The netPolarity Blog

This cartoon is funny but it’s also true. The problem with many sourcers and recruiters in the business these days is a lack of understanding with the jobs they are working on.

As staffing professionals, we are required to source and recruit on technical reqs all day long. If you only have a surface-level understanding of the technology (“Do you have C++ programming experience? Great!”), then you will only land surface-level candidates (ones who will say yes to ANY job).

Understanding the technology in the jobs you work on is vital. Not only does it give a better idea of what the job is about, but it will give you much more credibility with your candidates (hiring managers too!). So how do you get a better understanding? Well, you can start with the tools that are available to everyone:

Answers.com is a good place to start for most technology terms and concepts. It is not just Wikipedia. It is an aggregator of encyclopedias & dictionaries that includes Computer Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Acronym Finder, Encyclopedia Britannica, and Merriam Webster to name a few. But don’t stop there. There will be times when you have to search Google for lists of technology or product information that is not available on Answers.com.

For example, if you need a c++ software engineer who works at the file-system level for network storage devices, then you can’t use a simple string. Most engineers put c++ on their resumes even though they really don’t have the experience. And if you just put in “storage” then you might get higher level SW developers or even systems-level engineers.
First, do a string to capture developers:

(“software engineer” OR programmer OR developer OR “c++ engineer”) AND c++

Next, research and add the different file systems that are used for network storage devices (there are many more besides these):

(“software engineer” OR programmer OR developer OR “c++ engineer”) AND c++ AND (nfs OR vfs OR cifs OR samba OR xfs OR “file system”)

Then, add in the companies/storage technologies. You can research these on Answers.com as well:

(“software engineer” OR programmer OR developer OR “c++ engineer”) AND c++ AND (nfs OR vfs OR cifs OR samba OR xfs OR “storage file system”) AND (netapp OR emc OR hds OR nas OR “hitachi data” OR “network storage”)

Finally, if this is a string for Google, then add in some operators to get resumes:

(inurl:resume OR intitle:resume OR inurl:cv OR intitle:cv OR inurl:vitae OR intitle:vitae) (“software engineer” OR programmer OR developer OR “c++ engineer”) AND c++ AND (nfs OR vfs OR cifs OR samba OR xfs OR “storage file system”) AND (netapp OR emc OR hds OR nas OR “hitachi data” OR “network storage”)

That is a very quick and easy way to break down the specifics of one technical requirement from a hiring manager. Obviously there are other specifics like location and job function/level that play into this, but at least by getting the basics down, you will be able to build from them.

I will be hosting a post-Sourcecon wrap-up event in November at the main offices of netPolarity. There will be some good presentations, tweetups, networking, food & drinks. Make sure you sign up if you would like to go, as space is limited. There will be many past graduates of my training programs and sourcing experts from the industry. You can contact Lisa Amorao for more info about the event: lisaa (at) netpolarity (dot) com and please contact me about training for sourcers & recruiters: markt (at) netpolarity (dot) com

- Mark

#sourcing #training #sourcecon #netpolarity