning luxury pieces every day! What could be better? Our dynamic training processAt the heart of our team’s approach is learning by doing – the more items we can handle, the better. We learn from our team members every day. And we’re developing new training programs to ensure we have the best onboarding processes so we’re ready when more juniors join our team in the future.<h2> Navigating the selection process</h2>First, there’s an introductory call with our Talent Acquisition Specialist. Then, candidates take part in an interview with myself and a senior staff member. After passing those steps, we'll invite the successful applicant to a trial day. For us, this is the most important part of the selection process, as it’s where we evaluate a candidate's knowledge and their potential starting level at Vinted.<h2>Career opportunities in the Offline Authentication team</h2>Our team has a lot of room for growth – there are junior, mid-level and senior Authentication positions. Beyond that, there is also a pathway to grow into a Team Lead, Manager or Director for the team. As you know, Vinted aims high, and so do we!<h2>Find out more</h2>We hope you enjoyed learning more about life in the Offline Authentication team. Would you thrive in a role like this? Apply to become <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?page=1&amp;q=brand%20expert&amp;gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">an Authentication Expert</a> at Vinted and join our team of luxury fashion specialists. &nbsp;

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Work with Luxury Fashion: Offline Authentication Expert

Fakes or counterfeits – however you refer to them – they’re a challenge for most of the fashion industry (whether you’re shopping for new or second-hand items). At Vinted, we don’t allow the buying or selling of counterfeits, not just because it’s against the law but because it undermines the hard work of the original creators.That’s why we have different types of anti-counterfeit measures in place to fight fakes on the platform and we’re constantly developing more.However no technology is 100% foolproof, therefore, our Content Quality team and our community participate and take action too. Vinted members report suspect listings through our app. Then, our dedicated Content Quality team reviews those requests and takes appropriate steps.So today, let’s shine a light on the people working tirelessly behind the scenes to help our members trade safely and securely with a glimpse into the day in the life of an Anti-Counterfeit Associate. But first, let’s learn a little more about the Content Quality team.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<h2>Life in the Content Quality Team</h2>An evolving team - it’s an exciting time to be in Content Quality. With over 100 specialists to date, there’s a lot of room to grow in this dynamic team. We have shared goals - it’s the Content Quality team’s job to ensure only high-quality and trustworthy content makes it onto the Vinted platform. They do this by screening, monitoring and moderating risky content. It’s a vital role as our team must exercise their judgment to ensure that listings align with Vinted’s guidelines. &nbsp; &nbsp;

<h2>A typical day for an Anti-Counterfeit Associate &nbsp;</h2>Two types of tasks - Our Anti-Counterfeit Associates don’t communicate directly with our members – instead, they receive their work in two ways: Alerts are short tasks that require a quick decision, while Tickets are for situations that are in need of a more detailed analysis. These different types of tasks add variety to each day. However, it’s always best to work efficiently and accurately in order to reach key results.We stick to the plan - The team always knows what needs to be done in this role, as each day is well-planned, down to the hour. Alerts and Tickets guide our team on exactly what they need to do, so there’s no confusion about what to tackle next.Frequent breaks - In addition to a one-hour lunch break every day, our Content Quality team is also taking a 10-minute break every hour. This helps to keep the mind fresh and to keep accuracy up. Shift work provides flexibility - Anti-Counterfeit Associates work on a shift basis. That means you can choose what day works best for you 12 times a month, and our internal workload team will handle the rest. Sometimes, the Content Quality team works on the weekend, completing 4 weekend days a month.

<h2>Becoming an Anti-Counterfeit Associate &nbsp;</h2>Does this all sound like something that might suit you? The journey to becoming an Anti-Counterfeit Associate is pretty straightforward. First, browse <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;departments%5B0%5D=Community%20Support&amp;page=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our open roles</a> and apply for one that interests you. <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/hiring-process?gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The hiring process</a> involves an over-the-phone interview and an introductory meeting, followed by a homework task and a try-out day. After that, our approach to training is pretty flexible – once you've made it past the hiring stage, you'll step into a 10-week program held in a hybrid setting. For the first month, we require our new team members to be in the office on certain days, but you can work from home for the rest of the training period. You'll even get the chance to try out the role for a day to ensure you like it before committing to anything. So, if this sounds appealing to you, why not learn more about life in the Community Support department in <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/blog?categories%5B0%5D=community-support&amp;gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">our blog</a>? And don't forget to check out our <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?gh_src=4dae07a2teu&amp;utm_source=web&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;departments%5B0%5D=Community%20Support&amp;page=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">open job vacancies</a> while you're there. &nbsp;

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A Day in the Life of an Anti-Counterfeit Associate

<h2 class="p1" style="text-align:center;">Vinted continues its expansion: opening an office in Kaunas, where over 100 employees are now working</h2>Vinted, Europe's largest peer-to-peer online marketplace for second-hand fashion, is expanding, and has recently opened an office in Kaunas, Lithuania, with over 100 employees now working there.&nbsp;Vinted is currently <a href="https://careers.vinted.com/jobs?page=1&amp;location%5B0%5D=Kaunas%2C%20Lithuania" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">looking for developers (backend, web, software, mobile, data), engineers, data scientists and team leaders to join</a> their teams in the new Kaunas office.&nbsp;&nbsp;The new office in Kaunas follows the same hybrid working model as the rest of Vinted’s locations, which recommends that employees come into the office a couple of times a week. They’re also allowed to work up to 90 days a year in other countries, 21 of which can be spent outside the EU.&nbsp;"Because we’re a hybrid company, we’ve been able to employ people based in Kaunas prior to having an office space there, but the newly-opened location will better meet our current and future colleagues’ needs: providing them with modern and comfortable workspaces, plenty of areas to meet up and spend time together, and a sense of community."

"We’re currently looking for at least a couple of dozen more colleagues in Kaunas, so we’re delighted that more and more talented people in tech who are living in this city are able to get involved with Vinted's products and their development," says Ieva Kuniejūtė, Director of Tech Talent Acquisition at Vinted.Vinted's new office is located in the Drobės Fabrikas business centre – a 20,000 m²&nbsp; modern renovated interwar architectural complex in the Šančiai district – which is also home to several other growing technology companies and start-ups. Vinted is currently leasing a 657 m² space in the newly-opened business complex, which can accommodate up to 100 employees at a time.

"We were impressed by the atmosphere here; the perfect blend of history and dynamic workspaces that will most definitely contribute to an exceptional employee experience. When we choose a new location, we try to think about how it will complement our employees' routine, and the experience it will provide. We believe that the new office in Kaunas will provide inspiration and additional capacity for our growing team in the city," says Ieva Užkurnienė, Workplace Experience Lead at Vinted.

The Drobės Fabrikas team has furnished the historic premises in an industrial style, with the companies and communities that will be housed there in mind.“We wanted the premises to fit the mindset and needs of those who work there. So when renovating, our focus was on the efficient use of space.The&nbsp; Drobės Fabrikas premises are not only for business use, but can also be hired out for a wide range of gatherings and events. Our aim was to create a comfortable workspace where communities with shared principles of community, sustainability, and common good can come together. We know that these aspects are important to Vinted, so we’re happy that they've chosen our premises in Kaunas for their expansion and joined the other technology companies based here," - says Rima Čivaitė, Project Manager at Drobės Fabrikas.Vinted currently employs more than 1,800 professionals across the Vinted Group a figure which has increased by more than 500 since 2022. In addition to Lithuania, the company also has offices in Berlin, Hamburg and Amsterdam. Vinted currently has more than 100 open positions for professionals in programming, data science, marketing and other fields in Lithuania alone.Vinted brings together a community of more than 80 million registered members in 20 markets across Europe and North America.

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Vinted expands to a new office in Kaunas

Engineering environment is a dynamic and constantly evolving domain, and the learning culture is deeply rooted at Vinted. To help you navigate through and thrive in your journey, here’s a list of descriptions and recommendations for you that align with your unique interests and aspirations within the engineering discipline.About Git &amp; GitHub:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://eu.udacity.com/course/how-to-use-git-and-github--ud775">How to Use Git and GitHub</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/github-ultimate/">GitHub Ultimate: Master Git and GitHub - Beginner to Expert</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/">A successful Git branching model</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="http://engineering.vinted.com/2015/01/02/proper-git/">Proper Git</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Getting-Started-About-Version-Control">What is version control?</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="http://engineering-principles.onejl.uk/">Software Engineering principles</a></li></ul>

<h2 class="p1">Backend Engineering</h2>&nbsp;To experiment with Ruby, you can use:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://github.com/abdelrahman-hsn/ruby-ebooks/blob/master/Ruby%20on%20Rails%20Tutorial.pdf">20 books or even more (free) on GitHub</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://repl.it/languages/ruby">A very good place to start&nbsp;</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://guides.rubyonrails.org/getting_started.html">Another great place to start</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;Syntax:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dji9ALCgfpM">Video</a> on Ruby Programming and a <a href="https://guides.rubyonrails.org/getting_started.html">Document on getting started with Rails&nbsp;</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.ruby-lang.org/en/documentation/quickstart/">Ruby in 20 minutes</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://medium.com/@noordean/understanding-ruby-blocks-3a45d16891f1">Understanding Ruby Blocks</a> on medium.com<a href="https://medium.com/@noordean/understanding-ruby-blocks-3a45d16891f1">&nbsp;</a></li><li class="li1"><a href="https://ruby-doc.org/core-2.6.1/Enumerable.html">Enumerable</a>, where the most important are - map, each, each_with_object, find, filter, select</li><li class="li3"><a href="http://www.pragtob.info/rails-beginner-cheatsheet/#ruby">Cheatsheet on pragtob.info</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Ruby on Rails (RoR):We recommend not to spend much effort on understanding how to build HTML using RoR. We will use RoR in API only mode, which means we will be building JSON responses only<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://skillcrush.com/2015/01/29/13-ruby-rails/">What is RoR</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.sitepoint.com/model-view-controller-mvc-architecture-rails/">MVC in RoR</a></li><li class="li1"><a href="http://www.pragtob.info/rails-beginner-cheatsheet/#rails-folder-structure">RoR folder structure cheat sheet</a> (folder structure, commands)</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://medium.com/@gianpaul.r/ruby-on-rails-generators-and-how-to-undo-them-30a53ac8dfb3">Generators</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://guides.rubyonrails.org/v3.2/migrations.html">Migrations</a></li></ul>&nbsp;HTTP:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.w3schools.com/whatis/whatis_http.asp">What is HTTP</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Methods">Request methods</a></li></ul>&nbsp;RESTful API’s:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/343877/what-is-an-api/">What is an API</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://restfulapi.net/">What is REST</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://restfulapi.net/resource-naming/">Resource naming guide</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.w3schools.com/whatis/whatis_json.asp">JSON</a></li><li class="li1">Extra: Ruby on Rails comes with API only option. <a href="https://guides.rubyonrails.org/api_app.html">Official documentation</a></li></ul>&nbsp;SQL:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://searchdatamanagement.techtarget.com/definition/relational-database">What is a relational database</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://tutorialzine.com/2016/01/learn-sql-in-20-minutes">SQL In 20 minutes</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Testing:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://dev.to/milandhar/unit-testing-in-rails-4oke">Unit testing</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://culttt.com/2016/07/06/writing-integration-tests-ruby-rails">Integration testing</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://medium.com/@piraveenaparalogarajah/what-is-mocking-in-testing-d4b0f2dbe20a">Mocking</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://rspec.info/">Introduction to RSpec</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://medium.com/@mariacristina.simoes/my-introduction-to-factory-bot-88949467a7e9">Introduction to FactoryBot</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://devhints.io/rspec">RSpec cheatsheet</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://devhints.io/factory_bot">FactoryBot cheat sheet</a></li></ul>

<h2 class="p1">Web Engineering</h2>&nbsp;<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">To experiment with React, you can <a href="https://jsfiddle.net/">check out here</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-html">HTML5</a></li><li class="li1"><a href="https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-css">CSS</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="http://getbem.com/introduction">CSS BEM</a></li><li class="li1"><a href="https://sass-lang.com/guide">SASS - focus on SCSS syntax.</a> Make sure you nail mixins, functions, variables, partials</li><li class="li1"><a href="https://javascript.info/">JavaScript fundamentals</a> - don't spend too much time with things like proxies, Symbols. Focus on fundamentals, such as event loop, as well as ES6 features</li></ul>&nbsp;React:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">We prefer functional components with hooks.</li><li class="li1">If you're into <a href="https://egghead.io/courses/the-beginner-s-guide-to-react">video courses</a></li><li class="li1"><a href="https://reactwithhooks.netlify.app/tutorial/tutorial.html">React docs, rewritten with hooks</a>. Take away as much as you can. Make sure you're comfortable with refs, lifecycle, hooks, JSX<a href="https://reactwithhooks.netlify.app/tutorial/tutorial.html">&nbsp;</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Clean code:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">We definitely recommend the<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Code-Handbook-Software-Craftsmanship/dp/0132350882"> book by Uncle Bob</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://github.com/ryanmcdermott/clean-code-javascript#table-of-contents">JavaScript clean code principles</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Testing:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://reactjs.org/community/testing.html">Testing overview</a></li><li class="li1"><a href="https://testing-library.com/docs/react-testing-library/intro/">We use react-testing-library and Jest.</a> Make sure you're able to write basic tests with those technologies</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://kentcdodds.com/blog/common-mistakes-with-react-testing-library">Common Mistakes with Rect Testing Library</a></li><li class="li1">Strive to understand <a href="https://jestjs.io/docs/getting-started">fundamental concepts, </a>such as mocking, spying</li></ul>&nbsp;TypeScript:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">Make sure you get the basics and can write React with TypeScript comfortably. TypeScript is quite big, so there's no need to go too deep.</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://github.com/typescript-cheatsheets/react">Cheatsheet</a></li><li class="li1"><a href="https://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/handbook/2/basic-types.html">Official documents</a> and the basics</li></ul>&nbsp;Redux:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">It’s not a given that you will use Redux throughout the Engineering Academy, but we use it at Vinted, so the fundamental understanding is important</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://redux.js.org/tutorials/essentials/part-1-overview-concepts">Redux Essentials</a></li></ul>

<h2 class="p1" style="text-align:justify;">Android Engineering</h2>&nbsp;<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.udacity.com/course/kotlin-bootcamp-for-programmers--ud9011">Introduction to Kotlin</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.udacity.com/course/developing-android-apps-with-kotlin--ud9012">Introduction to Android development with Kotlin</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Dagger:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1"><a href="https://codingwithmitch.com/courses/dagger22-android/">Dagger2.2+ on Android</a> on CodingWithMitch.com</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://developer.android.com/codelabs/android-dagger?index=..%2F..index#0">Using Dagger in your Android app - Kotlin&nbsp;</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Kotlin coroutines:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://codelabs.developers.google.com/codelabs/kotlin-coroutines/#0">Use Kotlin Coroutines in your Android App&nbsp;</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Kotlin StateFlow, SharedFlow and Flow:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://developer.android.com/codelabs/advanced-kotlin-coroutines#0">Learn advanced coroutines with Kotlin Flow and LiveData</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://developer.android.com/kotlin/flow">Kotlin flows on Android</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://developer.android.com/kotlin/flow/stateflow-and-sharedflow">StateFlow and SharedFlow</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Application architecture guidelines:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://developer.android.com/jetpack/guide?authuser=1">Guide to app architecture</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Additional Android learnings:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.udacity.com/course/advanced-android-with-kotlin--ud940">Advanced Android with Kotlin</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://developer.android.com/courses/kotlin-android-advanced/toc">Kotlin Andrid Advanced</a></li></ul>&nbsp;If you know most of the above technologies, you can try doing codelabs from this list:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://codelabs.developers.google.com/?cat=Android">https://codelabs.developers.google.com/?cat=Android</a></li></ul>&nbsp;If you want more challenges and you know most of the technologies above, you can try to contribute to our open source libraries on GitHub:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://github.com/vinted/coper">vinted/preferx&nbsp;</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://github.com/vinted/actioncable-client-kotlin">vinted/actioncable-client-kotlin</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://github.com/vinted/coper">vinted/coper</a></li></ul>

<h2 class="p1">iOS Engineering</h2>&nbsp;<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/">Human interface guidelines</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/referencelibrary/GettingStarted/DevelopiOSAppsSwift/">Start Developing iOS Apps (Swift)</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.appcoda.com/iOS-programming-course/">Learn iOS Programming</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/ios-13-app-development-bootcamp/">iOS 13 &amp; Swift 5 - The Complete iOS App Development Bootcamp</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://medium.com/ios-os-x-development/ios-architecture-patterns-ecba4c38de52">iOS Architecture Patterns</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.raywenderlich.com/6004856-building-an-app-with-only-code-using-auto-layout">Programmatic UI</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://clean-swift.com/">Get Started with Clean Swift</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://swift.org/documentation/#the-swift-programming-language">Swift Guide</a></li></ul>

<h2 class="p1">Site Reliability Engineering</h2>&nbsp;Tools:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://learn.chef.io/">Chef</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://prometheus.io/docs/introduction/overview/">Prometheus</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://learn.hashicorp.com/collections/terraform/aws-get-started">Terraform</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://terragrunt.gruntwork.io/docs/#getting-started">Terragrunt</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.runatlantis.io/guide/">Atlantis</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://kubernetes.io/docs/tutorials/">Kubernetes</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://docs.docker.com/get-started/">Docker</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.tutorialspoint.com/unix/index.htm">Linux</a></li><li class="li4"><a href="https://go.dev/doc/tutorial/getting-started">Go</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Blogs:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://sre.google/">Google Site Reliability Engineering</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://increment.com/">Increment</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.robustperception.io/blog">Robust Perception</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://blog.cloudflare.com/">Cloudflare Engineering Blog</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://engineering.fb.com/">Engineering at Meta / Facebook</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://vinted.engineering/">Vinted Engineering Blog</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Other:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://roadmap.sh/devops">DevOps Roadmap</a></li></ul>

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List of useful resources for aspiring Engineers

Data science and analytics at Vinted are fields that are constantly evolving. To excel in this ever-changing landscape, it's imperative to stay informed about the latest trends and tools.Within Data Science &amp; Analytics (DSA) we have three distinct roles. To understand your potential role within DSA context better, here are brief descriptions of each role we have in the department:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">Analytics Engineers are responsible for data curation – translating data needs from stakeholders into architecting, building and maintaining efficient &amp; reliable data models and pipelines. &nbsp;</li><li class="li1">Decision Scientists are responsible for actionable insights, identifying and seizing opportunities, and automated tools that increase the quality of product and business decisions by applying statistical methods and data-driven decision making. &nbsp;</li><li class="li1">Data Scientists are responsible for identification of algorithmic opportunities, ensuring those opportunities are addressed in an optimal fashion and design, development and maintenance of production-grade statistical and machine learning algorithms.</li></ul>

Here's a diverse range of recommendations that can help you navigate this journey, but be sure to customize your choices to match your individual interests and objectives within the realm of data science and analytics.&nbsp;&nbsp;About Git &amp; GitHub:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://eu.udacity.com/course/how-to-use-git-and-github--ud775">How to Use Git and GitHub</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/github-ultimate/">GitHub Ultimate: Master Git and GitHub - Beginner to Expert</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/">A successful Git branching model</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="http://engineering.vinted.com/2015/01/02/proper-git/">Proper Git</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Getting-Started-About-Version-Control">What is version control?</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Useful Courses:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://scikit-learn.org/stable/">Scikit learn</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://pytorch.org/tutorials/beginner/basics/intro.html">Pytorch basics</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://course.fast.ai/">Practical Deep Learning</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://mode.com/sql-tutorial/introduction-to-sql/">Introduction to SQL</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.bradyneal.com/causal-inference-course">Introduction to causal analysis</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Books:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51635906-trustworthy-online-controlled-experiments">Trustworthy Online Controlled Experiments: A Practical Guide to A/B Testing</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://d2l.ai/">Dive into Deep Learning</a>&nbsp;</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/building-machine-learning/9781492045106/">Building Machine Learning Powered Applications </a>by Emmanuel Ameisen</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Code-Handbook-Software-Craftsmanship/dp/0132350882">Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship</a> by by Robert C. Martin</li><li class="li1"><a href="https://www.deeplearningbook.org/">Deep Learning</a> by Ian Goodfellow, Yoshua Bengio and Aaron Courville</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/python-for-data/9781449323592/">Python for Data Analysis</a> / Oreilly</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/thinking-with-data/9781491949757/">Thinking with data</a> / Oreilly</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Storytelling-Data-Visualization-Business-Professionals/dp/1119002257?pd_rd_w=GOBtn&amp;content-id=amzn1.sym.7f0cf323-50c6-49e3-b3f9-63546bb79c92&amp;pf_rd_p=7f0cf323-50c6-49e3-b3f9-63546bb79c92&amp;pf_rd_r=PRDGPBNW9STWB7TQTHQW&amp;pd_rd_wg=v8uFy&amp;pd_rd_r=024055bd-f103-4273-9e7f-100ca4cb5886&amp;pd_rd_i=1119002257&amp;psc=1&amp;linkCode=sl1&amp;tag=swdbooks-20&amp;linkId=309f73640a0cb64e3b676e26561d07a0&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl">Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals</a></li></ul>&nbsp;Blogs:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li3"><a href="https://huyenchip.com/blog/">Chip Huyen’s</a> blog</li><li class="li3"><a href="https://eugeneyan.com/writing/">Eugenayan.com</a></li><li class="li3"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZOu6yXnpL_duYixQKsXTMEH_sAe4JDKT/view?usp=sharing">Scientific Method &amp; ML Engineering</a></li><li class="li1"><a href="https://www.kaggle.com/">Kaggle</a> - the repository of community-published models, data &amp; code</li></ul>&nbsp;

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List of useful resources for aspiring Data and Science Analysts 

At Vinted, Product Manager (PM) is responsible for Team’s Total Outcome management:&nbsp;<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">Defining the outcome that the team tries to achieve;&nbsp;</li><li class="li1">Understanding if the team’s output leads to the defined outcome.&nbsp;</li></ul>If it’s not the case, a PM should adjust by pivoting, cutting scope, or in other ways amending the expected outcome. We find that there are 2 key aspects that are important for someone to thrive in the field.

Product sense.&nbsp;The skill of consistently being able to craft products (or make changes to existing products) that have the intended impact on their users. Product sense relies on 2 things:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">Empathy to discover meaningful user needs</li><li class="li1">Creativity to develop solutions that effectively address those needs</li></ul>Analytical thinking. An ability to prioritize, identify the correct tradeoffs and set your team up for success. As well as the ability to have a structured approach to problem solving.&nbsp;A Product manager should excel or have the potential to become very proficient at:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">Setting goals&nbsp;</li><li class="li1">Tracking Goals using measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)&nbsp;</li><li class="li1">Debugging to identify root causes if something goes sideways&nbsp;</li><li class="li1">Navigating a complex trade-off between a fast, cheap, good Product development triangle.</li></ul>

Here are some helpful resources for growth in the Product Management discipline.1. Books for…&nbsp;Product Management Craft<ul class="ul1"><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35249663-inspired">Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love</a>, by Marty Cagan</li><li class="li1">One of the main Vinted PM working principles:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53138083-working-backwards">Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon</a> by Colin Bryar, Bill Carr</li><li class="li2">On becoming a better manager:<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38821039-the-making-of-a-manager"> The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by</a> Julie Zhuo</li></ul>Business acumen:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2615.The_Innovator_s_Dilemma?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=iUn5HfmIGU&amp;rank=1">The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book that Will Change the Way You Do Business</a> by Clayton M. Christensen</li><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34536488-principles?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=GjVrWn1JrI&amp;rank=1">Principles: Life and Work</a> by Ray Dalio</li><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18050143-zero-to-one?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=wlNip4k5ac&amp;rank=1">Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future</a> by Peter Thiel, Blake Masters</li></ul>Analytical acumen:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26844398-superforecasting">Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction</a> by Philip E. Tetlock, Dan Gardner</li></ul>Engineering acumen<ul class="ul1"><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44135420-team-topologies?ac=1&amp;from_search=true&amp;qid=Devgrywyml&amp;rank=1">Team Topologies: Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast Flow</a> by Matthew Skelton, Manuel Pais</li></ul>Leadership:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23848190-extreme-ownership">Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win</a> by Jocko Willink, Leif Babin</li><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939161-radical-candor">Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;Kim Malone Scott</li><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26156469-never-split-the-difference">Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;Chris Voss,&nbsp;Tahl Raz</li></ul>&nbsp;2. Newsletters:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li2"><a href="https://cutlefish.substack.com/">The Beautiful Mess | John Cutler | Substack</a></li><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.lennyrachitsky.com/newsletter">Newsletter — Lenny Rachitsky</a></li><li class="li2"><a href="https://stratechery.com/">Stratechery by Ben Thompson</a></li></ul>&nbsp;3. Courses:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/become-a-product-manager-learn-the-skills-get-a-job/">Become a Product Manager: Learn Skills by Training for the Job</a></li><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.reforge.com/">Reforge</a></li></ul>&nbsp;4. Videos<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1">Product Management in Agile Methodology:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=502ILHjX9EE">&nbsp;Agile Product Ownership in a Nutshell</a></li><li class="li2">On Product Strategy:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EQzoXBsktI">&nbsp;Intro to Product Strategy w/ Gibson Biddle, former VP of Product at Netflix</a></li></ul>&nbsp;5. Articles<ul class="ul1"><li class="li2">What is Product Management:<a href="https://www.atlassian.com/agile/product-management/product-manager">&nbsp;Product Manager: The role and best practices for beginners</a></li><li class="li2">On the key PM principles:<a href="https://blackboxofpm.com/the-first-principles-of-product-management-ea0e2f2a018c">&nbsp;The First Principles of Product Management</a></li><li class="li2">On how do PMs thinking:<a href="https://future.a16z.com/product-thinking/">&nbsp;The Power of Product Thinking</a></li></ul>&nbsp;6. TV Series, more fun to familiarize with the tech world:<ul class="ul1"><li class="li1"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2575988/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Silicon Valley</a>&nbsp;</li><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12005128/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WeCrashed</a>&nbsp;</li><li class="li2"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11173006/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Super Pumped&nbsp;</a></li></ul>

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