Welcome to The Big Squeeze! This edition marks ONE YEAR of our specialized newsletter for clients only—that means YOU! We want to take this moment and space to thank you for your continued support, interest, and belief in Tangerine Search. You are part of the force behind our mission to Create Happy Lives at Work.
The Start of Something Juicy ...
Like all good recruiters, I slid sideways on a frozen driveway and landed in Talent Acquisition, haha. That is to say, it wasn't exactly part of the plan. I have a Creative Writing degree, and a French Language and Literatures degree. Early on in my career I also operated a kid-friendly coffee shop, so naturally the best career option is Technical Recruiting. 🤣 I had the good fortune of landing in a sales role at a company helping folks with debt financing, where a colleague told me he thought I would make a great recruiter. After confirming my interest, he made a referral to a former employer to get me an interview.
From my very first day, I loved recruiting! Talking to so many different folks every day, getting the chance to help people make a life decision, helping our clients find the right fit for their work—it was all exciting and interesting to me.
Recruiting is a dynamic process, and although the fundamentals of the work remain the same, the fact that you're working with real people means the work brings so much diversity and variety.
It's hard to believe that first day in recruiting was over 15 years ago now. I started Tangerine Search in 2019 after a decade of recruiting, managing recruiting teams, partnering with clients, and driving decisions about recruiting tech. I kept feeling like there was a better way to deliver service to clients - a better way to open opportunities for folks of all backgrounds, and most of all, to reduce friction and create a smooth process for everyone involved.
Headquartered in Oakland, California, Tangerine Search specializes in technical recruiting and staffing plus Fractional HR services to help our clients with compliance, people data and talent management. We know how to help you create, align and measure strategies that align with your company values—and work with you to build the resources and practices that help your employees experience authentic inclusion and visibility.
Outside of work, I love plants—gardening and visiting gardens is a favorite pastime. I also enjoy reading and learning about new things outside of my own perspective and culture. I like meeting new folks, so I actually love attending networking events (Out in Tech, various Chambers of Commerce, Toastmasters, etc.) I especially love to travel and meet folks from all different backgrounds and corners of the globe.
The State of DEI in Our Current Economy
DEIBA efforts are facing serious challenges. Across federal agencies and major corporations, we’re seeing an alarming rollback of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility initiatives. Yet, some companies remain committed—either by standing firm in their DEI values or by rebranding programs to navigate shifting laws and public opinion while staying true to their mission.
At Tangerine Search, promoting multicultural talent and inclusive messaging has always been at the heart of what we do. Our commitment to DEIBA hasn’t wavered, and our clients expect nothing less. This work is not a trend for us—it’s the foundation of our business.
For companies, integrating DEI principles along with an additional focus on Belonging and Accessibility can lead to significant performance improvements. Companies with advanced DEI initiatives tend to report an increase in innovation revenue. This growth is attributed to the diverse perspectives and inclusive culture that encourage creative problem-solving and innovation from all levels of the organization. Additionally, such companies also noted improvement in employee retention rates, as employees felt more valued and supported.
By committing to comprehensive DEIBA strategies, businesses can not only enhance employee satisfaction and loyalty, but also drive superior organizational performance and competitive advantage.
Spotlight on Bigmouth Creative
You and your organization are probably working hard to create value. And you want that work to connect with people to fill a need, solve a problem and create a meaningful impact.
If you’re nodding as you read this, Bigmouth Creative wants to hear from you. The Chicago-based agency partners with purpose-driven brands to use their (big) mouths as voices for good.
Owner and design director Jonathan Hart founded Bigmouth nearly 7 years ago on a simple idea: put purpose and people at the center of everything.
We’re very intentional about prioritizing ethical, environmental and social stewardship in everything we do.
Like Tangerine Search, Bigmouth Creative is a nationally certified LGBT Business Enterprise by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
Right now, Bigmouth is offering a complimentary 30-minute Creative Consultation for Tangerine subscribers! Learn how Bigmouth can help your organization lead with your values through bold storytelling, beautiful design and brilliant creative strategy.
Visit BigmouthCreative.com to get started, and mention code TANGERINE in your message to set up your free Creative Consultation today!
Thank you for your continued partnership. I’m excited to assist with your hiring needs and support your company’s growth with top talent. If you have any questions or need help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
The Juice ... Fresh Off the Vine Sr Full Stack Engineer | $180k - $275 annually Our client is a fast-growing, venture-backed software company that acquires and scales profitable, industry-specific SaaS businesses. You’ll rotate across 2–3 portfolio companies at a time, acting as a high-impact, embedded engineer solving their most important challenges. You’ll modernize outdated systems, design and ship new products, lead cloud migrations, and use AI tooling to deliver work faster. Unlike...
The Juice ... Fresh Off the Vine Founding Engineer | $120-$180k/yr Our client is a pioneering telepsychiatry company dedicated to transforming mental healthcare through advanced technology. The team ships multiple impactful features to real patients and providers every day. You'll have true ownership over entire domains—from architecture and implementation to iteration. This is applied AI on the frontier of healthcare. Apply now! Welcome to The Juice! It's no secret that the tech industry...
The Big Squeeze Welcome to The Big Squeeze! This edition first highlights our team's history plus essential best practices for employee onboarding. Our focus is on improving the experience for your employees while adhering to best practices, and giving you the insights on why the onboarding experience is so crucial. Scroll to the end for our talent spotlight too! Meet Team Tangerine ... After owning a kid-friendly coffee shop and working in sales and debt financing, I slid into recruiting and...
