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Finding a JobFinding a Jobin the IT Industryin the IT Industry
Good and Bad Practices for Job SeekersGood and Bad Practices for Job Seekers
Svetlin Svetlin NakovNakov
Telerik AcademyTelerik Academyacademy.telerik.com
Technical Technical TrainerTrainerwww.nakov.com
Table of ContentsTable of Contents
1.1. Where to Search for a Job?Where to Search for a Job? Define Your GoalsDefine Your Goals Prepare for Starting a JobPrepare for Starting a Job Search Channels: Job Sites, Career Search Channels: Job Sites, Career
Centers, …Centers, …
2.2. The Job Application ProcessThe Job Application Process Research the EmployerResearch the Employer Prepare CV, Cover Letter, Prepare CV, Cover Letter,
Endorsements, …Endorsements, … Preparation for an InterviewPreparation for an Interview Go to an InterviewGo to an Interview 2
Where and Where and How to Search How to Search
for a Jobfor a Job??Guidelines for Job Guidelines for Job SeekersSeekers
Steps in the Job Search Steps in the Job Search ProcessProcess
The job search process follows these The job search process follows these steps:steps: Define your goalsDefine your goals – – what kind of job you what kind of job you
wantwant?? Prepare for starting a job Prepare for starting a job – – increase your increase your
skillsskills Research the jobResearch the job marketmarket
Research the employersResearch the employers and offeredand offered positionspositions
Apply for a jobApply for a job Prepare and send your CV and cover letterPrepare and send your CV and cover letter
Prepare for the interviewPrepare for the interview
Go to the InterviewGo to the Interview 4
Define Your Goals Define Your Goals What What kind of job kind of job you wantyou want??
What positionWhat position??
In Bulgaria or abroadIn Bulgaria or abroad??
What are the requirements for this What are the requirements for this positionposition??
Who are the potential employersWho are the potential employers?? For software engineers / IT specialistsFor software engineers / IT specialists::
What technologies I want to use at work What technologies I want to use at work (e.g. PHP / Java / .NET / front-end / QA / (e.g. PHP / Java / .NET / front-end / QA / mobile / …)?mobile / …)?
Are my goals achievable / realisticAre my goals achievable / realistic?? 5
The First Job is Hardest The First Job is Hardest to Get!to Get!
Starting your first job is very hardStarting your first job is very hard Start with lower goals and expectationsStart with lower goals and expectations
Once you get Once you get experienceexperience you could easily you could easily move to a better job / position / employermove to a better job / position / employer
Companies need experienced peopleCompanies need experienced people
Be Be unpretentiousunpretentious!!
You don’t need a big salary at your first You don’t need a big salary at your first working day – it will come laterworking day – it will come later
Just start working somewhere, later you Just start working somewhere, later you could move to a better position or companycould move to a better position or company
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Prepare for Starting a Prepare for Starting a Job Job
Once you know what position you want, Once you know what position you want, prepare yourself for itprepare yourself for it Do you have the required skills?Do you have the required skills?
Your university education is not enoughYour university education is not enough!!
How you could increase your knowledge / How you could increase your knowledge / skillsskills?? Self-studySelf-study ( (booksbooks, , tutorialstutorials, , video-video-
tutorials, …tutorials, …))
Training coursesTraining courses ((e.g. Telerik Academy)e.g. Telerik Academy)
Practical projectsPractical projects – – very, very important!very, very important!
What non-technical skills you needWhat non-technical skills you need??7
Prepare for Starting a Prepare for Starting a Job (2)Job (2)
The everyday The everyday development of your IT skills development of your IT skills during your life is your preparation for finding a during your life is your preparation for finding a jobjob At schoolAt school – – trainings, courses, practical projects trainings, courses, practical projects
At the university At the university – – courses, practice and projectscourses, practice and projects
Alternative education:Alternative education: courses, training centers, …courses, training centers, … Telerik Academy / / School Academy, ,
elective courses at FMI, programming schools, programming schools, , training companiestraining companies
Self-education – study yourself by books / videosSelf-education – study yourself by books / videos
Internships / real-world experience / trial jobsInternships / real-world experience / trial jobs
Practical projects – learn by doing and practicingPractical projects – learn by doing and practicing
8
Prepare for Starting a Prepare for Starting a Job (3)Job (3)
Ask yourself: Ask yourself: how am I different how am I different than the than the other other 5050 candidates for the same job candidates for the same job position?position? Do I have better skills than themDo I have better skills than them??
If not, how could I improve my skillsIf not, how could I improve my skills??
Do I have any experienceDo I have any experience?? If not, how could I gain someIf not, how could I gain some??
Can I start some project to gain experienceCan I start some project to gain experience??
Have I prepared my job application Have I prepared my job application carefullycarefully??
Do I have awards, certificates, Do I have awards, certificates, endorsementsendorsements?? 9
Research the Job Research the Job MarketMarket
Researching the job market is importantResearching the job market is important Research the employersResearch the employers
Review the job offers from the last 3 monthsReview the job offers from the last 3 months Who are the most active employers?Who are the most active employers?
Research these employers – what skills thy Research these employers – what skills thy need?need?
Research the job positionsResearch the job positions What are the most searched job positions?What are the most searched job positions?
Did you find job offers for the position you Did you find job offers for the position you want?want? E.g. you may want to become game developer E.g. you may want to become game developer
but does the industry need game developers?but does the industry need game developers?10
Good EmployersGood Employers What is a What is a good employer good employer and how to identify and how to identify
itit?? The best reference are insiders in the The best reference are insiders in the
companycompany!! Several insiders are even betterSeveral insiders are even better
Generally companies from West Europe, USA Generally companies from West Europe, USA and Canada are more reliableand Canada are more reliable
Best employers demonstrate Best employers demonstrate professionalism professionalism in all possible respectsin all possible respects Carefully written job description, emails, Carefully written job description, emails,
positive attitude in phone calls, clear positive attitude in phone calls, clear expectations, etc.expectations, etc.
Have good reputation – positive comments in Have good reputation – positive comments in public sites, forums, and message boardspublic sites, forums, and message boards 11
Bad EmployersBad Employers What is a What is a bad employer bad employer and how to and how to
identify itidentify it?? Beware of amateur / garage companiesBeware of amateur / garage companies
""Garage companyGarage company" " is not a is not a ""small companysmall company""
Beware of high employee turnoverBeware of high employee turnover Beware of state / government companies Beware of state / government companies
and companies working on government and companies working on government projectsprojects
Beware of Greeks and Israeli employersBeware of Greeks and Israeli employers Beware of companies managed by Beware of companies managed by
incompetent people – you could notice this incompetent people – you could notice this at the interviewat the interview
Beware of organizational anarchyBeware of organizational anarchy 12
Employers RankingsEmployers Rankings Use carefully site like Use carefully site like www.bgrabotodatel.com
and and www.karieri.bg/forum
Traditionally most comments come from hatersTraditionally most comments come from haters
These sites can be easily tricked / manipulated!These sites can be easily tricked / manipulated!
Employees fired due to incompetence, always put Employees fired due to incompetence, always put negative comments against their former negative comments against their former employeremployer
Trust more to established consulting Trust more to established consulting companiescompanies
E.g. E.g. Hewitt does a "Best Employer" ranking by does a "Best Employer" ranking by industries, every year, worldwideindustries, every year, worldwide
JOBS.BG's employer ranking may be a bit tricky may be a bit tricky
13
Top Employers in Top Employers in Bulgaria (2010)Bulgaria (2010)
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SourceSource: : http://http://dariknews.bg/view_article.php?article_id=618009dariknews.bg/view_article.php?article_id=618009
Job Search ChannelsJob Search Channels
Job searching in the software / IT Job searching in the software / IT industry runs through many industry runs through many channelschannels
Public job Web sitesPublic job Web sites
Network of friends / colleaguesNetwork of friends / colleagues
University career centersUniversity career centers
Career eventsCareer events ( (job fairs)job fairs)
Recruitment agenciesRecruitment agencies
Direct contact with the employerDirect contact with the employer15
Public Job SitesPublic Job Sites Jobs sites (targeting the Bulgarian IT Jobs sites (targeting the Bulgarian IT
industry)industry) www.jobs.bg www.itjobs.bg www.rabota.bg www.jobspace.bg www.bestjobs.bg www.orjo.com www.jobtiger.bg www.buljobs.bg 16
The list is not The list is not complete and not complete and not exhaustiveexhaustive
Job sites Job sites constantly constantly changechange JOBG.BG is the JOBG.BG is the
leaderleader
Search in GoogleSearch in Google E.g. try "E.g. try "работа работа
Java developerJava developer""
You Friends NetworkYou Friends Network Ask your Ask your friendsfriends / / colleaguescolleagues / / fellowsfellows
Many job offers are offered privately onlyMany job offers are offered privately only
Send email to all your friends / colleaguesSend email to all your friends / colleagues
Use your contacts in FacebookUse your contacts in Facebook
Use all your acquaintances by any channelUse all your acquaintances by any channel
Explain them what kind of job you need and Explain them what kind of job you need and what skills you havewhat skills you have
Send them your CV, portfolio, etc.Send them your CV, portfolio, etc.
They will spend just one click to forward itThey will spend just one click to forward it
17
University Career University Career CentersCenters
The The career centers career centers at the universitiesat the universities:: At some universities there are well-At some universities there are well-
working career centers working career centers contact them contact them
Many internship and junior job positions Many internship and junior job positions are offered at the universitiesare offered at the universities
Some career centers for the IT industrySome career centers for the IT industry:: FMI of SUFMI of SU – – http://career.fmi.uni-sofia.bgcareer.fmi.uni-sofia.bg
TU-SofiaTU-Sofia – – http://career.tu-sofia.bghttp://career.tu-sofia.bg
NBU NBU – – http://www.nbu.bg/index.php?http://www.nbu.bg/index.php?l=264l=264
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Career EventsCareer Events ( (Job Job Fairs)Fairs)
Career events Career events ((job fairs)job fairs) are great place to are great place to learn about the employers and find job learn about the employers and find job offersoffers
How to learn about upcoming career eventsHow to learn about upcoming career events?? Career centers put invitations at their Web Career centers put invitations at their Web
sitessites
The student's councils at each UniversityThe student's councils at each University
NBUNBU – – www.studentskisavet.comwww.studentskisavet.com
TU-SofiaTU-Sofia – – www.studsavet.comwww.studsavet.com
FMI of SU FMI of SU – – fss.fmi.uni-sofia.bgfss.fmi.uni-sofia.bg
Largest job portals put invitations in Largest job portals put invitations in FacebookFacebook
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Recruitment AgenciesRecruitment Agencies Generally in Bulgaria the Generally in Bulgaria the IT recruitment IT recruitment
agenciesagencies (HR agencies) do not work well (HR agencies) do not work well Most of them consider you as a Most of them consider you as a
commoditycommodity
They want to sell you to earn moneyThey want to sell you to earn money
Your interests are usually ignoredYour interests are usually ignored They will ask you start a job which you do They will ask you start a job which you do
not want (e.g. an operator in a call not want (e.g. an operator in a call center)center)
Some employers use only HR agencies to Some employers use only HR agencies to hire new employeeshire new employees This is mostly for executive positionsThis is mostly for executive positions
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Recruitment Agencies in Recruitment Agencies in BulgariaBulgaria
Generally the recruitment agencies are Generally the recruitment agencies are incompetent in the IT industryincompetent in the IT industry However you can still post them a CVHowever you can still post them a CV
BulworkBulwork – – http://www.bulwork.nethttp://www.bulwork.net The most popular, but has The most popular, but has bad reputationbad reputation + +
unfair attitude to applicants and employersunfair attitude to applicants and employers Adecco Bulgaria – Adecco Bulgaria –
http://www.adeccobulgaria.comhttp://www.adeccobulgaria.com Manpower Bulgaria – http://wwwmanpower.bgManpower Bulgaria – http://wwwmanpower.bg Talent Hunter – http://www.talenthunter-Talent Hunter – http://www.talenthunter-
bg.combg.com ITJobs.bgITJobs.bg ( (HRCRHRCR) – ) – http://www.hrcr.bghttp://www.hrcr.bg
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Directly Contact the Directly Contact the EmployersEmployers
Sometimes best employers do not post Sometimes best employers do not post public job offerspublic job offers Candidates scramble to apply for themCandidates scramble to apply for them
Usually companies with very strong Usually companies with very strong reputationreputation ( (likelike Microsoft, Google and Microsoft, Google and Facebook)Facebook)
If you want to work in such company, you If you want to work in such company, you need to be the active sideneed to be the active side
Make a list of the best employers in your Make a list of the best employers in your industry and find their job offersindustry and find their job offers Be prepared to show significant Be prepared to show significant
achievementsachievements 22
The Job Application The Job Application ProcessProcess
How to Prepare a CV, Cover Letter and How to Prepare a CV, Cover Letter and Send a Job Application, How to Prepare Send a Job Application, How to Prepare
and Go to Interview?and Go to Interview?
Job Application StepsJob Application Steps Recommended steps to follow Recommended steps to follow
during the job application process:during the job application process:
1.1. Research the employerResearch the employer
2.2. Research the job offerResearch the job offer
3.3. Prepare CV, cover letter, Prepare CV, cover letter, endorsements, projects, portfolio, endorsements, projects, portfolio, certificates, awards, etc.certificates, awards, etc.
4.4. Carefully send you job applicationCarefully send you job application
5.5. Prepare for an interviewPrepare for an interview
6.6. Go to interviewGo to interview 24
Read the RequirementsRead the Requirements Very important ruleVery important rule::
Follow the requirementsFollow the requirements exactly as exactly as requestedrequested If a CV in English is required this means If a CV in English is required this means
CV in English, not in BulgarianCV in English, not in Bulgarian
If a cover letter is required in Bulgarian, If a cover letter is required in Bulgarian, this means a cover letter in Bulgarianthis means a cover letter in Bulgarian
If the deadline is March If the deadline is March 3131stst, this is not , this is not April April 22ndnd
25
Read the Read the Requirements!Requirements!
What Language to Use?What Language to Use? In the IT industry In the IT industry the official language is the official language is
EnglishEnglish If anyone requests a CV in Bulgarian, this If anyone requests a CV in Bulgarian, this
may be a suspicious garage-like companymay be a suspicious garage-like company If the job offer does not specify a languageIf the job offer does not specify a language
Use the same language like the in job offerUse the same language like the in job offer You can still use English for the IT positionsYou can still use English for the IT positions
If a cover letter is not requested, still send If a cover letter is not requested, still send oneone
This will make you more-serious candidateThis will make you more-serious candidate
26
Research the EmployerResearch the Employer Obligatory Obligatory research the employerresearch the employer!!
Explore what is its businessExplore what is its business
You should know very well what the company You should know very well what the company does, its products, services, customers, etc.does, its products, services, customers, etc.
Research which are the Research which are the company valuecompany value
What is important for the companyWhat is important for the company??
Read articles / publications about the Read articles / publications about the companycompany
Read the forums and discussionsRead the forums and discussions
Beware: forum posts are not trustworthy Beware: forum posts are not trustworthy sourcesource
27
Research the Job Research the Job PositionPosition
Research carefully the job positionResearch carefully the job position!! Any unknown words in the job descriptionAny unknown words in the job description
((e.g.e.g. BPMN, BPEL, ARIS, BPM, SOA)?BPMN, BPEL, ARIS, BPM, SOA)?
Learn about them, try these technologies!Learn about them, try these technologies!
Any unknown products in the job Any unknown products in the job descriptiondescription??
Download the products and play with themDownload the products and play with them!!
Any requirement unmatched by your skills Any requirement unmatched by your skills / competence / experience/ competence / experience??
Improve your skills, take a quick course / Improve your skills, take a quick course / tutorial!tutorial!
28
Prepare CV and Cover Prepare CV and Cover LetterLetter
Prepare a Prepare a CVCV that matches the job position that matches the job position and the requirements in the job descriptionand the requirements in the job description Start with the most important for this Start with the most important for this
specific job offer technologies / skills / specific job offer technologies / skills / experience / projectsexperience / projects
Carefully prepare aCarefully prepare a cover (motivation) lettercover (motivation) letter Write it specifically for the offered positionWrite it specifically for the offered position
Never use a templateNever use a template Find endorsements from former employers, Find endorsements from former employers,
professors, colleagues, and so onprofessors, colleagues, and so on Prepare Prepare diplomasdiplomas, , certificatescertificates,, awardsawards,,
portfolioportfolio29
Sending Your Job Sending Your Job ApplicationApplication
Send Send carefullycarefully you job application and you job application and according to the requirementsaccording to the requirements The email sender should be politeThe email sender should be polite::
Ivan Ivanov <Ivan Ivanov <[email protected]@gmail.com>>
An example of idiotic senderAn example of idiotic sender:: Asd Afds Asd Afds <<[email protected][email protected]>>
EmailEmail subject should be meaningfulsubject should be meaningful:: Job Application: Junior .NET Developer (Ref Job Application: Junior .NET Developer (Ref
##481481))
Bad examplesBad examples: : CVCV, , Re:Re:, , rabotarabota, , <<no no subject>subject>
30
Sending Your Job Sending Your Job Application (2)Application (2)
The cover letter and CV should be sent as The cover letter and CV should be sent as separate files (best in PDF format) separate files (best in PDF format) named named meaningfullymeaningfully:: Ivan-Ivanov-Cover-Letter-Mobiltel.pdfIvan-Ivanov-Cover-Letter-Mobiltel.pdf Ivan-Ivanov-CV.pdfIvan-Ivanov-CV.pdf
Examples of idiotic file namesExamples of idiotic file names:: New Document (2).docxNew Document (2).docx,, ivan.docivan.doc,,
mobiltel.docmobiltel.doc Don’t attach a photo, put it inside your CVDon’t attach a photo, put it inside your CV
Don't send 8 MB photo named Don't send 8 MB photo named vankata_pichvankata_pich22.jpg.jpg!!
If you need to attach large files (more than If you need to attach large files (more than 22 MB), something is wrong MB), something is wrong find what find what 31
Sending Your Job Sending Your Job Application (3)Application (3)
Write a meaningful text in the email body, Write a meaningful text in the email body, e.g.e.g.
Obligatory put in the application emailObligatory put in the application email:: The exact name of the position (as in the job The exact name of the position (as in the job
offer) and a reference number (if applicable)offer) and a reference number (if applicable)
The company nameThe company name ( (notnot your companyyour company))
How did you learn about this positionHow did you learn about this position
32
Dear HR Manager,Dear HR Manager,
I would like to apply for the position "Junior .NET I would like to apply for the position "Junior .NET Developer" (Ref #Developer" (Ref #481481) in Mobiltel EAD published at ) in Mobiltel EAD published at Jobs.bg. Attached are my application documents: CV, Jobs.bg. Attached are my application documents: CV, cover letter, university diploma and English TOEFL cover letter, university diploma and English TOEFL certificate.certificate.
Please feel free to contact me at any time by phone or e-Please feel free to contact me at any time by phone or e-mail.mail.
Sending Your Job Sending Your Job Application (4)Application (4)
Obligatory put a Obligatory put a meaningful signature meaningful signature with with your name and contacts at the end of the your name and contacts at the end of the emailemail::
Send your entire application in English Send your entire application in English ((CV, CV, cover letter, endorsements, portfolio, email, cover letter, endorsements, portfolio, email, signature)signature) Exception: if the job offer is in BulgarianException: if the job offer is in Bulgarian
Never mix the languages (BG text + EN Never mix the languages (BG text + EN signaturesignature)) 33
Kind regards,Kind regards,
Ivan IvanovIvan IvanovTel. Tel. 08880888 1212 3434 5656Email: [email protected]: [email protected]
Expect to Get Expect to Get ContactedContacted
If your job application is carefully If your job application is carefully prepared, prepared, expect to be contacted expect to be contacted in few in few daysdays Good companies always answer to polite Good companies always answer to polite
candidates by phone or by emailcandidates by phone or by email
Positive or negative, you will get an answerPositive or negative, you will get an answer
If you have sent If you have sent CVCV22.doc.doc in an empty e-mail in an empty e-mail without a subject, you will without a subject, you will not get an not get an answeranswer!!
Read your e-mail constantly!Read your e-mail constantly! Bring your phone with fully charged Bring your phone with fully charged
battery and do not reject the incoming callsbattery and do not reject the incoming calls34
Prepare for an Prepare for an InterviewInterview
Prepare for eventual interviewPrepare for eventual interview Research the companyResearch the company
The interviewer will obligatory ask you about The interviewer will obligatory ask you about the company the company and "nothing" is catastrophic and "nothing" is catastrophic answeranswer
ResearchResearch carefully each of the carefully each of the requirementsrequirements
You will be asked about your experience with You will be asked about your experience with the required products / platforms / the required products / platforms / technologies / etc.technologies / etc.
Be prepared for Be prepared for classical (standard) classical (standard) questionsquestions::
Previous experience, expected salary, etc.Previous experience, expected salary, etc.35
The InterviewThe Interview Half of the effort you put with your job Half of the effort you put with your job
application is to get invited to an interviewapplication is to get invited to an interview Most candidates do not know how to apply Most candidates do not know how to apply
for a job and never get invited to an for a job and never get invited to an interviewinterview
The other efforts are to The other efforts are to demonstrate your demonstrate your skills and positive personality at the skills and positive personality at the interviewinterview Prepare for technical questionsPrepare for technical questions
Demonstrate knowledge and skills, positive Demonstrate knowledge and skills, positive attitude, thinking, readiness for teamworkattitude, thinking, readiness for teamwork
Avoid having high demands / pretentionsAvoid having high demands / pretentions36
HomeworkHomework
1.1. Define your goals for your future jobDefine your goals for your future job
Is there a demand in the industry for this Is there a demand in the industry for this job?job?
2.2. Identify the typical requirements for your Identify the typical requirements for your preferred job positionpreferred job position
Identify the technologies you need to knowIdentify the technologies you need to know
3.3. Create a wish-list of potential employersCreate a wish-list of potential employers
Research these employersResearch these employers
4.4. Increase your skills for your preferred job Increase your skills for your preferred job position (pass tutorials, read books, take position (pass tutorials, read books, take courses, …)courses, …)
37
Finding a Job in the IT Finding a Job in the IT IndustryIndustry
Questions?Questions?
Thank You!Thank You!
