Firsthand

Firsthand is a career engagement platform designed to empower students, recent graduates, and professionals by providing personalized career guidance, mentorship, and insider insights into companies and industries. Originally known as Vault, Firsthand combines extensive career resources with a robust mentoring and networking solution, creating a unique ecosystem that connects users with experienced mentors who offer resume critiques, mock interviews, and firsthand knowledge of specific roles and sectors. This dual approach—offering both the "know-how" of detailed company profiles, rankings, and career guides, and the "know-who" of direct connections to professionals—makes Firsthand a powerful tool for navigating the complex job market. The platform features a vast database profiling over 6,500 companies across various industries, providing users with in-depth information such as employee reviews, company rankings, and detailed descriptions of workplace culture and career opportunities. This wealth of data helps users identify employers where employees genuinely enjoy working and determine which companies align best with their career goals and values. Firsthand also offers exclusive job and internship listings, including opportunities not found on other job boards, giving users a competitive edge in their job search. In addition to job listings, Firsthand provides an extensive library of career guides, interview preparation materials, resume and cover letter templates, and industry-specific advice. These resources are curated by expert editors and are based on survey responses from over 100,000 students and professionals annually, ensuring that the information is both reliable and relevant. The platform’s personalized curation system tailors content, mentors, and events to each user’s unique career goals and preferences, making the career exploration process more efficient and targeted. Employers also benefit from Firsthand by gaining access to a highly engaged audience of career seekers. They can host virtual career fairs, sponsor content such as blogs and podcasts, and use targeted advertising to reach candidates who are genuinely interested in their industries. Firsthand’s employer solutions include tools for onboarding, training, and upskilling employees, as well as platforms for corporate alumni engagement and mentoring. Firsthand’s mission is to level the playing field by democratizing access to valuable career insights and connections, regardless of a user’s background or network. By providing transparent, firsthand experiences and direct access to mentors and recruiters, the platform helps individuals move confidently from their first day on campus to their first day on the job. This approach not only supports career seekers in making informed decisions but also assists employers in finding candidates who truly understand and are passionate about their industries.

The distinctive combination of real career insights, individualized mentoring, and exclusive access to job openings gives Firsthand a competitive edge over other career platforms. Firsthand provides direct access to seasoned mentors who offer customized resume critiques, practice interviews, and insider knowledge about certain professions and industries, in contrast to many generic job boards or career advice websites. For students and early-career professionals looking for practical advice and support, this mentorship component offers individualized counsel that empowers users to confidently navigate the job market. Almost 100,000 students and young professionals are surveyed each year to create Firsthand genuine company profiles and rankings, which is another significant benefit. Beyond providing basic details, these profiles provide deep insights into the workplace environment, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), employee satisfaction, and company culture. Users may find companies where people genuinely like working, thanks to this transparency, which helps them decide where to apply and sets them apart in the congested career platform market.

• Small Businesses (1-99)
• Mid Market (100-500)
• Enterprise (500+)