When Sophie Novati first stepped foot into Facebook as an engineering intern in 2011, the company was at the height of its “move fast and break things” era. The energy was palpable, with everyone working tirelessly to build and ship innovative products. Novati described the atmosphere as reminiscent of college, with people sleeping at the office and a strong sense of camaraderie among colleagues.
After a few years at Facebook, Novati decided to join Nextdoor as its second iOS engineer hire. She played a crucial role in building the platform from the ground up before eventually launching her own company, Formation, in 2019. Formation offers various subscription packages and programs aimed at helping engineers secure jobs and increase their earning potential. For a fee ranging from $2,500 to $20,000, job seekers can access services such as resume reviews, negotiation coaching, mentoring, mock interviews, and exam drills.
Novati’s inspiration for founding Formation stemmed from her experiences as one of the few women in engineering roles at Facebook and Nextdoor. She wanted to remove barriers to entry and create a more inclusive environment for aspiring engineers. To date, over 1,300 job seekers have utilized Formation’s services, resulting in an average pay rise of $127,286 for each individual.
One of the key moments in Novati’s journey to success was a late-night chess lesson from her former boss, Mark Zuckerberg. During a late-night gathering with interns, Zuckerberg engaged in a few chess matches with Novati, who claims to have emerged victorious. It was during this encounter that Novati had the opportunity to ask Zuckerberg a burning question: How would Facebook monetize its growing user base?
At the time, Facebook was experiencing rapid user growth but struggled to generate revenue. Zuckerberg’s response to Novati’s question emphasized the importance of capturing users’ valuable attention and creating value before focusing on monetization. This philosophy ultimately guided Facebook’s transition to a profitable business model, leveraging likes and shares to drive revenue through advertising.
Novati adopted Zuckerberg’s approach when launching Formation, prioritizing the delivery of value to engineers over immediate financial gains. The company’s primary metric of success is the increase in compensation for individuals who utilize its services. By focusing on creating value for engineers, Formation has helped individuals secure significant pay rises and advance their careers.
Formation’s impact has not gone unnoticed, with the company raising over $8.5 million in funding and partnering with industry giants such as Netflix, Google, Twitch, Dropbox, Adobe, and Meta. Novati remains dedicated to helping individuals secure top jobs and improve their career trajectories, emphasizing the importance of adding tangible value to their lives.
Looking ahead, Novati sees potential for further growth and impact through Formation, with a continued focus on delivering value to engineers and fostering career advancement. She remains committed to her mission of enhancing the professional opportunities of individuals and creating lasting impact in the tech industry.
