It’s not always easy to figure out exactly what it is employers are looking for in job candidates. You may have a hard time deciding how to approach the resume, cover letter, application, and interview aspects for various jobs. There are so many variables and it’s hard to guess what everyone is looking for. There are, however, a few traits that most employers look for across the board. Displaying these traits and characteristics can give you a huge edge over other people competing for the same position.

Do Your Homework About the Company

The more you know, the better it will come across in the interview process. In other words, you need to do a little more than hit the Google highlights. You need to know who they are as a company, what kind of products they make or services they provide, and it helps if you know a little about current deals or prospects the company is facing (and how you fit into the big picture to help the company move forward).

What interviewers really like to hear from prospects is that you see a place for yourself within the organization and are confident that your skills and talents can be of use to the company.

Don’t Apply for Jobs You don’t have the Skills or Experience to Do

No one likes having their time wasted. If you don’t have the skills required to do the job, there’s no reason to apply. More importantly, it shows that you’re the type of person who does place a value on time. In a world where time really is money, that particular work ethic is one that measures up well against a wide range of potential flaws. Save your applications and resumes for the jobs you’re truly qualified to do.

Pay Attention to Details

If you’re really hoping to be the candidate that employers want to hire then you’re going to have to start by paying attention to the details in your cover letter, resume, and even the clothes you wear for the interview. Details matter in the business world and paying proper attention to them can get you the job you want over candidates that may appear to be better qualified on paper.

Be Confident—and Let it Show

Confidence is a winning trait in job applicants everywhere. You need to let your confidence that you can not only do the job but also be an asset to the company as a whole, shine at every turn. From your cover letter to your interview and “Thank You” note; calm and quiet confidence is a real winner to have on your side.

Getting the job really isn’t all about having the right connections. It also isn’t all about wow factor in the interview process. If you really want to “wow” potential employers, show them the reasons why you’re the best choice for the job while letting them know that you value your own time—and theirs. Take the initiative and be the candidate you know they want to hire.

To improve your ability to get a great assignment, consider the advantages of working with the recruiters at Venteon today. Check out our current job postings here!

While many industries are seeing more of a bust than a boom in recent years, the tech trends for 2012 seem to include slightly higher salaries in many positions than in years past. In fact, a jump in salary this big hasn’t been felt in the tech industry since all our financial woes began to come to a head back in 2008—at least that’s the story, according to a 2012 Tech Salary Survey conducted by Dice.com.  The salary boost averages out to about a two percent increase in the average tech salary in 2012 from what it was in 2010.

Not only has there been an upward tick in salaries for 2012 but also in those all-important bonuses (which many companies have been skipping completely over the past four years) as well. At first glance, the average bonus amount has increased by a whopping eight percent. That’s huge when it comes to bonuses. But the news just keeps getting better. In addition to the monumental increase in bonus amounts, the number of professionals receiving those bonuses has increased from 29 percent to 32 percent.

Here’s hoping the trend keeps getting better for the 2013 outlook! There are other trends to explore though so be sure to keep a few key pieces of information in mind as you explore your IT employment options for the coming year.

Silicon Valley still seems to reign supreme when it comes to tech salaries. Currently, it’s the only US locale to top six-figures (though there are a few US cities quickly approaching that extra digit). It is not, however, the city that has seen the greatest percentage of growth in IT salaries over the past year. That title goes to the city of Austin, Texas with a growth of 13 percent while Portland, Oregon followed closely behind at 12 percent growth.

Another important point to take home from the Dice Tech Salary Survey results is that the main push seems to be towards enterprise Java and IT pros who have experience with WebSphere, JBoss, and WebLogic seem to be swimming in the deep end of the salary pool.

Additionally, the highest gains in salary seem to be among employees with 11 years or more of experience in their fields. This means that stability and long experience are bringing in greater rewards for 2012. Education is also trending big when it comes to higher salaries. While there is a negligible difference in salary for those who have some college and a four-year degree, employees with a master’s degree were able to enjoy a 5.8 percent increase in salary from 2010 and those with doctoral degrees jumped by almost 13 percent.

Keep these valuable nuggets of information in mind if you’re considering a job change in the IT field for 2012. Be sure to brush up on skills that will serve you best and find the right location for the greatest impact on your overall income situation. For excellent career opportunities in the technology field, be sure to get in touch with Venteon for temporary, contract, and full time tech jobs.

Business Analysts

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 2-8 yrs of Business Analysis experience including formulating and defining system scope, analyzing business/user needs, writing and executing test plans.
• Experienced with traditional applications, web and mobile development/Quality Assurance.

Project Managers

• Traditional as well as Digital/Technical with Marketing/Advertising Industry experience.
• PMP certified, experienced with Agile Methodologies, traditional application, web and mobile projects.

Mobile Application Developers

• Experienced developers with Android, Blackberry and iOS technologies.
• Experience with Objective C, CSS3, HTML5 etc.

Web Developers

• Developers with 2- 7 yrs of experience.
• Net, C#, PHP, CSS, HTML, etc.

Network/Systems Administrators and Engineers

• SAN Storage.
• Unix/Linux.
• Windows.

Help Desk Specialists

• 3-5 yrs experience.
• Excellent Communication.

As a whole, seasoned accounting and financial candidates can be difficult to find. This is for several reasons including the many specialty areas that fall under the accounting umbrella, the low rate of turnover in finance, and the competition from large accounting firms. However, with a creative approach, you can select suitable candidates for placement in high performing accounting and finance assignments.

Here are some unique interview questions to ask when hiring for financial positions.

How would you describe the role of finance in (specific industry)? A candidate should have a fairly good idea of his or her role within the particular industry that work is sought out. Since each industry has specific guidelines and duties designated to financial professionals, this may vary by assignment. Find out what these specifications are, and make sure the candidate has a thorough understanding of what the role entails.

What financial instruments are used for data analysis? There are a great many tools used by finance professionals in their daily work tasks. From accounting software to detailed processes, a finance candidate should have a solid grasp of all the financial instruments to be used to calculate and analyze financial data. Listen for clues that he or she understands the principles of financial management.

Can you explain what a SOX audit is? Every finance and accounting professional should be familiar with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including the responsibilities and standards this placed on all financial professionals. Make sure your candidate can explain what SOX is and the basics of an audit.

How do your financial credentials/training relate to this assignment? While it may seem a little direct, this is a critical question to ask during an interview because not all financial backgrounds equate to the right fit for a particular assignment. Ask the candidate to provide a reason why the credentials and training he or she has can relate to the job itself.

Can you give an example of a time your knowledge affected the bottom line of your former employer? Sometimes financial staff do not realize how their work affects the organization as a whole. If they do, then they have a better grasp on their abilities and skills that can enhance a company’ growth. Find out where your candidate stands by asking for clear examples.

Where do you see finance and accounting technology going in the near future? This may seem like an odd question to ask a candidate, but it provides insight into the candidate’s long-term career goals. A candidate who is well-versed about accounting technology is generally more passionate about this industry, and therefore wants to stay up to date.

For interviewing and recruiting support when searching for the best finance and accounting professionals, take the time to get in touch with Venteon today.

Hiring the right person to get the job done is a difficult task, whether there is talk of candidate shortages in this field or you just have a critical position to fill.  That’s why so many companies have turned to the practice of hiring short-term contractors before offering them full-time positions. Yet some companies are still reluctant to take this approach.

Here are a few real benefits to this employment practice you might want to keep in mind as you make hiring decisions in the coming year.

The Interview Factor

Some people talk the talk, but cannot deliver when it comes down to the wire. There are many candidates out there who know the right things to say in the interview to get the job, but never seem to make good on that talk when it’s time to roll up their sleeves and do the jobs they’ve been hired to do.

On the other hand, there are plenty of excellent candidates who lack the “people” skills to get the good positions, but are extraordinarily talented in their fields. These people rarely get the opportunity to show off their talents without some serious plugs from professors and former employers who are familiar with their work. Some HR professionals will go for the people person every time without giving the talented candidate a second chance. This may be because they believe a good interview means better skills – a biased approach to hiring.

Hiring a contractor on a trial basis gives the organization as a whole the opportunity to see who has more to offer the company down the stretch. It also allows the management team to determine what candidate will actually perform when project deadlines approach.

Save Money While Testing the Waters

In this economy, every dollar the company can save is important. When hiring contractors, most companies save a great deal of money and resources by not offering benefit packages to the contractors. Companies may choose to pocket the savings or attempt to hire a larger number of contractors for greater productivity while making last-minute decisions about which contractors fit in with the organization. Others like the idea of a replacement guarantee when a contractor does not meet expectations.

An added benefit is the competition factor. When people know they must perform well in order to get the job and that there are other contractors vying for the same position within the company, there is added incentive to perform better. They’ll work harder to show off their talent and abilities more so than even the average new hire who is eager to show off his or her skills.

At the end of the day, companies have much to gain by offering contractor positions and then hiring the cream of the crop. Whether it’s getting the right person to do the job, saving money at a critical time, or some combination of the two, hiring contractors has a lot to offer your organization.

For access to a wide range of temporary contractors in engineering, finance, IT and other fields, be sure to get in touch with Venteon today.