Our Quardev team had an opportunity to attend an engaging ‘Trends in IT recruiting event’ hosted by WorkSource. We heard from key recruiters from eight different employers about the current recruiting trends and the market. The panelists included, Luna Zuniga (Homestreet Bank), Shannon McCourt (King County Department of IT), Lewis McMurran (MAXset), Eric Read (NuWest), Kris Minkel (Quardev), Erik Lee (TokuSaku Consulting), Brian Byrne (Volt WorkForce Solutions) and Christine Dominguez (WA State Department of Labor & Industries).
We want to send a shout out of thanks to Denise for the opportunity to be a contributor on the panel. It is always great to be in a position to be able to positively influence a group of people. Having eight employers on the panel allowed for different perspectives and unique insights on the current employment market. The panel was very educated and the questions that were asked were relevant to current employer trends and the overall job market.
The discussion kicked off with some great insights the companies are seeing regarding growth, staffing and new product lines for 2018. Strong data skills seemed to be in demand, along with soft skills, a good reputation, and solid references topped the list as important to have when looking for that dream job. While overall experience and prior industry specific background came out as giving candidates an upper hand when their resume is in review.
A key takeaway from the panel was their insight about the key ingredients for achieving success in the initial interview and screening stage of the hiring process. Recruiters on the panel advised candidates to take extra steps to show interest in the role, anything from maintaining consistent follow up with recruiters and hiring teams to adding the personal touch of a hand written Thank You note following each face-to-face interview. Even more important is to make a habit of asking for constructive feedback when the interview does not move to the next step. Which led some on the panel to recommend being realistic and upfront about skills and experience right from the start of the process to improve chances of being hired.
The discussion kicked off with some great insights the companies are seeing regarding growth, staffing and new product lines for 2018. Strong data skills seemed to be in demand, along with soft skills, a good reputation, and solid references topped the list as important to have when looking for that dream job. While overall experience and prior industry specific background came out as giving candidates an upper hand when their resume is in review.
A key takeaway from the panel was their insight about the key ingredients for achieving success in the initial interview and screening stage of the hiring process. Recruiters on the panel advised candidates to take extra steps to show interest in the role, anything from maintaining consistent follow up with recruiters and hiring teams to adding the personal touch of a hand written Thank You note following each face-to-face interview. Even more important is to make a habit of asking for constructive feedback when the interview does not move to the next step. Which led some on the panel to recommend being realistic and upfront about skills and experience right from the start of the process to improve chances of being hired.
The discussion concluded with some useful tips job seekers can use to succeed in the job market. Some of the top tips included:
- Differentiate yourself from other applicants – add a personal touch and consistency when following up with hiring managers and recruiters
- Use keywords in your resume that align with requirements that are described on the job posting
- Stay engaged throughout the process – remember that hiring managers and teams are looking for enthusiasm for the role and energy as much as they are looking for experience
- Keep your resume updated and tailored to the expectations for the role you are applying to
- Pay attention to your social media profiles, especially on LinkedIn
- Interview didn’t go as planned? – Be sure to follow up and ask for constructive feedback that you can use to improve interview outcomes moving forward
Unique to this event, post panel discussion, was the opportunity for candidates to meet with panelists and recruiters to share their experience and discuss any potential opportunities – we couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up the afternoon
Overall the event was very informative, giving candidates new ideas on how to succeed in their job searching adventure. We all travel the same path in life but get there at different times. When it comes to your career search we are all at different stages. Some are looking for roles where they can influence others, some for a stable position, some for contract work, and others for fun. Being an influencer and being able to provide and advice and assistance to others is second nature to any good recruiter. Our work is to ensure we are helping people find the role that’s best for them and best for the hiring manager. It was awesome to meet everyone who attended after and provide advice. We might not have been able to link everyone to a specific position but we were able to point them in a positive direction. We definitely look forward to contributing in the future and are thankful for the opportunity to participate.
If we didn’t have a chance to connect at the event, and you would like more information about how our Quardev Recruiting team can assist you in your career search, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Email works best. contact@quardev.com. For more information and new job opportunities, click here.
