IT Recruiting: Out with Summer, In with Fall
As the summer winds down, technical recruiting companies get a second wind. With children returning to school, parents experienced in the information technology industry may seek IT jobs to fill up free time. Interns return to their respective colleges and universities, leaving technical recruiters to take on the workload. How can IT recruiters still manage their time while appreciating the fall?
Outdoors
IT recruiters Boston have the luxury of New England’s infamous fall weather and beautiful foliage. Take a walk after work through the woods or plan a weekend hike with friends. Go for a drive north and see what the hype is with leaf peeping. Many farms offer apple picking which can be great for children as well as adults, plus you will have a treat to bring in the IT staffing office after.
Social Life
The fall is pumpkin season, so grab a fellow recruiter and treat yourselves to a pumpkin muffin and coffee. A hard day in the life of technical recruiting agencies? Go downtown for pumpkin ale after work. If you are more of a baker, carve a pumpkin and use the inside to make a pie or bread.
Oktoberfest lasts from mid-September through the beginning of October. IT recruiting companies can attend the Harpoon Brewery’s celebration or Harvard Square’s festivities with friends and family. Once the celebration dies down, you can begin preparing for Halloween.
Get Out of Town
If you miss Oktoberfest, plan a long weekend getaway for Columbus Day or a vacation and research the best deals. With off-season rates and less tourists, you will be able to enjoy your time off more while leaving some money in your pocket, too. If you cannot plan a whole trip, buy tickets to a football game and make a day out of it with tailgating!
First Impressions in the IT Staffing Industry
IT recruiters use first impressions to determine their potential candidates for open IT jobs. Most IT staffing firms first engage in a phone screen to find applicants who can best communicate their skills and experience. If the phone interview goes well, the next steps are a submittal and possibly an in person interview. This interview is the candidate’s opportunity to show his potential, so use these tips to make an outstanding first impression among hiring managers and IT recruiting companies.
Prior to Meeting
Research both technical recruiting companies as well as managers conducting the interview through company sites and LinkedIn. Take notes and think of questions to impress managers. Set aside two neatly pressed outfits for your interview. Always go for more dressy, preferably a suit, when you are uncertain of how casual the meeting may be. Determine the commute length to the destination of the meeting. Aim to arrive at least fifteen minutes early to prepare yourself and gather your thoughts. If running late, always give a heads up and estimated time of arrival.
The Meeting
When you arrive to the meeting, review your notes and jot down any last minute questions. Try relaxation tips such as taking a walk or listening to calming music prior to the meeting to ease nerves. Do not think too much or you may begin to worry. If necessary, call your IT recruiter for last minute tips.
Body language is just as important as the things you say. Extend a handshake, but be mindful of cultures and traditions if you are in an unfamiliar setting or area. Remain calm, focus, and think through your responses. Maintain eye contact and a genuine smile while avoiding nervous habits. Keep the flow of the conversation relevant and positive with an upbeat tone.
After the Meeting
After the meeting, follow up with cordial thank you messages totechnical recruiters and the interviewers within twenty four hours. Reiterate key points of the meeting and address any outstanding issues. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to mention them.
First impressions are crucial in business. Having the required skills is half the battle, convincing the hiring manager you are the right fit for the IT job seals the deal.
Technical Recruiting at Home
It is 8:00 am and a technical recruiter rolls out of his bed and prepares for work. His routine is the same as any other day, breakfast, coffee, and sports page. He begins his commute… one flight down the stairs to the basement and twelve steps across the carpeted floor to his personal IT staffing office.
Why it works
IT recruiters will typically experience less stress working at home than in the office. Efficiency levels can improve with a nixed commute, flexible schedule, and less office distractions, perks for both IT recruiting companies as well as employees. Recruiters may also spend more or less time on lunch and breaks, making time up later in the day when they are feeling more productive and improving output.
Working from home not only benefits the employees, but also IT recruiting agencies. Technical staffing companies will spend less on office expenses such as supplies and energy bills. Employee retention rates may improve as technical recruiters are more satisfied with their working conditions.
Why it does not work
Working from home has a number of perks, but with added benefits come restraints. IT staffing firms thrive on team work, but working at home is less personable than sharing an office or having a cubicle neighbor. The recruiter may miss office gatherings and water cooler chat, making the recruiter feel left out or less part of a team.
Working when the recruiter feels like it can be a disruptive routine. Poor habits and distractions will catch up to him and he could fall behind in work. The recruiter may also become so consumed with work that he cannot separate his work from his personal life.
How to manage
When recruiters work from home, they should create a designated work space and turn off all distractions. Try shutting the door and notifying others when busy. Changing into work clothes can help to get in the office mode, too. By having a consistent routine, recruiters will be more apt to manage time and tackle tasks.