YOUR DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO

Essentials to help you land the best technology jobs5

GETTING HIRED

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 3Finding the Best Technology Jobs 4Crafting an Effective Resume Objective 5Maximizing Your Resume 6Nailing the Interview 7Defining Your Salary Requirement 8Conclusion 9

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 3Finding the Best Technology Jobs 4Crafting an Effective Resume Objective 5Maximizing Your Resume 6Nailing the Interview 7Defining Your Salary Requirement 8Conclusion 9

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If yoursquore like me you continue to read about how hot the technology job market is

Most research including that from the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the technology unemployment rate is between three and four percent Yet perhaps this is not what you are experiencing in the marketplace You may be unemployed looking for a new position or maybe even your first technology job out of college

How many times have you thought ldquoI can do that job if they will just give me the chancerdquo While it usually boils down to the most qualified candidate getting the job there are several things you can do to better position yourself in the marketplace

While there are no shortcuts to getting that dream job use the five tips in this guide to help you throughout your process ndash from the initial job search to wrapping up that final interview with an informed salary discussion

Best of luck John Reed

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS GUIDE

A Note from John Reed Senior Executive Director of Robert Half Technology

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Here are six guidelines to help keep you on the right track to finding the best technology jobs

FINDING THE BEST TECHNOLOGY JOBS

1 Build and maintain your personal brand online

This doesnrsquot mean just posting your resume online anymore Todayrsquos employers are using a variety of online tools when recruiting for technology jobs In addition to using the right keywords in your resume (more on this to come) you should do the same in your LinkedIn profile You can also synchronize all of your social media profiles so hiring managers can find you more easily Just be sure that all of the details on your social media accounts are professional and appropriate for potential employersrsquo eyes

2 Develop a target list of companies that yoursquod like to work for

There is an abundance of information available online well beyond company websites Once you identify the companies that interest you do your homework ndash check out Glassdoor and Yelp reviews for additional insight and be sure to follow the companiesrsquo Facebook and LinkedIn pages as well as their Twitter feeds

3 Review postings on the search engines and job boards that feature technology jobs such as

DICE and CareerBuilder Keep your searches tight using keywords that match your interests and the location where you want to work Narrow-ing your criteria will lead to more targeted and relevant job listings and less weeding through non-relevant ones

4 Focus on your social network

Maintaining an active network is critical at every stage of your career whether yoursquore seeking a new job looking to advance your career or de-veloping your skills Social media channels allow you to easily leverage existing contacts who can help you find new ones Because you can see who members of your network are linked to you can ask for introduc-tions These channels also give you access to groups with similar interests and career focuses

5 Once you secure the interview make sure you do everything you can to ace it

Employers expect candidates to come prepared Thoroughly research the company and be prepared to answer frequently asked interview questions (more on this to come) Send a personal note within 24 hours to thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you This will help differentiate you from other candidates while providing an oppor-tunity to reiterate your interest in the position

6 Work with a tech recruiter

A specialized recruiter can introduce you to the right tech opportunity and help accelerate your job search Recruitment firms have well-devel-oped relationships with employers and are very familiar with workplace trends and the specialized skills that are currently in demand Perhaps most importantly specialized technology recruiters frequently know about jobs that have not yet been advertised

5 Technology Jobs That Didnrsquot Exist 5 Years Ago

1 DevOps Engineer

DevOps allows emerging companies to save money and headcount on engineers who can maximize system uptime and application performance

2 JavaScript Engineer

JavaScript engineers work with scripting languages that enhance the interactivity of web pages

3 Ruby Developer

Ruby is a popular open-source language which lends itself especially well to object-oriented programming for the web

4 Big Data Engineer

A big data engineer combines the skills of computer science IT design and cog-nitive psychology to analyze enormous amounts of data

5 API Platform Engineer

The platform engineer bridges both hardware and software writing code and ensuring the hardware is doing what itrsquos supposed to do

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The resume objective remains a controversial piece of content on tech resumes Herersquos why adding one could help you stand out

CRAFTING AN EFFECTIVE RESUME OBJECTIVE

As a technology professional yoursquore used to tweaking your resume to ensure it resonates with hiring managers whether theyrsquore practitioners or generalists The goal of course is always to represent your job history clearly and honestly while speaking to the specific job descrip-tion at hand Itrsquos that last part thatrsquos most important to remember ndash and hence why wersquore still in favor of the resume objective

The Importance of Being Specific

Itrsquos common practice to create one resume and then use it to apply for a variety of technology jobs and roles While this may seem most efficient itrsquos actually less effective According to Dakin Gunn director of placement services at Robert Half Technology in San Francisco a resume geared toward a particular role is much more likely to get past initial HR screens

Why is that Because it shows that (a) you took the time to read the job description and tailor your most relevant experience and (b) yoursquore certain of what yoursquore looking for ndash whether thatrsquos to continue on a path based on your past experience or make the switch to a new challenge Regardless having a resume objective is a great way to improve your resume and let the hiring manager know exactly what you want and what they can expect

Whatrsquos the Best Type of Resume Objective

ldquoShort and sweetrdquo Gunn said Resume objectives are not meant to be long arduous reads theyrsquore designed to be concise and informative If you find yourself going over two sentences maybe you should re-evaluate what yoursquore trying to say and how yoursquore saying it

More importantly for the resume objective skeptics out there herersquos why including one could help ensure your IT resume makes it beyond the hiring manager according to Gunn

ldquoHaving a resume objective shows you took the time to identify your career trajectory and the next steps you are looking to take Job seekers who are not certain of these things tend to jump from job to job more often Also including a resume objective shows hiring managers that you have a clear definition of what you want and how to obtain that given your backgroundrdquo

Resume Objective Example

If yoursquore new to the idea of using a resume objective or simply need to update yours to ensure itrsquos clear and informative herersquos an example of one you can tailor to fit your career goals Remember to keep it concise providing a quick history and a brief overview of what yoursquore looking for

Senior software engineer looking for a full-time position where I can expand my expert knowledge of open source technologies and provide leadership to a growing Agile-driven team

5

Make sure you include the following information

1 Your current role title or position

Example senior software engineer

2 Type of position yoursquore looking for

Example full-time

3 Key skills or expertise

Example open source technologies

4 Your ideal position or role

Example leading an Agile-driven team

4 Resume Objective Must-Haves

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Using the right keywords in your resume helps ensure it gets past automated gatekeepers and into a hiring managerrsquos hands

MAXIMIZING YOUR RESUME

How essential are keywords in a technology resume The short answer is very important Quite simply using the correct keywords helps the right hiring managers find your resume so itrsquos critical for technology job seek-ers to include them With so many companies using applicant tracking software to scan resumes using the right keywords in your resume will help you clear the first hurdle and get past the automated gatekeeper

Focus on Key Competencies

The first step is to think about the kind of job you are targeting If you have an actual job description for a specific opportunity ndash web developer for example ndash read it carefully and highlight the words that you see in the job description If you donrsquot have a job description try pulling up some current technology job postings with similar job titles on sites like CareerBuilder Dice or LinkedIn to see what words are being used in those job descriptions

Using web developer as an example you will likely find terms such as mobile applications user interface NET and HTML come up multiple times Assuming you have this experience these are the keywords you should include in your resume as you describe different skills projects and roles Software and technology competencies are particularly impor-tant and worth repeating in different sections of your resume

Think Like a Technology Hiring Manager

Also keep in mind that hiring managers typically use nouns when running searches For example they might use ldquomanagement experiencerdquo rather than ldquoexperience managingrdquo

Of course when it comes to resume keywords itrsquos everything in modera-tion You donrsquot want to get carried away by over-using them ndash especially if the keywords yoursquore including are misleading or are unrepresentative of your experience and qualifications While using the right keywords might get you past the tracking software a hiring manager will not be im-pressed by a resume thatrsquos been overstuffed to the point that it no longer reads clearly logically or honestly

Keep your technology resume focused on your qualifications specialized skills and accomplishments using keywords strategically throughout the document These easy guidelines will help land your resume at the top of the pile and get your foot in the door for the all-important interview

3 Fresh Resume Formats to Consider

6

1 Twitter Resume

Can you accurately describe your qualifications in 140 characters or fewer Example ldquoWeb developer familiar with all the latest languages and platforms looking for a fast-paced firm Learn more at janedoecomrdquo

2 QR Code Resume

These square barcodes are also making inroads in job hunting Include one on your traditional resume that links to your professional website or LinkedIn page

3 Infographic Resume

By including illustrations charts graphs and other visuals yoursquore showcasing your work history while also giving employers a firsthand glance at your technical abilities

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Here are seven interview questions you should be ready to answer regardless of the position

NAILING THE INTERVIEW

1 Can you tell me about a recent project or process that you made better faster smarter more efficient or less expensive

Hiring managers need developers and other technology professionals who understand the big-picture impact of their work You should be able to explain how your efforts made a difference for your organization

2 Yoursquove just been assigned to a project involving a new technology How would you get started

This question will give interviewers insight into how you handle technology products with which you have less expertise What steps would you take to overcome a knowledge gap and ensure you still get things done on time

3 With your eyes closed tell me step-by-step how to tie your shoes

Also how many times do a clockrsquos hands overlap in a day These questions challenge you to think about and explain a process which showcases your problem-solving and communication skills Can you describe a simple process clearly and efficiently How about a more complex one

4 What technology-related blogs podcasts tweets or websites do you follow

Do you share any information yourself online This reveals whether you are staying up on trends Do you have a sincere interest in technology

and the tech community in general Do you show an interest in continued education and learning new things

5 What three character traits would your friends use to describe you

This question can clue hiring managers in to personality characteristics or qualities that may not be apparent through the resume or traditional interview questions

6 Can you tell me about a time when things didnrsquot go the way you wanted at work such as a project that failed or being passed over for a promotion

Everyone deals with professional disappointment at some point What the interviewer wants to know is how you handle these situations The best candidates will use setbacks as springboards toward positive changes such as getting a certification that will help you position yourself for advancement next time therersquos an opportunity

7 What are your favorite and least favorite technology products and why

In addition to learning whether you like the products used at the company at which yoursquore interviewing this question helps you gauge enthusiasm and knowledge Do you respond passionately when discussing the benefits of certain tools Do you seem to have a solid grasp of the positive and negative features of different technologies

Want more Get additional interview tips here

5 Interview Mistakes You Must Avoid

1 Getting Off on the Wrong Foot

A bad first impression is almost impos-sible to unwind Pay attention to the de-tails ndash like your appearance demeanor and body language

2 Lack of Interview Preparation

Research the company as well as the person yoursquore interviewing with Be informed so that you can demonstrate your genuine interest

3 Bringing Up Salary Too Soon

Make sure the job is a good fit first and that yoursquore truly interested in it Then let the interviewer initiate the topic

4 Not Asking for the Job

If you want the job and are confident you can be successful in the role say it Donrsquot walk out of the interview room assuming the interviewer knows how you feel about the job

5 Poor Follow-Up

When the interview is complete donrsquot just sit back and wait Go on the offensive and send a thank-you email that reinforces your interest in the position and the company

Read more on how to avoid interview mistakes

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DEFINING YOUR SALARY REQUIREMENT

Knowing your salary requirement before you walk into an interview is key The way you respond can be the difference between positioning yourself out of a job you want and securing the salary you think you deserve Thatrsquos why itrsquos important to consider the salary requirement question before you discuss it with a hiring manager First ask yourself a few questions

bullWhatsalarywouldyourequiretoleaveyourcurrentposition

bullConsideringyourexperiencewhatcompensationis appropriate

bullWhatdoyouthinkothersinyourindustrywithsimilar experiencearemaking

Then to strategically determine your salary requirements you need to do a little research ndash and consider the best way to respond to the sal-ary question when itrsquos brought up in the interview Here are four tips

1 Get your figures right

Do some homework and research the latest salary trends for your city industry and job title by reviewing compensation surveys and publica-tions such as Robert Half Technologyrsquos 2014 Salary Guide and talking to colleagues and recruiters

2 Make a solid case

You need to be able to talk specifically about your skills experience and prior successes especially those that have had measurable effect on your past companiesrsquo bottom lines

3 Donrsquot get ahead of yourself

Wait for the hiring manager to bring up the salary discussion and make sure you fully understand the requirements of the position before an-swering questions about your desired pay Ask prospective employers what they think would be an appropriate range for the position so you can avoid giving a range that is too high or low

4 Donrsquot bluff

Itrsquos never a good move to mislead a prospective employer about your current compensation or other higher paying job offers in an effort to get more money Instead reiterate the value you can bring to the firm and be honest about your desired salary

When it comes to receiving a job offer and negotiating a salary figure here are a few tips

bullAlwaystrytonegotiateIfyoursquoreofferedasalarythatdoesnrsquotmeet your expectations itrsquos okay to request additional compensation Employers may start at the lower end of their salary range leaving room to negotiate

bullThinkbeyondthepaycheckBesuretolookatthefullpicturewhen evaluating a job offer A generous benefits package or opportunities to learn and grow with the company may compensate for a lower starting salary

bullGetitinwritingBeforeacceptingajoboffermakesurethatyou get an offer in writing stating the salary Itrsquos never a good idea to formally accept a job offer without getting it in writing

WhatrsquosyoursalaryrequirementHere are four tips to help you nail your response

8

Download a copy of the Robert Half Technology 2014 Salary Guide for an up-to-date glossary of IT job descriptions

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Now that you have the insider information you need ndash from writing resumes and objectives to interviewing and discussing salary requirements ndash you are set to land the tech job yoursquove been waiting for Itrsquos our pleasure to help all our technology candidates achieve their career goals If yoursquore not already a candidate in our database register to submit your resume today then begin your job search with Robert Half Technology

With more than 120 locations worldwide Robert Half Technology specializes in placing development technical support and other highly skilled technology professionals on a project and full-time basis Robert Half Technology attracts highly skilled and experienced candidates like you by offering access to the best job opportunities and career advice to expand your options

For additional career resources check out our tech blog and visit our Salary Center to download our 2014 Salary Guide

Contact Robert Half Technology at 18887935533 or rhtcom to learn more about how we can help you land the technology job of your dreams

About Robert Half Technology

copy 2014 Robert Half Technology An Equal Opportunity Employer MFDV RHT-0514

LAND THE JOB OF YOUR DREAMS