3 Tips to Help Extend or Renew Your Employment Contract

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Aron Gilbody

renew your employment contract The life of an IT consultant or contractor is an ever changing and fast-paced lifestyle. There is usually constant travel, different people to work for and work with, as well as new challenges around every corner. Many of you are thinking, “I would not have it any other way!” You relish your independence, embrace getting to know new people and enjoy not having to stay in the same place too long. But sometimes a great project with a great company comes along and in the blink of an eye the works starts to wind down. If only there was a way you could continue your assignment and extend or renew your employment contract beyond its original end date. While sometimes this isn’t possible, following these steps below you will unquestionably increase your odds of getting that extension:

1.     Act “as if.”

Treat the assignment like it’s your full time, long term job. Understand and adhere to the company’s culture, abide by the dress code, know the company’s core values and code of conduct, treat your attendance and punctuality with the utmost importance, and get to know your managers and peers well. By seamlessly fitting in with the other direct employees you are demonstrating your value as a consistent and reliable performer that managers seek out when hiring candidates. It’s tough to let someone walk away that acts like, and more importantly feels like, a key team member.

2.     Be Flexible.

Every project is different, so be flexible to accommodate the situation. Most projects are strictly 40 hours a week during normal business hours, but some require on call support, others off-hours work on some nights and weekends. Some contract assignments even have fluctuations or gaps in the work. Those that are able to adjust their schedule to the project scope not only enhance their value as a go-to resource for the present, but also for the future. When it’s time for another upgrade, migration, or implementation, you will be the first person the manager thinks of engaging.

3.     Never Stop Learning.

Many companies have had to trim staff and reduce headcount in the last five years due to the state of the economy. This has resulted in a trend where organizations are trying to hire full time or temporary workers that can fill multiple roles and wear several hats. In the past these might have been two, three or even four separate roles. The more skills you have, and more importantly the more you can pick up quickly, the better the likelihood you can help out in other areas once the primary project is complete. If you have the opportunity to learn new technology (a new translator, ERP system, programming language, operating system, database, application, etc.) take it! Not only will this help extend your contract, but it will also give you valuable experience to help you land your next assignment.

The market is as competitive as ever in the consulting world and anything you can do to set yourself apart from the rest will result in longer project durations, a more diverse set of skills and a great reputation amongst clients and staffing vendors alike. You will not only walk away with invaluable experiences and new bullets on your resume, but you will have also left the door wide open to be brought back in the future and will have picked up fantastic references to help land your next project.

 Image Credit

Posted in Consultants and Contractors, Job Postings & HR Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How Volunteering Can Help Your Job Search

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Barbara Feldman

volunteeringResponding to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012, TV Anchor Ann Curry tweeted, “Imagine if everyone could commit to doing one act of kindness for every one of those children killed in Newtown.” Since Curry’s original tweet, these acts of kindness have become ‘viral’, with #26Acts quickly becoming a trending topic on Twitter. Curry’s Acts of Kindness concept has also triggered people all over the world to perform a variety of ‘kind’ deeds and sign up for volunteer work.

Volunteering is positive on a number of levels. First, donating time to a cause one cares about is an admirable activity in itself, but also often provides a sense of personal satisfaction. Additionally, volunteering cultivate relationships by connecting people with others they may not have met otherwise. As a result, volunteering while unemployed may lead you to your next professional position. Continue reading →

Posted in Job Postings & HR Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

5 Tips For Working with Recruiters

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Craig Farley

high fiveA common misconception amongst people who are looking for employment is that recruiters are money-hungry savages looking to squeeze every penny out of job seekers pockets’ to make themselves money. However, contrary to popular belief, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. The best recruiters are specialized staffing professionals who work with job seekers to help them find better opportunities. It’s a team effort through and through, and as many know, “teamwork makes the dream work.” Working with a recruiter can be very helpful in a job search, but candidates must know that both sides must work together in order to achieve success, which makes building a strong relationship with recruiters essential. Here are five tips for candidates who wish to build rapport with recruiters and be a step closer to landing their dream job:

1.   Communication is key.

It’s vital to keep the lines of communication open throughout the whole process, from submitting your resume to accepting an offer.  Recruiters like to hear how you are doing throughout the process and whether you have any concerns or questions.  Additionally, it’s imperative to keep the recruiter you are working with posted on your other interviews, availability, and feedback on the position. If you’re no longer interested in a position or have changed your mind about an interview, have the common courtesy to inform your recruiter. Once in a while, a candidate will go missing without a trace, and that’s not good for anybody involved. Continue reading →

Posted in Job Postings & HR Musings, Recruiting | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Technology Jobs Make Austin the New Silicon Valley

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Dean Anderson

Greetings from AustinI relocated to Austin from Boston ten years ago last month. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a Bostonian at heart and always will be I’m sure.  However, in 2003 I felt the need to leave the snow, find a friendly sunny place, and expand EDI Specialists’ services in the south/southwest.  Texas seemed like it was rapidly growing in the job market and I noticed quickly that Texans like to do business with other Texans.  As a result, it seemed like a logical business move to become a resident of the Lone Star State, however, I’m told I can never be a true Texan due to not being born here.

So there I was 10 years ago—a newcomer to Austin, pronouncing my “R’s” all of a sudden—and trying to build some new client relationships in Texas.  What I found quickly was that most of the technology jobs were in Houston or Dallas.

As time went on, I fell in love with this area, everything about it, except the heat in the summer.  I think the joke is:  Yes, we have four seasons here in Austin: summer, summer, summer and winter.  In Austin, there are so many friendly and laid back people, outstanding food, phenomenal music, beautiful lakes, and very affordable real estate. Continue reading →

Posted in General IT, Job Postings & HR Musings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How To Take Your Job Search Beyond the Job Boards

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Adam Barron

“Pound the pavement.”Social Media Heart

This is what I was told in the mid 1990s when I asked my father how I was supposed to find a job after school. I was encouraged to visit every local business and tell them I was looking for a job (not ask if they are hiring). Sooner or later, I would find something.

Luckily at that time, job seekers with more substantial than “after-school, work for pocket money” career needs had other tools at their disposal. Online job boards were emerging and recruiters were always ready to assist. Professional staffing firms, though not a new presence in the dot com era, plied their craft at the time by telephone, phone book and Rolodex.

The presence of job boards grew in the mid to late 90s, and by the turn of the millennium, the popularity was boiling over. Over the last ten years, sites like CareerBuilder, Monster and Dice have made it extremely easy for job seekers to submit their resumes online and apply for new opportunities without having to leave their own living rooms, home offices or gaming command centers (basements); without having to speak or even interact with another human being until it came time for an interview. What a phenomenon! Unfortunately, ease does tend to breed complacency and, in today’s job market; just using job boards to look for work just doesn’t cut it. Only the strong that are willing to adapt and embrace change will survive.

There is no clever phrase we can tell job seekers today who are mired in the past and need to find a new job, (“ePound the ePavement?”), but it is quite clear that the game has, in fact, changed, and social media is now a large part of obtaining a job. When you’re not meeting in-person or over the phone with people (you know, people, those funny biped mammals that open their mouths and say words; people that can introduce you to other people?) in your professional network, you should be spending your time and energy enhancing your personal brand on LinkedIn, Twitter and similar media. Continue reading →

Posted in Job Postings & HR Musings, Social Recruiting | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Social Recruiting Strategies 101: Free Download

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Abby Gilmore

In a study by Bullhorn, 98 percent of recruiters said tSocial Recruiting Strategies 101hey used social media for recruiting in 2012. Additionally, survey respondents claimed that the greatest opportunity for recruiters in 2013 is the “increased access to passive candidates via social media.” As social recruiting has become a popular tactic, companies and recruiters cannot afford to ignore the phenomenon.

Employing social media strategies in some capacity is becoming more and more prevalent in a variety of industries, including staffing and recruiting. For recruiting purposes, social media can be an extraordinary means of reaching people who are actively looking for employment, as well as those who aren’t. As social media is a way people to connect to one another online, it makes sense for companies and recruiters to participate on social networks to source quality candidates. With the number of people using social media growing every day, companies and recruiters must be active on the same networks in order to find the best talent. Continue reading →

Posted in Recruiting, Social Recruiting | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Prepare for a Successful Phone Interview

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Todd Wallace

Woman on phone

Picture this: you submit your resume to your dream job. In a few days time, you receive a request for a phone interview from the hiring manager, which is great news. However, you’ve never had a phone interview before. What should you do next? How do you prepare for a phone interview?

More and more companies are beginning to rely on phone interviews to fill their positions, and just like any other interview, the more prepared you are, the better you will do. Having a successful phone interview can give you an advantage over other candidates, and in some cases, even lock up the position for you, before you even meet the potential employer. Some companies use phone interviews as more of a screening process to see if candidates demonstrate the necessary skills for the job, and once that is confirmed, the candidate will be invited to an in-person or video interview. As a result, the impression you give your interviewer during your initial phone interview is crucial to landing the job.

Have good manners

The one thing that I always tell candidates to remember is that the person on the other end of the phone cannot see you so they will base their feelings about you on how you handle yourself on the phone. Always make sure that you are in a quiet place where there will be no distractions or interruptions. Any noises from family members, radio, TV or pets should be avoided, so set the stage first to ensure an unobtrusive environment. Continue reading →

Posted in Job Postings & HR Musings | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Wayne’s World: Spring 2013 Edition

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Wayne Marshall

Welcome to Spring,

I know many ofRecovering from Recession us in northern climes are happy to move into this new season, having put up with some pretty nasty conditions this winter.

Similarly, I think the same holds true for the economy and the jobs picture.  This recession “recovery” has been the longest and slowest on record, according to the experts.  Let’s hope that the worst is well behind us and we see some real growth in the GDP and the job market.

We all know the jobs picture has changed considerably from where it was in 2008-2009.  Companies have achieved record profits with fewer people, and automation means many former jobs will not come back.  We have gone though a restructuring of the economy over the past few years.

Nevertheless, the need for skilled employees remains at high levels and the demand is larger than the pool of potential candidates – this holds true for everyone from welders to IT architects.  As we look at this situation, it may be helpful to note that there is a difference in the world of permanent jobs versus temporary contracting positions.

In my observations and current thinking, companies are going to remain tilted toward NOT hiring perm employees.  They will hire contract workers to fill in some gaps in their internal resources and skills mix, and for project based assignments.  But, as you know, things change all the time.  The resurgence of the housing and stock market may see a larger number of baby boomers retiring, thus opening up opportunities for permanent employees.  Time will tell.

The rosiest picture for permanent employment will be in healthcare as our new healthcare laws become implemented.  Other sectors of the economy are dependent on many variables and so intertwined that it is hard to predict how things will shape up.  I am hopeful, however, that the supply chain/logistics world, energy, auto and home products will also contribute to positive employment numbers.

Since EDI Specialists, Inc. can be viewed as a microcosm of the economy and overall IT jobs market, I suggest you check our jobs board to see first-hand what and where the opportunities are currently.

Wayne from Maine

Image Credit

Posted in Wayne’s World | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Compare Local and National IT Salaries for Free

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Abby Gilmore

Wanted Analytics Report for IT SalariesAfter almost two decades of staffing, one pain that we have helped lessen for our clients is defining IT salaries for their future hires. The job market is ever changing, and there are many variables based on region, new skills and experience that must be considered when defining a salary range. Recently, EDI Specialists partnered with Wanted Analytics to provide calculated salary assessments based on industry research, local and national averages and more.

We are currently offering a free competitive salary analysis to help hiring managers and businesses find out if the IT salary range they have in mind for an open position is in line with both local and national averages. The analysis is based off of a specific job title or description and location in the United States.

What To Expect in the Analysis:

  • Local average salary for job title/description*
  • National average salary for job title/description
  • Hiring scale heat map
  • Salary ranges in alternate location

How to Benefit From the Analysis:

  • Gain industry insight through salary comparisons
  • Assess your salary offering based on data provided
  • Adjust your salary to be competitive in your market

Click here to request a free analysis today.

*Please note: we can only provide data for jobs in the United States.

Posted in General IT | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Job Relocation: Where Do You Want to Work?

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Chris Rice

Relocation in the job market has always been an option, and today more and more professionals are considering making moves across the nation for great opportunities and career growth. While relocating can be a risk, it can also bring great rewards, as one is not just transitioning to a new job, but to a new life. If you are thinking about relocating for a job, there is much to consider.

Make a Plan

RelocationIn preparation for any big move, it is wise to create a plan. Evaluate the pros and cons of relocating to a certain area and establish a timeline and budget. This will help in the process of finding a perfect scenario for relocation. Along with a relocation plan, the key is to know exactly what you’re getting into with your new job and the new city.

In order to begin planning, you must gather information regarding the job and your potential new home. To do this, try to speak with as many people as possible at your interviews. Additionally, ask as many questions it takes to get all the information you need about the job itself, so there are no surprises. Moving for a job can be a big deal and employers know this, so it is best to gather as much knowledge as you can about the job and location up front before making a decision. Continue reading →

Posted in Job Postings & HR Musings | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment