When applying for a job, a good résumé gets your foot in the door. A better résumé gets you an interview and gives you the chance to land the job. But what if you have a very diverse technical background and, as a result, a lengthy, in-depth résumé? The hiring manager may not notice your skills relevant to the job and you could miss an opportunity. So, how can you make the most of your résumé?
For starters, it’s a good idea to have a few different versions of your résumé, especially if youare a developer, business analyst, project manager, or a combination of the three. That way, when applying for a technology staffing role, your résumé highlights only your appropriate skill sets and relevant background. Your résumé should bring out your strengths and pinpoint how your skills match the position’s requirements rather than vaguely summarize all of your skills and background. For clarity, the role and/or title do not change but the summary of experience within the roles may be featured and leveraged differently.
To take 
this a step farther, let’s say you are a project manager with a heavy technical background. If you are applying for a straightforward project manager position, it’s best to leave out most of your technical background and to focus on your project management history. Though you may be an excellent Java developer, including this on your résumé may overshadow your project management experience. The hiring manager may consider you “not a fit” for the job because he or she believes you are a developer, not a project manager. The same is also true for project management roles that require a heavy technical background – let them know about your Java expertise!
You can work with your recruiter to help tailor your résumé to the job. However, as always, make sure your résumé is an honest reflection of your experience and skills. If you want to make sure you don’t get the job, lying on your résumé is a great way to do it.
Leave us a comment if you have any résumé success stories!
With 2012 in full swing, we here at Eliassen Group want to share our New Year’s Resolutions 
with you, our talented consultants. What better time than the start of the New Year to forge new commitments and reinvigorate old ones?
Our New Year’s Resolutions 2012:
- We want to put you to work. That has been our job for the last 23 years. Our talented recruiters take the time to learn about your unique skills and personality. We then match you with a role and environment that helps your career flourish.
- We will prepare you for your interviews throughout the job search. Our recruiters are career coaches who put your interests first. We guide you through the interview process and highlight why your skills are a match for the role.
- We will get you the training and skills you need to further your career. Our training program offers courses in cutting edge technologies in all areas of the software development life cycle and we have secured pricing that benefits all.
Our commitment to our consultants’ careers is at the heart of everything we do here at Eliassen Group. With yet another successful year behind us, we embrace all that 2012 may bring and look forward to furthering your career!
As an IT consultant, you have probably joined a team already working on a project and had to hit the ground running. Whether you’re brought onboard in the initial developing stages or closer to the project’s completion, here are some pointers to make the transition easy for you and your teammates.
Know the Company
If you’ve been working as a Technology Staffing consultant for a few years, you know that each and every company is unique. With this in mind, learn about the company’s culture and goals before joining the team. This will help you become familiar with your potential work environment and put the project goals in perspective. If you have relevant industry experience, talk to your recruiter and ask how to leverage this experience when applying for the position.
Know the Team
While interviewing for the job, be sure to ask questions about the project and team. What is the team dynamic? How many junior and senior resources are on the team? What technologies does the team use? Can you speak to the project manager or team lead? What will your role be? Asking these questions demonstrates your sincere interest in joining the team and allows you to make an informed decision whether or not to accept the job.
Communication is Key
Once onboard, know what the project’s goals are and how you fit in with those goals. Keeping your eyes on the prize helps with team unity and keeps things moving forward. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer suggestions. Maintaining an open line of communication between yourself, your manager, and the rest of the team is important to achieve the best end result possible.
Have a success story from a project you’ve worked on? Got anymore pointers to add to our list? Please share with a comment!
With its growing popularity, has Agile development methodology “gone mainstream” or has it stuck to its grassroots approach? Our Agile Bash, hosted at Bentley University on 10/6, brought together a team of talented technology professionals to discuss the current state of Agile methodology and its future.
Typically, Agilists pride themselves on being on the cutting edge. However, with the growing interest and application of Agile across various industries, the panelists and crowd discussed whether or not Agilists had turned in their t-shirts for neckties and what’s in store for Agile and its evangelists in the future.
If you’d like to listen to the discussion, check out our podcast from the Agile Bash event!
If you’d like more information about Agile, check out our five-part Agile Blog Roll or our Agile Practice page!
Were you at the Agile Bash? Did you check out the podcast? Do you have any questions or thoughts on Agile development methodology? Leave us a comment!
They read your résumé. They loved it. They want to meet you. Now what? Start panicking? No! Start planning!
Although most Technology Staffing interviews are brief (usually an hour or less), you should start prepping for the interview days beforehand. The more time you have to prepare, the more likely you are to nail the interview. Here are some simple tips and tricks to keep in mind before you head off for your interview.
Do your homework
Make sure you know about the company and the role. What kind of company is it? What are its goals? What are its services? How does your role contribute to the company’s overarching aims? Can you find any cool or interesting facts about the company? Knowing more about the company will set you apart from the competition and advertise your sincere interest in the role. Work with your recruiter to figure out how best approach the interview. 
Plan to be on time
If your interview is in-person, know where your interview site is. Take a test run to the interview site and account for traffic and inclement weather. If parking is tight, plan on utilizing a nearby parking garage (if possible). Likewise, if it’s a phone interview, make sure to be near the phone. Avoid any other schedule conflicts around the time of your phone interview. If you are using a cell phone, plan to be in an area with good reception.
It’s all a state of mind
Understandably, you’re feeling jittery before the interview. Stay cool! Confidence is easily picked up by hiring managers. Don’t be overly confident and cocky. You know what’s on your résumé; you should be able to speak to your credentials and qualifications. That’s why you’re there in the first place! Make sure you get out any jitters a day or two before the interview. Review your résumé with your recruiter carefully and know your strengths and weaknesses. If possible, ask one of your friends to stage an interview with you for practice.
Do you have any other tips or tricks that work well for you? Drop us a comment and let us know!
It goes without saying that it is necessary to make a great impression during your interview. How can you do this? As we mentioned in this blog post, you have to know the company culture and demonstrate that you are a great fit. For most jobs, showing up to interviews in a t-shirt and jeans won’t bode so well, but this, of course, raises the question: is it possible to overdress for a job interview?
Strangely enough, with the recent hiring surge at small startup compan
ies, the answer has become yes. With the economy steadily recovering, startups have started hiring more and more talent. In an attempt to distinguish themselves from stuffy, stiff-collar companies, startups have begun embracing a “corporate casual” look – no neckties, no jackets, and other relaxed dress code rules. That being said, it still is not wise to show up to an interview this way. However, showing up in your finest-pressed suit may not play out the way you were hoping, either.
When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to dress your best. Wear formal clothing (a nice dress, a pair of slacks, etc.) and bring anything necessary for a quick change from relaxed to professional (a nice pair of earrings, a tie and a jacket, etc.). If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to arrive to your interview a few minutes early and quietly ask the receptionist for the company’s dress code policies. If you feel that you’re underdressed, you have time to make a pit stop in the restroom and complete your outfit. Now you’re dressed for success!
Before going in for your interview, make sure to ask your technology staffing recruiter about the dress code. You may want to leave your crisp Frank Sinatra suit in the closet.
Finding a technology staffing firm that represents your interests in searching for your next career opportunity is a serious issue. Typically, finding someone with the thoroughness and drive that equals your own is one of the more challenging requirements of your search. You may wonder, “What makes a good staffing firm? What makes a good recruiter? Who will work with my level of passion to find my next career opportunity?”
Understanding the criteria for your search is one element; broadening those criteria to have a team working for you is really how you expand your search. Here at Eliassen Group, our recruiters thoroughly understand all of your concerns and believe in working to further your career as if it were their own. Our job is to find you a job. You want to thrive in your job environment and work with like-minded, driven IT professionals. Our thoroughness is unmatched as we work for you, every day, to make this happen. When it comes to your “IT” career, our recruiters make sure to dot every “i” and cross every “t.”
Going the extra mile for our consultants is business as usual at Eliassen Group. Our thoroughness is only matched by our passion for your career. Our recruiters are trustworthy business coaches and career advisors who take the time to get to know you and your skills in order to find you the perfect job.
We understand that most blog posts are content-driven and do not contain “marketing hype” and even with that said we felt that this message is truly content so please ignore the marketing. Our recruiters’ thoroughness goes beyond any “marketing hype” and translates into real results for you. Our new “dotting every i and crossing every t” campaign needs no introduction – just introduce yourself to one of our recruiters and let the results speak for themselves.
Have you met your Consultant Advocate yet? The Consultant Advocate role is a recent addition to Eliassen Group’s on-going technology staffing consultant support program. With our Consultant Advocate role, we have an additional line of communication to ensure your needs are met. Let’s take a look at some of the great benefits our Consultant Advocate has to offer you.
The Consultant Advocate functions as a liaison to you, the working consultant, by providing high personal touch in order to continuously enhance your working experience. 
The Consultant Advocate strives to make you feel a part of our team and to positively recognize your work. The Consultant Advocate is not a replacement for your recruiter. Rather, the Consultant Advocate functions as another point of contact for any and all concerns you may have while engaged on a project. When your recruiter is unavailable, the Consultant Advocate will become your first point of contact and work with you to provide a quick resolution.
Our Consultant Advocate understands how important your career is. It’s your 401K. They are your paychecks. Like a customer service representative, the Consultant Advocate strives to handle any questions, concerns, ideas, suggestions, or issues you may have.
Along with the customer service aspect, our Consultant Advocate adds a personal level of involvement as well. Celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other important personal milestones is at the heart of what we do. Also, don’t be surprised to see the Consultant Advocate on-site at your project with refreshments for you and the rest of the Eliassen Group team.
We value you, our working consultants, and view you as valuable business partners. We want you to stay with us for future engagements and we want to continue to promote your unique skills and talents. If you haven’t heard from our Consultant Advocates yet, drop them a line at consultantadvocate@eliassen.com!
So you’re ready for your next technology staffing assignment? You may be wondering what to look for when considering your next job opportunity. We asked some of our consultants what they think about while on the job hunt. Here’s what they had to say.
Near or Far?
Like the old real estate maxim, consider “location, location, location.” Are you willing to relocate to another town? What about another state? If you’re moving to a different region of the country, you might consider regular travel expenses (family visits, vacations, etc.). Is the cost of living higher in one area versus another? Are the tax laws different? Considering these factors will help decide if that “ideal” job is really as great as you think. 
Fitting in with the Team
Compare your work style with the project team’s approach. Do you prefer strong team synergy or do you prefer to work alone as much as possible? Are you a driven, highly focused personality or do you prefer to keep your head down? During your interview, ask the manager about the team. Talk with your peers or your recruiter and ask about the company or team culture to make sure the job is a good fit for you.
Your Career Matters
Your own goals and career orientations should be included when considering your next role. Are you more interested in building your résumé or in honing your skill set? Do you want a challenging opportunity or are you more focused on working in a comfortable environment? Sometimes, it’s a good idea to search for a challenging role to bring your career to the next level. Other times, it’s good to focus on expanding your skill set. Speak with your recruiter and discuss what your next move should be.
Selecting your next role carefully can increase your chances of landing the job. The more your professional orientation is in-line with the job, the more likely you are to be hired. Do you have any other suggestions we missed? Let us know with a comment.
Just like the Technology Staffing landscape, skill set demands are constantly changing to meet client needs. But how do you keep up and ensure your skills are up-to-date? Here are some tips to stay on top of current technological trends.
Side Projects
Take on various side projects and freelance jobs while engaged on a contract assignment. This is a great opportunity to “get your hands dirty” with technology you may be unfamiliar with. You can experiment and learn about the technology on the fly in a low-stress environment. Open source technologies like Ruby and Android platforms are a great place to start, along with general web development and design. Network with friends, family, and colleagues and see what you find! You may be surprised.
Check out local courses, conventions, and training sessions
A great way to learn about a new technology is to take a course on it. Colleges and universities often offer training programs and technology classes. These courses are taught by certified professionals who often award a certificate of completion at the end (something great to put on your résumé). You can also keep an eye out for technology conventions and training sessions that may be happening near you. These are less formal than certified technology courses, but offer great insight on up-and-coming technologies.
A great training program can go a long way!
Try some do-it-yourself books
There are loads of books that break down technology skills in easy-to-read, easy-to-follow formats. The “For Dummies” series is a great place to start. Your local library or bookstore will have plenty of books related to computers and technology skills. Still no luck or couldn’t find what you’re looking for? Try searching on the Internet for some great new and used titles.
Experience from experience
While on a contract engagement, you are sure to experience new technologies and methodologies. For example, you may learn about Agile Development Methodologies, such as test-driven development and continuous integration, in a new role. You can also ask your project manager if there are other project teams that may require additional support.
Online Training
Eliassen Group offers online training through SkillSoft, a premier training provider for technology related material. SkillSoft provides training packages that include a wide variety of technical skills, including web design and development, database programming, helpdesk support, and many others. To learn more, visit our training page.
In the end, clients like to see candidates with a large scale use of technology. Being familiar with technology and being able to utilize the technology are two different things. Be certain your résumé is an honest representation of your skills, but be open to learn when the opportunities arise. Good luck!