• People are hiding AirTags in campaign posters to stop thieves, The Wall Street Journal reports.
• The tracking devices are helping recover signs and charge those who took them.
• In some cases, those charged included political opponents, WSJ said.

It's a political tale as old as time: put up a campaign poster in your yard, and thieves come to snatch it.

But according to The Wall Street Journal, those fed up with front lawn looting are embracing a modern solution.

Apple's geo-tracking AirTag devices are helping owners find their signs — and sometimes, even the people who stole them.

The practice has already led to charges. In one example cited by the outlet, Florida politician John Dittmore decided to hide the coin-sized gadget on one of his posters after waking up to a number of thefts in May.

When this sign was taken overnight, the Brevard County Commission candidate tracked the AirTag's pings to a pickup truck eight miles away. Police questioned two teens, and they were charged with criminal mischief and the theft of nine signs.

Including the poster stands that were also taken, the stolen property had a total value of over $1,100, WSJ said.

In other cited cases, stolen signs don't end up with teens, but in the homes of electoral opponents.

After Chris Torre became the victim of poster snatching, AirTags led him to the residence of Renee Rountree, the Journal said. Both were running for a seat on the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors in Virginia.

Her son-in-law was charged with a misdemeanor for stealing the property, while Rountree faced a misdemeanor for receiving stolen goods. In a December trial, she noted plans to return the signs. Rountree has since been ordered to 250 hours of community service.

"I would like to think that this will have a huge deterrent effect," the trial's judge said in the court's transcript, quoted by WSJ.

Though the judge was speaking of Rountree, the point outlines another big appeal of AirTags: if thieves know to suspect that a device might be planted on a poster, they might be less inclined to take it.

"It's a lot like when cops mark themselves on Waze," New Jersey deputy mayor Vinny Panico, who tracked a lost poster to a local committeeman's house, told the outlet: "If that slows people down, that slows people down."

Still, AirTags don't solve everything. Lawn posters are still exposed to destruction, with some vandals going as far as to drive over signs they don't like.

But the technology's capabilities have recouped more than just lawn signs. These devices keep track of lost wallets and airline baggage — sometimes when the airline itself can't find it — or let parents keep tabs on their kids.

But criticism has also mounted against the $29 geo-trackers, over fears that they provide a cheap tool for stalkers or abusers. A lawsuit against Apple was filed in 2022 — and in March, a judge denied the firm's motion to dismiss the case.

• Noplace, a new social media app, tops Apple App Store charts this week.
• The app, created by Tiffany "TZ" Zhong, offers a text-based feed for Gen Z users.
• Business Insider spoke with Zhong about building a viral app and the fear of becoming a "fad."

There's a new app in town.

Noplace, a text-based feed that's like if MySpace and Twitter had a Gen Z baby, is dominating the Apple App Store charts this week.

The social media app is the brainchild of 27-year-old serial founder and investor Tiffany "TZ" Zhong, whose tech career took off in her late-teens.

Instead of stressing over carefully curated posts, the app encourages users to share their stream-of-consciousness thoughts directly to the feed. People can also build a customizable color-block profile to display what they're listening to, watching, eating, doing, and feeling.

The app lets you connect with other users based on your common interests — or "stars," as the app calls them. Once you've added your new connections, you can pin your top 10 friends to your profile, and make use of the friends-only feed.

According to its App Store description, it aims to harken back to the social media era before "algos and ads" took over.

It's not Noplace's first time in the spotlight, either. Earlier this year, the app racked up 500,000 people to its pre-release waiting list after building up hype through viral TikToks.

As users grow weary of incumbent social-media giants like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, new social media platforms have entered the arena, vying for a shot at becoming the new 'it' platform.

In 2020, it was Clubhouse; in 2022, it was BeReal (which was recently sold for 500 million euros); and in 2023, there was a flood of apps from Lapse to ByteDance's Lemon8 that each had their moments in the sun.

"We're all just competing for people's attention, especially Gen Z's attention and time," Zhong told Business Insider.

How to build a viral app

While Noplace had nearly half a million users on its waitlist just last month, the app has been testing for much longer and it even had a different name.

Zhong started testing the app, then called Nospace, in late-2023 with a smaller number of users who would need to wait and receive invite codes to access the app.

"When we started doing wait lists, it was really a way for people to reserve your username," Zhong said. "I wanted people to feel excited and early."

She and her small team of seven continued to test the app in a closed setting, which allowed them to iterate fast, remove unnecessary features, navigate trust and safety, and "double down on the things that are working," Zhong added.

Just as the app was gaining popularity, in April, Zhong was sent a cease and desist letter from another company. Zhong declined to name the company, but one can speculate.

So, Nospace changed its name. It also capitalized on the drama and turned to TikTok to hype up the renaming process. Zhong said they received thousands of submissions until a user of the app suggested Noplace. Users of the app then voted to approve it.

"It was kind of a really fun marketing moment for us and it felt very collaborative," Zhong said. "The vibe is just like … 'no place like home, no place like here.'"

Avoiding being a 'fad' and learning from Big Tech's trials and triumphs

As Zhong built and continues to build Noplace, many of the decisions come directly from user feedback.

"I spend a lot of time talking to them, understanding how they feel about certain features, how they feel about the product, what gets them to spend more time in the app, what they're getting from the app," Zhong said.

She particularly follows the behavior of Noplace's "power users," some of whom even spend between eight and 10 hours on the app, Zhong said.

Her goal from the get-go was "fostering a place where people can express themselves" and find community. And at a time when social media platforms are prioritizing entertainment over social interactions, Noplace feels timely.

Zhong compared her app to incumbents like Twitter, TikTok, and even Reddit: "A lot of it is not oriented toward community and it's more so just consuming content and media. Reddit, for example … it's really good for information. I use it for information, not for connecting with people."

Reddit is an important source of inspiration for Zhong's app as well, since one of Reddit's founders, Alexis Ohanian, has advised Zhong on her app and his firm 776 invested in her previous company, Islands XYZ.

"He's seen how this company has changed over time, but this is also very aligned with his experience at Reddit, and it's been very helpful," Zhong said. Like Reddit, pseudonyms are very common and part of the experience on Noplace.

As Zhong looks ahead, however, she's wary of following in the footsteps of social media giants when it comes to scaling the app and adding more features.

"I want to be very thoughtful about not bloating the app too much," she said. "That's kind of the downfall for a lot of social apps."

Still, Noplace plans to expand its group chat features with AI tools that can help bolster conversations.

And staying relevant, Zhong knows, will be the next test for Noplace.

"The biggest risk being a fad," she said. "It's hard, social apps are an art more than a science. There's not really a clear cut playbook."

• A CEO's post on workplace trust sparked debate on X.
• He advocated for employee trust and autonomy over micromanagement.
• Skillsoft's Koma Gandy emphasizes the importance of trust and empathy in modern workplaces.

A CEO caused a stir on X with a post about the workplace culture he promotes.

Rob Dance, who is the founder of Rock, one of the UK's largest IT consultancies, wrote a list on a whiteboard of things he was "sick of hearing" from his employees.

It included, "Can I leave early today?" "My child is sick, can I rush off?" and "I'll be late in the morning."

Some people responded to the thread, thinking Dance was suggesting he expected his employees to always be at their desks. But that's because they didn't click through to read all his thoughts.

Rather, he was encouraging two-way trust.

"I don't care," Dance wrote. "I hired you for a job and I fully TRUST you to get it done. I don't need you to account for every single hour."

He advised other CEOs to allow their staff autonomy because people "are sick of being treated like children."

Once they read the whole thread, the majority of people who responded agreed with Dance, though others pointed out that his methods may not be applicable to all.

Dance's initial post amassed 14 million views and 52,000 likes.

The 'trust bucket'

Koma Gandy, the VP of business and leadership at Skillsoft, the corporate training platform, says Dance made some good points.

Workplaces are now multi-generational, with Zoomers, millennials, Gen Xers, and boomers, so soft skills such as empathy and transparent communication are more important than ever.

Trust and flexibility are a huge part of building an effective workplace, Gandy said.

In more traditional workplaces, it may be expected that employees are visible, attend all meetings, and work online for a certain number of hours. But according to Gandy, this can perpetuate a toxic cycle of people being "performative" and "bragging" about how busy they are.

"Being busy and effective or not necessarily the same thing," Gandy said. "Your role is not dependent on jiggling a mouse every 10 to 15 minutes because some software is trying to track how busy you are."

Gandy said giving employees the time and space to do their jobs effectively without being micromanaged is like "putting coins in the trust bucket."

"If you're not an empathetic leader, and you're not putting coins in that trust bucket, when the time comes that you're going to need to withdraw, there's going to be nothing in it," she said.

If somebody is struggling or being dishonest about their time, it's likely to become clear in different ways anyway, in their quality of work and performance, she added.

The dangers of undermanaging

Not every employee benefits from having such freedom. Junior staff, in particular, may prefer more structure and guidance on how to manage their time and workload.

There's also a fine line between giving employees more freedom and "undermanaging" their performance.

Kevin Legg, the founder of Sage, a company developing training for workplaces told CNBC in an interview last year that bosses can sometimes fall into that trap of undermanging, which can be just as damaging as micromanaging.

"In the medium term, there is resentment at annual reviews when folks are passed over for promotions because they never lived up to a standard they were never shown," Legg said.

For the most part, however, research seems to back Dance's style of management as being the most effective, as long as employees still have support.

Gartner research from April 2025 found that when employers go big on flexibility — and don't limit it to when and where people work — the share of employees who are "high performers" jumps by 40%.

A mindset shift

Employees will also have to become comfortable with a more trusting dynamic.

Gandy said if someone is used to being micromanaged and overexplaining every hour of the day, they have to "get comfortable" with having downtime in their calendar rather than being in meetings all day, every day.

"You're going to have folks who default to, I'm so busy, I have meetings from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and that means I'm extremely valuable," Gandy said.

"Well, I would also say that means you're extremely stressed, and you're going to burn out," she added. "It's more important to show up and be impactful in specific places than to show up everywhere."

The signs of burnout can start subtly, such as sleeping in too much on the weekend, having a few too many drinks at happy hour, or developing unhealthy eating patterns.

"You don't want somebody who has cardiovascular issues or can't sleep or has an eating problem because of something you could have missed with just a little bit of investment in trust and leadership and empathy to find out what was going on with that person," Gandy said. "Rather than driving to the point where they start adopting destructive behaviors that affect themselves or affect the company."

The benefit of a trusting workplace is a healthier environment with happier, more enthusiastic people, Gandy said.

"Healthier leaders, healthier managers, and healthier organizations," she said. "Why wouldn't we want all that?"

• On a trip to Switzerland, I made a few mistakes that would be easy to avoid next time.
• I visited Zurich, the country's largest city, and two towns in the Swiss Alps: Sion and St. Moritz.
• Restaurant reservations and bus stops caught me off guard, along with a few other surprises.

I went to Switzerland for the first time last year, riding trains out of Zurich and through the Swiss Alps.

Though I have lots of experience traveling in Europe, some norms in the country caught me off guard during the nine-day trip.

As I made my way first to Zurich, then Sion, and finally to St. Moritz, I made a few traveling blunders that I'll be sure to avoid next time.

Trying to walk into restaurants without a reservation

Multiple people told me to eat at Restaurant Zeughauskeller, the most famous classic Swiss restaurant in Zurich, so on my second night there, I strolled over.

Even though it was a Wednesday, the former medieval armory was packed. I joined a huddle of about a dozen other reservation-less people waiting outside.

When I peeked into the huge dining room with high wood-beamed ceilings, where each long table was filled with people eating and drinking, a server told me over the din of voices that the wait could be over an hour.

When I arrived in Sion, a small town in the mountains, I thought I'd be fine without any restaurant reservations. But each high-rated Sion eatery I went to turned me away, saying they were full.

By the time I got to St. Moritz, I'd learned my lesson and called ahead to make reservations. I had no issues getting into those restaurants.

Not realizing water costs extra

I made another gaffe inside the Swiss restaurants. Coming from the US, I assumed water was free with any meal.

Later, when I looked at my receipts, I realized flat or sparkling water at almost every restaurant cost an extra 3 to 5 Swiss francs.

According to the restaurant directory swissrest.ch, only one of the country's 26 cantons (similar to states in the US) has a law requiring restaurants to provide free water. The directory asks customers to consider tap water a "hospitality service."

Using Airbnb instead of a hotel

When I was booking my trip, I checked Airbnb first because it was much cheaper than hotels when I recently visited France.

I didn't have many options, but I snagged an Airbnb in Zurich that ended up being the worst place I stayed during the entire trip.

The tiny studio apartment featured an uncomfortable bed with scratchy sheets, a small table with chairs, a kitchen sink, and a bathroom.

I either had to leave the windows open and expose myself to direct sunlight and noise from the busy road below or close them and let the room get stuffy.

Thankfully, I only stayed there for two nights. I think I would've been better off in a cheap hotel room, which likely would've had a better bed and no kitchen area, which I didn't need.

The city has a lot of Airbnb options, though, so I probably could've gotten a nicer studio if I'd spent more money or booked further in advance.

Plus, there may be even more options in the future. In its Q4 2023 earnings report, Airbnb said it was expanding its "playbook" in a few European countries like Switzerland, continuing its efforts at "investing in under-penetrated international markets."

In Sion and St. Moritz, I had booked rooms in boutique hotels instead and they were lovely.

Using Google Maps to locate bus stops

Switzerland lived up to its reputation for efficient, on-time trains with clear signage, but I can't say the same for the buses.

In Zurich, I struggled to find bus stops. I would walk to the exact spot where Google Maps said the bus stop was and see no signs or benches. I'd wander around looking for the bus stop while watching several buses drive past me without stopping.

Each time, I had to ask a local or two where the bus stop was. It was usually at least a block away from the location I saw in the app.

Plus, the buses didn't arrive nearly as often as they were said to on Google Maps.

Next time, I wouldn't rely solely on Google Maps to get around. I'll probably use the SBB website or mobile app to find bus stops and public transit routes.

Buying a one-device outlet adapter at the airport

I forgot to pack an adapter to plug my American devices into Swiss outlets, so I had to buy one once I landed at the Zurich airport.

Unfortunately, it only charged one device at a time.

Since I was carrying a phone, a portable phone battery, AirPods, two laptops, an electric toothbrush, and a camera, I would've preferred some extra charging capacity.

Every moment I was in a hotel room or café, I was plugging something in. Several nights, I brushed my teeth manually with my dead electric toothbrush.

I could've saved a lot of hassle and about $15 by ordering an adapter with multiple USB ports on Amazon ahead of my trip.

• This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.
• You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.

Happy Independence Day! I'm Jordan Parker Erb, filling in for Dan DeFrancesco.

Former President Donald Trump seems to think President Joe Biden's campaign is over, and he can barely contain his excitement, per a leaked video. But Biden vowed again on Wednesday that he is not dropping out of the race. It comes amid reports that White House staffers are being told to go heads down and "execute, execute, execute."

In observance of the US holiday, we have a shorter edition of the newsletter. We'll be back in full force tomorrow.

In today's big story, we're looking at why it's such a good time to be a finance bro.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.

The big story

ISO: A man in finance

It's cool to be a finance bro — for now.

Thanks to a song in a viral TikTok video, finance bros have entered a period of resurgence. If you're even remotely online, you'll recognize the lyrics: "I'm looking for a man in finance. Trust fund. 6'5. Blue eyes."

The video, posted by user Megan Boni, has raked in around 54 million views since being uploaded. It's become a cultural touchstone for the summer, seemingly telling viewers it's officially acceptable to be a man in finance — and if you can date one, that's even better. (Though some women say it's not all it's cracked up to be, writes Business Insider's Maria Noyen.)

But that wasn't always the case for Wall Streeters.

Before moving to New York City, I was impervious to bankers and their various quirks. But it didn't take long to discover that finance bros were often the butt of the joke. I quickly learned to knowingly roll my eyes at the swarms of Patagonia vests in downtown Manhattan.

The finance-bro revival has benefited, at least in part, from America's short-term memory. Following the 2008 financial crisis, working on the Street wasn't viewed with such high esteem. Plenty of Americans felt resentment toward financial workers, blaming them for the economy's meltdown.

In the years since, attention has shifted to a new cohort: tech bros. They're easy to poke fun at for their meme-worthy antics (I'm looking at you, Mark Zuckerberg's sunscreen).

And they can also be easy to hate when employing dubious or flat-out criminal business practices. (Elizabeth Holmes' Theranos and Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX are recent examples.)

So finance bros may be enjoying a moment in the cultural sunshine — but it likely won't last forever.

In other news

• Forget right or left. Voters are sick of whoever's in charge.
• Biden and the Democrats can't decide what to blame the disastrous debate on.
• Patients on Ozempic are developing a rare form of sudden blindness, doctors say.
• Kevin Costner's self-financed movie was a box-office flop. Experts say he's 'going to lose a lot of money.'
• Just 1 piece of evidence could scuttle Trump's hush-money conviction and force a time-sucking retrial.
• Hey, Apple! We want much more battery life in the new iPhone 16.
• An influential Democratic donor says Biden has 'misplaced trust' in a 'cabal' of 3 top aides.
• Two luxury rivals are joining forces — and Amazon is getting in on the action.
• An 11 a.m. start time and an afternoon nap: Report reveals Biden's debate prep schedule.
• Vintage photos show what Coney Island's 4th of July celebrations used to look like.
• I tried coleslaw recipes from Guy Fieri, Ina Garten, and Sunny Anderson, and the best one called for raisins and apples.
• 'Hawk Tuah Girl' has our attention. Next, she would like our money.

What's happening today

• The UK general election will be held. The Conservatives led by Rishi Sunak — who called the election amid a downpour in May — face an uphill battle to defend their seats.
• Nathan's Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest will go on without its longtime star, Joey Chestnut. Chestnut was barred from competing due to a sponsor conflict.

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.

• "Rest on the Flight into Egypt" and other works were stolen from an English country house in 1995.
• The painting, by a Venetian Old Master, was found at a bus stop in 2002 after a tip-off.
• The auction house Christie's said the £17.5 million sale price set a record for a work by Titian.

An early painting by one of Europe's most famous painters was auctioned for a record high price years after it was recovered in a shopping bag at a bus stop.

"The Rest on the Flight into Egypt," an early work by the famed 16th-century Italian painter Titian, was sold for over £17.5 million ($22.3 million) on July 2, according to Christie's. It was the highest-priced work to be sold that evening and set a record for any work by Titian, the auction house said.

The painting's longtime owners, the family of a British nobles, held onto the painting after it was previously sold by Christie's in 1878. In 1995, however, the work was stolen from the walls of the family's country house, Longleat, along with two other paintings that are still reportedly missing.

In 2002, the painting was recovered by Charles Hill, an ex-Scotland Yard detective who died in 2021. He had announced a £100,000 reward for information leading to the painting's recovery.

He told The Telegraph in 2002 that he was contacted by a tipster who had Hill drive him around until they reached a bus stop in west London where an old man was standing beside a red, white and blue shopping bag that contained the painting.

"The problem with stealing a famous painting is that there is no way you can sell it," Hill told The Telegraph. "But if a reasonable reward is offered, the painting can turn up."

News reports around the time of the painting's recovery put its value at £5 million. Ahead of the recent sale, Christie's had estimated that the painting would go for £15 million to £25 million.

The Titian wasn't the only stolen artwork to be recovered in a state that might shock a curator. In 2003, a New York City woman found a $1 million painting that had been stolen about 16 years earlier in a pile of trash bags. And in September 2023, a Vincent van Gogh painting that was stolen in 2020 was found in an Ikea bag outside an art detective's apartment.

• Two women have accused "The Sandman" writer Neil Gaiman of sexual assault.
• The allegations are detailed in a new podcast from Tortoise Media. 
• The alleged offences took place in 2005 and 2022. Here's a timeline of the accusations.

Two women have accused "The Sandman" writer Neil Gaiman of sexual assault.

Gaiman rose to fame as the author of the DC Comics fantasy series, "The Sandman," between 1989 and 1996. His work continued to explore religion, mythology, and magic in books including "American Gods" and "Good Omens."

All three have been adapted into TV shows, and the second season of Netflix's "The Sandman" is in production.

Tortoise Media's podcast, "Master: The allegations against Neil Gaiman," which was released on July 3, features claims from two women who say he sexually assaulted them in 2005 and 2022.

The first victim, identified only as K because she wished to remain anonymous, said she started a sexual relationship with Gaiman in 2005 when she was 20.

Here's a timeline of the allegations.

2005: K starts a relationship with Gaiman.

The fourth episode of the podcast explains that K met Gaiman at a Florida book signing in 2003 when she was 18, and they started their relationship two years later.

K told Tortoise Media that she had "rough and painful sex" with Gaiman that "she neither wanted nor enjoyed."

She also claimed Gaiman had sex with her while she had an infection "despite her asking him not to."

February 2022: Gaiman starts a relationship with a woman in New Zealand.

The second and third episodes of the podcast are about Scarlett, a 23-year-old nanny, who claims that she started a sexual relationship with Gaiman at his New Zealand home in February 2022, only a few hours after they first met.

On that day, Scarlett alleged that Gaiman assaulted her in a bath but they went on to have a consensual relationship.

Scarlett told Tortoise Media that "Gaiman engaged in rough and degrading penetrative sexual acts with her."

She also described how "the pain was celestial" during one incident, but he refused to stop when she asked.

"He laughed and said I needed to be punished and used his belt on me," Scarlett claimed.

July 2024: Gaiman denies the accusations, and says both incidents were "consensual."

Tortoise Media relayed a statement from Gaiman, which said: "he denies any unlawful behavior with K and is disturbed by her allegations."

It continued: "He believes K's allegations are motivated by her regret over their relationship and that Scarlett was suffering from a condition associated with false memories at the time of her relationship with him, a claim which is not supported by her medical records and medical history."

Gaiman told Tortoise Media that during the alleged 2022 incident involving Scarlett "they only 'cuddled' and 'made out' in the bath and that he had established consent for this."

"His position is that, over the three-week sexual relationship that followed, they only ever engaged in consensual digital penetration."

Representatives for Neil Gaiman did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) or visit its website to receive confidential support.

• Supreet Kaur received a job offer from Microsoft after interviewing at 15 companies.
• After two years of working in AI at Morgan Stanley, Kaur saw a major shift in the market for AI roles.
• She emphasized the need for LLM experience, networking, and understanding a company's AI needs.

29-year-old Supreet Kaur has interviewed at 15 companies over the last few months, and just received an offer from Microsoft.

Prior to securing her new role, she spent the last two years developing and managing data and AI solutions at Morgan Stanley. She said the job market for AI roles has changed drastically since she was on the hunt about two years ago.

While Big Tech CEOs are fighting over AI talent, some candidates are fighting for a spot in the increasingly competitive job market.

Kaur has a grad degree in data science, worked in AI at a big bank, and is an ambassador for Google's WomenTechMakers program — and even she said she wasn't hearing back from companies when she first started her job hunt.

Once Kaur made a few tweaks to her approach, she was able to start seeing results and eventually landed the Microsoft position as a cloud solutions architect. If you're looking for a job in AI, Kaur said these are the four key things you need to know.

LLM experience is now an industry standard

Kaur said when she interviewed for AI positions two years ago, companies were looking for machine learning experience. Now, companies are looking to build AI products. She said companies are more eager to see that a candidate has worked with a chatbot or text classification system.

Kaur said generative AI or LLM experience is now a basic standard — and she didn't start hearing back from interviews until she skilled up in this area.

Once Kaur saw how many recruiters were asking for this, she volunteered within an organization and completed a three-month LLM project. While many applicants looking to enter the field now participate in AI workshops or bootcamps, Kaur suggests doing a use-case project. Kaur created her own enterprise level project from the volunteer experience so that she could talk about it in depth in interviews.

Cold applications may not work this time around

Kaur said she didn't send too many cold applications, but she didn't hear back from the ones she did send. Instead, she said she spent her time networking and contacting recruiters. She said she aimed to send at least two messages and three to four personalized connection requests every day.

She also tried to spread the word that she was looking for a job by telling people in professional settings that she was on the market.

"The best way to look for a job is when you don't need a job," Kaur said. "You should go to events. You should go to meet-ups."

Be specific

Kaur said companies have had a shift in mindset over the last couple of years. Today, they are looking for much more specific experience, Kaur said.

"When I was interviewing in 2022, people were more interested in what I had done in data science," Kaur said.

"This time all my interviews were super specific on what the companies wanted," she added.

With companies' hiring portals overflowing with qualified applicants, Kaur said she needed to narrow things down. Kaur said she refined her search from product manager to solutions architect once she realized her first attempt was too broad.

Kaur also recommends networking with workers from the company you apply to and asking them what that company is looking for. She said this is crucial to understanding their needs and the kind of experience they specifically want in a candidate.

Having an online presence helps

Kaur also spent the last couple of years building an online presence.

She said she's spoken at dozens of events and many of those led to interviews later on. It also helped her stand out in the application process.

"Some hiring manager during our interview said, 'You're the hundredth candidate I'm interviewing for this one position,'" Kaur said. "So it's obviously very competitive so it's important for you to stand out."

Kaur said she started by contacting the university she attended and telling professors that she was available to speak about her experience. From there, she was able to start building her following and book events regularly including AI Summit New York, BNY Mellon, Re-Work New York, Women in Data Science Series, and Women in AI Series.

• Multiple Netflix stars are calling out the streamer and "Perfect Match" contestant Bryton Constantin.
• They say Bryton made anti-LGBTQ+ comments during the filming of two reality shows and at a Netflix event.
• Here's what to know about the allegations and Bryton's response.

Multiple Netflix stars have accused "Perfect Match" contestant Bryton Constantin of making homophobic and transphobic comments, pulling the streaming service into another reality show controversy.

Bryton originally appeared on "Squid Game: The Challenge" season one last year and was called up again by the streamer for "Perfect Match" season two — one of Netflix's most-watched shows in June.

Bryton has become one of the series's most controversial contestants.

His original partner in season two, Dominique Defoe, was the first to speak out against him after the first batch of episodes aired on June 7. Around the release of the series finale, four more Netflix stars accused Bryton of expressing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments.

The initial episodes showed Bryton constantly arguing with Dominique over minor things like whether yoga is a workout.

Dominique posted a TikTok video on June 8 claiming the pair were actually arguing over Bryton's "hate speech," but the conversations containing harmful comments were cut for the final edit.

She also criticized Netflix for editing her confessional interviews to make it seem like she was emotional over juvenile arguments.

A week later, Dominique told Tudum, Netflix's media site, that she was arguing with Bryton over his comments about LGBTQ+ identities and his criticism of men showing emotions.

"He's like, 'Oh, I think it's fine that you're bisexual because you're a woman … and I think it's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve," Dominique told the outlet.

Bryton addressed the allegations in multiple TikTok videos in June. He called Netflix's reality stars fake, said Dominique hates men, and said he won't apologize to anyone for his Christian beliefs.

"She doesn't just dislike me. She took everything I said as a threat, as a problem, or as some sort of altercation," Bryton said in one TikTok video. "No, you just hate men, and you really like women."

The drama escalated just before the "Perfect Match" season two finale aired on June 21, when several more queer Netflix reality stars called out Bryton on TikTok.

On June 20, Dash Katz, who appeared in "Squid Game: The Challenge" season one, posted a video claiming other "Squid Game" contestants had complained to them that Bryton had made homophobic and transphobic comments during the competition's filming.

Dash claimed Bryton said he would hit a transwoman if they flirted with him.

"The Circle" season three star Sophia Layne said in a TikTok video posted on June 21 she had also heard from other queer Netflix reality stars that Bryton has said more transphobic and homophobic comments.

Sophia criticized Netflix for giving Bryton a platform on two reality series and asked the streamer to apologize and stop casting him. Francesca Farago, another major Netflix reality star, reposted the video.

Lexi Goldberg, a contestant from "The Ultimatum: Queer Love" season one, called Bryton "an ignorant piece of shit" on June 22. Lexi said Bryton came up to her and her fiancée, who is a woman, during a Netflix reality universe party in early June and said, "Well, it's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" — echoing Defoe's claims.

On June 24, Brittan Byrd, who appeared on "Perfect Match," said she and Dominique argued with Bryton before the finale after they tried to speak to him about not saying any "hate speech" during the cast reunion.

Bryton has not responded to any new videos, but Dominique is not letting him off the hook.

Last Friday, Dominique called out Bryton again on TikTok, reading out a 6,000-word essay she wrote about her experience with him during filming.

Dominique claimed Bryton lied to other contestants and the public that they were just arguing about yoga. She said Bryton repeated anti-gay hate slogans during filming and compared calling a man a feminist to saying a racial slur to a Black person.

Dominique also said Bryton called her out and made homophobic comments again during a professional event after filming.

Representatives of Bryton and Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment made outside business hours by Business Insider.

• I've traveled to over 80 countries, and some memorable places aren't as frequented or talked about. 
• Places like Uzbekistan in Asia and Cyprus along the Mediterranean are worth visiting.
• If you're looking for an adventure, consider exploring Dominica or the Marquesas Islands.

I've traveled to over 80 countries and hope to visit all of them one day. Whether I picked a destination for its culture, sites, food, or adventures, each trip has been meaningful and memorable.

According to a report from Mastercard, nearly 16 million Americans took an international trip in the first quarter of 2024, and the trend doesn't seem to be slowing down. But before you start planning your next vacation, I have some underrated suggestions for you to consider.

Here are five international destinations that don't get enough attention for being spectacular vacation spots.

Flying into the Caribbean Island of Dominica felt like a scene out of "Jurassic Park."

The lush and mountainous island of Dominica is home to a plethora of waterfalls, natural hot springs, beaches, and adventures. The official language is English, so I had no issues communicating with the locals.

I loved staying at the cliffside villas of Jungle Bay Resort — my tropical room had stunning views of Soufriere-Scotts Head Marine Reserve. It was also an edible resort, meaning I was free to eat the fruits that were growing right outside my room.

The local cuisine was phenomenal. All the seafood was fresh and delicious, and I really enjoyed trying breadfruit, cassava balls, papaya salads, and different rum drinks.

The twin waterfalls at Trafalgar Falls are one of the most breathtaking views on the island. I also recommend doing a hot-spring mud bath at Screw's Sulphur Spa, diving or snorkeling Scotts Head, learning about the Kalinago Territory (home to the first inhabitants of the island), tasting rum at a side-of-the-road bush bar called The Farmacy, and taking a dip in Emerald Pool.

There was so much to see on the Marquesas Islands.

To reach the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, I first had to fly to Tahiti. Then, I took a three-and-a-half-hour flight to Nuku Hiva, the largest island in the volcanic archipelago.

There aren't many hotels on the island, so I booked a guesthouse and spent two days exploring the small town, shopping at a local craft market, taking a boat excursion, and watching a traditional Marquesan dance rehearsal.

I then flew to the island of Hiva Oa, known for its greenery and black-sand beaches. The highlight for me was renting a car and driving around the island to see the different topography and vegetation. It was also so cool to stop in small villages and meet the locals — even though I don't speak French or Marquesan.

The island is home to archeological sites and one of the largest tiki statues in French Polynesia.

While on Hiva Oa, I met several tiki-statue carvers who've been mastering the craft for generations and visited the tombs of painter Paul Gauguin and singer Jacques Brel.

Uzbekistan has a rich history.

Uzbekistan, located in Central Asia, was once part of the Soviet Union. During the Silk Road era, it served as a major trade route linking China and the Mediterranean.

I started my trip in Tashkent, the capital, getting acquainted with the local foods, products, and people at the famous Chorsu Bazaar. Then I took the metro around the city.

I also snagged $14 tickets to see "Swan Lake" at Tashkent's national opera house, Alisher Navoiy Theater.

After exploring the capital city, I rented a car and drove to Samarkand, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Historical highlights included Registan Square, Amir Temur Mausoleum, and Bibi-Khanum Mosque (sometimes spelled Bibi-Khanym).

If you're looking for a place to stay, Hotel Bibi-Khanum has a gorgeous view of the mosque and is within walking distance of many prominent sights.

Bukhara is another must-see city in Uzbekistan. I stayed at Komil Boutique, an old traditional home that was converted into a hotel. While visiting the city, I also watched an exceptional musical performance at Aladdin's Lamp in the city's historic district.

The area is full of ancient madrasas (educational institutes), forts, and caravanserais (roadside inns).

Oman is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries on the Arabian Peninsula.

I began my trip to Oman in the capital of Muscat, where I visited the Oman National Museum to gain some historical perspective of the country. My next step was to explore Mutrah Souk to meet the locals and sample the local foods and products.

I stopped by a dhow shipyard to see majestic boats under construction and chat with the shipbuilders. I also toured the Royal Opera House and learned about its fascinating architecture.

From there, I rented a vehicle and headed to Wadi Shab, a stunning canyon with crystal-clear waters for swimming and beautiful (easy to moderate) hikes.

I stayed in a traditional mud home in Nizwa, a historical town with a vibrant market. Jebel Akhdar, a lush mountain range with stunning views, is about two hours away.

In a small mountain village, I encountered some of the most hospitable people I've ever met. I was even invited to have tea in someone's home and sent off with a bag full of oranges and nuts.

Further south, Salalah is known for its beautiful beaches, and Raz Al Jinz is a turtle nesting site. If you plan your trip accordingly (May to August), you can witness the little ones hatching and making their way to the ocean.

Driving around Cyprus is a core memory.

This island country in the Mediterranean Sea is typically overlooked for more well-known destinations such as the Cyclades.

I travel to Cyprus frequently, and my favorite itinerary has been landing in Larnaca and making my way southwest to Limassol for a few nights. To see everything the country has to offer, I think renting a car is best — as long as you're comfortable driving on the left.

On my way, I love stopping in Lefkara, a small village known for its handmade lace. Some locals even say that Leonardo da Vinci purchased lace in this town in the 1400s. I also stop by Old Town and the waterfront, two areas of the village that offer contrasting shops, restaurants, and vibes.

Once I arrive in Limassol, I usually stay at the S Paul Hotel, a charming stone building from the 18th century that feels like a second home to me.

Some of the country's other highlights include exploring Aphrodite's Rock and Tombs of the Kings in Paphos and meandering through the Troodos Mountains to experience local wine tastings and quaint villages.

I always end my trips in Ayia Napa and spend a few days diving, swimming, and basking in the sun in the beach town.