17Sep

Your LinkedIn Profile Photo 📷

Without a lengthy introduction or explanation about the importance of your personal professional brand, we`re sharing tips from various sources and our own experience.

Let’s go:

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A photo where you’re not alone (e.g., with a friend/partner, etc.).
A photo from a party/club.
A full-body photo (it’s important that your face and eyes are visible).
A “ready for anything” photo (no matter how beautiful your figure is, it’s better to cover it up for a professional network 😉).
A low-quality photo (blurry, dark, stretched, etc.).
A photo where you look very different from real life (I removed my 5-year-old photo and replaced it with a more recent one, considering my love for changing hairstyles 🙃).

It’s best to choose a headshot (looking straight or slightly turned) against a simple background that’s not overly detailed.

If you manage professional pages on Facebook, Instagram, or Telegram, it’s better to use the same photo across all profiles to increase the recognition of your personal brand.

More on profile setup in the next posts.

17Sep

Book Recommendation: “Who” by Randy Street and Geoff Smart

If you’re involved in hiring, aiming to boost your team’s performance, or simply want to improve your skills in selecting the right people for your organization, I highly recommend “Who” by Randy Street and Geoff Smart.

In this book, the authors present a proven talent acquisition method called the “A Method.” They share their insights and experiences, showing how to ask the right questions and conduct interviews to find and attract top talent.
Why you should read “Who”:

📘 Practicality: The book is packed with actionable advice and tools you can start using today.
📗 Efficiency: The methods described help significantly reduce time and costs associated with hiring.
📙 Expertise: Randy Street and Geoff Smart are recognized experts in talent management, and their recommendations are backed by years of research and practice.

For me, “Who” has become an indispensable guide, helping to significantly improve the hiring process and elevate the overall quality of the team. If you want to make your business more successful and efficient, this book is for you.

Happy reading and successful hiring!

Follow https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgeoffsmart/ a global leadership advisor.

17Sep

Hiring today is not the same as it was in 2021, and this means…

– A well-crafted resume highlighting your achievements that stands out to hiring managers. Your job title and a couple of lines about your duties might have been sufficient in 2021, but not anymore; the competition is too high now, unfortunately.

– The requirements for candidates are higher than described in the job posting. You will be competing with people of various seniority levels, often 1-2 levels higher than you for the same pay, so meeting all the criteria doesn’t guarantee success. Just keep this in mind and don’t take rejection personally.

– When going for an interview, know not only the name of the company but also as much as you can find about it and show your interest. As mentioned above, сompetition leads to a more careful selection of candidates.

– Your networking: recommendations, reposts, contacts. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is fully updated.

– Having excellent hard skills is not enough. No one will tolerate a toxic person, even if they are very skilled. Professional ethics matter – respect the people around you.

What would you add to this list?

17Sep

10 Common Job Interview Questions and the meaning behind them.

Why do interviewers ask these specific questions and what do they want to find out?
Below is a list of 10 common job interview questions.

1. Could you tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief?

Interviewers like to hear stories about candidates. Make sure your story has a great beginning, a riveting middle, and an end that makes the interviewer root for you to win the job.

2. How did you hear about this position?

Employers want to know whether you are actively seeking out their company, heard of the role from a recruiter, or were recommended to the position by a current employee. In short, they want to know how you got to them.

3. What type of work environment do you prefer?

Your preferred environment should closely align to the company’s workplace culture (and if it doesn’t, it may not be the right fit for you).

4. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?

The employer wants to know: Do you hold down the fort or crumble under pressure? They want to make sure that you won’t have a meltdown when the pressure becomes intense and deadlines are looming. The ability to stay calm under pressure is a highly prized talent.

5. Do you prefer working independently or on a team?

Your answer should be informed by the research you’ve done on the company culture and the job in question. Nevertheless, you should expect that most work environments will have some team aspect.

6. When you’re balancing multiple projects, how do you keep yourself organized?

Employers want to understand how you use your time and energy to stay productive and efficient. They’re also looking to understand if you have your own system for staying on track with the work beyond the company’s schedules.

7. What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge?

This question may come up as a result of the pandemic. Employers want to know how people used their time differently. Know that you don’t have to feel scared about answering this question if you didn’t spend your time brushing up on skills or taking courses. We learn from any experience we have.

8. What are your salary expectations?

Before you walk in for your first interview, you should already know what the salary is for the position you’re applying to. Check out websites such as Glassdoor, Fishbowl, or Vault.com for salary information. You could also ask people in the field by reaching out to your community on LinkedIn.

9. Are you applying for other jobs?

Interviewers want to know if you’re genuinely interested in this position or if it’s just one of your many options. Simply, they want to know if you’re their top choice. Honesty is the best policy.

10. From your resume it seems you took a gap year. Would you like to tell us why that was?

Gap years are more popular in some cultures than others. In some professions, gap years may have a negative connotation (the industry moves too fast and you’re not up to date).

17Sep

An intermediate update from the recruiter.

Are updates like “no update so far” appreciated?

Yes, absolutely 💯

Imagine you’ve interviewed a great candidate, presented them to a hiring manager, and now you’re waiting for a response. As time goes by with no communication, the candidate is left in the dark, feeling a mix of hope and anxiety.

From the company’s side, unexpected events like urgent business releases or interviewer illnesses might cause delays. While these reasons are understandable, transparent communication is crucial to manage candidate expectations.

Even in situations where there’s “no update so far, unfortunately,” a transparent acknowledgment of ongoing processes, with a sincere apology for any delays, is highly appreciated.

This helps maintain a positive candidate experience.
Candidates appreciate transparency 🙏

Without updates, they may doubt their qualifications or whether they made a good impression. A simple update, even if there’s no significant news, shows respect for the candidate’s time and effort.

17Sep

Juggling Work and Life: How to Keep All the Balls in the Air Without Dropping Your Sanity!

Ever feel like you’re in a circus act, trying to juggle work, family, friends, and a bit of “me time”? It’s a wild ride, but with a few tricks up your sleeve, you can keep all those balls in the air without losing your sanity!

1. **Prioritize Like a Pro**: Know which balls are glass and which are rubber. Some can bounce back, but others need extra care.
2. **Set Boundaries**: Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty. Your time is precious!
3. **Take Breaks**: Even jugglers need a breather. Step back, relax, and recharge.
4. **Laugh It Off**: When things get chaotic, a good laugh can be the best remedy.

Remember, it’s all about finding your rhythm and enjoying the performance.

08Feb

Ways to expand your network

In today’s world, expanding your network is becoming popular and useful. The leading way is the use of social media. Today it is easy to connect with people from anywhere. Now, we are going to discuss how we can effectively build your network using social media and personal encounters.

06Feb

HR Interview Tips That Will Make You Comfortable, Sound Charismatic, And Stand Out

So you’re up for your next interview! But how to make it as friendly and formal as possible? Follow these simple tips to ace that upcoming HR interview. They’ll keep you from feeling like a deer caught in headlights, make you seem charismatic, and cut down on time it takes to cover technical ground.

04Feb

Pros & cons of project base jobs vs. permanent jobs for IT developers

Pros and cons of the project-based jobs

There are pros and cons to a project-based job as an IT developer. On the plus side, you can often choose your hours and work from home if you want to. You also have the opportunity to learn new technologies and work with various companies. On the downside, project-based jobs can be less stable than permanent jobs, and you may not have the same benefits.

What is your experience with project-based jobs?

I have had both positive and negative experiences with project-based jobs. Overall, I prefer the flexibility and freedom they offer, but there have been times when the work has been very inconsistent.

Pros and cons of the permanent jobs

IT developers have many advantages and disadvantages to both permanent and project-based jobs. Some pros of permanent jobs include stability, security, and benefits. Perks such as paid vacation days, health insurance, and retirement savings plans can significantly affect an employee’s quality of life. On the other hand, project-based jobs can offer more flexibility, variety, and opportunities for career advancement. Developers who thrive on change and enjoy working on various tasks may prefer this job. Another advantage of project-based work is that it often pays better than permanent positions. When choosing between the two types of jobs, you must consider your preferences and needs.

What should you choose?

The debate about whether developers should pursue project-based work or permanent jobs have been around for years. Here, we look at each option’s key considerations to help you make the best decision for your career.

Permanent jobs offer stability and security, which can appeal to many developers. The downside is that you may be stuck in a role that doesn’t suit your skills or interests long-term, or you may not have the opportunity to work on the cutting edge of technology as new projects are often assigned to more junior staff.

Project-based work can provide more flexibility and variety and the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies. However, it can also be less stable than a permanent job, and you may find yourself without work for periods between projects.

The key considerations when deciding between a permanent job and project-based work are:

Stability vs. flexibility: How important are stability and security in your career? A permanent job offers more stability than project-based work, but you may have to sacrifice flexibility.
Experience level: Are you an experienced developer looking for new challenges, or are you just starting your career? Project-based work may be more suitable for professional developers who want to stay up-to-date with new technologies. At the same time, permanent jobs may be better for those just starting who want to gain experience.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether project-based or permanent jobs are better for IT developers. It depends on your skills, goals, and preferences. If you enjoy variety and thrive on change, a project-based job might be a good fit. On the other hand, if you prefer stability and predictable hours, then a permanent job might be a better option.

Ultimately, the best decision is the one that will help you achieve your career goals.

01Feb

Tips on working with a recruiter

If you’re job hunting, you may be wondering whether or not to work with a recruiter. After all, they can be a great resource for finding jobs that you may not have otherwise found on your own. However, there are also some things to keep in mind when working with a recruiter. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to make the most out of your relationship with a recruiter.

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