Tag: Job Search

4 tips to level up your LinkedIn profile as a software developer

Posted on by seoteam

Whether you are changing jobs or career transitioning, LinkedIn is the platform that can help make the move a lot easier. It is a great platform to connect with people with similar job profiles, interests or working in the same industry and thereby broaden your professional network.

The LinkedIn profile is essential for developers as the software development industry relies significantly on the platform to search for talent. While companies can leverage social media platforms to find talent, more than 94% of recruiters use only LinkedIn to find candidates to fill requirements much faster. Your presence on LinkedIn can help you quickly find opportunities that match your talent and skills, as only 36% of active job seekers are on LinkedIn. This disparity between the recruiters and job seekers on the platform offers a massive advantage to developers who maintain a professional LinkedIn profile.

Here we share some essential LinkedIn tips to facilitate your developer job search.

1. Get your LinkedIn profile score to 100%

You will notice that there is a profile completion score displayed on your profile dashboard on LinkedIn. You must attempt to complete your developer profile and achieve a score of 100%.

Why? 

Because a complete LinkedIn profile is 40 times more likely to be discovered and contacted by recruiters through the platform. This multifold increase in discoverability is because a full LinkedIn profile is ranked higher by the internal algorithm. It boosts your presence in search results for the work profile matching your skills and experience.

To make your LinkedIn profile complete, you must have the following:

  • A professional profile picture
  • Completed location and industry fields 
  • Experience-your current position with a brief description of the responsibilities in the role and two previous positions
  • Skills-while you can include as many skills as you have, ensure that you at least mention three skills
  • Education
  • At least 50 connections

It won’t be a lot of hard work to reach a 100% complete profile, as LinkedIn recommends ways to complete your profile along the way.

2. Optimize profile with keywords 

Like ranking in search engines, keywords also matter much on LinkedIn. As we mentioned before, the professional social media platform uses an internal search algorithm to help recruiters and hiring managers find the talent easily; the algorithm uses keywords within the profile and description to rank profiles.

One of the most valuable LinkedIn tips we can share is to make sure you use the appropriate keywords that emphasize your specific skills and experience. For example, if you work with or want to work with a particular language or framework, mention it in your profile, such as Python, PHP, JavaScript, Angular, WordPress, etc. 

Using the appropriate technical keywords will help the algorithm to send the right recruiters to your profile. 

Along the same lines, remove any skills or technologies you are not interested in. Simply put, your profile should deemphasize keywords you are not interested in working with. For instance, if you are looking for a profile as a back-end developer, mentioning front-end technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, or frameworks like bootstrap, React, and Vue will confuse recruiters. It might result in you getting more front-end offers rather than back-end.

3. Include a call-to-action

You should always include a call-to-action (CTA) in your profile to prompt people to find out more about you than your LinkedIn profile. The best place to put a CTA is in the summary section. Here are some examples of CTA for more offers:

Feel free to know more about me through mail at name@example.com.

Learn more about my skills and work via my Github repositories at mygithubrep.com.

4. Mention relevant side projects 

Arguably, no other industry expects professionals to be on a path of continuous learning and practicing like IT. As a developer, you must keep learning and upskilling to be employable. By taking a side project, you can practice your craft in technologies that you might not get to work on within the office. LinkedIn profiles with side projects, particularly in developer job search, allow recruiters and managers to see your leadership and engineering skills that might not be seen in your current job profile.

If you are hustling on the side, include relevant projects in your profile or through the link to your GitHub, Stack Overflow, or CodePen profile. This is important as it conveys to recruiters that you are a candidate who proactively invests in learning and upskilling.

Conclusion

The LinkedIn tips we have shared above can amplify the presence of your profile within a matter of minutes. While some optimizations, like creating keyword-centric descriptions and making connections, may take a while, you can level up your LinkedIn profile as a software developer with a few minor adjustments.

Talent500 is another platform for software developers to find career redefining opportunities with global companies and start-ups. We aim to connect elite talent with the best employers. Sign up here to join our talent pool.

 

6 red flags to watch out for during your job search

Posted on by dikshant

An interview is generally considered to be the initial litmus test by a company for potential employees. However it could also be a valuable opportunity for the candidate to gather some essential information or to spot red flags before its too late. When you’re on the look out for a job opening, it is important to know if you’re a right fit on various fronts – how your work ethic, values and philosophy match with those of the company, the work environment, what the role entails and more. 

Paying attention to the information shared by the interviewer could offer a more comprehensive picture of the company than the job description. Sometimes you could be walking into a workplace that is brimming with toxic culture, poor processes, and bad management. That’s why it’s important to look out for these red flags during the hiring process that might indicate that it’s not the best place for you.

1. You only get vague answers to direct questions

Just like you, the interviewer should be prepared to answer any queries related to the role. As someone who is expected to fulfill all the responsibilities and goals associated with the position, you’re entitled to full transparency on the relevant details. This includes accurate information on expectations for the role, procedures involved, reporting managers, benefits, etc.

If you feel like the interviewer is finding it difficult to answer your questions regarding these aspects or is being purposefully vague, this is clearly a potential red flag.  Try various means to get a fairly conclusive picture of the company’s culture before you decide to join –  For example, check company review sites and forums, find and talk to ex-employees on  professional network sites such as LinkedIn, etc.

2. Minimal information shared on the work environment

Listen to how the interviewer addresses your questions about the work environment, such as those about the company values, working hours, etc. Do they seem nervous? Or inarticulate despite their best efforts? It is not unusual for companies to conceal a disorganized work environment and poor management by being ambiguous during the hiring process. Hence it is up to the candidate to be more vigilant and notice any inconsistencies or discrepancies during the conversation with the interviewer.

A company that has a solid grasp on its purpose and a clear plan of action will be transparent about its culture. There will be clearly defined roles and responsibilities for employees. All the important information regarding your role will be communicated fairly well. Even if the hiring manager or recruiter doesn’t have all the answers, they’ll acknowledge what they don’t know and provide you with relevant information later.

3. Poor conduct of the interviewer

A clear-cut hiring process is one of the hallmarks of a company that has its affairs in order. Much like a candidate, an interviewer who is well-prepared and focused will make the interview feel more productive and purposeful. On the other hand, a laborious interview process or an unenthusiastic interviewer might be symptomatic of a poorly managed company.

Essentially, if the interviewer does not respect your time or isn’t interested in listening to you, it is a safe bet that the company places little to no value on the hiring process. They’re just trying to fill a vacancy without considering how the individual fits into the larger picture.

4. Demands that could harm your work-life balance

A good work-life balance is essential for an individual’s long term mental and physical well-being. Organizations that respect their employees will definitely emphasize creating a work culture that helps to maintain work-life balance.

Multiple studies have shown that good work-life balance is also beneficial for the employer as it builds employee loyalty and increases productivity. However, the harrowing reality of today is that a sizable number of companies pursue their own interests without caring about the wellness of their employees. So, in this context, if the interviewer seems keenly focused on talking about company demands that violate your personal space and time, consider it a clear warning signal.

5. Lack of clarity on your job responsibilities

One of the key takeaways from an interview should be adequate details on the responsibilities tied to the job opening. This is essential information for the candidate to gauge if the role suits their skills and career aspirations. Hence, the interviewer is expected to fulfill this duty and answer any related questions that the candidate might have.

Any company that pursues quality talent will ensure that its hiring team has all the right information to proceed. Therefore if an interviewer can’t properly illustrate the job responsibilities, consider it a potential red flag and wise to look elsewhere for employment.

6. Your professional achievements and experience are downplayed

Every individual, regardless of their qualification or experience, deserves respect during an interview. However, though rare, there are unsavory incidences of interviewers belittling a candidates’ profile. This is usually done to undermine the candidate’s confidence during salary negotiation. Any organization with a hiring team that is comfortable with such conduct does not merit your talent or attention.

To sum up, a candidate is entitled to check for compatibility as much as the company. A recruiter who maintains transparency with matters related to your role, more often than not, represents a responsibly-managed company. A flippant or disinterested hiring manager might be evidence to the contrary. To be on the safe side, always do your due diligence to know more about the job opening and spot any of the aforementioned red flags before you decide to take it up.

Talent500 specializes in hiring for world class companies with proven track records. Check our website to know about exciting remote job opportunities from across the globe.

Job search trends you should know about in 2022

Posted on by dikshant

If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, it’s essential to be aware of the job search trends shaping up for 2022. As a result of COVID-19, it has become more critical than ever for companies to take a closer look at their employees’ development. With business travel still relatively curtailed and a hyper-competitive hiring market, companies are turning their focus to developing their employees in new ways and adopting virtual onboarding programs.

One of the biggest changes in job searches over the past decade has been the emergence of technology. It’s now possible to apply for a job, do an interview through video chat, and even sign the offer letter from your smartphone. Technology is improving the way we work and it’s also changing how employers hire candidates. In addition to providing a better work-life balance and an increase in workplace perks, many companies are embracing the gig economy. Learn about these job search trends to know what to expect in the market and improve your chances of landing the perfect job for you.

Increased preference for remote & hybrid work models

While some things are likely to return to normal, our talent survey shows that 45% professionals prefer completely remote jobs and 44% are looking for the hybrid model of work. Location-independent work models are something that all job seekers should consider or negotiate in 2022. The perks offered, such as Improved work-life balance, flexibility and cost saving due to lack of commuting, are incredibly valuable for any professional in any field.

For employers, these models will help to attract top talent and retain employees. Other benefits for employers include increasing retention, offering flexibility to all parties, improving employee engagement and satisfaction, and driving down costs.

Widespread influence of artificial intelligence

As the workplace continues to evolve, so do the job search trends and methods. Many of the systems and processes will be automated for better efficiency as we navigate through the new normal in the world of work. From chatbots to enhanced analytics, the AI revolution continues to march on and will demand workers to have a deep understanding of how these tools work and how to effectively work with them.

AI is particularly valuable for screening candidates due to its automated and data-driven capabilities. The rising popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) for recruiting means that job seekers have to pay more attention to things like resume formatting for ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to make a compelling case for their candidacy.

More emphasis on diversity & inclusion

Since the beginning of the decade, there has been a global cultural shift towards focusing on social justice issues. As a result of this phenomenon, the call for more inclusive and diverse workplaces is becoming increasingly louder year after year. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are more inclined to join an organization that values and respects them as individuals. This job search trend has impacted a variety of fields across international job markets. Hence It’s not enough for companies to just pay lip service to diversity and inclusion.

More companies, who want to be impactful in 2022, are focusing on initiatives that are geared towards attaining these goals in the workplace. This means making revised approaches for recruiting and promoting – to create a diverse workforce that reflects society as a whole. So if you’re someone who was unethically limited in job opportunities due to your identity, 2022 could be the year you’ve been waiting for.

The trend of upskilling will continue

In the current world of work, there is a consensus that employees need to continuously hone their skills in order to adapt to an ever-changing environment. In India, a record high of 79% professionals are looking to upskill themselves in 2022 compared to 70% in 2021.

Whether you’re looking to find better opportunities during your job search or take your career to the next level, an upskilling program will give you the tools you need to learn new skills, add value and keep pace with developments in your sector. The rapid advancements in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Software Development are set to create a wealth of career opportunities in 2022 and beyond. The only way for professionals to be ready for these opportunities is to upgrade their skills and professional knowledge.

In essence, 2022 has the potential to be a seminal year for radical change that will define progress trajectories for careers in various fields. As we can all see, technology is transforming workspaces and the world of work as a whole is moving towards a digital skill-based economy. Keeping an eye on these job search trends will help you stand out and find your dream job in the newly created avenues in the market.

Looking for exciting remote work opportunities in 2022? Visit the official Talent500 website for the latest updates on job openings in top-tier companies from across the globe.

4 advantages & disadvantages of job hopping

Posted on by dikshant

According to our Talent Intelligence Survey, 87% of global professionals are looking to change jobs. There are a variety of reasons why job seekers today are job hopping from one company to another.

Traditionally, job hopping – the practice of changing jobs within a relatively short span of 2 years – is considered a cause for concern by recruiters. A professional who jumps companies at an alarming pace often leaves a bad impression. 76% of employers decided to not interview candidates with a history of multiple short term jobs. Additionally, the recent increase in job hopping has left some recruiters feeling uneasy. Many have started to wonder what it means for the future of their employees’ growth and business success.

On the flipside, are there legitimate reasons or scenarios where job hopping is justified or even advantageous? That is a multi-layered question that deserves observation from different perspectives especially since many professionals are now looking for alternative career paths. It’s important to understand the pros and cons of this trend in order to make the right decision. Let’s start with some of the advantages of job hopping:

Pro #1: Significantly increase your salary

One of the main reasons why the average person signs up for a job is the salary offered. Most established companies have fixed pay scales and regulations on salary increment. Hence there are bound to be cases where the gradual increase in salary over a period of time might not be ideal for some employees. If you feel that this situation applies to you, looking out for new job opportunities with varied salary packages might be the right way to go in terms of job hopping.

Pro #2: Pick up a wide range of skills fairly quickly

Being at a single workplace for an extended period of time will definitely teach you some important skills. However, working for different companies could give you access to a more diverse spectrum of mentors, resources, and operational processes to learn new things. If you’re actively committed to adding new skills to your repertoire, feel free to do a bit of job hopping and see what works for you.

Pro #3: Improve your capacity for adaptability

When you’re exposed to an entirely different work environment, you start to understand the nuances of the new workspace and remold yourself to fit in. Obviously this happens multiple times when you are job hopping frequently. Whether it’s work timings, rate of delivery, or operational methods, you quickly condition yourself to be functional in multiple settings.

Pro #4: Expand your professional network

By working in the same company for a long period of time, there is a figurative limit to the number of people you’ll meet. Most often you may find yourself interacting with the same group of co-workers unless the company goes through an expansion phase. Hence the amount of knowledge and skills you can garner will be restricted to some degree. On the other hand, if you work in different spaces and forge strong relationships with multiple colleagues, there is a lot to be gained. You can leverage these contacts for multiple purposes including knowing insider information, getting career advice, improving your prospects, etc.

Apart from these, there could be personal reasons that actually necessitate an instance of job hopping – an disorganized work environment, need for relocation, unprofessional bosses, limited work-life balance and so on. Now, let’s explore the other side of the discussion – the ways in which job hopping could possibly impact your career negatively.

Con #1: Potential employers will doubt your loyalty

Multiple instances of job hopping make a resume look particularly unsavory to recruiters. Such candidates are often seen as flippant, non-committal, disloyal, or at best, a nomad lost in the world of employment.  Even if they leave on the best of terms, some recruiters might doubt their competency. This assessment is based on the belief that it takes a long tenure at a single workplace to gain relevant skills and experience. Also, employers with a traditionalistic business mindset are incredibly wary of job hoppers, becoming skeptical about investing time and resources in an employee who isn’t committed for the long haul.

Con #2: You could get blacklisted

When you quit a job after a particularly short stint, there is a significant probability that you’re not leaving on the best terms. This could be bad for your professional reputation if your soon-to-be former employer is spiteful and well-connected within the industry. By various means, they might actively spread the word that you’re bad for business. This might eventually result in you getting blacklisted in one way or the other.

Con #3: Constant job hopping can affect your mental health

New job anxiety is now recognized as a real condition that affects your psychological well-being. This can potentially result in increased frequency of stress and emotional exhaustion. Now imagine having to constantly re-adjust to different workspaces, colleagues, and operational methods due to constant job hopping. No matter how prepared you are, there might come a hurdle that trips you up when you least expect it. Even worse, you could burn out completely and lose your capacity for being productive.

Con #4: The need to prove yourself continuously

Your long term colleagues and managers will have a better understanding of your skills and what you bring to the table. They might have a fair degree of assurance that you can do your job well. But when you join a new company, no one knows what you are capable of professionally. The process of proving your worth through demonstrable effort begins again.

In conclusion, it comes down to your personal goals and preferences. Every professional should assess his or her situation to see what’s important. Is it all about the paycheck for you? Do you prefer job security over the chance to acquire a wide range of skills in different work environments? Can you adapt with ease? After you’ve figured out what you want and what you don’t, take the leap or stay where you are comfortable.

Looking for a change? Explore a plethora of exciting remote job opportunities from across the globe with Talent500. Visit our official website to see what works best towards building the career of your dreams.

7 ways to make your resume more responsive to ATS

Posted on by vikram ahuja

When applying for a new job, you must have answered questions like What is your skill level with Java on a scale of 1 to 5? or Are you willing to travel to the work location? Well, this is one of the automated steps put up by the recruiting company using the Application Tracking System (ATS) to screen out who would make it further. Today, a Jobscan survey reports that 99% of the Fortune 500 companies use an ATS in their hiring processes.

So, you’ve applied for the dream job. Now it is your turn to wait for the recruiter to mail you the next steps. Before the recruiter’s eyes see your resume, you need to get a good ranking on the ATS. Many job seekers don’t realize that at least 75% of applications get rejected even before they reach human hands for reasons as simple as incorrect resume formatting. An average corporate job opening receives 250 applications. Among these only 4 to 6 applicants make it to the interview. Chances are you are much more qualified than the rest but your resume may have slipped through the ATS algorithm.

As difficult as it may seem, it is no sweat to build an ATS-compliant resume with a few right tactics.

How an ATS works

An ATS is a software used by companies to manage the volume of job applications, rank them based on relevance to the job description, keywords, and the kind of format used. This helps the recruiter filter out resumes that are apt for the job opening in turn making the tedious task of looking at each resume, easier. 

Creating an ATS compatible resume

Building an ATS qualifying resume may be the first step towards landing your dream job. Here are some tips and ways to make it through.

1. Use the right keywords:

The ATS performs keyword analysis on your resume. Choose keywords that match the job description of the employer. For example: If the employer job description says – “Data Analyst” – use the same keywords on your CV as well. Avoid tweaking it to “Data Analysis” or even creating a long-tail keyword like “Good at analyzing data”. Remember, it is only a set of codes and thus won’t understand the similarity between the two. Similarly, use full forms and abbreviations together. For instance, write as Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the qualification section.

2. Format the resume document well:

A resume with the .docx format is more compliant and can be navigated smoothly by the ATS. Some older software is still not compatible with .pdf. Chances are that a .pdf file format may be rejected right away or be lowered down on the rank. Employers often share specific instructions regarding file format for the application process. Follow them carefully to get ahead.

3. Follow a simple structure:

Columns and tables may look more presentable to a human recruiter, but when it comes to ATS, it crawls through the document rejecting any kind of sections used. An ATS reads a document from left to right and top to bottom. It is highly recommended to use plain text and clear sentences throughout the resume. Putting in columns and tables may also lead to distortion and ill-formatted files or even loss of a few words in old versions of ATS. Also, refrain from inserting charts or graphics.

4. Avoid over-optimizing:

Stuffing unnecessarily with keywords may initially get you through ATS ranks. But further, when your resume reaches a human recruiter you may end up being rejected for the same. Following good practices of resume writing and focusing on real skills will get you beyond ATS and be vital in landing you the job.

5. Use simple and clear resume headers:

Now that you are aware of the keywords and format for the resume, using the right terms also can get you past the bots. In your section headers, use words that are industry-specific and avoid terms that are overly witty or creative. For instance, it is better to use “Qualifications” and not “What degrees I have” as such phrases may not be recognized by ATS and may bring your ranking down.

6. Customize your resume for each application:

Different employers give out different job descriptions which means the keywords may differ for a similar position in a different company. Make sure you tailor the keywords before uploading your resume for each application.

7. Testing your resume:

Lastly, once you are all geared up to send in your resume, do a final test to see if you missed anything. A number of websites like Jobscan and Topresume offer to test your resume as per the ATS algorithms for free. Use such tools to get a good insight into your resume before applying it on a job portal.

What matters to the ATS and a human recruiter is a great resume. Keeping in account the above-mentioned tips you are sure to impress the recruiter too. 

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