Nerd FAQs

answers to frequently asked questions
What is NerdRabbit?

NerdRabbit is the world’s first AWS software-defined staffing company powered by machine learning technology.

Watch our FAQ video.

What is a NerdHerder?

A NerdHerder is a representative from a company or an individual in need of an AWS expert to hop on a project, become a contractor, or join their team for a full-time role.

How long will it take to build a Nerd account?

You can register for a Nerd account in seconds! Afterwards, you will be asked to verify your email and a Colony Manager will contact you to start our screening process.

Watch our FAQ video.

Why is it asking for my phone number?

Before being activated on Nerdly, all new Nerds are required to complete a screening call with one of our Colony Managers. We need a phone number to complete that process. You also can receive notifications for new (h)opportunities via SMS!

Watch our FAQ Video.

Why is my account under review?

Before being activated on Nerdly, all new Nerds are required to complete a screening call with one of our Colony Managers. If your account is “under review,” that means you created your account, but haven’t completed your screening call yet. If you haven’t heard from a Colony Manager 48 hours after registering, please contact us at support@nerdrabbit.com and we’d be glad to help!

What does “official screening call” mean?

All active profiles on our site require professional AWS experience. Our screening call is to ensure that new Nerds have actual AWS product experience before allowing them to sell their services on our platform.

What if I don’t pass the screening call?

No sweat! Even if you don’t have the AWS experience required for Nerdly, we have a long background of placing all types of IT professionals and would be happy to support your job search outside of our Nerdly software.

Can I upload a picture or can I only use rabbits?

As a method of reducing hiring bias, one of our main features is maintaining a degree of anonymity for our job-searching Nerds. We want your skillset to speak for itself! For now, we’ve given you the ability to select a few different versions of Sheldon to add some style to your profile.

How do these settings affect my ability to find a job?

NerdHerders can choose to filter the way they search for Nerds on the platform. Be sure to create a complete and thorough profile to give you the best opportunity to connect with NerdHerders and find a great (h)opportunity!

What should I put for the job title section?

For the Job Title section, we advise that you list your most recent title.

What kind of information would be good for a bio?
  • Your Bio is an opportunity to tell NerdHerders a little bit about yourself and the type of work you’re seeking. Good information to include would be the types of positions you’ve held, the types of AWS technology you have experience with, the types of projects you’ve worked on, and the types of projects you would like to find through Nerdly.
  • Another feature of Nerdly is unbiased searching, so it’s important to not put any identifying information like your name, companies you’ve worked for, or contact information in your bio. Once you’ve accepted a chat request from a NerdHerder they will be able to view your attached resume, so this information will become visible at that point.
Are certifications required?

We don’t require any specific certifications, but they can improve your chances of finding work through Nerdly. You can add certifications by going to the Dashboard and clicking the “pencil” on your profile card or by clicking your Sheldon avatar on the top right of the page and selecting profile. Add certifications right from there!

Who can view my resume?

Your resume is made available to NerdHerders only after you accept their chat request. Your resume is kept internally at NerdRabbit for your Colony Manager as we try to help you find work.

Can I search for NerdHerders?

Unfortunately no, Nerds are able to search for open (h)opportunities but will not see a NerdHerder profile until they have requested to chat with you. 

How can Nerds find the best (h)opportunity for them?

Nerds are able to filter by Rate, Skill, Company size and location to find our best openings.

How do Nerds keep track of the jobs to which they’ve applied?

To check on any of your applications you can go to the (H)opportunities tab and select my (h)opportunities. Here, you will be able to view all the (h)opportunities that you have applied to and you can filter by the status of the jobs.

Can Nerds negotiate job offers?

Yes, if the Nerd feels the rate or number of hours aren’t ideal then they can propose a new rate and amount of hours. Nerds and NerdHerders can negotiate until they come to an agreement.

How do I get ratings?

Nerds can receive ratings after completing Hourly engagements.

Can Nerds give ratings to NerdHerders?

Nerds will be able to rate NerdHerders as soon as an engagement ends.

How do ratings affect a Nerd’s ability to get hired?

A Nerd’s ratings are available for viewing by NerdHerders. Nerds with higher ratings are more likely to be messaged by NerdHerders when the qualifications match.

Where can Nerds review their timesheets?

Nerds can access their timesheets from the engagements tab.

How can Nerds log a timesheet?

Nerds can log a timesheet by going to the Engagements tab and selecting the relevant engagement and clicking the timesheet button.  From that page, click add timesheet at the top of the page.

Where do Nerds start chats with their NerdHerders?

Nerds can chat from multiple locations on our site. They can use the chat bar in the bottom right corner by clicking the picture of Sheldon, the Contacts page, and Engagements.

What are payment options for Nerds?

Nerds can be paid by debit card or bank account.

How do I view my interviews?

Nerds will receive an email with a calendar invite anytime they accept an interview request. Interviews can also be viewed on the dashboard in the interview section.

Where can a Nerd access services?

Services can be viewed directly from the dashboard.

What settings can Nerds manage?

Nerds can update their phone number, location, password, and notification preferences all from the Settings page. Click your Sheldon avatar and select settings from the drop-down.

How can I contact Nerdly support?

Nerds can contact support by emailing support@nerdrabbit.com, contacting their Colony Manager, logging a ticket on Nerdly from the dashboard and clicking on your Sheldon avatar and selecting support.  Support is also available at the bottom of each page or by reaching out to Sheldon, our ML concierge, in the bottom right corner of Nerdly.

What should I add to Keywords on my profile?

Keywords are a way for Nerds to ensure they’re showing up in any and every search that is relevant to their skillset.  Many Nerds choose to describe their project history on their Bio while listing their technology stack in the Keywords section.

What is a Nerd?

A Nerd is an expert in their industry who excels or who aspires to excel in the IT cloud space. This “Nerd” wants to capitalize on their talents while being a revolutionist in the cloud 1st world and is looking for an opportunity to make an impact working with NerdHerders and being a problem solver.

What does it cost to build a Nerd account?

Nothing – this cost-free service is meant to promote the creation of relationships between Nerds and NerdHerders. 

Watch our FAQ video.

What do I need to build a Nerd account?

All you need is a device with internet access and an email address or social media account (LinkedIn, Google) to sign up!

What is a Colony Manager?

A Colony Manager is a recruiter who helps bridge the gap between Nerds and the NerdRabbit platform. They’re here to start the connection and help throughout the process. All our Colony Managers are well-versed in AWS and have earned their AWS Cloud Practitioner certifications! 

Watch our FAQ video.

Why does it take days for NerdRabbit to activate my account?
Our team of Colony Managers work hard to reach every new user as quickly as possible, but it still takes time to support our growing community. It may take 24-48 hours for you to receive your screening call!
What is needed to pass the screening call?

All Nerds are required to have professional AWS experience. Our screening call will probe the types of projects you have worked on, the technology used, and problems you have solved to make sure that your experience checks out.

What is the Profile Wizard?

The Profile Wizard is the very first step once you log into your Nerdly account after being activated. It is a 3-step process for you to build your profile before you start searching for jobs.

Can I edit my location later?

Yes, you can always edit your location from the dashboard. Click on the Sheldon avatar and select Settings.

What is a (h)opportunity?

A (H)opportunity is what we call job postings created by NerdHerders. You can apply to a (h)opportunity to get your profile in front of a NerdHerder.

Watch our FAQ video.

Who is seeing my bio?

Anytime a NerdHerder clicks your profile in their search results, they will be able to see your bio. Your resume and certification links won’t be visible to a NerdHerder until you have accepted a chat request from them.

How do I edit my profile?

You can always edit your profile by clicking your Sheldon avatar on the dashboard and selecting profile. You can also click the pencil on your profile card found on the dashboard.

How should I select my skills on my profile?

The Skills filter is an opportunity to show your specialized expertise. Nerds are allowed to choose up to 5 skills, so it’s important you choose the categories that best represent your background. 

Who can view my profile?

NerdHerders can view a Nerd’s profile in their search results. Your resume and certification links will not be shared until you have accepted a chat request.

Where can nerds find the (h)opportunities?

Nerds can search for (h)opportunities by clicking “(h)opportunities” and selecting “find your (h)opportunity.”

How do Nerds apply to a (h)opportunity?

Click “Apply” and enter your desired rate, hours, and any comments you want to include. When you’re done, click “Apply” again to submit your application.

Where can Nerds accept job offers?

From the “my (h)opportunities” tab, Nerds can select the (h)opportunity and click “Job Offer.”  Nerds can “Accept” or “Decline” the offer. Should you decline, you will have the opportunity to send a counter offer.

Where can Nerds manage settings?

Settings can be managed from the dashboard by going to your Sheldon avatar and selecting settings from the dropdown menu.

What can I do on the Ratings page?

Ratings appear directly under your username on the dashboard. Click there to get to the page to view ratings that have been received and given.

When do I get rated?

NerdHerders are able to rate Nerds as soon as they’ve ended their engagement.  This is optional, so if your NerdHerder hasn’t rated you, please reach out to request that.

What is a star?

Stars are how Nerdly measures quality. Performance is measured on a scale of 1-5 stars in our rating system.

What are Nerds rated on?
  • Nerds will be rated on Flexibility/Adaptability, Work Ethic, Communication, Problem Solving, and Overall Experience. Overall Experience is the only rating that will affect a Nerd’s average rating.
  • NerdHerders will also be able to leave comments to address any thoughts they have that can’t be addressed by our rating system.
What is the Engagements Page?

Engagements is where Nerds can access their timesheet management and start chats with their NerdHerder.

Can Nerds manage timesheets by date?

Yes, just select the Dates that you wish to manage and click Go.

How do Nerds receive payment?

Nerdly is integrated with Stripe for fast payment processing once timesheets are approved. Nerds can configure payment preferences by going to the Sheldon avatar on the dashboard and selecting billing.

How long does it take to receive payment?

Payment should be received within 2 business days.

What is a Service?

A Service is a specific type of project that a Nerd can provide on an hourly basis to a NerdHerder. A Nerd will need a reference completed by their Colony Manager for the service to be activated.

Where can I find my contacts?

Contacts are found within your chats on the bottom right corner of your screen. Open up your chat and click the “person” icon.  From here, you can chat with NerdHerders you’ve connected with.