Tobi Oluwole

Magnate

My personal holding company building and investing in profitable businesses including: 
- Magnet 8 
- TalentGap 
- Founder's Blueprint and more

Chief Executive Officer

Founder & Coach providing actionable advice on how to earn more and live happier.

Founder

Shopify

Sales Manager

The3Skills

Our mission is to create the world's most employable candidates by teaching people how to communicate their value. Over 17,000 people trained and $20M+ in total income for students.

CEO & Co-Founder

Shopify Plus

Merchant Success Manager

Kivuto Solutions

Account Executive - South Central USA

Simutech Multimedia Inc.

Account Executive

Purple Forge

Entrepreneur, Sales Leader & Coach with experience building high-capacity teams and profitable online businesses.

9 red flags you should NEVER ignore during interviews:

1. The company often uses the word "family" 

There is no bigger red flag than this. Work is not family. 

It's more like a team and you already have a family. Run.

2. The interview process has more than 6 stages

No interview process should be that long. It's a sign of a broken recruiting system. 

If they can't decide within 4 stages, it's likely not a fit. 

3. They promise a higher salary "later" but don't put it in writing. 

If it's not in writing, it probably will never happen.

Don't fall for this trap.

4. Defensive answers

If your interviewer gets offended or defensive about a legitimate question you have, that's a definite red flag. 

Your career affects your entire life. You have a right to ask questions.

5. Weird power dynamics

If the interviewer is disrespectful, intentionally trying to throw you off or intimidating you, you are getting a glimpse into your future. 

These are early signs of the culture there. 

6. The bait and switch

You applied for a specific role at a specific salary, now they are telling you the role has changed and the salary will be lower. 

Early signs of manipulation.

7. Disengaged interviewers

If your interviewer seems distracted, keeps checking their phone or doesn't remember your answers, you're likely getting a glimpse of your future 1:1 meetings. 

You deserve their full attention.

8. "Exploding" offers

If they put pressure on you to sign the offer right away, give you ultimatums or rescind as soon as you try negotiating,
something is wrong.

Trust your instincts. 

Too many people fall for these red flags. 

Share this to help them avoid the same mistakes. 

Ghosting is actually disrespectful. 

One of my friends who worked for a Fortune 500 company for almost 10 years has been interviewing for a role. 

Turns out it's a perfect fit for her experience and the pay is exactly what she's looking for. 

6 weeks ago, she had the final round of interviews with the director. 

The recruiter said they were planning to make their decision within a week. 

She followed up after 5 days. Then after 10 days. Then after a month.

Till today, she hasn't gotten any responses or feedback. 

For weeks, she was losing sleep because she really thought this was going to be her dream role. 

How long does it take to send an automated message saying: 

"We enjoyed talking to you but at this time, we believe another candidate might be a better fit for this role."

Not very long.

Stop ghosting candidates. 

Any feedback is better than no feedback. 

One of my friends is still on stress leave after 4 months. 

His team lead actively made his life a living hell for over a year until he almost broke. 

I remember every terrible manager I have had - just as vividly as I remember every great one. 

The trauma attached to some of those experiences is very real. 

It's not just work that gets affected. 

A bad manager can literally ruin your life. 

But working for a great leader can change your life forever. 
___

If you’ve ever thought about building something you own outside your 9-5, this is for you: https://lnkd.in/eT6k795R

I got offered a raise after I resigned once. 

But it made no sense to me because I had already made up my mind to leave. 

In the exit interview I was asked: "What can we do to keep you?"

This question always comes after the damage is done. 

If you value an employee, show them before they resign. 

And you only get offered better pay after you've given your notice that's a red flag.

Don't end up in an abusive relationship with your company. 
____
Want learn how to build a profitable side hustle outside your 9-5, check out this free training: https://lnkd.in/eT6k795R

I once got in trouble at work for posting this. 

But I'll never stop saying it. 

There is no reward for loyalty. 

I heard a story this year about someone who had been at Google for 20 years. 

One day they woke up and their access had been revoked from their laptop. 

That's how they discovered they had been let go after 20 years. 

Every single one of the 70,000+ people who have been laid off in 2024 will attest to this. 

Always do what's best for you and the people you love. 

Your company is not your family. 

A friend of mine had a complete mental breakdown early this year. 

He was so stressed because of his job so he was advised to take two months off work - which he did. 

But his boss didn't check in on him once during his time off. 

The only message he received was one asking when he would be back at work.

After a few weeks off and several tough conversations with his wife, he realized that he no longer wanted this job 

So he submitted his written notice and resigned. 

Someone from Human Resources reached out for the exit interview and offboarding process. 

His boss didn't even reply to the resignation email. 

4 days later, his role was posted on the careers page. 

Fortunately, he found a better role this month. 

This is the reality of how replaceable you are. 

Take care of yourself, your family, your mental health.

Remember your priorities. 

My friend just got the 20% raise he's been begging for. 

He's been a top performer for at least 2 years straight at the same company. 

But for some reason, his boss has refused to approve a raise since 2021. 

Last month, he got fed up and started applying for new roles. 

A company gave him an offer for 45% more than he is currently earning! 

When he handed in his two-week notice, his boss finally changed his mind. 

The raise that he had been told would be "impossible" was now suddenly on the table. 

But he walked away and took an offer at the new company.

The trust had already been broken. 

The worst time to offer a great employee a raise is after they have resigned. 

The best managers aren't insecure. 

They don't need to constantly remind you of why they are your boss.

Instead, they make you feel like you matter. 

And they build your confidence by reminding you of how important you are. 

To the team and to the company! 

That's what makes the difference. 

One of my bosses gave me his house for 2 weeks. 

My wife and I had just gotten married and couldn't secure an apartment.

But he was also the same boss who would pull me into his office and give me a hard time if I had done 48 calls instead of 50. 

He never let me settle and he maintained a high standard. 

That meant that on some days, he was not nice. 

But he was ALWAYS kind.

If you messed up or missed a target, you can bet you would hear about it. 

If you lost a deal you should have won, he would give you the feedback directly to your face.

But even when he was annoyed, it was because he believed you were capable of more. 

The whole team felt it and it made us always give our best. 

It's also why we're still friends today. 

Nice leaders often avoid conflict and hide their true feelings for the sake of peace. 

Kind leaders hold you to a standard because they care about you. 

Be kind, not just nice. 

Being "overqualified" is a myth. 

It's the equivalent of saying you have "too much experience". 

Why wouldn't you want that amount of wisdom on your team? 

I've found that average companies worry that experienced people will leave them if they find something better. 

Or they just don't want to pay what they know the candidate deserves. 

But great companies know that expertise like that only makes everyone better. 

If people can do the job, let them do the job. 

Stop using "overqualified" as an excuse not to hire them. 

8 lies you've been told about building your career: 

1. “Don’t apply if you don’t qualify”

Job descriptions are a wish list. If you meet 50-80% of the requirements there’s no harm in trying. Someone might actually give you a shot.

2. “Your work will speak for you”

Doing good work just means you get more work to do. If you want to grow in your career you need to advocate for yourself & learn to influence people.

3. “You deserve an annual raise ”

Probably true. But most companies today won’t just give you a raise. It’s your job to record your impact and justify why you should be earning more.

4. “Your loyalty will be rewarded”

Unfortunately, you don’t get a trophy for sacrificing your wellbeing to stay at a company. There’s no reward for loyalty. Keep looking for opportunities.

5. “Job hopping hurts your career”

The data shows that job hopping will accelerate your career and income. Stop worrying about people’s opinions of you. Change is good.

6. “A 9-5 means job security”

It’s true that a bi-weekly pay check provides stability. But it’s your job to save and invest to provide real security for you and your family.

7. “Companies hate negotiating”

This is false. Most companies have a range in mind and they rarely start with their best offer. Never be afraid to ask for what you believe you deserve.

8. “Quitting is a sign of weakness”

There’s more than one way to get to the dream career and life that you want. Knowing when to quit is a sign of wisdom. Protect your mental health.

Don't believe these lies. 

Share this to help other people over come them too. 

I hired this girl who used to be a supply teacher. 

One day at work, a kid threw a toy at her head and gave her a concussion. 

For weeks, she was struggling with migraines and had to wear sunshades indoors to protect her from the light. 

That was the day she decided that she wanted a new career. 

So she applied for an open role we had in sales - but the odds were not in her favour. 

So did 200 other people!

But when I interviewed this person, what I saw was someone willing to learn and take feedback. 

She asked some well-thought-out questions that only someone who really cared would ask. 

So I hired her and she exceeded my expectations from the day she started till the day she left. 

You don't have to play politics to go far in your career.

These 5 character traits will open more doors for you: 
 
1. Humility
2. Generosity
3. Work ethic
4. Curiosity
5. Resourcefulness

My friend just got a raise for the year. 

He's been at the company for 8 years and constantly exceeds expectations.

But on the call, he sounded more disappointed than happy.

Yes, he got a raise - but it was only 2% of his base salary! 

He's already the lowest-paid person on the team and he knows it. 

And when he brought it up, it was brushed aside by his manager. 

So now he's looking for new opportunities after almost a decade there. 

Companies will complain about "job hopping" and then give 2% raises. 

It makes no sense. 

If you want loyalty, reward loyal employees. 

It's that simple. 

Leadership has very little to do with your title. 

In fact, the best leaders are the ones who have learned how to influence people without one. 

They are the ones who: 

- Care about you - outside of the work you do
- Fight to get you more opportunities 
- Praise you in public but give you feedback in private 
- Defend your honour when you aren't in the room
- Never stop believing in your potential

You don't need to be a manager, director or VP to do these things. 

Even as an individual contributor, you can begin impacting people's careers positively. 

You are not a leader because of your title. 

You are a leader because of your actions. 

Your job is to become a 1 of 1 in everything you do. 

This applies to your career, your business and your relationships. 

Don't get carried away by how good everyone else is. 

And don't let other people's greatness undermine yours. 

Whenever you feel jealousy or envy rising, train your brain to process that as inspiration. 

Be inspired by the people around you who have found their zone of genius & commit to the journey of finding yours.

Just because you are different doesn't mean you are less important.

Comparison kills creativity. 

CEO, Magnate | 7-figure LinkedIn Creator with 175 million+ impressions

3Skills revenue from inception: 

2019: $11,000 

2020: $33,000

2021: $102,000 

2022: $230,000

We almost gave up in our first 6 months because we couldn't get enough leads. 

Then we started using LinkedIn and turned the company around. 

I was still working full-time when this happened and chose to keep my full-time job. 

Because I had this company, I felt way less anxious about being laid off or getting fired. 

In fact, it helped me bring my best self to work and separate my identity from my work. 

Some people think having another stream of income is a distraction - but it's not. 

It's your backup plan in case your company decides to surprise you. 

Job security is a myth. 

Build something you own. 


Last year a friend sent me their 4-page resume. 

I thought they were joking. 

They had essentially crammed 7 years of their experience into those 4 pages hoping that the hiring manager for the role would go through it. 

This is the easiest way to get screened out of a job. 

Your resume is not a recap of your entire history. 

Your goal should be to show a company the 10% of you that’s 100% relevant to them!

Teal helps you do that quickly 

Teal’s Matching Mode, in their AI Resume Builder, shows you how your resume measures up to a job description. 

From there, it pulls keywords that are to see what’s most relevant/important to the role so you can build your strongest and most relevant resume. 

Don’t waste space on things that don’t matter to the recruiter. 

Keep it concise. 

Check out Teal here: https://tealhq.co/tobi 

#TealPartner #SponsoredPost

How to negotiate your compensation in 2024: 

1. Highlight Your ROI

Detail specific examples of how you've saved money, earned money, or improved processes for your employer. 

Quantify your achievements to make a compelling argument for your increased value to the company

2. Tie Pay to Performance

Offer to have part of your desired raise contingent upon meeting certain performance benchmarks. 

This reduces the perceived risk to the company.

3. Expand the Compensation Package

Negotiate for sign-on bonuses, stock options, additional vacation time, RRSP/401K matching remote work flexibility, or professional development opportunities that can significantly enhance your overall compensation package. 

Look beyond base salary. 

4. Research

Speak to colleagues and do research internally to understand what range is feasible to ask for. 

Don’t go in blind asking for numbers that don’t make sense.

5. Use Time to Your Advantage

Align your negotiation with the timing of budget planning cycles or after a successful project completion where your contribution is highly visible. 

This strategic timing can make your request more compelling.

6. Emphasize Your Commitment 

Make it clear that you are dedicated to the company and your desire to grow with it, making it clear that your salary negotiation is part of a long-term commitment rather than a short-term gain. 

This makes the raise more of an investment than a reward.

7. Have a Plan B

Interview externally and continue speaking with other companies just in case a better-paying opportunity comes to you.

Think outside the box on how you can get to your desired number.

Share this to help other people in your get paid what they deserve this year. 

CEO, Magnate | 7-figure LinkedIn Creator with 192 million+ impressions

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