A BlueFletch White Paper GUIDE TO NAVIGATING MOBILITY JOBS IN ATLANTA

Transcription

1 A BlueFletch White Paper GUIDE TO NAVIGATING MOBILITY JOBS IN ATLANTA

2 Contents The Mobile Landscape.3 Finding the Perfect Job...5 Nailing Your Interview.7 Mobile IT Careers.8 Introduction Are you a student interested in a job in mobile technology? Do you know what it takes to be prepared for a career in mobility? This guide discusses the mobility landscape in Atlanta and shows you ways to capitalize on available resources to help you land your dream job. Alternative Career Paths... 9 Continuing Education... 9 Conclusion..11 Research Process As part of the MAC Mobility Taskforce, the BlueFletch team conducted 30+ interviews with key stakeholders in the mobile technology space, from Startups to Fortune 500 businesses. We discussed 20 topics around mobility jobs to help understand what they are looking for in job candidates and how you can better prepare for these jobs. Summary of Finding Building technical skills through training, co-ops and internships is key to landing a job in mobility. When searching for jobs, make the most of available resources, from university career services centers to recruitment firms. Mobility offers many career paths, from traditional IT careers to jobs in marketing, sales and more. A career in mobility is a great way to position yourself for the future.

3 The Mobile Landscape As more companies are drawn to Atlanta by local talent, the affordable cost of living and access to the world s largest airport, demand for mobile skills will increase. This guide will help students identify the steps needed to pursue a career in mobile technology. Thanks to efforts from organizations including the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (MAC), the mobility industry is growing significantly in Atlanta. This growth has resulted in a skills gap that needs to be filled. Students interested in mobile technology are well positioned for fast-paced careers in this evolving field. Tips for Preparing For a Career in Mobility Are you a college student interested in a career in mobility? Take advantage of collegiate opportunities and extracurricular experiences to gain technical and non-technical skills. Technical Skills Students should learn basic programming languages and make sure they have a strong base in logic. Classes in Android/iOS programming and UX/UI are recommended.

4 Build applications outside of class and participate in hack-a-thons and other local events. Students who make an effort to understand the basics of enterprise technology (security, networks and systems) are more attractive to employers. Ø Learn basic coding languages and have a strong base in logic Ø Take UX/UI courses Ø Build applications outside of class and get involved in the developer community Non-tech Skills Employers we interviewed highly value teamwork and communication skills. Problem solving is key, especially when professionals need to troubleshoot projects or learn new languages/technologies. Companies look for passionate employees who enjoy the learning process and grasp new concepts quickly. Applicants should showcase their entrepreneurial spirit. Ø Join team-based organizations and participate in team-based projects Ø Troubleshoot difficult projects and try to learn new concepts on your own Outside of School Student attendance at industry conferences is encouraged. These conferences are an opportunity to learn new skills and network with industry professionals. Student discounts are available, but students concerned about cost or distance factors can attend local Meetups in order to get acquainted with the technology. Key Takeaway: Ø Attend industry events and engage with mobility professionals

5 Internships and Co-Ops Work experience is critical when competing in today s ultra-competitive market. A consistent theme from the Atlanta companies we interviewed was that students with an internship or co-op experience have the leg up during the interview process. Internships are an excellent way for students to improve their skills, ask questions and watch mobile professionals in action. Co-op students take classes for half the year and work a paid position during the other half. This puts students ahead of peers applying for jobs at graduation because they have established a long-term relationship with a company. Key Takeaway: Ø Seek out, apply for and participate in mobility internships or co-ops Finding The Perfect Job What s the best route to finding a job in mobility? Companies we talked with search for new employees through university career centers, recruiting firms, career fairs and advertisements on company websites or LinkedIn pages. Job seekers should look into each of these avenues.

6 College Resources University career centers guide students on job search strategies, resume building and developing interview skills. Corporations often work with career centers to post available positions on university job boards. Career centers will host special events such as career fairs for corporations and prospective applicants to meet face-to-face. Many Atlanta-based companies directly recruit from local schools including Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia, Kennesaw State University and Georgia State University. Ø Visit your university career center and take advantage of workshops and guidance Ø Seek out work opportunities on university job boards Recruiting Firms Recruiting organizations specialize in sifting through a large applicant pool, matching specific skills to jobs and matching candidates with the right company culture. These organizations vet applicants for qualifications and long-term compatibility and perform background checks and salary negotiations. They are a great way for recent grads to get resumes in front of a large number of companies without individually applying to multiple openings. Key Takeaway: Ø Take advantage of recruiting firms as a way to be considered by multiple companies simultaneously

7 Career Fairs Career fairs are organized by a variety of groups, including trade organizations, municipalities and colleges and universities. Students should prepare by researching the employers in attendance. Study the corporate culture of the organizations you are interested in and understand industryrelated terminology. Relate past work, academic accomplishments and out-of-class experiences to mobility and express your interests and goals. Ø Attend your university career fair after thoroughly researching the companies in attendance Ø Practice your elevator pitch Websites Company career pages are the best way to find available positions. Many employers also post jobs on LinkedIn. Local publications including the Atlanta Business Chronicle promote The Best Places To Work and call out some of the hottest jobs in Atlanta this is a great list to choose from! Separate yourself from the pack by establishing an online presence. Connect with potential employers on Twitter and LinkedIn. Employers want to know that you are passionate about mobility. If you have experience building and promoting your own applications, let them know about it! Ø Search company websites and linked in job postings for open positions Ø Create a strong online presence to showcase your work and connect with employers Nailing Your Interview You have your foot in the door: you ve been scheduled for an interview. Congrats! How should you prepare? Most companies will conduct more than one form of evaluation. Below is a general rule of thumb: 1. Phone Interview 2. In-person cultural fit 3. In-person technical test 4. Take home assignment

8 During the interview process, all applicants should illustrate their problem solving skills and highlight their passion for technology. Be prepared to show examples of your entrepreneurial spirit and previous work. Ø Prepare for the interview process ahead of time so you can showcase examples of your accomplishments Ø Be prepared for multiple rounds of evaluation Mobile IT Careers If you re a developer or have ever considered becoming a developer, look no further than mobility! Based on the companies interviewed, there will continue to be a demand for mobile developers and IT professionals in the foreseeable future. Large vs. SME vs. Startups As we talked with companies about their mobility jobs, we found that there are different advantages based on the type and size of company. The following are a few of the clear differentiators: Large Companies: Have more resources to help train and teach students with no experience Recruit nationwide (not just locally) New hires start on smaller projects first, then move to product Have organized training program for new hires Provide upward mobility (multiple levels employees looking to move up the food chain)

9 Small / Medium Enterprises: Leverage more local resources for education (boot camps, conferences) You will get to wear many hats and gain more varied types of experience. Startups Draw talent from local schools Typically are looking for students with experience in a specific technology Less likely to pay for additional training Big on entrepreneurial spirit and culture fit Flat hierarchy, you will have a lot less upward mobility into new positions (until they get a large funding round). Alternative Mobility Career Paths Are you interested in mobility but not sure developer is the role for you? There is an increased demand for individuals outside the IT realm who possess mobile experience. Marketing Companies are looking for marketers who understand responsive web design, effective mobile advertising strategies and can develop content that is easy to digest on a variety of devices. Sales Sales teams are using mobile to check on potential leads, quickly respond to and even host demos while away from their desk. Sales teams with a strong understanding of creative mobile techniques are better able to reach consumers. Project Managers Project Managers have a strong working relationship with department heads and developers.. The better a project manager can understand basic mobile languages (ios, Android, Windows Mobile), the more effective they will be when communicating with developers and business leaders. Continuing Education So now you have a job in mobility. How do you stay on top? Outside Projects Thanks to an array of hack-a-thons, Google Play and the App Store, it s easy to create something with a group of friends or on your own. Start creating and enjoy the learning process!

10 Mentors Atlanta is full of successful developers willing to answer questions and move the community forward. Find someone you can learn from and get in touch. Peer Learning Many companies offer lunch and learns where team members lead discussions on topics of interest. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn new problem solving strategies. Coding Boot Camps / Training Programs Companies including Big Nerd Ranch, GA Assembly and The Iron Yard offer a variety of coding boot camps. Always wanted to learn a new language? Take a course. Conferences / Meetups From MobilityLive to DevNexus, Atlanta is home to hundreds of conferences and meetups throughout the year. These opportunities can help you become a better programmer, marketer or project manager. Online Training Lynda.com and Skillshare.com offer very affordable peer led classes on a variety of mobile topics. Online Sharing Tools like Github connect developers with one another to re-use code and share helpful tips.

11 Conclusion Atlanta is a global leader in mobility and one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. The Technology industry makes up 17 percent of the state s total GDP and represents 250,000 jobs. As more companies make their homes in Georgia and dedicate resources to their mobile efforts, this number will continue to rise. Focusing on improving personal skills through education, internships or co-ops, and participating in the mobile community will help students navigate a career path in mobility and understand what that path entails.