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Tips on Submitting your Resume to Databases

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Although it’s frustrating to submit your resume to IT staffing firms or direct clients without hearing back, it’s critical to get your information to as many databases as possible.  Searching for an IT job is a numbers game, the more databases you submit your resume to, the better odds that you’ll receive a call one day from an IT recruiter with that perfect job. 

When IT recruiters are looking through databases, they typically search by keywords.  If you check one of our earlier articles, you can check out the tips our IT recruiter gave on putting the right skill keywords in your resume.  Therefore, before you submit your resume to that next database, make sure you list as many technical key words that you have experience with as possible (without fabricating of course).

Finally, make sure that all your information is accurate and consistent.  One pet peeve IT recruiters have is searching through a database and finding the exact same resume with a slightly different name.  By having different names you will obviously confuse IT recruiters, it could hurt your credibility and subsequently your chance to land that perfect technical job.

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Make Yourself Available for IT Recruiters

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

When you are a job seeker working with IT recruiters, you need to be easily accessible.  When an AVID Technical Resources’ Account Manager identifies a new IT job opportunity, our IT recruiting team immediately begins looking for prospective candidates.  At AVID Technical Resources we try to submit candidates within the first few days the IT job position becomes available.  The IT Staffing Industry is fast-paced, therefore in order to beat out the other IT recruiting companies, we need to respond to our clients as quickly as possible. 

If you miss a call or email, you might be missing out on your dream IT job.  If you don’t have a PDA (Blackberry, iPhone), it might be worth the investment.   In today’s age, whether good or bad, people must be accessible and able to respond immediately to emails.  Another reality is that clients typically needed candidates “yesterday.”  Therefore, the IT recruiters will go with the first candidate or candidates that respond to them.

So when one of our IT recruiters contacts you about a new IT job position, give them a call or return their email as soon as you can.  You never know what new opportunity is waiting for you.

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First Impression: The Handshake

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

As IT recruiters, we’re constantly meeting with prospective candidates and IT hiring managers.  Typically our first interaction with each is a handshake.  As we’ve all been told, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  Therefore, here are some tips to make sure you put your best foot forward from the very start:

1.        Make sure you greet and introduce yourself briefly before extending your hand for a shake.

2.        When shaking the hiring manager’s hand, make sure to stand up if you’re not already standing. This is a clear sign of respect.

3.        When shaking the hiring managers hand, look him or her in the eyes.

4.        Try to have a firm grip but not too forceful.  The hiring manager does not want to know how strong you are but how qualified you are for the IT job.

5.        Only use one hand.  Shaking with both hands is a bit excessive.  The hiring manager will find that you are being too personal.

6.        Sweaty hands.  If the hiring manager’s hands are sweaty, do not wipe your hands immediately.  Most likely they are aware of their hands and it will embarrass them if they see you wipe your hands.  When you sit down find a moment when you can wipe your hand without being noticed. 

7.        More importantly, make sure your hands aren’t sweaty!

For more tips and advice, contact one of our IT recruiters today.  They’re IT staffing industry experts and will help prepare you for your next IT job interview.

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Add IT Key Words to your Resume

Friday, August 27th, 2010

IT recruiters go through resume after resume to find keywords that will match the IT job description.  Therefore, it’s important for prospective IT candidates to include as many key words in their resumes as possible.

For example, if you’re a Software Engineer, be sure to add all of the development languages and tools that you have experience with (obviously without fabricating).  By doing so, your resume will be more likely to be found by IT recruiters.

If an IT staffing firm receives a new IT job order for a VB.NET Developer who has experience developing code that will sit a SQL Server database.  Subsequently, their IT recruiters are likely going to search “VB.NET and developer and SQL Server.”  If you didn’t list the different programming languages, as well as various databases, your resume would not come up in the IT recruiter’s search.

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How to keep your IT job search on track

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Looking for an IT job is a daunting task.  You are constantly worried about finding an IT job description that you fit and making sure you have the qualifications.  It isn’t easy and there are many distractions.

Here are a few tips from our IT recruiters about find a job in the Information Technology Industry:

1. Keep track of the IT jobs

When searching through different websites you will end up applying to the same IT job if they appear in different search engines.  Therefore, be sure to keep track to each that you apply to.

2. Don’t Double Submit

If you’re working with various IT staffing agencies, communicate what IT jobs you have applied to so they don’t double submit your resume.  This looks bad for everyone.

3. Organize your IT job searching time

Throughout your entire search, IT recruiters suggest allotting a certain amount of time to each task.  You should divide it up in searching for IT jobs, applying to the IT jobs, and preparing documents for applications and submissions.  If you do not divvy up your free time, then you might spend too much time on one task.

4. Follow up

Keep a spreadsheet of all the IT jobs that you applied to, then mark the date.  Follow up with the contact person once a week with a call or an email.  If you’re utilizing an IT recruitment firm, then follow up with your respective IT recruiter.  Hint, if you don’t have a contact person’s name, try to find a profile on Linkedin.

We hope these tips help you find that ideal IT job.  If you need more help in your IT job search, call an IT staffing agency such as AVID Technical Resources.  They’ll put you in touch with a qualified IT recruiter to assist with your search and set you on the right path.

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You interviewed for that IT job, now what do you do?

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Getting that IT job interview is the first step of many.  You need to keep your name fresh with the interviewer(s) to make sure they remember you.  Sometimes there is a big gap of time between getting the interview and getting the job.  Here are a few things our IT recruiters recommend going through the interview process.

1. Business Cards

Before you leave that in-person interview, ask for the hiring managers business card.  Remembering the names of the people who interviewed you, as well as their proper spelling and contact information, is important.

2. Thank You Card

As we mentioned in previous blog posts, IT recruiters believe that a thank you card is one step you should not miss.  It gives you a chance to answer some of the technical questions you were not able to answer during the meeting as well as reinforces your interest in the role.  By going just a bit above and beyond, you can leapfrog other equally qualified candidates who did not do this.  Thank the interviewers for their time.

3. Social Media Networks

Do not go and update your status on Facebook or twitter about how well you interviewed with Company X or write anything that could hurt your chances of landing that IT job. Clients working with IT staffing agencies are known to check up on your social media networks.

Follow these steps and it will help you get that next IT job!

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Experiences from our IT recruiter Intern

Friday, August 13th, 2010

This summer we hired 3 interns to help us out with recruiting information technology candidates.  We went through the interview process and identified the right candidates for our IT recruiting internship program.  They seemed to be a good fit with our company culture and appeared to have the drive/motivation.  Looking back, we were right.  Each has proved to us they have the skills and qualities to be a successful recruiter in the IT staffing industry.

Now that the summer is coming to an end, our interns chose to tell us about their experience working as an IT recruiter for one of the fastest growing IT staffing companies in the country.

He summarized his experience like this:

1. People Skills

Having people skills is a factor that helps talking to prospective candidates about the different IT job opportunities you have available.  An IT recruiter needs to know how to connect with a candidate on a personal level to make them feel comfortable and willing to listen to what you have to say.

2. Cold Calling

An IT recruiter will receive many applications to job postings, but in the end you will need to go digging through a resume database for some candidates that fit the IT job description

3. Phone manners

IT recruiters need to work on their phone manners especially when you are constantly working with prospective candidates.  Acting in a professional manner will always help keep the candidate interested as well as feel comfortable.

4. Hard Work

In order to succeed you need to put in the time and effort.  Nothing is free in life and you need to work hard to get the results you want.  Finding the right candidate is not as easy as picking a name out of a hat.  An IT recruiter has to search through databases and applications to find candidates who will fit the IT job description as well as the culture in the company.

Overall our IT recruiter interns felt that they learned valuable lessons from working in the IT staffing Industry.

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Getting Millennials and Generation X to work together

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Some argue that the Internet was the single most important invention of the 20th century.  Businesses have computers for every employee (IT recruiting firms often provide both a desktop and a laptop for their IT recruiters).  It is the backbone that drives today’s businesses and economy.

Millennials grew up using computers.  Because of this, most of the generation has strong typing skills and extensive computer knowledge.  Therefore, anyone born prior is obviously at a disadvantage.

The emergence of social media has compounded this generational gap.  IT recruiting companies are now posting all of their IT jobs on Twitter and Facebook pages.  However, to most Generation X’s, this is still foreign to them…ultimately pushing the generational gap farther apart from a technology perspective.

Therefore, our advice for Generation X is to embrace technology.  Take some classes or try to find someone who can teach computer basics.  Break free from your comfort zone and create social media pages such as Twitter and Facebook.  You don’t need to be an expert immediately – simply start using these sights at your own pace.  IT recruiting companies are depending upon these sites more and more.  If you’re not using them, the right IT jobs may pass you by.

And for Millennials, have some patience.  At some point, each of us may be facing the same apprehensions or fears.  Time flies and you never know what new technology is lurking around the corner!

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What kinds of questions should you ask during an interview?

Friday, August 6th, 2010

IT recruiters are always prepping their candidates about what type of questions might be asked during an IT job interview. Although it’s important to be prepared and answer the questions effectively, it’s also key that you ask proper questions as well.

Answering questions is just as important as asking questions.  Clients of IT staffing agencies are looking for find candidates who show interest in their company and try to understand the industry.  Think of questions beforehand.  Ask yourself, what type of questions would I think are thought provoking if I were the one doing the IT job interview?

Here are a few questions our IT recruiters believe you should keep in mind:

  1. How did this position open up (is it a new IT job or are you replacing someone?  If you’re replacing someone, do you mind me asking why he or she is no longer with the company?).
  2. Can you provide a snapshot of this IT department over the past couple of years?  Has it grown or decreased in size?
  3. How does upper management see this position fitting within the company’s goals?
  4. What is the organization’s outlook for the next five years and how will this IT department be involved?
  5. What do you enjoy most about working at this company?
  6. Could you get into more detail about the day-to-day responsibilities this job will entail?
  7. Could you describe the management style in this group/company?
  8. What type of employee fits well with this company?
  9. Will there be performance reviews? If so, how and who will be reviewing my performance? IS there a list of criteria in which an employee will be evaluated on? How frequently will performance reviews be made?
  10. Is decision-making shared between Upper-management and employees?

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