13Sep

Welcome back to #WeAreGreenKey, where we shine a spotlight on our powerhouse recruiting team.

Last week, we got the opportunity to chat with Justin Nadelman, Director of Information Technology. Almost seven years since he first joined Green Key, Justin has seized many growth opportunities in his role and truly embraced the culture of recruiting.

How did you first get started in tech recruiting?

I had worked in the insurance industry for about six or seven years prior to recruiting. My former colleague was working with Green Key to transition out of the insurance industry and referred me to Jessa Niemeyer. At the time, I knew nothing about tech or recruiting. I met with Jessa [Niemeyer] on Long Island, and eventually Matt [Schirano] & Rory [Valan], who I immediately hit it off with. This month will be 6.5 years at Green Key.

What was the transition from insurance to tech recruiting like?

The biggest difference was the dropping the transactional, cold calling that I used to do in insurance, as well as learning all the technical terminology. You have to really familiarize yourself with market trends and career progression in the field. It’s an exciting industry that I’m happy to be a part of, especially at Green Key, with the ability to build relationships and partnerships with my clients and candidates.

Are there any hiring trends going on in tech right now?

Cloud technology and business intelligence are very hot right now. Clients are in the process of migrating to cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) and Cloud/DevOps Engineers are in high demand. Companies are also building out their Business Intelligence presence to review internal metrics and data that are important to the business.

How can someone really break into the tech industry?

Breaking in is the hardest part. Entry-level internships provide real world experience that translates to a long-term role. Clients are looking for candidates who have done actual work in the field, rather than just their education. Certifications are also helpful. The CCNA holds a lot of weight, as well as CompTIA Security+. There are many online resources available for candidates online.

Do you have any new professional goals, either for yourself or your team?

Personally, I’d like to continue the management and mentorship aspect of my role. I love that I’ve been able to carve out my own path career-wise and hope to keep growing.

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Green Key

How to Provide Growth Opportunities

Encouraging growth opportunities in the workplace is crucial for employee retention. Providing professional development, training, and mentorship shouldn’t just start and end at onboarding. In a time when many are leaving careers for jobs more suited to their needs, it’s important to consider how you’re treating, and advancing, your employees.  

To guide you in the right direction, we’ve outlined a number of ways you can provide growth opportunities for your employees and maintain retention.  

Mentorship and coaching 

We recently posted an article stressing the importance of mentorship in the workplace, featuring a couple of Green Key’s own employees and their experience. Many professionals find that they respond better to open lines of communication, rather than demands. Being able to learn directly from someone who has years of experience, and build your goals and expectations together, helps both employees to grow from each other.  

Learning Management Systems (LMS) 

An LMS is an online training platform that aids professional development. Glassdoor describes the benefits by saying, “Rather than investing valuable time training new hires or working one-on-one on redundant training programs, businesses can utilize LMS software to move that training into an eLearning platform. Not only does LMS software streamline the employee training, but it allows the organization to deliver consistent material and uphold their quality assurance.” Essentially, an LMS enhances training by providing continuous resources and materials for employees throughout their time at the company.

Follow-ups and feedback  

Always remember to maintain check-ins with your employees. This allows them the opportunity to ask questions, determine room for improvement or goals, and discuss any concerns they may have. Indeed says, “Hearing constructive criticism is an important part of learning what areas you need to improve. Even getting positive feedback is beneficial, as it boosts your self-confidence and helps you realize what your strengths are.”  

Recognition and rewards 

Recognizing employees for their exceptional work can aid in motivation. During The Great Resignation, many professionals felt underappreciated, and their efforts went unnoticed. When employees feel valued in their roles, their loyalty to the company and work performance increases. Try to create an encouraging environment for your employees – they will surely notice, and reciprocate the respect. 

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Green Key