Ways to Find and Hire the Best Software Architects

Engage Social Media

For companies trying to find software architects, it is a good idea to go where they are: social media. Try connecting with some social media spaces that cater to the software architect community such as StackOverflow. The best social media strategy involves engaging the community long before you need to hire a new software architect. Participating in group discussions and contributing to the community is always preferable to blindly soliciting community members. By gaining name recognition you raise your firm’s profile in the industry as well as with interested software architects.

Contact a Professional Recruiter in the Tech Industry

Professional recruiters are one of the best ways to reach tech talent, especially software architects. Recruiters can also identify talent who are open to new opportunities even if they aren’t actively looking. This expanded talent pool ensures a diverse set of prospective candidates.

Attend Conferences Geared Toward Software Architects

Sending a company representative to an industry conference is a great way to meet some potential candidates. One such conference would be the O’Reilly Software Architecture Conference. The O’Reilly conference takes place in New York City in February 2019.

Conferences also allow companies to network with the community which helps to raise their profile for the future candidates.

Set Up a Company Employee Referral Program

Sometimes the best way to hire new employees is through those already within your organization. By establishing an employee referral program, you incentivize your employees to bring their friends and former co-workers into your company. Hiring employees via referral has a high success rate as people like working with people they know. A company can stimulate their referral program by posting current needs (such as Software Architects) with a reminder to employees of the incentives available (a spot bonus, referral fee, extra vacation, etc.) if their friends are selected for an interview or are hired.

Establish Relationships with Universities

Universities turn out graduates every year who hold degrees in computer science who are looking to become software architects. While these new grads may not be seasoned professionals, they do know the latest and greatest in industry technology. This exposure to new tech makes them valuable to any organization. When a company establishes a relationship with a university career office or academic department, they have access to a new crop of grads every year.

Moving Forward

Recruiting and hiring in today’s employment market can be a challenging task. This is especially true for specialized roles such as software architects. When an organization is looking to recruit and hire software architects, there are a few strategies they can utilize to achieve this goal. Activities such as engaging in social media, attending conferences, using an employee referral program, and establishing relationships with universities can be beneficial. However, one of the best strategies for recruiting and hiring software architects is to contact a professional recruiter.  At Open Systems, we have a long track record of recruiting proven tech professionals who deliver results. Contact us today to learn more!

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The Year Ahead: The Top Jobs for 2018

Per a CIO.com article regarding the Robert Half Technology 2018 IT salary report these are the top IT positions for the year ahead.

1: Database Developer (Range $97,750 to $175,750)

For Database Developers, a bachelors’ degree in Computer Science or related field is usually preferred. Experience with Oracle and SQL are required. Certifications can also be of great value especially Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDA).

2: Help/Support Desk Technician (Range $32,000 to $81,500)

General requirements vary greatly depending on the level of the role. For entry-level roles, a few years work experience, or an associate’s degree is passable. More senior roles require a bachelor’s degree. Certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) can also be useful and will often lead to higher pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12% increase in computer support specialists from 2014 to 2024. There will be 88,000 net new jobs during this period.

3: Network Administrator (Range $55,000 to $104, 750)

For network administrators, a bachelor’s degree is preferred. However, in lieu of a degree, significant years of related work experience or certifications can often substitute. The most sought-after certifications include Comp TIA A+ certification, Cisco CCNA certification, and the MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate).

4: Data Security Administrator (Range $100,000 to $168, 750)

Data Security Administrator is the highest paying role on the list for 2018. It’s no wonder with all the breaches and hacks plastering the news in 2017. However, this role also often requires the most experience and advanced certification. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field is often required, and certifications such as MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) and CISSP are either required or a great plus.

5: System Administrator (Range $65,500 to $102,500)

For system administrators, candidates with certifications such as MCSA and MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) are highly sought after. Also, in many cases, a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field is preferred.

Looking Beyond 2018: Future Predictions for the IT

When planning for a long-term career, it’s valuable to be aware of future trends that extend beyond the next twelve months. Per Gartner’s Top Ten Predictions for IT in 2018 and Beyond:

• In 2020, AI (Artificial Intelligence) will become a positive net job motivator, creating 2.3 million jobs while eliminating 1.8 million jobs
• By 2021, 40% of IT Staff will be versalists, holding multiple roles, most of which will be business rather than technology related.

Ensuring You Make the Most of out of 2018

In conclusion, if you are a job seeker who is brushing off the resume and starting to look toward the future, it’s important to do a little legwork to determine what roles are the best fit for your background and experience level. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to consult a professional recruiter to create a plan to move forward with your goal of future employment.

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