Sometimes, as a manager in a technical organization, you realize you need to change technologies. In my experience, this is a change that takes place over time. So when I’ve used this strategy, I have hired people with expertise in the new technology and who could coach my current staff with their learning. And, I
I received an email recently from an engineer who was considering a job at a non-profit. They offered him a much lower salary than he was expecting, because they were a “non-profit.” Some people are slimeballs, even if they work at non-profits. A non-profit has revenue. A non-profit pays salaries and benefits to its employees.
At the most recent Boston SPIN meeting, I caught up with a fellow I hadn’t seen in a couple of years. He thanked me for the advice I’d given him on a tough project the last time I’d seen him. I had no idea what he was saying, so I asked him what the
Sometimes, technical managers realize their groups aren’t performing all the necessary work, and worse, the people in the group don’t have the background or capability to do the new kind of work. The example I used in the book was that of a test manager who had been hiring testers who had all the same
The most common hiring strategy I’ve seen is when the hiring manager is looking for more people to do similar work to the work already in progress in the organization. For technical organizations, this means more developers/testers/writers/whomever with similar functional skills and the ability to easily learn the product domain. When you have plenty of
John Sumser in Drowning In Information discusses his take on the recruiting.com proposed link swap. And, he includes 96 links to blogs he follows. I’m thrilled this blog is part of his list. If you’re a recruiter, an HR person, or a candidate, I strongly suggest you spend time checking out that list. If you’re
Read this about “Business Improvement” and weep. Mindboggling, just mindboggling. Good thing you won’t have to wait too long for Tuning Up Teams. I’ve been reviewing the book for Esther and Diana, and with this book you won’t have to waste time answer some multiple-choice questionnaire and still not have information. They explain how to
It’s been a heck of a week. My office is in my basement (a walk-out basement with lots of light–it doesn’t feel like a basement). Earlier this week, I thought I had a leak in the foundation–there was a small damp spot in the rug. I called the basement people to make appointments. Of
Via Keith Ray, I saw Cory Foy’s Great Job Posting. The reason this ad works is that it’s congruent for the job the developer will do. Wish I’d thought of an ad like that.
Sherri Vokey posted a review of “Hiring the Best Knowledge Workers, Techies & Nerds” at on my desk :: Hiring the Best: Knowledge Workers, Techies & Nerds. I was pleasantly surprised when she said …Part I perhaps offers the most valuable contribution. It covers developing a hiring strategy, analyzing the job and writing job descriptions