Archives November 2021

3 Reasons to Consider a Permanent Remote Team

In the aftermath of COVID-19, many employers are considering a permanent remote team. One reason is because 42% of workers who are currently working from home say they will look a new job if their company doesn’t give them a long-term remote option.

Besides being a personal preference of many employees, transitioning to a fully remote work environment carries notable benefits for your company. These are some of the reasons you may want to consider making the switch.

You Can Save Money

Renting an office isn’t cheap, especially when your company is based in a high-cost city area. Skipping the lease in favor of a dispersed team can represent major savings on your part.

Besides the cost of a lease, you can expect to save money on heat and power, Wi-Fi, office supplies, cleaning services, and other amenities associated with housing a team of workers five or more days a week.

It Encourages Work/Life Balance

With a reported 52% of workers experiencing burnout in 2021, mental health and work/life balance are a prerogative of many employers today. A permanent remote team has a better chance at building a work/life balance.

The opportunity to work remotely has some benefits that may help to alleviate work-related stress on employees. Working from home removes the need for a commute. This allows workers more time to do chores and be with their families.

Employees May Be More Productive

Some employers have concerns about employees being able to stay on track and focused while working from home. However, remote work can be less distracting than going into a bustling, busy office for many professionals.

There’s data to back up the idea that working remotely can make your employees more productive. One study that measured the performance of 16,000 workers found that working from home resulted in 13% higher productivity compared to working in the office.

ABBTECH Can Help You Build Your Team

When your business is looking to build up your remote team, ABBTECH is a great strategic talent partner. We are a leading IT staffing agency with the tools to recruit qualified tech contractors for your open positions. Many candidates are looking for that remote work option.

Connect with ABBTECH today to start discovering skilled IT workers who will fit your team’s needs and help your company achieve its goals.

5 In-Demand IT Skills to Boost Your Resume

Want the IT skills to boost your resume and make it stand out from the rest? By learning an in-demand IT skill, you can qualify for a broader range of jobs. You can also show employers that you’re up to date on modern technology.

Picking up one of these skills may help you achieve the career transformation you’re seeking out.

Cybersecurity

As more and more of human life moves online, the need for secure networks and digital infrastructure continues to grow. As a result, cybersecurity skills are highly sought after. One industry report even estimated a 0% unemployment rate for cybersecurity jobs.

Earning a cybersecurity certification such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or CompTIA Security+ can pave the way to high-paying roles in IT.

Software Engineering

Software engineering has long been one of the most profitable skills in the job market, and studies suggest that will not change anytime soon.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of software developers, QA analysts, and QA testers is projected to increase by 22% between 2020 and 2030.

Skills in coding and full-stack development can allow you to access a growing number of profitable jobs across industries.

Artificial Intelligence

As advances in artificial intelligence continue to grow, there is a need for experts. These who can harness the power of machine learning to improve the speed and accuracy of mass data analysis.

Learning a programming language such as Python or R, machine learning libraries and packages, and big data technology can pay off in today’s job market.

Cloud Computing

The popularity of cloud engineering and container technology has created a high demand for skills in Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Kubernetes, and other cloud development platforms.

Becoming certified as an AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect can open up even more opportunities.

Project Management

High-paying IT careers typically call for strong technical skills, leadership and organizational skills. These are also extremely profitable for those that possess them.

Get familiar with project management practices that are popular in the modern tech industry, such as Agile and Scrum. These can help you access high-paying careers in software engineering, product management, and web development.

Earning a certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) is often a step to achieving these types of positions.

Looking to Work in IT? Connect with ABBTECH!

If you’re seeking out a job in IT, working with ABBTECH can be the key. We can help you to land a position that matches your skills and certifications.  Learning these IT skills to boost your resume can really increase the opportunities available.

ABBTECH pairs professionals with IT jobs in cybersecurity, web development, cloud engineering, and more. Whether you’re looking for a role in a small business or a government agency, ABBTECH is here to help.

How to Write More Inclusive Job Descriptions

There is so much competition right now to recruit and hire qualified job candidates. Many businesses are looking at ways to improve their job listings. Taking steps to make your job descriptions more inclusive can help expand your hiring options.

Here are some best practices for making your job descriptions more inclusive.

Use Accessible Language

If your job description is full of corporate lingo or buzzwords, it may discourage industry newcomers from applying. Use straightforward, easy-to-understand language will make your job listing accessible to more people.

Only Ask for Essential Qualifications

When reviewing a job description with the goal of being more inclusive, it’s worth reconsidering whether your initial ideas for qualifications are all necessary.

If your job doesn’t require driving, you may want to consider removing having a driver’s license as a requirement. In a similar vein, you may avoid listing physical strength as a requirement for an office job that doesn’t require regular lifting or manual labor.

Appeal to Non-Traditional Candidates

Include notes in your job description about any features of the job that make it flexible or accommodating. These can help you promote the position to candidates who may not apply otherwise.

For example advertising that the position has flexible hours would allow a parent to leave early to pick up a child from school in the job description. This may pull in applicants for whom that would be a deal breaker.

Mention You’re an Equal Opportunity Employer

Some job descriptions will mention that the employer abides by Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) guidelines. This means they do not discriminate against employees on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, and other characteristics.

Even though there’s no law requiring you to include a disclaimer that you’re an equal opportunity employer, adding it to your job description may encourage members of minority groups to apply.

Reconsider Experience Requirements

Regardless of the field, most jobs require some type of prior experience. It’s worth thinking carefully about how much experience is necessary to succeed in a position. There are potential implications of the requirements you set.

Requiring multiple years of experience for a mid-level position makes sense. Doing the same for an entry-level position will prioritize those who were able to access internships and other advantageous pre-employment training.

Build Your Team with ABBTECH

Partner with ABBTECH to build a team of diverse and talented IT professionals to fill your company’s needs. With over 30 years of experience in strategic staffing, ABBTECH can help you achieve your hiring goals.

2021 Washington Business Journal’s Book of Lists – Largest Women-Owned Businesses in Greater D.C.

The Washington Business Journal Book of Lists is a collection of the largest and most influential players in the Washington, DC area. In order to feature on these lists, a company must meet rigorous criteria and must have their data verified by the Washington Business Journal’s panel of researchers. As a small business, it is highly significant to rank amongst fortune 500 companies on these lists. In 2021, ABBTECH featured on the Largest Temporary Staffing Companies in Greater D.C. – Rank #5 and Largest Women-Owned Businesses in Greater D.C. – Rank #21.

Dealing with Multiple Job Offers

Receiving offers from several different companies may seem like a good problem to have. But navigating multiple job offers and determining which one is the best fit can come with its own difficulties.

Follow these guidelines for a methodical and professional approach to dealing with multiple job offers.

Determine Your Priorities

Early in your job search, it’s a good idea to settle on your priorities when choosing a job. Factors such as pay, health insurance, benefits, work environment, schedule, and opportunities for advancement are all worth considering in turn.

Making a ranked list of your priorities can help you solidify which factors matter most to you once you are deciding whether to accept a job offer.

Collect the Information

In order to compare job offers against one another, it’s essential to have as many details about each position as possible.

Interviews aren’t just occasions for a hiring manager to learn more about you—they also allow you to learn more about a position and company. Asking plenty of questions during the interview process will make your future decision better informed.

 

Use Offers to Boost Your Value

Telling one company that you’ve already received a job offer from another may benefit you in some circumstances.

If you signal to a company that you’re in high demand as an employee. There is now an incentive to expedite the hiring process or improve the package they offer you. You can use a second offer as leverage during negotiations.

Be Respectful and Honest

Throughout the process of navigating multiple job offers, it’s important that you are respectful and polite to all the hiring teams.

It’s also best to avoid suggesting or hinting that you’re ready to accept a job before you make the final call.

While you may be more interested in one job than another, keeping consistent and respectful communication across the board will help you avoid burning professional bridges when it’s time to decline an offer.

Find the Right Job for You with ABBTECH

Looking for a new job that checks all your boxes? ABBTECH is here to assist you with your job search. Submit your resume to ABBTECH to get matched with tech employment opportunities in small businesses, startups, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies.