Interview with Sarah, tech recruiter and business developer at Bluecoders
Victoire : Hello Sarah, it's great to have you with us today. To begin with, can you tell me a little about how you became a recruiter specializing in the tech industry?
Sarah: It was totally by chance that I joined Bluecoders. At the time, I was finishing my bachelor's degree in communications at Assas University, and I had to make a decision about my master's degree. Having always been very interested in the field of human resources, I decided to opt for a work-study HR master's degree. I didn't want to limit myself to theory alone. So I started applying for work-study positions, and that's when I was contacted by Célia, talent acquisition at Bluecoders. This marked the start of a rapid and extremely stimulating recruitment process, which quickly made me want to join the company.
Today, I've been with Bluecoders for almost a year, and I have absolutely no regrets about my choice, which has exceeded all my expectations. I came into the technology field by chance, and in the end, I'm extremely satisfied. I feel privileged to have gained experience in a sector that is in great demand. It gives me a certain amount of confidence, because I'm now well prepared and competent in a fast-growing field.
Victoire: Can you tell us about the support and training you received to become an experienced tech recruiter?
Sarah: Within the company, we have a personalized training program that benefits both juniors and seniors. Every day, I leave work with the feeling of having learned something new.
When I arrived, I didn't even know what "stack" meant and I didn't understand much. Fortunately, I was given a training program adapted to my level. I learned about the technology environment, programming languages and best practices for interacting with technical profiles. I also learned how to qualify customer needs, source candidates and understand them in greater depth. My training sessions were led by Christophe, our CEO, and Cécilia, our Business Manager. They included many practical workshops and shared listening sessions, which enabled me to receive constructive feedback on my work. I really appreciated the support and feedback, which enabled me to make rapid progress.
We were also supported by the Bluecoders Academy training organization, which gave us real coaching sessions to help us become code geniuses.
Victoire As a recruiter specializing in tech professions, you have to deal with an ever-changing technological landscape. Can you tell us about the complexity of your job and the challenges you face?
Sarah: Absolutely! The complexity of my job lies in the need to understand and stay up to date with the latest technological trends, programming languages, frameworks and skills companies are looking for. Tech is a constantly evolving field, and it's essential for me to keep abreast of the latest advances. Another challenge is to identify the technical skills and human qualities companies are looking for. It's not just a question of finding candidates with technical expertise, but also of finding people who will fit in well with the company's culture and have a positive impact on the team. Competition for top talent in the tech sector is fierce. Highly qualified candidates often have several job offers, which makes the recruitment process more competitive. So it's vital to be proactive and develop strategies to attract and retain talent.
Internally, we have an e-learning platform that enables us to deepen our knowledge of the subjects that pose us problems. We need to be proactive and seek out information.
Victoire : You mentioned the importance of staying up to date with the latest technological trends. How do you make sure you stay informed in such an evolving field?
Sarah: To stay informed, I attend conferences, events and tech meetups where I can interact with industry professionals. In addition, I maintain close relationships with technical experts and tech professionals. I'm in regular contact with developers, engineers and other specialized recruiters, which enables me to benefit from their knowledge and keep up to date with the latest advances. But in the end, I think my greatest strength comes from the Bluecoders group, which does everything it can to stimulate and teach us about this constantly evolving market.
Victoire : What motivates you in your job as a recruiter specializing in tech?
Sarah: What motivates me most is the opportunity to help build talented, high-performance teams within technology companies. Finding the right talent and placing them in roles where they can excel and add real value is extremely gratifying. What's more, I really appreciate the dynamics of the tech world. The speed with which new technologies emerge, the innovative projects and the passionate people I come into contact with make my job a constant and exciting adventure. In short, being a recruiter specializing in the tech professions allows me to combine my recruitment skills with my passion for technology, while helping to shape tomorrow's technological landscape.
Victoire: Can you tell us about your daily life as a Tech recruiter? Do you use any tools? What advice can you give us?
In my job, I use LinkedIn and my phone a lot, but especially Marvin, our ATS.
Sarah: In my job, I use LinkedIn and my phone a lot, but especially Marvin, our ATS. This tool was designed to meet our needs, thanks to the development of functionalities specific to our business. It's a complete tool that supports the entire recruitment process, from start to finish. Thanks to Marvin, I have access to all exchanges and feedback, as well as to my candidate hunting and sourcing activities. Marvin's interface is very intuitive, which enabled me to get the hang of it very quickly. Honestly, I couldn't imagine working without Marvin. It's an indispensable tool that makes my day-to-day work much easier.
Interview by Victoire Lachau de Turckheim on 30/05/2023
