How a Former Israeli Lawyer Built an HR Platform Centered on Job Seekers
Former lawyer David Chesterman founded Mentme, an Israeli HR platform treating job seekers as paying clients, helping candidates navigate the hidden job market and secure employment faster.
When David Chesterman decided to leave the law firm of Yigal Arnon at the end of 2020 to transition into the high-tech sector, he was certain doors would open effortlessly. With a law degree from the Hebrew University and several years of experience in commercial litigation, the shift seemed like a matter of weeks. However, after four and a half months of searching, he realized that job boards and HR departments are entirely built to serve employers, treating candidates merely as data rather than clients.
Founding Mentme in Memory of Fallen Soldier
In August 2023, just a month and a half before the outbreak of the war, Chesterman established Mentme, designed as a human resources platform built entirely for job seekers rather than companies. The original plan was to target international markets immediately, but the events of October 7 completely altered those plans. During the battles, his cousin, Captain Ori Shani, a company commander in the Golani Brigade's 51st Battalion, fell in combat at the Kissufim outpost. Choosing to pivot focus to Israel to address the impending employment crisis, Chesterman dedicated Mentme in Shani's memory.
Shifting the Paradigm and Tapping the Hidden Job Market
Mentme operates on a unique model where the job seeker pays for a comprehensive two-month accelerator program costing around 4,000 shekels. The service provides personal strategy sessions, bi-weekly one-on-one meetings, chat availability with recruitment coaches, and access to an internal network platform connecting thousands of professionals. Chesterman emphasizes that the program does not guarantee employment, but rather equips candidates with professional tools so they will never face the exhausting cycle of job hunting unprepared.
According to company data, 67% of participants secure employment within the eight-week program, significantly cutting down the average Israeli job search duration from seven months down to three and a half to four months. Mentme now employs a team of 24, including 15 experienced recruiters who understand the employer's perspective. Chesterman notes that over 70% of jobs are never publicly advertised, meaning that tapping into the hidden job market through direct human connections remains the most effective strategy for modern career transitions.
