Embracing the All-Important "Company Culture"

Gone are the days when trying to a fill opening was almost a fixed process of matching qualifications to the job description at hand.Today, it’s vitally important to bring on-board new hires who have the potential to add that Extra Something to the company culture. 


For sure, and according to a post by Deborah Shane, “6 Intangibles Make You a Premium,” on the SmallBizTrends.com, it takes more than matching up skills and experience in this job market.


“Companies...are not just hiring bodies anymore... The right people, the best personalities for the culture, who not only have the skills but bring the intangibles that can impact that culture, are getting hired.”

Shane bolsters her point-of-view with several references to what other companies are doing to balance their hiring dynamics to include applicants exhibiting strong, team player attributes.

A summary of her “6” intangibles include:

“Adaptability:”   Call it ‘flexibility’ or a ‘willingness’ to embrace change, but the key here is the all-important attitude.

“Works Well with Others:” The workplace is diverse, once you include “people of differing generations, cultures and demographics...” To be a real Team contributor takes a blending of skills, including the ability to “listen” and “motivate” others.

“Leadership and Initiative:” Shane points to the TV series, “Undercover Boss” as an example of employees taking on exceptional roles of ownership of their duties within a company.

“Multi-Tasker:”  Forget about the Me-First persona, and take-on multiple duties as they come your way; more importantly, show a willingness to do more than your asked.

“Open-Mindedness:” Accepting new methods and ways of doing things is vital to the company culture “to do whatever it takes, to do the job.”

“Positivity:” Simply put, it’s important to leave one’s personal trials and tribulations at home; show up for work with “a positive attitude of gratitude.”


If you’re looking for that just-right IT professional, please contact us. It’s our goal to develop an understanding of your culture, then present professionals that will fit in your environment.

Use Your Communication Skills to Land a Great IT Job

While many in the information technology field may take offense at Ryan Tate’s March 2012 Gawker.com article, “The Tech Industry’s Asperger Problem: Affliction Or Insult?” which pokes fun at Mark Zuckerberg and others in the world of technology by inferring that they exhibit Asperger-like behavior, many outside the field might tend to agree. 


One of the most difficult issues that many tech employees have when looking for IT jobs is the ability to communicate with those outside their area of expertise. As writer and HR consultant Deborah S. Hildebrand suggests in her article, “Best Job Interview Tips for Information Technology Job Seekers,” IT job seekers can seem a bit like the brainiac character Sheldon Cooper on the sitcom “The Big Bang Theory.” 


Hildebrand offers these tips for IT job seekers to consider when looking for a new position. 

• Control your desire to pontificate. You know a lot and you want everyone else to know it or perhaps you can’t help but share. If this is the case, here are two suggestions. Contain yourself until you’re sure of the level of understanding of the other person and learn to adjust your communication for those who lack a strong technology background.
• Don’t allow your spotlight to shine too brightly. While it is important to make sure you stand out for your accomplishments, don’t forget you are not alone. Be sure to speak about team projects and achievements as well.
• Seek more information. While you’re busy sharing the stage with team mates, don’t forget to share it with the interviewer. Allow the recruiter or hiring manager an opportunity to provide more information by asking questions. “Otherwise, they’re liable to think you lack curiosity or true interest in the job.”
• If you know it, show it. Be prepared to demonstrate your tech skills. Practice the night before by writing code and check out Codility.com for a sample test. 

Communication isn’t just about talking. It is about exchanging information. You can do that orally as well as in writing. IT job seekers need to be able to demonstrate both. As Hildebrand writes, “No one knows better than you what you are capable of doing. Learn how to communicate properly before your next job interview.”

For more information on conducting a job search or for help finding the right IT opportunity for you, contact us. 

Interview Tips to Help Calm Your Nerves

Though the statistics are nearly a decade old, chances are they still hold up: 96% of job seekers have difficulty sleeping the night before a job interview, according to a 2004 survey by financial recruitment firm Portfolio Payroll.


If you’re one of the 4%, you can stop reading now. However, if you’re part of the majority, here are some interview tips to help you relax before your big day.


In the article, “Four Tips to Help Job Seekers Overcome Job Interview Jitters,” writer and human resources consultant Deborah S. Hildebrand offers these suggestions to help nervous candidates calm down before their job interview:

• Take deep breaths or clench and release your fists several times before, during, and after the interview to relieve stress.
• Videotape yourself or watch yourself in a mirror during practice interviews.
• Review your work history and know it cold so you are better equipped to answer interview questions, including those that recruiters ask the most.
• Don’t rush the job interview by trying to avoid pauses in the conversation. They’re a normal part of any interview. Instead, take your time, consider your answer, and paraphrase to ensure you’ve understood the question.
• Prepare a list of questions you want answered in advance, so you won’t leave anything out.

Additionally, we recommend these interview tips to help you prepare for that all-important, nerve-wracking job interview:

• Know where you are going and what time you should arrive. Drive by the location in advance, if you have any concerns about finding it.
• Have the name and job title of the person you are to meet.
• Prepare what you will wear the night before. Make sure everything is clean and mended. No safety pins, wrinkled clothes, or scuffed-up shoes.

With everything taken care of in advance, you will be able to relax and do your best. No sense losing sleep or the job offer over a bad case of nerves. 


And if you have any other questions or need further assistance with your IT job search, contact us.