Tag Archives: Technical Recruiters Boston

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!

Ask Not What Your IT Recruiter Can Do for You…

From relationships with hiring managers to all the right tips on formatting your resume and prepping for interviews, it seems technical recruiters have the inside scoop.    IT staffing firms are an excellent resource when you are seeking a new opportunity, but never expect your IT recruiter to limit him or herself to just you.  IT recruiters work with multiple candidates at a time, so expecting them to dedicate all of their time and know every intricate detail about your life is unrealistic.  Here are some tips to improve your relationship with IT recruiters Boston and make his life a little easier.

Meeting in Person

Candidates should always meet with their technical recruiter in person.  Not only will it break the ice, but you will also share a closer bond.  Emotions and tone are lost in plain text and facial expressions are invisible over the phone.   While one person might find humor in sarcasm and wit, another might find it offensive.  Meeting with your IT headhunter will help to define these boundaries.

Being Specific

Just as candidates do not want to be strung along, do not mislead your technical recruiters Boston by showing interest in an IT job that is not the right fit.  If you feel uncomfortable about saying no, this is a sign your relationship needs work.  Be upfront with your IT staffing representative about what exactly you are looking for in a position and what you do not want.  Be mindful that letting IT recruiters MA know what does not work for you opens opportunities for others.

Having Your Time

Communication is crucial to maintaining a solid relationship.   Candidates and IT recruiters should discuss mutually agreeable times to discuss any issues or concerns that may arise.  Both parties should aim to be flexible as recruiters work with multiple candidates and consultants may have hectic schedules.  This time slot eases the frustration of missed phone calls or neglected emails, but be open to meeting outside this time as well.

These are just some tips to help candidates and IT recruiters get to know each other better and understand one another’s needs.  If you still feel disconnected from your recruiter, it might be time to move on.  Do not be afraid to speak to another representative.  If you have a successful relationship, let others know and share the wealth!

Putting All Your Technical Eggs in One Basket

Technology- Friend or Foe

We have all heard the saying that you should not putting all your eggs in one basket.  With technology becoming more advanced and easing the barriers of communication, it is hard to resist the temptation.  Before you upload all your contacts, appointments, and mp3s to your handheld mobile device, consider reading this article on why daily planners and in person meetings are not so obsolete.

Building a Rapport

Smart phones are the jack of all trades, offering internet access in addition to the standard texting and calling features of a regular cell phone.  They allow its user the ease of emailing a client versus calling or sending an informal text.  Face to face meetings between candidates and technical recruiters can ultimately be eliminated with webcam programs such as Skype.

While this makes communication instantaneous, IT recruiters Boston sacrifice building a relationship with applicants in the process.  Crucial elements such as tone and demeanor can be misconstrued or a question regarding an IT job that could be answered over the phone in two minutes could take six email threads to finally reach a consensus.  Webcam meetings are ideal only for IT staffing representatives and clients who work great distances apart.  When IT recruiters meets with a candidate for the first time, it should always be face to face.  You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so why not make it the best impression you can offer?

Losing Your Phone

Whether your phone gets water-logged, crushed, or lost, you will feel a sense of immediate withdrawal if you live by your phone.  Appointments will be lost, contact numbers erased, and, unless you have insurance, you are looking at a pretty penny to replace your mobile device.  Regardless of if it was your fault or not, people who regularly lose or break phones are not considered responsible.

Imagine receiving a text message from an unknown number, do you really want to risk the embarrassment of asking a prospective client “who is this?”  If you find yourself without a phone, be sure to have a hardcopy contact book to update and keep in touch with clients.  Mark appointments in a separate calendar as well.

Crossing Boundaries

Remember to keep your personal life separate from business.  What looks like emailing during a business meeting could be a candidate playing a game or checking Facebook on his phone.  Stay focused and if necessary, put your smart phone away where you cannot see it or be easily distracted.

While technical recruiters are practically glued to their phone, they must remember to keep things professional, especially in emails.  Sloppy grammar, abbreviations, and poor spelling habits might be acceptable to their friends, but they must be mindful of the relationship with their clients.

Technology is not necessarily an evil, it just depends on how you use it!

Managing Your Management

No two IT recruiters work the same, each must adapt to his own form of management.  Unfortunately, you cannot choose who you work with, but you can adjust your working habits.  Here are some guidelines to ease transitions into new IT recruiting job:

Responsibility
Maintaining your responsibility and staying focused is ideal in all work environments.  Allowing projects and questions to slip through the cracks or exceed deadlines creates a snowball effect which leads to future issues.  Stop the problem in its tracks and be one of the technical recruiters in the office people look to for problem solving.  You will be recognized for your proficiency and boost your confidence.  Taking action and following through on your projects are key traits for upward mobility with most IT staffing jobs and positive feedback from your fellow technical recruiters Boston could mean future advancements.

WARNING: Take care of yourself before you help others.  Often people will seek you out for advice and help on projects, but make sure all your work is complete before you take on additional responsibilities.

Honesty
Be honest about tasks you cannot handle.  If you are working above and beyond your work capacity, it will show in your output.  Take a step back and analyze what you can complete in terms of importance and time sensitivity.  IT staffing firms assure that upper level management would rather see you complete one of your tasks with 100% competence than finish three projects with errors.

If you find you have made a mistake, bring it to the attention of your IT Recruiting Manager so you know the proper way to amend it.  Trying to cover slip ups might cause you to make more errors while trying to balance current work.

Never guess answers to anyone’s questions.  When you do not know the correct response to someone’s inquiry, tell them you will find out an answer for them and seek out the appropriate staff.  Remember to follow up and ask if there are any additional questions you can help with.   Honesty and integrity can get you far in the work place.

WARNING: Too much honesty is not best in the work place.  Keep all personal matters to yourself as it can interfere with work relationships amongst your fellow IT recruiters.   

 Communication
Openly communicate with your fellow IT recruiters Boston, supervisors and other co-workers, especially when you are collaborating on a project.  Not only will you not waste time on tasks that are possibly complete, you can learn new ways to handle tasks.  Communicating frequently keeps all technical recruiters on the same page and helps to build solid relationships.  Use it to your advantage, as you have the potential to network from these connections.

WARNING: Do not communicate too much.  Inbox clutter and irrelevant phone calls are not efficient as it is a distraction.  Stay on task and communicate when necessary, but if you are busy stay on task!

Motivation
Staying motivated and recognizing achievements helps IT staffing employees improve their tasks.  Commending work while providing tips for improvement also gives employees an idea of how well they are doing and ignites a drive.  Reach out to your peers if you feel you need additional inspiration or support.

WARNING: Some people cannot handle criticism well, be aware of sensitivity.  A compliment sandwich (providing two compliments with a criticism in between) might ease the initial response.

Follow the Leader
Upper level management within IT recruiting companies should be setting examples.  When you are in doubt about how to respond in a certain situation, follow the discretion of your supervisor.  Plan and organize according to your style.  If you find it is not working for you or there is a more efficient way, make suggestions.

WARNING: A manager might have the work ethic ‘do as I say, not as I do’.  Unfortunately, this is not a rarity with IT recruiting jobs.  In this instance, follow the command of your supervisor and be sure to complete your work the CORRECT way.  If your manager involves you in unethical activity or asks you to perform tasks which you do not feel comfortable, reach out to his manager or your with your concerns.  

From laid back to strict management, always carry yourself in a professional manner.  You can adapt to a style of management, it just takes focus and commitment.  For more helpful articles visit AVID’s job seekers page!

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.

Top 5 IT Job Boards on the Market

In today’s age, there are a number of resumes databases that IT recruiters can choose from.  Some are specifically geared towards information technology, while others are more general sites for candidates of all backgrounds to post their resume.  We decided to take this time and rank the top 5 that have worked best for our IT staffing firm:

1:  Monster:  Although a general recruiting site, Monster continues to lead the job boards.  It is the premier place for candidates of all levels, and background, to post their resume.  It’s become such a leader in the industry that it has almost created its own brand marketing.  When you think of online recruiting sites you think of Monster.  Our IT recruiters go to Monster first when conducting searches for IT professionals or want to post an IT job.

2:  CareerBuilder:  While CareerBuilder boasts of owning a larger resume database, it’s a distant second in the eyes of our IT recruiters.  Although still a popular site with candidates, most resumes that our technical recruiters Boston find on CareerBuilder have also posted their resume on Monster.

3:  Dice:  This is the premier technical online recruiting site.  Being an IT recruiting agency, you’d think our technical recruiters would have ranked Dice among the top resume database and IT job posting sites.  The reason our IT recruiters MA listed it third is because of the sheer size of the database (far less overall technical resumes than Monster and CareerBuilder) and the abundance of H1-Visa candidates who blanket this site.

4:  Net-Temps:  Net-Temps is a solid online IT recruiting site if you’re looking for contract resources.  The reason it’s number four on our list is lack of resume volume and the fact that it’s a site for contract resources only.  Being a contract and permanent IT staffing company, our IT recruiter’s source for both consultants and full-time IT job seekers.

5:  HotJobs:  Monster purchased HotJobs recently so we cannot fairly rank this site separately.  Our IT recruiters listed HotJobs so the reader didn’t think we forgot about this once popular site.

In addition, these two sites are becoming increasingly popular.  Although they’re not your classic IT job boards with resume access, for different reasons, these sites are favorites for IT recruiters:

Linkedin:  Our technical recruiters use Linkedin more than any other candidate search site outside of Monster.  It’s not a resume portal, but it does contain the names and sometimes contact information of millions of professionals.  Although they may not be active on the IT job market, it’s a great site to network with information technology professionals.

Indeed:  Indeed didn’t make our IT recruiter’s Top5 list because it does not house resumes. However this site is becoming the premier spot for candidates to search for IT jobs.  Indeed is as efficient and easy as it gets for professionals to search for their next opportunity.  The candidate simply types in their job title or skills and the desired location, then let Indeed do the work.  The site will pull up the related positions from all sites all over the internet.  Yes, indeed, it doesn’t get much easier than that.

Facebook:  How can we speak about networking sites without at least mentioning Facebook.  Although not geared towards sourcing candidates (yet), Facebook still provides IT recruiters with the opportunity to network and even post their positions.

How to store your information safely

Like most IT recruiters, you probably have information saved on a number of computers.  You may even have an external hard drive and/or multiple thumb drives lying around the office or at home.  With so many different options to save your data, the task to retrieve it or store it all in one place becomes daunting…that is until now.   With the recent advent of online storage space, people are able to securely keep all of their files and data in one location.

Some technical recruiters Boston that I spoke with are currently using Dropbox.  They’re allotted 2 GB of free space and can get up to 10 GB from referring users to the website.  Dropbox allows them to save their files onto their server and access them as long as you have internet.  The IT recruiters MA just have to log on to the website and access their account through their portal.

Dropbox also allows our IT staffing salespeople to save their folders onto various computers.  These folders are saved on the desktop and update whenever a new file is added automatically as long as the end user is connected to the internet.  All they have to do is drag a file into the Dropbox folder that is saved onto their desktop.  This eliminates the need for a thumb drive.

Now in order to reach 10 GB of memory for free on your Dropbox account, you will need to invite your friends to join Dropbox and then they will have to install the folder onto their computers.  For each person that joins from your referral, you will receive 250 MB.  So if you are looking for an alternative to external hard drives and thumb drives, why not give Dropbox a try.

Can You Ever Be Too Honest in the IT Recruiting Industry?

If I could be accused of anything, it’s of being too honest.  Sometimes probably brutally honest.  Maybe I’m like that because in turn, I’d prefer to know exactly where I stand with people.  I have very little respect for anyone that tells you one thing to your face, and then says something else behind your back.  I take this approach in business and as the owner of one of the leading IT staffing companies Boston. However, is there such a thing of being too honest?

I realize that there are times in which brutal honesty is not the best approach.  There are times in which a good manager should hold back their true feelings as to not deflate or demoralize an employee.  However, in general, honesty is the best policy.  At least each person knows where they stand.  Top producing or hardest working IT staffing salespeople or technical recruiters Boston should know how much they’re appreciated, while underachievers should have a black and white picture as to where they need improvement.

As with other roles in the IT recruiting industry, open and honest communication is critical to being successful.  Technical recruiters must let their candidates know where they stand in the minds of a hiring manager or where they’re at with the hiring process.  In turn, IT staffing salespeople must let the hiring managers know where the candidate rank their opportunity and/or whether they have other hot irons in the fire which could factor into how long he or she remains on the market.

Like with most relationships, business or personal, communication and honesty is critically important.  While there are times in which you should hold back on answering brutally honest questions (“whether she looks big in those jeans!”), honesty is typically the best policy and the secret to success.