Tom's Personal User Manual

This document is not intended to replace or override the relationship and mutual understanding we will build as we work together. Its intention is to give you an idea of how I think and how I work.

Note for potential employers: Some details in this manual, such as working hours and communication preferences, reflect my previous roles and arrangements. These are shared as examples of my approach to collaboration and self-awareness, not as rigid requirements for future positions. I am always open to discussing how we can work effectively together within your team’s context and needs.

My schedule

A typical working week

I generally consider my work hours to be from 8 am to 4 pm, though this varies somewhat depending on meetings and the weather. It is not uncommon for me to keep working past 4 pm.
I am usually away during lunch from 12 pm to 1 pm. I like to go outside, get some fresh air, and take a walk around town.

Working remotely

I work from the office most of the time. I may work from home every now and then.
I am always in the office on Wednesdays, this is the best time to schedule meetings.

Out of office

If I’m unavailable during my regular working hours for any reason, I will mark it in my Slack status.
I’ll also notify everyone on Slack in advance if I’ll be away for a day or more.

Communication

If you need something

Slack is always my preferred communication method. I only check my emails once a day in the morning.

Meetings

Throw something on my calendar if you need to have a brainstorm or a longer chat, please include some context in the invite.
I always RSVP meeting invitations to let you know if I can attend.

I prefer to know my schedule in advance so I can organize my day effectively. Please schedule meetings at least a day in advance.

I keep Tuesdays and Thursdays meeting-free to focus and engage in deep work.

After-hours communication

If you send me an email or message on Slack outside of my working hours, I may not respond promptly. My work notifications are disabled from 6 pm to 8 am and on weekends.

If you need me urgently outside of work hours, a text message is ok, or a phone call if the matter is time-sensitive.

Feedback

If you have feedback for me, please share it. It could be something you liked and would like to see more of, something you thought I could do better, something you thought I totally screwed up, or something that doesn’t fit into any of these categories.
Even if you think it might not be the case, I do want to hear it. And if you think I don’t want to hear it, I’d love to hear why you feel that way.

If you can give me this feedback face-to-face, that’s my preference. If you’re only comfortable kicking off a discussion with a Slack message, I would rather you do that than not bring it up at all. If you’re not comfortable giving me feedback directly, I’d love for you to share it with my manager, who can anonymously relay it to me.

Strengths and struggles

What gives me energy at work

I find my energy in a busy environment like a cafe, with a nice playlist playing in the background. I’m definitely not the library type.
When I need to focus, I might put my earbuds on and listen to music.

I love solving problems and building systems. I don’t mind being organic about what needs to be done as long as we have a clear goal on where to go, even if the goal is to find a goal!

What drains me at work

One-way meetings without a need for discussion drain me. Whenever possible, I prefer asynchronous communications.

I like to organize my day-to-day tasks myself. Excessive constraints and processes can be quite frustrating. High-level goals over micromanagement.

I’m a just do it kind of person. Planning is good, but when we spend most of our time discussing actions instead of taking them, I lose interest quickly.

How can someone earn a gold star with me

I tend to adopt a suck it up, buttercup attitude when I’m feeling down. If I appear quieter or colder than usual, it’s nothing personal; it’s simply my brain’s way of trying to contain the bad vibes.

The impostor syndrome comes and goes. It’s sometimes hard to accept positive feedback, even if it’s always appreciated.

Things people might misunderstand about me

One of my quirks is that I like debating and asking why. This can come across as confrontational, but the truth is, I’m simply trying to think things through aloud; it’s never an attack.
On the other hand, I tend to become quiet when I’m in a new environment. Sometimes, this is mistaken for shyness, but in reality, I’m just observing before throwing myself into the arena.

About me

Great design starts with the right questions, not the right answers.

I was born in France and have lived in many places around the globe, including Italy and California. In 2020, I moved to Aotearoa New Zealand. I identify more with European culture than French and think a lot about Naples when I feel homesick.
Before entering the tech and design world, I studied mathematics and sciences, followed by Screen Studies at the Sorbonne University.

Work background

My design journey has taken me across various industries, where I’ve tackled challenges ranging from native mobile apps to intricate web-based dashboards after attending the Apple Developer Academy.
Recently, I worked on Addressfinder, an API-as-a-Service platform. This project pushed my product design skills further into business strategy and a holistic approach to the product lifecycle, considering both customer and developer experiences.

I have a particular knack for developing and implementing (design) systems that ensure consistency and efficiency in creating cohesive user experiences.
With fundamental coding skills in HTML, CSS, JS, and Swift, I bridge the gap between design and development, enabling me to collaborate effectively with developers and iterate on designs with precision.

Favorite food(s)

In no particular order: a true Neapolitan pizza, Korean fried chicken and a Welly-style cheese scone.
I am flexitarian (I default to vegan or vegetarian meals when available) and I eat pretty much anything except blue cheese (allergic).

Favorite drink(s)

A true Neapolitan coffee, strong and dark like my soul.
I don’t drink alcohol.

Interests and hobbies

I love to walk, a lot. Whether it’s a quick stroll around the city or a day hike in the wilderness, I’m always up to explore the world around me.
Recently, I’ve taken up running and am challenging myself to train for a marathon in the next 4-6 months.

Humans are fascinating creatures, I love people-watching, talking politics and policies, and delving into the systems that run our world.
Let’s nerd out about physics, art, media and the future!

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or are curious, don’t hesitate to reach out.

This document draws heavily from other personal user manuals I’ve come across online over the years. Feel free to copy and adapt it as you see fit.