Today, DevOps professionals are in high-demand. However, many men and women in the field would disagree. Whether you’re a DevOps practitioner, VP, or possess another title, you may have searched for months for a new position but to no avail. If you can’t get past the interview stage, continue reading to increase your chances of getting hired.
- Sell Yourself Like a Pro
Selling yourself in the right light plays a major role in your ability to get the job. There’s plenty of ways to showcase your skills and experience to the world. Your LinkedIn profile, personal website, and similar options count so be sure to share these pages to create a good first impression. However, before sharing the links make sure that your content is up-to-date and shows your top strengths. This means removing any jobs that won’t help your case, such as a part-time grocery store job that you had in high school.
Instead, include roles that could show your experience and training, such as current or prior positions in systems administration or infrastructure. Also, add in your knowledge of certain configuration management tools. If you use Puppet, Chef, Saltstack, or Ansible, don’t forget to add these to your resume. You’ll also want to include container orchestration tools like Kubernetes or Docker, as well as continuous integration tools. Explain how you have used these technologies in projects to achieve certain goals.
- Make Yourself Visible to Employers
Don’t waste time uploading your resume to every job board you come across. This is a serious time waster. Instead, get your resume in front of employers in the right places. This means major job hiring websites like Monster and Hired. While you are not going to find too many specialist DevOps companies recruiting new hires, you’re more likely to find your next employer by focusing on the right employment sites. When applying, set yourself apart from the competition by mentioning your experience or unique skill set.
- Don’t Let Your Ego Delay Your Efforts
It’s important to have pride in your work, but don’t go overboard. Your giant ego may be standing between you and your dream job. Hiring managers are most often associated with big egos, but job candidates can be guilty of this as well. Stop making trivial commands and don’t act entitled. Stay open-minded and don’t be afraid to work for certain companies or groups of people. You never know if you’re passing up a company that will soon become the next Twitter or Netflix.
- Work with Reputable Recruiters
Maybe you’ve been speaking to a DevOps recruiter. While you’re on the right path towards employment, it’s important to avoid recruiters who can’t help you get what you need. Some recruiters dabble in all industries, while others focus on specific niches and may even have connections. Talk with a recruiter who speaks your tech language and can easily distinguish your background. Start by checking out the recruiter’s LinkedIn page. Are there recommendations from clients with similar skills as yourself?
- Create an Instant Rapport with the Company
You may have amazing technical skills but do you have the communication skills to back it up? Creating a rapport takes just minutes but can have a major influence on an employer’s decision during the hiring process. Before going to an interview, do your research and learn about the company’s goals and values. Consider how your passions align with those of the company and share this information during the interview. This is an easy way to build some rapport and make a good first impression.
- Maintain a Position in the Community
Finding a job that matches your skills and experience level isn’t easy, especially when you’re doing it while behind a computer screen. You need to get yourself out there, attend conferences, frequent events, and continue to learn and network. This is one of the best ways to meet hiring managers or possible future colleagues. This doesn’t mean you also can’t use technology. After a conference or event, tweet a photograph or share content via Facebook or Twitter. Create a name for yourself in the DevOps community.
- Don’t Settle for Less
It’s true that you don’t want to be exceptionally picky when job hunting, but you also don’t want to settle. First, sit down and determine what exactly you’re looking for in a career. Are you seeking a great job environment? Or maybe you want to work with a like-minded team or on an interesting project. Perhaps you just want to make an impact. While money is important, you also want a job that you’ll be happy going to each day. Focus on jobs that will be mentally stimulating and will best suit your lifestyle.
Job searching can be a stressful process. Take some time to evaluate what is most important to you and align your values and goals with your future career. Remember that you have a unique set of skills that can get you far if you make the right choices.
