Tag Archives: IT Recruiters Boston

Keeping IT Jobs in Massachusetts

In November 2011, the national unemployment rate was 8.6 percent, while Massachusetts’ unemployment rate was 7.0 percent.  With some of the most prestigious technical engineering schools including MIT, Wentworth, and Harvard, IT staffing firms wonder why graduates are choosing to migrate west when it comes to landing an IT job.  The Boston IT recruiters of AVID Technical Resources suggest some reasons IT consultants should stick around the bay state.

Education

If workers or technical recruiters are wishing to further their education, the bay state is a perfect location.  With such an elite selection of competitive colleges and universities, Massachusetts is ideal for those who are pursing flexible degree programs and course schedules.  To find the best school for you, check this technical school guide.

History

There is so much history and culture that Boston has to offer.  Why not be a part of the history and make Boston your home or place of work?  You will not only be enhancing your career options, you will also add culture and a bit of diversity to your life.

Opportunities

Despite the ongoing recession, Boston’s unemployment rate is below the nation’s average, which means growing opportunities for job seekers and IT recruiting companies.  If IT consultants are looking for different work atmosphere, they do not have to limit themselves to business professional or totally casual.  They can find the perfect fit by consulting their IT recruiter.

If you wish to work in Boston, but prefer the suburban life, plenty of jobs allow telecommuting and travel.  Expand your options and contact Boston IT headhunters today!

IT Recruiters Prepare for the Winter

The trees have lost their vibrant colors and look skeletal in the park.  There is a bitter cold frost brewing in the air.  With the first week of December upon us, IT recruiting companies are aware of the winter pangs.  How can technical recruiters bear the dipping temperatures as winter approaches?  Read on for some helpful tips!

Accessorize

Winter is the perfect opportunity to splurge on high quality wool pea coats or down jackets.  Dress up the coats and jackets with hats, scarves, and gloves for extra warmth.  Invest in water proof snow boots to combat the impending blizzards.  Try to dress in layers so you will be comfortable both outside and inside the IT recruiting office.

Travel

The winter is an excellent time to utilize public transportation, especially if you are weary of driving in less than desirable circumstances or wish to avoid shoveling.  If you must use your car, make sure it is up to winter driving standards. Check your car to ensure it is prepared for the winter and ice with snow tires, proper brakes, and plenty of gas, antifreeze, and windshield wiper fluid.  Pack an emergency bag in your trunk in the event of a roadside emergency.

Stay Active

Exercise has been proven to boost one’s mood, so do not use the dark and dreary cold as an excuse to be lazy or catch the winter blues.  Invite a fellow IT recruiter for a weekend ski or snowboarding trip.  Get your daily dose of vitamin D by walking with a technical recruiter during lunch when the sun is at its peak of the day.   Take outdoor activities such as running and biking indoors to the gym.  If you choose to continue  fitness outside, dress appropriately for the dark and temperature.

There are plenty of other ways for technical recruiting agencies to stay warm during the winter.  Grab coffee or tea with candidates and hiring managers or bake for the IT staffing office.  Remember, when you feel the winter blues sneaking up on you remind yourself spring will be here before you know it!

Thanksgiving Travel Tips for IT Recruiters

What is there to not enjoy about Thanksgiving?  This holiday grants technical recruiters a day off from the IT staffing office to spend time with family and friends while enjoying plenty of food, parades, and football.  While travel conditions are not ideal as traffic congestion reaches its peak, here are some tips for the IT recruiter to not only enjoy his holiday, but also survive the journey to reach his Thanksgiving destination.

Car Planning

A majority of Thanksgiving travelers opt to drive when traveling.  Try to plan ahead by taking into account at least two hours of traffic if you must leave on Wednesday.  Leaving on Tuesday night and returning on Friday is bound to save you time as most travelers leave Wednesday and return on Sunday after a long weekend.

Living in New England, IT recruiters Boston cannot predict perfect weather conditions so ensure your wind shield wipers perform correctly and replace if necessary.  Check tire air pressure, oil, and the engine.  To save a few dollars, fill your gas tank early.  Worst case scenario, print back up directions in case your GPS is not cooperating to save a potential head ache later.

Air Line Planning

Avoid the long lines at the airport by checking in online and packing only essential items in a carryon bag.  Airline fees can add up for additional baggage, so consider shipping items if necessary.  Finally, plan to leave extra early to ensure you arrive at the airport on time and do not miss your flight.  Planes tend to be full so changing your flight may delay your trip further.

Staying at Home

If you are not the one doing the traveling, take a breather and rest a little easy.  Offer to help those who will be your guests with travel arrangements and make their visit as pleasant as possible.  Start preparing the meal early and use your IT recruiting skills to gather help so Thursday will not be as stressful.  Lastly, enjoy the leftovers and some Black Friday shopping!

Remember, not all IT recruiting companies and candidates have the Friday after Thanksgiving off.  IT headhunters should be ready and willing to make or take calls and concerns from their IT consultants.

IT Recruiters Boston Get Around Town

Ask IT recruiting companies that call Boston their home how they get around and you will get a number of answers.  The technical recruiters of AVID Technical Resources weigh in on their choice methods of transportation.  Which do you use?

Driving

Those who do not fear traffic, pedestrians, or the inevitable parallel parking in the streets of the city choose to use their own car.  While courting yourself around might seem more convenient, IT recruiters must remember the costs associated with owning a vehicle such as insurance, gas, and routine maintenance as well as the random perks of parking tickets.  To help lessen the burden of owning a car, an IT recruiter should consider joining a car sharing company such as Zipcar. Those who have flexible spending might enjoy the luxury of letting someone else grab the wheel by taking a cab.

Biking

The more health conscious or eco-friendly technical recruiter rides their bikes to IT recruiting firms or across the city.  The benefit of owning your bike is that you do not need to worry about fueling or traffic.  You will be reducing your carbon foot print, having fun, and taking care of daily exercise in one punch.  If you are uncertain if you want to invest in a bike, try Hubway bikes which are conveniently located throughout the city.  Always review terms and conditions as well as prices when considering your choice.

Public Transportation

If you do not mind crowds and a few delays, the MBTA is the most convenient way for technical recruiting companies to get around town.  The MBTA runs boats, busses, and trains to accommodate Bostonians at affordable prices.  Taking opportunity of these rides is not only good on your wallet, but it also helps the environment and reduces traffic, too.  There are private companies that even offer services to distant towns, cities, and other states.

Walking

Sometimes walking is the best solution for IT staffing firms, especially with there are one way streets and parking issues.  The best things about walking are it is a form of exercise and easy for almost anyone.  Next time you have an IT job interview, check to see if it is in walking distance so you can enjoy the weather and beat the traffic.

Boston may seem like a tricky city to get around if you are tourist or new, but once you get the hang of it explore the history and have some fun.

IT Recruiters: Food Survival Guide

IT staffing agencies can spend hours in the office chipping away at work and consistently achieving goals.  With their dedication, one may begin to wonder how recruiters find time to eat.  Here is a list of necessary food supplies for IT recruiters Boston to make it through a typical week.

Breakfast

Take a peek at a recruiter’s cube in the early morning hours.  You may find the IT staffing rep stirring up some oatmeal or nibbling a breakfast bar.  Some might change up their breakfast with a Chobani yogurt while others stick to a strict Pop-Tart routine.  On special occasions, there may be a trip to the local Bruegger’s or Dunkin Donuts for bagels and coffee.

Mid-morning Snack

Come ten o’clock, you will begin to hear stomachs grumble as IT staffing companies reach their mid-morning peak.  Some recruiters reach for their perfectly ripened banana while others grab a handful of nuts.  The more spontaneous recruiters take a trip for a donut or muffin along with a coffee to make it to noon.

Lunch

IT recruiting firms look forward to their lunch more than any meal of the day.  In technical recruiting offices, one will notice the noise level and productivity rise after a recruiter’s midday meal.  From grabbing a sandwich at the local deli to eating last night’s leftovers, these sources of energy send recruiters into overdrive and on a mission to round up potential candidates.  For tips on dining out, check the Phantom Gourmet or go with the suggestion of fellow technical recruiters.

Mid-afternoon Snack

At around two thirty or three o’clock, the lunch activity begins to die down and IT headhunters rise from their desk for an afternoon kick.  A trip to a local convenience store or CVS is in order for an energy drink as well as candy or healthy pretzels and humus.  These snacks will give recruiters a boost to make it through closing time while rounding up candidates and scheduling interviews.

Dinner

IT recruiting agencies may enjoy dinner together from time to time to discuss life outside the IT staffing industry.  These sit down meals can help to building networks while also establishing relationships out of the office.  If recruiters cannot commit to a full dinner, they can always grab drinks after work to celebrate a successful day!

IT Staffing Companies Take On Boston

IT recruiters Boston not only share the benefit of working with different clients and building networks, but they also have the city at their fingertips.  Technical recruiting companies should take advantage of what the city has to offer.  Here are some suggestions to have fun outside the offices of IT staffing agencies.

History

One of the perks of working in one of the oldest cities in the country is all of the historical landmarks and sites scattered throughout Boston.  Educate yourself with a walk along the Freedom Trail or visit a museum.  If you are not into the do-it yourself routine, take a guided tour such as the Boston Duck Tours.  Invite fellow technical recruiters to share the experience and build a bond outside IT recruiting firms.

Be Active

There are a number of ways to be physically active in Boston without wearing down your wallet.  The Frog Pond in the Boston Commons has public skating during the winter as well as a wading pool in the summer.  Take a stroll through the public garden as the flowers begin to blossom and sail or kayak the Charles River if you want to be more in touch with nature.

Retail Therapy

Faneuil Hall and Newbury Street are among the many hot spots for shoppers in Boston.  During a lunch trip away from IT recruiting companies, peruse the vast shops of Downtown Crossings. Walk through Haymarket to find numerous street vendors offering fresh produce at steal prices.

Fine Dining

Boston’s dining experiences are unlike any other.  Coordinate an IT recruiting lunch or dinner for co-workers to show your appreciation and to discuss your non-work related lives.  If you are short on time, there are plenty of small shops, from bakeries in the North End to ice cream shops scattered throughout Boston, you will not be disappointed.

Other Fun

There are plenty of other things to do in Boston.  Catch a Red Sox game or enjoy free concerts at the Hatchshell.  If the weather is not so good, see if the Celtics or Bruins are playing for last minute tickets or share drafts friends.  If you are more of a night owl, explore Boston’s diverse nightlife and find your niche.

The city does not need to be just your place of work, explore what you have been missing and share ideas and tips with another technical recruiter.

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!

Eating at Your Desk in the IT Recruiting Industry

Boston Technical recruiters often find themselves working through lunch and eating at their desks quite frequently.  As IT recruiters, your hard work will be recognized.  However, do not sacrifice your health to go above and beyond.  Here are some reasons you should get up and out for your lunch instead of hiding in your cube.

Clearer Mind

When an IT staffing representative works nine hours straight, there is no time for the brain to recover.  Eventually you will find yourself burnt out and you will not even remember what you ate or what you may have discussed with a client.  If you have the opportunity to walk even for ten to fifteen minutes a day, preferably outside, do so.  You will return with a clearer mind and ready to focus on new goals.

Sanitation

Your desk is actually dirtier than it appears.  Think of how often you actually clean your desk.  Technical recruiters are constantly touching the phone, keyboard, and mouse… then reaching for their sandwiches.  Is the extra hour you’re putting in today worth the sick day you may have to take later?

Poor Habits

You will probably not realize it, but when you are not focused on your meal, you typically end up eating more and ignoring signals that you may be full– or not even hungry at all.  Later, during the day, you will either feel too full and uncomfortable from overeating or hungry from not listening to your body’s signals.  This can affect your work performance.

IT recruiters spend most of their day on the phone, and if they are eating at their desk, there is a strong chance they are snacking between phone calls.  Eating away from your desk will help curb distractions and prevent potential mistakes or messes.

If You Must Dine at Your Desk…

If you must eat at your desk, try to bring a lunch with you.  Home packed meals tend to be healthier and will leave you feeling less sluggish than if you were to order fast food.  When you eat at your desk, take trips to the water cooler or the bathroom to move your muscles.  If another co-worker is eating at their desk as well, ask if you may join them for some company and get your mind off work for a few minutes.

Eating at your desk is unfortunately becoming the norm.  Remember to maintain proper eating etiquette (ie. not chewing in the phone or talking with your mouth full).  And don’t leave crumbs if you decide to join the movement!

Taking Breaks in an IT Recruiting Office

You know those IT recruiters who constantly get out of their seat, walk around, chat by the water cooler, surf the web, and get a cup of coffee…basically any excuse not to do their job?  There is a common misconception that the ideal, efficient technical recruiters who rarely takes breaks and continuously plows through projects and phone calls.  Unfortunately, those employees are far and few between.  The reality is that IT recruiters, like any other employee in any other industry, need to take occasional breaks to keep their sanity (especially in the IT staffing industry where people can literally wear you down).  Sometimes it’s even healthy to take a quick break.

Signs of a needed break

Here are just a few examples of when it is time to take a break:

  • Loss of attention span
  • Inability to focus
  • Frustration
  • Frequent errors
  • High stress

Consequences of not taking a break

There is a difference between consistently working and working efficiently.  Technical recruiters Boston tend to work atypical hours to accommodate the needs of their clients.  Ignoring the signs listed above can trigger the IT recruiter to feel burned out and he will eventually start making errors which could potentially affect relationships with clients.  Stress is not just a mental state and can take tolls on emotional and physical well being, too.  Do not sacrifice your health when there is a simple solution to these stress factors.

Break Suggestions

Boston IT staffing firms have the luxury of working in the city.  Leave your desk and go for a walk through a park at lunch, even if it is for just fifteen minutes you will feel refreshed upon your return.  When projects seem long and cumbersome, split it up into segments.  When you finish a section, reward yourself with a short break so when you start up again you have a clearer mind.  If you cannot seem to focus on a certain project, move onto another and return to it later.

You do not have to forgo output to take a break.  Working at a comfortable pace with breaks and no errors is better than working in overdrive and making frequent mistakes along the way!

IT Job Descriptions

One of the most frustrating aspects of IT job hunting is coming across an incomplete job description.  As a candidate, do you skip over and look for more detailed positions or do you take the risk and apply?  A majority of applicants will continue their search while those that do apply are carelessly sending out their resumes to anyone who will give them a shot.  As an IT recruiter, you want the most qualified candidates for your position so reel them in first with a perfect IT job description.

Job Title

The job title should accurately reflect the tasks and duties of the position.  Obscure or unusual titles have the potential to draw in curious candidates, but can also be lost in most searches.  IT recruiters Boston should choose keywords so jobs appear in relevant searches.

Skills and Qualifications

To weed out unqualified candidates, mention all required skills and prerequisites.  Experience and education level should be included to help determine a salary level.  If there is a certain background preference, list it within qualifications.   The more information technology skills that you have, and can list, the better.

Responsibilities

Listing responsibilities provides an idea of a prospective hire’s day.  This information also helps candidates think of interview questions they might have for the hiring manager.  Including job duties in the description also helps determine boundaries on the job.

Contract Information

If the position is not full-time salary with benefits, IT recruiters should include this in the description.  Some candidates are looking for indefinite short term contracts to test their skills while others are looking strictly for full time perm positions.   By not including these details, you might lose candidates.

So all you technical recruiters, the more detailed job description the better pool of candidates you will have to choose from!