Tag Archives: technical recruiter

Breaking a Bad Habit in the IT recruiting Industry

Are you an IT recruiter with a bad habit that you just cannot seem to shake?  No one is expected to be perfect, but when your tendencies begin to affect other technical recruiters, it is time to consider a change.  Left unkempt, habits can spill over from your personal life to the IT staffing office which is one of the last places you want hostility.  If you find you need to rid yourself of an annoying tendency, here are some tips to get you on the right track.

Recognizing the Problem

You might be tipping in your chair, snapping your gum, and yelling to other IT recruiters sitting four cubicles over and not see an issue with it, but reassess the situation.  Maybe your scenario is not this bad, but realizing how your behavior is affecting yourself and other IT recruiters Boston is the first step.   Does your habit provide any benefits?  If so, do they outweigh any negative attributes that accompany this tendency?  When the answer is no, it is time for a change.

Resisting the Urge

Your habit could be something as minor as following up on missed phone calls through email.  Some IT headhunters might not have an issue with this while others find it cumbersome and rude.  The next time your technical recruiter leaves you a voicemail, you could be tempted to break out the Blackberry with an email response.  People often avoid situations because they are not comfortable.  The easiest way to fix a problem is not going around it, but tackling it head on.  Make the phone call and eventually you will find the transition you feared was not difficult at all.

Keep Up the Progress

Check up on your bad habits to make sure you are following through with your commitments.  Reward yourself when you have reached a milestone– just do not reward yourself by engaging in the habit.  If you happen to slip up, never punish yourself.  Let your mistake be a guide to not let it happen again.

When you make positive changes, you line yourself up for success.  IT staffing firms can provide excellent feedback if you are looking to avoid taboo situations or improving resume and interview habits.  Visit AVID’s job seeker page for more detail!

Living a Double Life—The Dishonest Candidate

Working with technical recruiters should not feel like a controlling relationship.  You do not need to tell them your every move or what you had for lunch.  IT recruiters are not intentionally being nosey when they ask you questions, they are just trying to get an idea of what you want and where you would fit most with IT job openings coming their way.  Telling your technical recruiter that you are not interested, providing constructive feedback, or saying you would prefer to not work with him or her might be difficult, but it actually helps them improve their recruiting tactics in the long run.  The worst thing you can do is lie to your IT staffing representative.

Previous Employment

Not listing all your experiences, or worse, including positions and titles you have never held is setting yourself up to be shot down.  At first glance you will shine on paper, but you cannot back it up through references or experience and your lies will soon be recognized.  Because you have embellished your information technology skills and misled IT recruiters Boston, the likelihood that he will keep you in mind for other positions is slim.

Lying about why you have left a previous position can come back to haunt you, especially if the hiring company requires an employment verification or the manager happens to know your former employer.  The six degrees of separation are becoming increasingly slim with social networking sites highlighting your relationships to others.  Avoid burning bridges and always end assignments on good terms.

Background Check

Be honest about past convictions or if you are at risk to fail a drug test.  Telling your IT recruiter up front about these issues will save you and your recruiter potential embarrassment and prevent wasted time on a position that you would not have had a chance nabbing.  Your IT staffing company representative might keep you in mind for other positions and will appreciate your honesty.

Skills

You might seem to be a catch on paper by sprucing up your resume with technical skills and keywords, but always make sure they pertain to the IT jobs you are applying and you actually have the experience.   Your IT headhunter will ask about your level of skills and how often you practiced them.  If you lie about your experience, it will show in your work.  The project manager might have to let you go if you cannot complete the required tasks, leaving you unemployed with severed ties.

Applying for Other IT Jobs

When an IT recruiting company representative asks if you are working with other recruiters or applying to other positions, they are not trying to limit your options.  The IT recruiter is looking to make sure you do not get double submitted for an opening.  Being submitted twice for an opening might sound helpful, but it can actually hinder your chances of securing the position because hiring managers will assume you are either careless or your submission was made in error.  Letting IT recruiters know you are actively interviewing shows determination, but also helps the technical recruiter to understand your availability.

IT staffing firms are not out to scam people, their job is to find the right candidates for open positions.  If working with recruiters does not sound like something that interests you, express your opinion.  The keys to a successful recruiting relationship are communicating and being honest.

For more tips, please visit AVID’s Job Seekers page.

Living a Double Life—The Dishonest Candidate

Working with technical recruiters should not feel like a controlling relationship.  You do not need to tell them your every move or what you had for lunch.  IT recruiters are not intentionally being nosey when they ask you questions, they are just trying to get an idea of what you want and where you would fit most with IT job openings coming their way.  Telling your technical recruiter that you are not interested, providing constructive feedback, or saying you would prefer to not work with him might be difficult, but it actually helps him improve his recruiting tactics in the long run.  The worst thing you can do is lie to your IT staffing representative.

Previous Employment

Not listing all your experiences, or worse, including positions and titles you have never held is setting yourself up to be shot down.  At first glance you will shine on paper, but you cannot back it up through references or experience and your lies will soon be recognized.  Because you have embellished your talents and misled your IT recruiter, the likelihood that he will keep you in mind for other positions is slim.

Lying about why you have left  previous positions can come back to haunt you, especially if the hiring company requires an employment verification or the manager happens to know your former employer.  The six degrees of separation are becoming increasingly slim with social networking sites highlighting your relationships to others.  Avoid burning bridges and always end assignments on good terms.

Background Check

If an opportunity includes a mandatory background check, be honest about past convictions or if you are at risk to fail a drug test.  Telling IT recruiters up front about these issues will save you and your recruiter potential embarrassment and prevent wasted time on a position that you would not have had a chance nabbing.  Your IT staffing representative might keep you in mind for other positions and will appreciate your honesty.

Skills

You might seem to be a catch on paper by sprucing up your resume with technical skills and keywords, but always make sure they pertain to the IT job which you are applying and you actually have the experience.  IT recruiters Boston will ask about your level of skills and how often you practiced them.  If you lie about your experience, it will show in your work.  The project manager might have to let you go if you cannot complete the required tasks, leaving you unemployed with severed ties.

Applying for Other IT Jobs

When Boston IT recruiters ask if you are working with other recruiters or applying to other positions, they are not trying to limit your options.  The recruiter is looking to make sure you do not get double submitted for an opening.  Being submitted twice for an opening might sound helpful, but it can actually hinder your chances of securing the position because hiring managers will assume you are either careless or your submission was made in error.  Letting IT headhunters know you are actively interviewing shows determination, but also helps the technical recruiter to understand your availability.

IT recruiting companies are not out to scam people, their job is to find the right candidates for open positions.  If working with recruiters does not sound like something that interests you, express your opinion.  The keys to a successful recruiting relationship are communicating and being honest.

For more tips, please visit AVID’s Job Seekers page.

Listening to Music at Work in Your IT Recruiting Office

Look around today and you will see a majority of your IT recruitment peers plugged in.  You might even be plugged in while reading this.  What does this say about work ethic, or does it have an influence on efficiency?  Do technical recruiters plug in to escape or to focus?

It’s common to walk into an IT staffing office and see almost every cubicle dweller anchored to an iPod or streaming music on the web.  Listening to music at work has been the heart of studies for years, but none seem to produce consistent results in terms of work behavior.

Supporters of tunes in the workplace claim music creates an escape from background noise that otherwise might be distracting.  Other IT recruiters listen to make the day go faster while they try to match candidates with IT jobs.  Those against the office music movement claim employees get distracted by lyrics in the music or that traveling noises affects others’ work.  Despite the opposing views, studies found that listening to music prior to beginning a task allows the employee to maintain focus and improve one’s mood.

Here are some tips if you choose to plug in on the clock:

  • Check with your manager before you crank your favorite tunes.  Not all IT staffing firms and offices are music friendly, this can save you the embarrassment of having your headphones revoked.
  • Be respectful to your fellow IT recruiters.  If music is allowed, it’s guaranteed not everyone shares your tastes.  Do not take offense, just pop your headphones in and keep it at a low volume.
  • IT staffing salespeople and technical recruiters are typically glued to their headsets and phones.  Maintain your volume at a low setting so important calls are not missed.

Do not use your headphones as a way to avoid people, remember to be personable at your.  People often hide behind objects in uncomfortable situations.  Building a relationship with coworkers and your technical recruiter is a way to make work more enjoyable.

Hey—Don’t hire me!

Not the message you want to be sending to employers when you are shopping the IT job market.  Unfortunately, some candidates are unaware of their eye-popping mistakes.  Ignorance may seem bliss, but unemployment is not.  Here are some red flags IT recruiters use to screen candidates:

–          Poor Grammar and Typos

Neglecting to spell check and proof read your resume is an easy way to ruin your candidacy.  IT staffing firms select the best applicants for their open positions.  A spelling error or typo is a red flag for technical recruiters indicating this candidate does not check or review his work.  It is worthwhile to have a second set of eyes review your resume before you begin applying to postings.

–          Readability and Relevancy Issues

If an IT staffing agency has a harder time reading your resume than a Shakespearian play, this might be a clue it needs tweaking.  A technical recruiter will scratch a candidate who cannot communicate and highlight his skills in writing.  Gear resumes for the specific postings and keep it relevant!  Write about what YOU accomplished at IT jobs, not job descriptions.  Avoid buzz words that add nothing to your resume as it is better to be precise and brief than convoluted and lengthy.

–          Stretching the Truth

Never exaggerate your experiences or lie about your past.  If you are placed in an IT job in which you are unqualified, you will end up right where you were before you scored the position– only now you have lost the help from technical recruiters.  Tell the IT staffing firm your skill level and how frequently you used the skill set, including the last time you used them.  The technical recruiting company can then place you with the appropriate opening.  If you have gaps of employment or multiple short-term positions on your resume, be prepared to explain.  Technical recruiters Boston will not make a placement if he believes the candidate will not complete their assignment.

–          Negative Attitude

When IT recruiters Boston reach out to you, they also look for social cues.  Do you speak positively of previous employers?  Can you communicate and express yourself with adequately?  IT staffing agencies MA seek candidates who will work well in the office environment.  Negative attitudes create conflicts that can affect working conditions.  Keep your conversations upbeat, try to stay optimistic, and end on a good note.

–          Lack of Communication

If a technical recruiter reaches out to you, be sure to respond in a timely manner.  It’s not only frustrating waiting on a response, but it also halts a process.  The lack of response signifies your lack of interest in the position.  Be respectful and do not waste your IT recruiter’s time.  If something does not interest you or is not working out, tell your recruiter and they will take the next steps to try to accommodate you.

Remember to treat your technical staffing firm how you want to be treated!

For further tips on job searching, visit AVID’s Job Seekers page.

What Salary Should You Ask For As An IT Recruiter

The big question that many prospective IT recruiters are faced with after their final interview with an IT staffing company is what salary should they demand.  Since the key to most IT recruiting companies is their commission plans, the appropriate salaries can vary.  Therefore, technical recruiters must take a number of factors into consideration:

  • Commission Plan:  This is the most critical piece of any compensation plan.   IT recruiters Boston who are confident in their work ethic and ability will want an aggressive commission plan.  This in turn, would translate into a lower salary (as ideal as it would be, you can’t have both).  If you’re an aggressive technical recruiter, then you’ll want an aggressive plan.  If you value work/life/balance, then find an IT recruiting firm who is heavier on the front end (salary).
  • Additional bonuses and/or stock:  Does the IT recruiting agency provide any additional bonuses or incentives?  Annual bonus?  Stock sharing plan?  Additional vacation time?  These are all things that IT recruiters need to know before deciding on a fair and equitable salary.
  • Insurance plan & other company contributions:  In today’s age, health insurance rates are through the roof.  Therefore, take a look at what out-of-pocket expenses you might incur with your plan.  What percentages of your health insurance will the IT staffing firm pay?  Would the money be withheld pre or post-tax?  Is there a 401k match?  A disability or life insurance plan?  All these factors will have an effect your salary requirements.
  • Vacation policy:  Holidays are scarce in the IT recruiting industry as technical staffing firms must be open if there is a chance any of their IT consultants are working.  Therefore, knowing you may only receive 5-6 holidays, dig into your vacation time.  IT recruiters Boston work hard; therefore it’s critical to have some time off to rest and recharge the battery.
  • Volume of requirements:  Outside of compensation, this is the most critical factor to success for technical recruiters.  Simply put, does the IT recruiter have enough qualified job orders to make money?  Dig into req volume; fill ratios and other metrics that will help you gauge the realistic opportunity for you to fill positions.
  • Company growth & opportunity:  Unless your career aspiration is to be a life-long technical recruiter, you’re going to want to know about the potential to move upwards within the IT recruiting firm.  Is there an opportunity to run the IT staffing branch?  A regional role?  Training other IT recruiters Boston?  Dig into the potentials, and then ask for real-life examples of people who have been promoted into these roles.
  • Personal experience:  Of course your own personal experience and past IT recruiting production numbers are a huge component that will help drive your salary requirements.  Your past annual revenue numbers can drive your market value up or down based on productivity.
  • Personal bills & expenses:  Figure out the amount of money you will need to live comfortably.  This should be your bottom line in terms of salary.  Next calculate how much you would ideally like the IT staffing agency to pay you.  Make sure that is not unrealistic and competitive.  You may not be sure what you are worth or what salary the hiring managers are willing to pay.
  • Competitor Comps:  If you can find salaries and hourly rates of the job you are interested in, you can compare them with other IT recruiting companies Boston.  This will allow you to find an average salary range for the IT recruiting position based on the current economic climate.

Try Not to Take Things Personally as an IT Job Seeker

A job seeker applies to various IT job postings, attends interviews, and speaks with IT recruiters Boston.  Sometimes you just are not a good fit for the position or the company.  So how should you handle this after being turned down by so many jobs?

Try not to take it personal.  Things happen for a reason so just look at it as another opportunity to find a better IT job.  When you get turned down for a position there are many good things that can come out of it.  You may not have gotten that job, but that technical recruiter or hiring manager has your resume and now knows who you are.  Somewhere down the line a position may open up and one of the IT recruiters or hiring managers might remember you and choose you as a candidate.

If you do not do well on an interview or do not get called back for a second one it will be alright.  Take time to reflect upon your interview.  Think about how you prepared as well as how you did.  You may not have answered all the questions confidently.  Or maybe you did not connect your experiences well enough with the job description.  This is your chance to improve on any of your weaknesses.  The more interviews you go to, the better you will become as long as you analyze how you interviewed.

Job seekers do not fret. There are many more IT jobs out there.  Getting turned down is just an opportunity to improve your job search and interview skills.  Remember that every technical recruiter you meet is another connection so keep applying more IT jobs.

Staying in Touch With IT Recruiters

In today’s age, the IT job search is almost completely done via the internet.  IT professionals are looking for various technical positions on IT recruiting company websites and job boards.  They submit their resumes or cover letters through email or a website.  Typically an IT recruiter or human resources will then contact you if you are a viable candidate.

Throughout the hiring process, you want to stay in close touch with the IT recruiters or human resources representative.  It’s important that you communicate your timeline just as much as they relay theirs.  Let them know if one of your other opportunities is heating up and/or whether you’ve received another offer that you’re considering.  Manage their expectations so they can accurately communicate your situation to the manager.  When done properly, you have an effective and efficient hiring scenario.

Staying in touch with the technical recruiter will affect both the relationship you form with the company and your chances of getting that IT job offer.  You may not always get that IT job you applied for, but if you build a positive relationship with IT headhunters, they will likely keep you in mind for a future opportunity that opens up.  Therefore, make sure to continue to update your contacts as you never know when it could benefit you in the future.

Digital Cameras vs. Smartphone Cameras

When you are going out for a day in the city or a dinner, most people do not bring their digital cameras but always have their phones on them.  Most of us have made the switch from regular cell phones to Smartphone’s.  We always have these on us and are constantly connected to the internet.   These Smartphones are especially critical for the  IT recruiters for the Boston-based IT staffing company in which I interned at this past summer.

I had gone to a concert a few weeks ago and had brought my digital camera to take some pictures.  With all the lights on stage, the images would come out blurry or really dark.  My friend on the other hand was able to shoot pictures with her phone at better quality.  It turns out that the cameras on cellular phones have been improving slowly and now are even more convenient then bring around your camera.

Phones like the HTC Evo come with a camera that has 8 megapixels.  In addition, these cameras are also equipped with an HD video recorder capability.  Somewhere along the years our phones have been revamped and now are the only thing we will need.  Your phone is an accessory that many do not tend to forget.  Now it allows them to take pictures, shoot movies, and many other things right at your fingertips.

Of course digital camera makers are now looking into internet capabilities as add-ins.  This would allow users to take pictures or shoot movies and connect wirelessly to share with friends and family.  Not all the cameras have this capability at the moment, but at this rate digital camera makers may end up with strategic partnerships with cellular phone makers.

Therefore, if you’re a technical recruiter, work for one of the local IT recruiting companies, or just are going to a concert, Smartphones with camera/video options is the way to go!

10 Great Tips for Working with an AVID Technical Recruiter

Working with a technical recruiter at AVID Technical Resources is not much different than having your own agent. We’re here to help get you the best possible position while maximizing your earning potential. Our team not only has access to New England’s top employers, we also have strong relationships that have been built over the years. As a result, these relationships have been fostered and strengthened over the years. To the prospective IT job seeker, this translates into getting that critical first interview, or the ever-important “foot in the door.”

Working with an AVID technical recruiter can be a great way to unlock job opportunities that you will not likely have found in internet job postings. You’ll have access to numerous positions and some of the area’s best clients. Before you contact AVID and jump starting your career, here are a few helpful tips for working with technical recruiters:

1) Be Honest – A successful technical recruiter/candidate relationship starts with honesty. It’s important to let the technical recruiter know what other opportunities you’re looking at so we know exactly where you stand with your IT job search. This allows us to know how aggressively we push our client for feedback. Do not hold anything back, as it could not only damage your relationship with your technical recruiter.  It could also jeopardize the entire placement process.

2) Be Open to Meeting – AVID technical recruiters make it a habit of asking prospective candidates to come in and meet with us. Take them up on the offer. Meeting face-to-face personalizes the job search process. Build a strong relationship with your respective recruiter so he or she will always have your name atop their list of available candidates when that right IT job opens up.

3) Be Accessible – During the placement process, time is typically of the essence. Any delay could jeopardize the placement process. Be sure to provide your AVID technical recruiter with every number or contact, so we can reach you when we need to.

4) Communication is Key – Your AVID technical recruiter will stay in close contact with you throughout the placement process. Be sure to do that same. Keep him or her updated with any changes in your employment status. Communicate any changes in your career development such as a new degree or certification.

5) Don’t Be Afraid to Follow Up – If you’re actively and aggressively searching for a new position and haven’t heard from your AVID technical recruiter, don’t hesitate to contact us. The more we know about you and your situation, the more likely it is that we can help you land that perfect information technology job.

6) Listen to Our Advice – We’re technical recruiting experts. Our skilled technical recruiters have helped thousands of people with their job search. With each situation comes a stronger understanding of how to make a successful placement. We’ll explain what we have learned and provide you with resume tips and interview advice to help you successfully land your desired position.

7) Help Us Expedite the Placement Process – Before your AVID technical recruiter officially submits your information to one of our clients, he or she will need an updated copy of your resume, at least 2 professional references and a face to face meeting. If we recommend any additional changes to your resume, be sure to implement and send back as quickly as possible. If we cannot reach your references, contact each yourself and ask to set up a time in which we can call them. If you cannot find time to come into Boston to meet us, we’ll find a more convenient location or will come to you directly. Since any delay in the placement process could cost you the job opportunity, work hard to expedite these items.

8) Be Patient – Our technical recruiters understand the stress, anxiety and frustration associated with a job search. Finding the right technical and cultural fit can sometimes take time. Try to be patient. Sometimes the best opportunities are worth waiting for!

9) Don’t Be Afraid to Say “No” – We do not guarantee that every position will be a perfect match for our candidates when we contact them with our information technology jobs. However, we do guarantee that we will run every possible IT job by our candidates and work closely with them to determine whether it is a good fit. Either way, if you’re not interested in the opportunity, do not be afraid to say “No.” We would rather have you decide this beforehand, than after the fact. It will save everyone involved in the technical recruiting process time and effort.  It will also help us to zero in on that perfect position for you.

10) Look Long Term – If you’re a career technical consultant, we aim to have you exclusively partner with AVID to find all of your future contract information technology jobs. If you’re looking for full-time positions, AVID would like to find you a long-term, stable home. At AVID Technical Resources, we look to build a long term relationship with every candidate. We hope that you will build a long term relationship with us!