You require technical knowledge and an understanding of the IT industry culture in South Africa to recruit for IT jobs. We interviewed Richard Harris, IT and digital marketing recruitment consultant at Initiate International, to get some insider tips on how to be successful in your next career move in IT.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into IT recruiting.
I am currently recruiting for the digital and IT space in South Africa, which is exciting and challenging.
After moving from South Africa to the United Kingdom in 2005, I got a feel for what business is like on an international scale. My experience of the UK was rewarding and it has definitely laid a solid foundation for career advancement.
I find recruiting exciting and rewarding at the same time. I have always enjoyed helping others, and there is no better reward than that feeling of excitement you get when your candidate starts a new job.
What do you like most about your job as an IT recruitment consultant?
I love that no day is ever the same; you always meet new and interesting people along the way. I love it when I am able to be a part of the process that helps someone find their dream career. There is nothing like working with a candidate, and watching how they grow and develop their career over time. It really is very satisfying.
What would you say are the most sought-after coding/programming skills in South Africa?
PHP developers, Java developers, C# developers, Mobile (Android/ iOS) developers
What non-monetary benefits are the most important for developers?
I would say flexi-hours, the ability to work from home, and the unlimited supply of amazing coffee
You see a lot of CVs. What are the three top tips you would give to IT professionals to improve their CVs?
1: Describe how you used technologies in the duties and responsibilities of your role in a business
2: Give reasons for each of your resignations
3: Including a detailed and up-to-date skills matrix will always be in your favour
How do you best prepare for an interview?
Make sure:
• You know what information you have put in your CV (Trust me, I have come across candidates that don’t remember what they have put in their CVs…this can be very embarrassing when a client wants to confirm information with you and you sit there saying “oh really, is that on there?”)
• You understand the position for which you are being interviewed.
• You have done your research on the company where you are being interviewed.
• You know who is going to interview you and what their position is within the company.
• You know what the format of the interview will be (panel interview, technical test interview, meet and greet-cultural assessment interview)
• You prepare a minimum of two questions for the interviewer (This shows that you have taken time to actually do research and that you are interested in the position)
• You are serious about the position you are interviewing for and not just using it as leverage for a counter-offer from your current company (yes, people do this, more often than you would think)
• You don’t talk about what salary you are looking for, especially not at your first interview (Leave that up to your recruitment consultant. We are here to get you the best possible salary; let us do the negotiating for you)
• You do not chew gum, are neatly dressed, smell good, and that your hair, if long, is tied up neatly.
From your experience, if there are two candidates that have the same skill sets, which candidate will score the job?
Culture fit and personality match have recently become very important factors when hiring new staff, especially for senior positions. Clients are getting tired of paying out huge salaries to people with the best skills that have zero personality compatibility with the rest of their staff. First round interviews are thus generally focused on assessing whether or not the applicant has the right attitude and company culture fit before the client is willing to do a technical test interview with the candidate.
Thank you, Richard, for your time. Where can people contact you for job opportunities in IT and digital marketing?
It’s a pleasure. Job seekers can contact me on contact@initiateinternational.com or phone me on 021 488 9800.
Initiate International is a specialist recruitment agency for jobs in IT anddigital marketing. Should you need assistance with your next job opportunity in Cape Town or Johannesburg, please give us a call.
