This article addresses an engaged technologist's most frequently asked questions that the Talent Success team handles daily.
What is the Talent Success team?
We are technologist advocates dedicated to providing the best-in-class experience at every engagement touchpoint while meeting clients’ expectations through performance management.
We blend commercial, technical, and operational expertise to ensure exceptional support to our stakeholders, both clients and technologists.
How can the Talent Success team support you throughout your Andela journey?
- Day 0 readiness: We provide seamless onboarding before you start your engagement and set expectations before kickoff.
- Kickoffs: We work closely with Client Success Managers to set up kickoff calls with clients on and engagement launch date. We ensure you and the client agree on expectations, overlap hours, and milestones.
- Day-to-day management: We set up cadences to check on your feedback and concerns and address them. We also handle compensation requests, performance concerns, and client conflict resolution. Finally, we work closely with you and internal teams to ensure you stay with Andela for more active engagements.
- Offboarding: We manage the offboarding logistics and overall process for you and work with Matchers to get you placed on a new engagement.
How should I handle overlap hours once I'm on an engagement?
Overlap expectations are agreed upon with the client before kickoff and shared with you during pre-kickoff. You will generally start your day roughly 3-4 hours before the overlap hours to ensure an 8-hour work day. The FIO Chrome extension is a great tool for keeping track of time zones and the time for all of your team members.
How can I request a compensation adjustment?
There are specific times when it is justifiable to increase your rate, and we recommend that you do so:
- After a full year of working on a client engagement.
- When you master a new skill or use of a new tool.
Refer to our rate review article for more information.
How often will I meet with a Talent Success Manager?
Your Talent Success manager will set up a check-in cadence with you: a weekly check-in call if you are in the first 30 days of your engagement, Bi-weekly thereafter, and monthly thereafter.
Why does Andela not provide paid time off (PTO) to contractors?
Under Andela’s contractor model, you own your rate and how much you invest in additional benefits such as PTO, medical insurance, etc. As such, you align with clients regarding vacation time. Vacation compensation should be factored into those rates before joining an engagement.
Does unpaid time off include sick leave?
Yes, unpaid time off includes sick leave and other variations of leave.
How can I change my contract from an individual to an entity and how long does it take?
Please submit a request to us. The process will be completed between 1 - 2 business days.
I would like to switch to a full-time employee (FTE). How do I do that?
Andela’s model is contractor-based and does not support an FTE model.
What other support can Andela provide for travel requests apart from introduction letters?
Andela is currently only able to provide support letters for travel requests. For more information, access our Visa Support or Engagement Letter? article.
Can Andela help secure an appointment date with my local embassy for a visa application so I can attend my client’s offsite?
Andela does not support this service at this time. Clients, however, may be able to facilitate the process through partnerships with embassies or consulates.
I would like to switch engagements. How do I do that?
First, contact the Talent Success team via Andela Community to start conversations. We are committed to your career progression. We recommend staying on an engagement for a year before switching to a new one.
Can I work on two Andela engagements at the same time?
Ideally, you should only work on one full-time engagement with an Andela Client. However, Andela now offers part-time work for 20 hours a week. It is not encouraged to simultaneously work on a full-time and part-time engagement, as we have seen technologists fail to meet engagement expectations when this scenario is implemented. Where necessary, you can work more than one part-time engagement as long as they do not overlap. Nothing changes from how the usual engagements run outside the half-weekly rate and half-weekly work hours.
What type of learning support can I get from the Talent Success team during my engagement with my client?
With access to resources such as ELSA, we can provide learning support for gaps. This supports ramp-up plans, coaching, and mentoring.
My contract is only valid for 12 months. How do I renew it?
Your contract has an auto-renewal clause and remains valid until either party, client or technologist, decides to terminate the contract.
What happens if I want to roll off from my engagement?
If you’re unhappy with an engagement or want to roll off for various reasons, i.e. no professional growth or not aligned with your career goals, please contact the Talent Success team to discuss options and next steps. Even though your engagement with your client may end, you will remain in the our network and will have access to other job opportunities within Andela. Refer to "Gracefully exiting your engagement: A guide to rolling off" for more information.
Can my rate be reviewed before my anniversary mark?
Certain criteria must be met for this. Access requesting a rate review while on an engagement for more details.
Will my performance be reviewed as part of my client’s cycle or Andela’s?
Your performance will be reviewed in line with expectations set during key moments of your engagement, i.e first 30 days, first 90 days, etc., as part of your client’s cycle as Andela’s goal is to ensure that you are fully embedded with your client.
How can I get promoted?
Performance review cycles with your client will help facilitate this process. Please note that this is on a case-by-case basis and does not apply to all clients.
Does Andela support learning and development?
Yes, we do. We have lots of community perks that you can benefit from. Feel free to discuss your growth areas with the Talent Success team.
Can I get an identification card from Andela?
While we currently do not issue ID cards, we are happy to issue you a "letter of introduction" stating your working relationship with Andela. Exception: If you are from Lagos, Nigeria, and are engaged with a client, you can purchase a card for $15 each. The cost includes delivery and printing. Simply fill out this form to order, and you will receive your card in 10 working days.
How can I refer someone to join Andela’s Talent Network?
If you want to refer someone to Andela, please ask them to apply to our network and ensure they list you as a reference. Our article "Refer a friend to Andela" explains more.
What kind of support does Andela offer towards relocation?
As a remote company, Andela allows its technologists to work from anywhere. We can provide a letter confirming your work status, past or present client engagements, current rate, and the dates of your engagement. However, we can neither provide financial assistance for relocation costs nor sponsor work permits/visas. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary legal documentation to work in your location. If you intend to relocate, please speak with the Talent Success team first.
How do I get compensated for on-call support on my engagement?
We take great pride in compensating our exceptional technologist for their hard work on engagements. Our flexible approach allows for overtime hours and on-call support, which we can discuss and agree upon with our clients. Payment for on-call support is based on your hourly rate; connect with the Talent Success team to learn more.
Do I observe my national holidays or the client's national holidays?
You will receive compensation for the days that you work according to our time off policy. While you can take time off for national holidays, please know that this time will not be paid. Some clients may extend their national holiday policy to contractors, but this is not a contractual obligation and is solely at the client's discretion. To confirm the specific details of your engagement, please contact the Talent Success team for further information.
I would like to attend local Andela meetups, where can I find information about upcoming events?
The Andela community hosts monthly local community meetings. To stay informed about upcoming events, it is recommended that you join the #events channel or #geo-specific spaces on the Andela Community.
How can I get a new engagement when my current engagement ends?
If your engagement is ending due to performance issues, focus on improving the identified skills gap. Update your Andela Talent Cloud profile with your most recent experience and complete any Andela Qualify assessments. Finally, the Talent Success team will also share your profile with the Match team to find you a suitable position.
Can I choose to be paid via Deel?
Unfortunately, we cannot make any exceptions regarding transferring technologists to our new system, Andela Pay. However, rest assured that as we integrate with new wallet providers, technologists will have the flexibility to choose from the list of available wallets in their country for their payout option. Thank you for understanding.
What is Andela Pay?
Andela Pay is a payout platform developed by Andela for our network of talented individuals. Through this platform, talents can easily manage their invoices and time-off requests, and also choose a payout partner from the various options available on the Andela Talent Cloud. We are thrilled to offer our global talent network a wide range of localized payout choices.
How do I request for a cash advance?
To learn more about how to request a cash advance, please read more here.
How do I resolve issues with my payment?
To promptly resolve payment concerns, please submit a request at help.andela.com.
How can I get a letter of recommendation from Andela or my client?
We can furnish you with a letter that confirms your work status and specifies your client, your current rate, and the date of your engagement. If you require a letter of recommendation from your client, you may consult the Talent Success team who can raise the request on your behalf.
Can I get a loaner device from Andela?
The availability of loaner devices is limited and offered to individuals on a first-come, first-served basis. If you need a loaner unit, please contact the Talent Success team. The loaner unit can be provided for 1-4 weeks, depending on your location and where the device will be shipped from. Please note that this is not available in all locations.
If I am contracting through an agency, can I switch to working with Andela directly as a sub-contractor?
Please be aware that the contract between Andela and Agency Partners contains a non-circumvention clause. Please review the terms of your agency contract for more information.