State of the Boston Software Engineering job market – HOT! – Mass Unemployment down to 7.4% in Aug

It’s been a busy Summer and Autumn is just around the corner…. hopefully the Red Sox get out of their funk soon.

The overall economic recovery is moribund and reminds me of the early 1990s. Without getting into politics, lets just say that both parties are complicit and we have 20 years of bad choices to start correcting. It’s not going to happen overnight, and will be painful.

However, the one, super-shiny, bright light in this economy is the Tech Economy – and nowhere is the engine of job growth burning more brightly than in the Boston, Massachusetts software engineering job market!

As this Boston Globe article points out - http://bo.st/pDnegF the Mass State Unemployment rate is now the lowest it’s been since Feb 2009 – 7.4% with net jobs created of approximately 42000 since the year began.

The market trends for software engineers/tech talent in the Boston area are on the same trajectory as earlier in the year – and are in heavy demand. However, the more experienced (read expensive salaries) candidates, and those without hands-on coding skills are having a much tougher time.

Macro-economic trends are still very favorable for the tech economy, and like everyone — this time of the year is one of the busiest all around.

If you’d like to learn more about the market – hiring for your organization, or to conduct a highly targeted, discrete search – please reach out to me – scott@biviumgroup.com – Boston area’s #1 Software Engineer jobs/recruiter!

Web UI Software Engineer, #Cambridge MA – scott@biviumgroup.com – Boston’s #1 software engineer recruiter/jobs!

Web UI Software Engineer, #Cambridge MA 140k JScript (AJAX, DOM,JSON), Java http://ow.ly/4qxMx #softwareengineers #biviumgroup @scottdunlop

NYT article, how difficult recruiting for junior computer science/software engineers has become – starting Google salaries for fresh grads at 90-105k! – scott@biviumgroup.com – Boston’s top software engineer jobs/recruiter

NYT article, how difficult recruiting for jr CS software engineers has become – starting GOOG salary 90-105k http://ow.ly/4ncOr @scottdunlop

Promoting entrepreneurship in teens – great WSJ article – scott@biviumgroup.com – Boston’s #1 software engineer jobs/recruiter

As someone who has been a lifelong entrepreneur, I always applaud programs such as this one – Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship – much more info on this WSJ article - http://on.wsj.com/i2k0eq

It’s become both a necessity and “en-vogue” to start your own company in recent years — but, I truly believe than unless we start promoting, investing and identifying Young Entrepreneurs, and giving them the guidance, assistance and mentoring they need — it’s a tremendously wasted opportunity — the future of the USA brainshare is at stake!

In the Boston, MA software engineering/computer science market – we have a fabulous ecosystem to promote these sorts of opportunities – VCs, universities, and senior/experienced mentors/entrepreneurs abound.

If you’ve got a great idea, or already building the “next big thing” — I’m always happy to network and be a “connector”.

Drop me a line – scott@biviumgroup.com – Boston’s #1 Software Engineer jobs/recruiters

Multiple offer scenarios very common in Boston, MA and increasing in the Executive ranks – scott@biviumgroup.com – Boston’s #1 Software Engineer recruiter

In the Boston, MA software engineer job market — we are seeing multiple offers becoming the “norm” — whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, depends on your perspective. Firms that make quick offers and then put tremendous pressure to accept or decline before a candidate has seen all their job interviews through to completion, IMHO are doing the candidates a disservice. (But I do understand the motivation!)

Who wants to make arguably, one of the most important decisions for the next few years, without some degree of certainty, and all the information on the table?

“Bidding-wars” and multiple offers with signing bonuses, excessive salary outliers and weird perks are starting to re-enter the market, and for me, are a signal flashing “warning” – not about the market, but just about being sure to carve out your own time necessary to make a decision and not find your self seeking work again in a few months.

This WSJ article confirms several data points - http://on.wsj.com/ec8yHj

**51% of candidates are receiving multiple offers vs.35% a year ago

**56% of recruiters have seen “sweetened” offers at the offer stage

With the recent market turmoil in Japan, it’s hard to tell if the USA-wise recovery will be pushed off, but, my expectation is that we’ll be having a few bumpy/uncomfortable weeks (globally) but the job recovery, at least in the Boston, MA software engineer job market has a lot of momentum. Hearts, prayers and thoughts to all those in Japan.

Cambridge, MA software engineers – startup with Google connections – multiple STAR software engineer openings – Rails, Python, Cassandra, Riak, Hadoop, HBase, Redi, Seam, puppet, chef, capistrano, fabric etc

http://bit.ly/bB3NEk

Our client, with patents pending and all-star team assembled in entering hyper-growth mode on the engineering side.

We are working directly with the Founders and have already made successful, happy placements.

We think one of the key attractions for our client is that they are dealing with massive data ! They add on average 93M records per day and are already beginning to work with the same database systems that Google and Facebook are using – super huge intellectual challenge here

This is a title-agnostic environment.

Could hire from a Very experienced, very solid VP Engineering/CTO who wants to be coding and growing in a small company to several VERY smart junior engineers and everywhere in-between Lots of responsibility and growth potential!

Keywords: Java, J2EE, Cassandra, Riak, Hadoop, HBase, Redi, Seam, puppet, chef, capistrano, fabric, scott dunlop, the bivium group

Drop me a line – scott@biviumgroup.com – Boston area’s #1 Software Engineer recruiter!

Hot job – Cambridge, MA Software Engineers – C++ gurus – to 160k – OS, distributed computing, optimization, algorithms etc

Hot jobs opening up every day it seems!

This one is of particular interest – Great labs group in a well known local software company, “startup” group, working for an amazing manager. Looking to pay up to 155/160k for Principal Software Engineers, Lead Software Engineers, and Architects with experience in some mix of – database internals, operating systems, distributed computing, performance optimization, very large scale data or query volumes, system architecture and design, and algorithm development.

Full job desc:

http://bit.ly/bR2OKV

Drop me a line to confidentially discuss – scott@biviumgroup.com – the Boston, MA area’s #1 Software Engineer/Computer Science Recruiter Headhunter

Recruiting for a Lead/Principal Java/server financial software engineer – machine learning/super computer – funded, Cambridge, MA startup

Despite the weather, starting the week off right, with a HOT and very interesting new job – Lead/Principal Java server Software Engineer – focus on Financial experience, algorithms, machine-learning etc for more info see here http://bit.ly/8OzJq7

Drop me a line – scott@biviumgroup.com – Boston’s #1 Software Engineer recruiter!

Happy New Year! 2010 MA Software Engineer/Computer Science/IT job market outlook – Positive

Happy New Year to everyone and I hope it was as wonderful and relaxing time as I was able to enjoy. As the ball dropped and the calendar moved over to 2010, the focus for millions across the country are on the job market.

Here in the Massachusetts software engineer/computer science/IT market we are seeing a very strong and sustained pickup in demand from clients and hearing & seeing much the same from our colleagues in the industry. Slowly, but surely the “slack” and shock from layoffs in the aftermath of the “great recession” have been cast-off and optimism is renewed – notwithstanding the insane travel nightmares between mother nature and the 9+ year war on terror — clients and candidates are ready, willing and able to execute on finding a great position, or adding to their staff.

At last count, I have over 50 open software engineering positions (most confidential searches and not publicly posted) scattered amongst Boston/Cambridge, 128, and 495 – across a variety of levels and vertical markets (from associate software engineers to Lead/Architect software engineers) – from stable, but fast-growing, agile public software companies to stealth startups and every conceivable size in-between.

Please get in touch to confidentially discuss how I can partner with you – scott@biviumgroup.com – Boston’s #1 software engineer recruiter!

Swimming with sharks – a new Job order, that every remaining recruiter seems to have

Yipee! A new job order possibly developing!!  But wait, is this something unique, special or perhaps even ‘off the radar’? How does a recruiter differentiate themselves from their competitors when recruiting possible candidates?

Well, in the case of a recent job at a company I’ll call “itest” – you tell 2 of the largest, loudest recruiting firms out there – Hollister, Winter, Wyman, and then have all three parties including “itest” post the job on Craigslist within hours of each other:

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/sof/1091545726.html – Hollister – nice cut & paste job folks.

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/sof/1090645230.html – Winter, Wyman, well at least the job desc is re-written

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/sof/1090425704.html – no name given, so perhaps it’s “itest” themselves.

Of couse if you “think like a recruiter” and do a quick couple boolean searches, it’s pretty obvious who this is!! And the award for “Tool of the Week” goes to ____ …. so, if you’ve got some Flex, Java, and you’re a  metrowest software engineer, here’s a nice, easy job lead to figure out for yourself without using a recruiter. Now, if you’re “itest”, perhaps next time you rethink your recruiting partner strategy.

Recruiting/networking for a MySQL DBA/hacker rockstar – for a Cambridge, MA startup – MIT roots

Long-time Bivium client – very cool shop – placed most of the team — MIT roots everywhere. Recruiting networking for a MySQL DBA/hacker:

“I would say we are looking for 2 ends of the spectrum.  Either an up and coming rockstar who has good chops already but maybe not a lot of production experience (but gets the web 2.0 space and the scale of apps) or someone who has been around in the MySQL world. Our target companies are the current web 2.0 gurus – facebook, flickr, amazon, and the likes.  Those folks will obviously be more expensive.

The range is flexible based on that – probably < 80K for the former and around 100K for the later.

Experience/Education:

1 – 3+ years MySQL DBA experience. Microsoft SQL Server experience is a bonus

Experience with Python, Perl, or other scripting language

Linux system admin experience (you know more than the typical IT admin)

You are a the best DBA you know and are told over and over again that you rock

Qualities:

Self-learner, hacker, open-source advocate who can work on large scale web systems (dozens of MySQL databases running in the cloud and in a managed data-center) and has dealt with terabytes of data, thousands of tables, and hundreds of millions of records

Experience in operations of the servers such as job-scheduling (using cron or equivalent), data-movement, data-conversion, and keeping the engines running

Experience with large scale database applications using partitioning/sharding/proxying/replication, index tuning, I/O tuning, and throwing the book at how to make the system scale (without creating a US government sized deficit).

Has implemented highly available systems using replication and clustering

Has Exposure or experience into capacity planning including server sizing (disk, RAM, network, etc.).”

Sound like you? Send a resume to scott@biviumgroup.com for an intro

Sorry for not writing sooner – leaving on holiday to Egypt and Jordan for 2 weeks

I’ve been so busy tying up loose ends for both Bivium Group work and one of the non-profits boards I serve on, that the past couple weeks have been very, very busy! But, it’s all leading up to a trip I’ve been dreaming about since I was a little child – to  see the Pyramids of Giza and explore Egypt and Petra in Jordan.

I’ll be gone for just over 2 weeks and I can’t wait to get started. The arrival trip over will last about 17 hours airport to airport, so, should make for an interesting/exhausting start. The return trip from Amman, Jordan is also crazy – departing at 3:55am local time. Couldn’t be any worse than waiting at an airport in Fiji for 7 hours after a hurricane played havoc with scheduling…

So, in my absence, please work with my extremely capable and valued Co-Founder – Jamie LeBlanc – jamie@biviumgroup.com for all matters while I’m out – it’s a real vacation for me – no email, voicemail etc…

Mass Unemployment up to 5.9%, but trails US average – software engineers in demand still

According to today’s press release http://lmi2.detma.org/lmi/Newsrelease/NewsLMI20081218.htm - the MA unemployment rate is up to 5.9%, but trails the national rate of 6.7%. In reading through, net jobs were STILL created in the software space. It’s not easy out there, but, good candidates are still receiving job offers and companies should be aware that competition for AAA+ candidates is as fierce as ever.

Big iRobot layoffs, perhaps as much as 33%, Akamai & other right behind

Late last week I received word that iRobot had a very sizeable layoff – as much as 33% of their Burlington office — including some very strong engineering talent. Akamai also laid off 100+ a couple weeks ago. There is no doubt the market is being anticipatory of future economics vs. current economics — many companies are still profitable, but are now adjusting expenses for their anticipated revenue/profit curve slowdowns. Compared to past recessions this is definitely a change — considering the “jobless” recovery post 9-11 recession (2002-05 here in Mass.) there is not that much room to cut for many firms. 

The trends I am seeing – the amount of noise in the system is increasing – and our clients who are hiring are aiming higher and higher on the expectations side – many could argue that they are unreasonably high! Unfortunately, it’s going to be this time next year before the job market begins to rebound — it’ll “feel” better by late Spring — but, by then, the unemployment rate in Mass will likely be up by 0.8 to a full 1.0 rise. 

I still have some very “hot” clients – but their needs are highly particular these days — graphics kernel developers, junior/mid level Ivy league CS grads with Java skills, HPC linux kernel software engineers etc.

Job Market is like stock market – confidence driven

Anyone looking at their quarterly 401k statement? Ouch… yes the financial mess on Wall Street is a drag, and yet, we’ve been through these tough times before. Learning and growing from our collective mistakes will help us get through. On the recruiting front — the mechanisms by which the system of looking/finding a job works much the same way – as candidates and companies are optimistic about the future, they expand hiring — when the market contracts, some firms suddenly seize up. Some candidates stop looking. History is the key to making sense of challenging times – in 2001-2004 we, and our candidates/clients thrived due to focusing on the fundamentals to a succesful business — and even in the days/weeks/months after 9.11 we were making placements — yes, even in the worst job market in years.

We’re not seeing a huge fallout — yet — but make no mistake — a lack of positive psychological progress  –  a lack of confidence in the market, will precipidate a fall in hiring — but, if you’re a great candidate, a great recruiter, or a great company – this is a market opportunity — to take market share and grow while others are cutting back.

$2,000 referral reward for Lead/Manager Software Engineer Mobile Search vc backed startup, Cambridge, MA – C++/Java consumer-facing- Bivium Group/Scott Dunlop exclusive

A BIVIUM GROUP EXCLUSIVE client involved in the mobile and speech space
=======================

We have placed 6 people on this team, including the hiring manager for one of the HOTTEST software startups in the mobile space. Nationally recognized as a leader – still giving great equity – outstanding culture and team in place.

#1 Priority is to hire another Hands-on Software Manager/Team Lead as well as several experienced mobile/handset developers:

We’re looking for a candidate to lead a small team to build our suite of  mobile applications.  Requirements are:

-          Must have experience building user-facing products
-          Must be familiar with Java, with C++ competency a plus
-          Must have insights on mobile-phone user behavior
-          Should have experience building mobile or PC-based products (vs. only web-based products)
-          Must have strong insights on product definition and user interface design
-          Must have had prior experience with managing a team and managing large projects

2 other roles under this hire:

Software Engineer
 
We’re looking for a candidate to lead to help build our suite of mobile applications.  Requirements are:

-          Must have experience building user-facing products
-          Must be familiar with Java and C++
-          Must have insights on mobile-phone user behavior
-          Must be able to work independently
-          Should have experience building mobile or PC-based products (vs. only web-based products)
-          Should have strong insights on product definition and user interface design

CLIENT SDK DEVELOPER

 We’re looking for a candidate to lead to help build our SDK for mobile applications.  Requirements are:

-          Must be familiar with Java and C++
-          Must have experience with designing and developing APIs and libraries
-          Must be familiar with developing on small-footprint (such as embedded) environments
-          Must be able to work independently
-          Should have experience building mobile products
-          Should have insights on mobile-phone user behavior
-          Should have experience building user-facing products

                                                        **********

Please send resumes to scott@biviumgroup.com – subject line “Cambridge Mobile” and reference the referral reward on my blog to be eligible.

Keywords: software engineer, senior software engineer, principal software engineer, junior software engineer, associate software engineer, startup, venture capital, scott dunlop, the biviumgroup, web 2.0, presentation layer, UI, GUI, Java, j2EE, flash, flex, Actionscript, Apache, JBoss, Hibernate, Spring, JSF, JMS, mySQL, mobile, handset, cell phone, wireless, speech

Database Kernel/Internals Database Architect position – C++ – telecommute from Massachusetts -$3,000 referral reward

A BIVIUM GROUP EXCLUSIVE CLIENT – Database Kernel/Internals Architect – offering a $3,000 referral reward

 New Boston area Lab/R&D opening for this client, you will work from home until the formal office (expected to be on 128/95) is opened. VC backed, last round 10M – another commitment from initial investors for another round of VC later this year!

 High-powered team of PhDs and developers in place  Database Internals Architect (not apps development) – building the actual kernel of a database in C++/Linux/Unix salary range to 140-150k + stock options  Do you:    * Have a passion for software development?    * Drive for success?    * Creatively solve problems?    * Thrive in a high-change environment?    * Enjoy working together with a team?    * Like to get into the technical details?    * Understand design patterns? Our client is looking for an energetic and talented software professional with a keen interest in development of database software designed specifically to meet the needs of multi-terabyte-sized data warehouse applications.  You will be part of a distributed development team using state of the art development methodologies and learning about some of the coolest advances in computer science. You will have the opportunity to applying these techniques to really make our flagship product hum. If you are interested in working with a top notch team and contributing to redefine how databases work with large data volume, this may be a great fit. The key technical skills we are looking for are:    * 5+ years experience developing relational database software internals (kernel)    * 5+ years as systems architect; providing technical leadership    * 10+ years C++ on Linux/Unix    * Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering (bonus for Ph.D.) Extra points if you know any of:    * MySQL    * Distributed systems and applications include grid architectures    * Data mining and artificial intelligence    * Writing open-source software* And can see the big picture and can comfortably explain it to others Please send resumes to scott@biviumgroup.com – subject line “Database Kernel Architect”

Private employers add jobs in March — CNNMoney story

Since over 80% of job growth in the US is from firms with under 50 people — the news that payrolls moved back into expansion mode in March on the backs of the small employer (people like me!) is some good news in a market that is not seeing much positive national news. If you’re a candidate I’m working with,  it’s not “news” to you, that I believe very strongly that the tech job market in Massachussets is still very strong.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/02/news/economy/adp_employment/index.htm?postversion=2008040211

State of Boston technology/software engineering recruiting market – entering Q2, stiffer competition ahead for experienced candidates, 2008 computer science grads in the driver’s seat.

As we enter the last day of the quarter, the news to report is mostly good – in fact Q1 2008 was the busiest placement quarter EVER for us – we remain upbeat and confident about the year ahead (notwithstanding some bumps). Two trends worth reporting — we have significant salary compression issues for Senior/Principal/Lead Software engineer candidates — and a lot of competition at those levels, means less room to grow, and a strong supply/demand curve — if you’re in this area and looking for a six-figure salary, be prepared to get grilled technically, inter-personally, and to bring your “A” game.

The best demographic to be in so far, has been recent (2005 to 2008) Computer Science graduates with firm and strong computer science fundamentals. With salaries in this year for the best (top 25%) growing at a well above-average rate, recent associate/junior cs candidates should see offers growing 5-15% from 2007 levels (for the top 10%).

 There is a lot of “noise” out there – prognosticators telling us of impending doom, lots of companies (without real money, products or leadership) with jobs that won’t last, and plenty of “used-car” recruiters contending for your time. In uncertain times such as these, more than ever, should you consider partnering with someone like me – the top software engineer recruiter in the Boston, MA technology market — scott@biviumgroup.com

Baseball cliches and software engineer recruiting in Boston/Cambridge, MA?

Well, another cold, long winter is soon ending (officially Spring, huh?!) and the sounds of baseball will soon be heard around the Fens.  Red Sox season opener is just around the corner. It’s the time of the year where the cliches of “take it one game at a time” and “rather be playing in October than in April” and the season is a “marathon not a sprint” are heard regularly — and if you’ll indulge me, all very closely tied to looking for a software engineering position in MA:

1. Take it one game at a time – each interview, phone interview or company you look at should have your full attention, but once concluded (positive or negative) – learn, grow and apply that knowledge for your next interview (or game/at bat)

2. Rather be playing in October vs. April – You’d rather bomb a few interviews with companies that don’t fit,  than suffer from poor prep on the 2nd interview with the hot startup 2 miles from home that you REALLY want.

3.  Marathon vs. sprint – both as a recruiter or job seeker — no one particular situation will make or break us — job hunting/interviewing is about winning when it counts and  finding the right fitting job — when you find it — whether the first interview or the 15th interview (kissing a few frogs is ok and expected), when you find the “right one” it WILL feel like winning the world series – take a long-term view of our relationship and the job hunt, and you’ll understand  that together, as partners, we’ll find the right situation – assuming we are doing the right things on each interview and each interaction is quality.

Nobody said finding the “right job” was easy, but focus on partnering with the best software recruiter in the Boston, MA area – scott@biviumgroup.com , employing “best interviewing practice” and we’ll make it there together!

 Can’t wait for that first pitch. Go Red Sox in 2008!!

A Tale of Two Clients – how to sell your software engineering job in the HOT Boston, MA market

Recent experience with two clients – let’s call them “Get’s it, Inc.” and “Bumbling fools.com” are two firms that recently approached us to recruit software engineers for their new Venture capitalized startups here in the Boston, MA area. As part of our due-diligence, we always want to evaluate the opportunity — who are the entrepreneurs, VCs, what space is the product in, and most importantly – how does the VP Engineering and/or other members of the team “sell” their company/role/position to us. Most tellingly, I like to ask “what do you think makes your job/company ‘cool’ to another star engineer?” Now, “Get’s It”, as their name implies, understands that they need to understand their strengths and sell to those strengths in this market — a star candidate I represent has a choice — and when there is a mutual fit, we want their strenghts to go recognized at each distinct phase of recruiting.  “Bumbling fools.com feels like they know they’ve got the greatest .COM since 1999 and that “any reasonable software engineer would just figure it out”.

WRONG ANSWER! We’re all very busy people, and nobody can sell their job better than the company — and if that is not a part of the entire recruiting process (from phone interview and each onsite interview – Plus time with a C-level executive) you will never hire someone you want. So, it’s not surprising when “Get’s It” has now hired 3 people out of 3 offers in the past few weeks while “Bumbling fools.com” has interviewed 8 people, made 2 offers and had 0 acceptances. At this point, if our client will not take our advice, as a contingent recruiter on the case, we’ll have to politely decline working together, until they can figure out how to sell themselves.

Boston Globe article – “Tech companies an oasis”

As if we didn’t need more proof of the ongoing talent war — the following article http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2008/03/13/in_harsh_jobs_market_tech_companies_an_oasis/?page=1 nicely sums up what I said in January – although there are some heavy headwinds in the national economy, many local software clients of ours are having their best growth years ever and their demand for talented software engineers in the Massachusetts market is insatiable. In the past 4 days, I’ve been contacted by 2 new Venture Capitalized startup CTOs or VP engineering who have growing needs that cannot be met — and 2 public firms looking just as hard at hiring factors of 3-4x more than last year. 

 All that being said, day-to-day experience with software engineer recruiting in the Boston/Cambridge, MA area is confirming that expectations of clients are very high — if you do not “know your CS” and “know your stuff” you’re in trouble. We are seeing many more “Google” or “Microsoft” style interviews within the market. I know some people do not like problem solving/brain teaser and obscure knowledge questions — but, they are here to stay.

$2,000 referral reward for QA Lead for a red-hot media/search vc-backed startup in Cambridge, MA

I am offering a $2,000 referral reward if you know of anyone for a red-hot venture capitalized startup in the media discovery/search space in Cambridge, MA. These guys are funded with some super-sharp MIT, Stanford and similar pedigreed engineers. Become the first QA hire after the manager. This company is pre-launch but has $$$ from General Catalyst and have pilot clients with some huge names – star filled offices in Palo Alto, CA and in Cambridge, MA

Send me an email if you, or someone you know is interested – scott@biviumgroup.com - bringing you Boston area’s best software engineering positions.

Off to Australia, New Zealand & Fiji – see you in December, contact while I’m out

Well, I’m off on a trip of a lifetime — to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji – I’ll be gone almost a month… the longest I’ve been out of the office. I really can’t wait, all of the planning and anticipation comes to full-circle soon — probably what I am least looking forward to is spending 29 hrs from start to finish getting to Melbourne… but, 80F and sun are waiting “down under”.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and talk to you when I get back. Scott

Red Sox just two wins away! The little things make all the difference.

What a game last night! If you’re a baseball fan, but especially a Sox fan, what a great baseball game — the moves, the strategy and the ‘little’ decisions that made all the difference – Lowell taking 3rd on the single, the pickoff throw, Oki’s efficient 2.1 IP… just like in interviewing – you have a gameplan, and you execute… but the difference between two good candidates almost always come down to the “little things” – such as rapport building, smiling, tone of voice, writing a thank you note.

If last night was the last game for Schilling in a Red Sox uniform, it was quite the send-off, now Schill is at 11-2 for his postseason career (which if you’re a stat freak is THE highest Win% of any starter with 10 or more starts)…. what a gutsy performance.

Think like a headhunter: quality takes time

One of the best pieces of advice I can offer to both client companies and candidates is that “quality takes time”. Your next career move shouldn’t be something that comes together after a 30 min phone call and 1 hr interview — how sure can either side be of the fit? In a hot market, companies, recruiters and candidates are all looking for short-cuts, but that doesn’t mean you need to short circuit a quality process. If the fit is ‘right’, everyone will know and there will be positive momentum, but, still take the necessary time to ensure the emotions are grounded in reality – talk to a few more people, check references, just be sure — and, if another recruiter or company is putting a bunch of pressure on you NOW, you have the right to push back for the time you need to make a good decision. In fact, one-way pressure is a big red flag to me.  Remember — we don’t want to restart the recruiting process in 8 weeks all over again. A quality fit, takes just a bit extra time, so make sure it’s a good one, and be sure to partner with a great software recruiter in Boston!

Now, 200+ software engineer roles in Boston, MA, Cambridge, MA and Waltham, MA – C#, Java, VC++, C++, VB.NET

The market has never been hotter for top talent! As September rolls into October (holy cow!) we have more jobs piling up than we can possibly recruit for. Many of these are exclusive clients to The Bivium Group, and many of these offer great opportunities to take the next step in your career – perhaps an update on technologies you work with day to day, or the caliber of your peers. As the market (and other candidates) put themselves into new jobs, they are maximizing their market value at all times — it’s in crazy times like this, more than ever, critical, to align yourself with a resource who can help navigate these shark-infested waters. Choose to work with the best – I am currently ranked the #1 Recruiter in Boston on Linkedin. I’d love to see how we can partner together — scott@biviumgroup.com

 

Think like a Headhunter: Research your client

Today, in my series, Think like a Headhunter, I want to talk about researching a company. The setting – you, or your great recruiter have scored you a phone (or onsite) interview with a firm that you are really interested in. Of course, you’re very busy with lots of other activities too, but the most important way to separate yourself from competing candidates is to do some quick Google-searches, and news searches to have some background on the people, company and products. It’s important to read recent press releases, understand their market position, competition etc – do you own SWOT analysis of the situation – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats. It will help you decide – is there a future in this place for me? Remember – people love to talk about themselves and their firm – having this information at your fingertips can only help separate you from others while building rapport with your interviwers, and by mere conversation, have the interviewer think more of you! Conversely, I’ve had many a job lost, or job order unfilled by a recruiter, if even basic, cursory attention was not paid to Research your client.

Red Sox magic number down to 13! HOT Java & J2EE Software Engineer – Cambridge, MA

Nice comeback by the Sox last night, ensuring the Sox will have no way of losing their division lead with the last Yankees series coming up. The magic number is down to 13. Woohoo! Might be time to start looking into tickets for October!

 Several new hot jobs opened up in the last couple days – one of the most interesting is a core Java / J2EE Software engineer role in Cambridge, MA – where you can telecommute 1-3x a week (if you’d like) – working on an MIT spinout’s technology – this firm was acquired by a cash-rich firm that has kept the team as-is for several years now. Comp will go to 120k + a nice 8-10% bonus — chance to work on very, very complex core Java and systems stuff. JVMs etc.

Send me an email – scott@biviumgroup.com if you know someone!