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The Role of a Procurement Buyer in IT

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The role of a procurement buyer in IT is essential for success. The buyer is responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and negotiating the best deals for IT goods and services a company needs to operate effectively. This professional might purchase the goods and services outright, contract out to a third-party supplier, or use a combination of these methods.

A procurement buyer in IT researches appropriate vendors, evaluates the bids and proposals, chooses the best options, and negotiates the best rates. The buyer also follows up to ensure proper delivery of the goods and services while maintaining compliance.

The role of a procurement buyer in IT 

Procurement Buyer Education and Certification

A procurement buyer in IT typically has a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or engineering. Some jobs require a master’s degree in business management or supply chain management.

Industry certification and experience with purchasing contracts and materials procurement can be beneficial. Certification in additional systems provides additional opportunities to become a procurement buyer in IT.

Procurement Buyer Experience

A procurement buyer in IT might start working in a related role, such as supply chain management. Then, this professional can use their skills and experience to transition to a position as a procurement buyer.

Strong financial management skills and knowledge of accounting, pricing, logistics, and contract law are helpful. Participation in additional training opportunities with industry platforms and services also can be beneficial.

Find a Procurement Buyer Job in IT

RightStone is looking for a Sourcing Specialist (Buying/Procurement) in Houston, TX. The job duties include:

  • Management of supplier relationships for purchase order execution
  • Overseeing and resolving issues and schedule changes
  • Updating the ERP system
  • Actively contributing to the development of proposals to enhance the approaches, methods, processes, and procedures within the designated field
  • Effectively communicate with colleagues and the business regarding design and coordination services
  • Actively participate as a valued team member on various projects

Are You Ready to Find a Role as a Procurement Buyer in IT?

Partner with RightStone to secure a role as a procurement buyer in IT. Visit our job board today.

IT Resume Essentials: Tailoring Your Experience for Relevance and Impact

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Your past experience makes up the majority of your IT resume and demonstrates your qualifications for the job you want. As a result, you should tailor your experience for relevance to the role and impact on the organization.

Knowing which experience to include in your IT resume can be difficult. Following these guidelines can help.

Implement these tips to tailor the experience section of your IT resume for relevance and impact.

Customize Your Resume

Tailor your IT resume to each job you apply for. For instance, focus on the job duties, responsibilities, and qualifications listed in the job posting. Then, detail your relevant knowledge, skills, experience, and achievements in these areas.

Include relevant, quantifiable examples of how you provided value for an employer in previous roles. Show that you can provide similar value for your next employer.

Use Relevant Keywords

Include throughout your IT resume relevant keywords. These keywords might be used in the job posting or commonly referred to in your industry.

Using relevant keywords helps your resume get past an applicant tracking system (ATS) and to a hiring manager. Showing that you are a good match for the position encourages the manager to contact you for an interview.

Share Relevant Information  

Where you are in your IT career impacts the details you might include in your Experience section. For instance, if you are just starting out, you should include any part-time IT jobs, contract work, temporary jobs, internships, and volunteer work you are engaged in. Conversely, if you are further along in your career, you should include the full-time IT jobs, contract work, and temporary jobs you have engaged in over the past 10 years.

Include Relevant Details

Ensure the information you share in your Experience section is relevant to your desired role. For instance, if you are targeting a software engineer position, you should include your current and previous engineering positions. Or, if you want to work as a programmer at a law firm, you could include your previous position as a paralegal.

Detail your main duties, responsibilities, and achievements for each position. Also, focus on your hard, soft, and transferrable skills.

Properly Format Your Resume

Include relevant headings for each section of your IT resume. For instance, you might select “Experience” or “Work Experience.”

If you choose a chronological format, list your jobs for the past 10 years in reverse chronological order in your Experience section. Include the following details:

  • Job title
  • Company name
  • Location
  • Employment dates (month and year)
  • Job Duties
  • Achievements
  • Promotions

Do You Want Additional Help with Your IT Resume?

Partner with RightStone for additional support throughout your job search. Visit our job board today.

The Role of IT Experts in the Internet of Things Era

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The role of IT experts in the Internet of Things era continues to grow. As the Internet of Things expands, current and future career opportunities increase.

The Internet of Things is a system of connected devices with unique identifiers that transfer data over the Internet without intervention from a computer or human. These devices may be computers, digital machines, objects, animals, or people. Examples include biochip transponders and smartwatches.

The Internet of Things supports efficient, effective business operations. Companies can leverage big data to anticipate trends, make informed decisions, deliver better customer experiences, and drive growth.

As a result, you should consider building an IT career involving the Internet of Things. The following are some job opportunities you could choose from.

Discover the role of IT experts in the Internet of Things era and available career opportunities.

Internet of Things Embedded Systems Designer

An Internet of Things embedded systems designer executes the complete software development cycle. This systems designer creates scalable, optimized Internet of Things software systems, then reviews them and develops relevant security. They design, develop, code, test, and debug the software to optimize performance.

Internet of Things Network Engineer

An Internet of Things network engineer creates and develops devices, software, and sensors that connect devices to other systems. This engineer researches, builds, and tests Internet of Things solutions. They design, code, and test device features, analyze user needs, and resolve issues with network connectivity and platforms.

Internet of Things Security Specialist

An Internet of Things security specialist provides security during the development stages of Internet of Things-related software, hardware, networks, and data centers. This specialist monitors and mitigates vulnerabilities and risks. They must recognize potential threats or attacks and build infrastructure such as firewalls for prevention.

Internet of Things Solutions Engineer

An Internet of Things solutions engineer works with customers to design solutions that fit their needs. This engineer chooses appropriate sensors and radio technology to meet customer requirements and then guides the customer through the process of implementing the projects. They help plan, design, and architect Internet of Things solutions, then operate and maintain these solutions.

Internet of Things Systems Administrator

An Internet of Things systems administrator sets up and maintains account access for Internet of Things systems. This professional maintains the systems, including verifying that the peripherals are working, setting up software and hardware upgrades, and monitoring system performance. They also create file systems, install software, and manage backups and recovery.

Internet of Things Infrastructure Architect

An Internet of Things infrastructure architect obtains, manages, filters, and interprets the data transmitted through the Internet of Things networks. This data may be shared between the internet and other connected devices, such as smart sensors, phones, appliances, cameras, and vehicles. The infrastructure architect uses data to help companies design better Internet of Things solutions to resolve customer issues.

Build an IT Career Involving the Internet of Things

Find a role involving the Internet of Things with help from RightStone. Visit our job board today.

Green Flags To Look For In A Potential Employer

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Green flags in a potential employer indicate that the organization may be a good place to work. These signs include attractive company culture, challenging work, and opportunities for advancement.

Understanding how to look for green flags in a potential employer before applying for a role, during an interview, and after receiving a job offer helps determine which company may be right for you. This helps you be successful in your new position.

Discover Green Flags To Look For In A Potential Employer.

Green Flags In The Job Posting

Look for these signs in the job posting:

  • A diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture
  • Company values aligned with yours
  • Competitive compensation range
  • Attractive benefits
  • Tailored job qualifications

Green Flags For The Company

The more diverse the employees, benefits, and perks, the more equitable and inclusive the company:

  • Diverse employees in leadership roles
  • Pay Transparency
  • Negotiable benefits
  • Equitable benefits, such as paid family leave instead of paid maternity leave
  • Significant budget for employee professional development
  • Mentorship and/or coaching program
  • Wheelchair-accessible building
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
  • Paid volunteer hours
  • Adequate information to prepare for interviews

Green Flags For Junior Developers

If you are beginning your IT career, look for a potential employer with these traits:

  • Headquarters in a city with at least one IT boot camp
  • Signs on the company’s website or LinkedIn profile that the organization hires bootcamp graduates and junior developers
  • Blog posts on the company’s website or social media pages that are directed at the junior developer experience

Green Flags During The Interview

Seek these elements during an interview:

  • Punctual interviewers
  • Interviewer camaraderie
  • Inquiry about your preferred pronouns
  • Questions tailored to your knowledge, skills, and experience
  • Interviewer engagement

Questions To Uncover Green or Red Flags

Consider asking these subtle questions to determine green or red flags:

  • How is your company involved in the community?
  • What does success look like here?
  • Is weekend work common?
  • How does the team approach tight deadlines?

You also might want to ask more direct questions:

  • Are there any requirements for using work apps on personal devices?
  • If you could fix one thing within the organization, what would it be?
  • Are employees encouraged to raise technical and ethical concerns?
  • If you knew then what you know now, would you still have joined the company?

Are You Ready to Find Your Next Employer?

Work with RightStone to find your next IT role. Visit our job board today.

3 Ways to Learn About A Company’s Culture Before Accepting A Job Offer

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A company’s culture is defined by its mission, vision, and core values. These characteristics set a foundation for the goals, expectations, and ethics that define employees’ behavior at every level.

Companies can have a variety of cultures. For instance, whereas some companies have a team-based culture, others support individual accomplishments. Also, some companies have hierarchical management, while others are more casual.

Working for a company whose culture aligns with your values is essential for long-term success. This provides motivation to work individually and collaboratively to reach company goals.

Discover three ways to learn about a company’s culture before accepting a job offer

1. Online Research

Use the organization’s website to research the company’s culture. Pay close attention to the mission statement and careers page to help determine the organization’s values and priorities.

Gain insight into what working for the organization is like. Look for details on compensation, benefits, awards, and other relevant information.

Visit the organization’s social media pages to learn about the company’s priorities. Use your findings to determine whether to accept a job offer from the organization.

2. Employee Feedback

Read employer reviews to determine what current and former employees have to say about the company’s culture. Look for positive and negative patterns in employee feedback.

Use LinkedIn to connect with current and former employees. Ask them to share honest feedback about the company’s culture. Use what you learn to determine whether to accept the company’s job offer.

3. Job Interview

Arrive early for your interview to observe the office environment. Focus on the energy and how the employees interact:

  • Do the employees appear happy to work for the organization?
  • Are the employees friendly to you?
  • Would you enjoy working in the environment?

Ask about the company’s culture during your interview. Consider choosing from the following questions:

  • How would you describe the company’s culture?
  • What makes the company’s culture unique?
  • How would you describe the work environment?
  • What do you like best about working here?
  • Which activities do you participate in outside of work hours?

Focus on your experience during the interview process. This provides an indication of what it would be like working for the organization.

Reflect on the following issues:

  • Were you treated professionally?
  • Did you talk with different employees?
  • How comfortable did you feel throughout the interview process?

Do You Need Help with Your IT Job Search?

Include RightStone in your job search to land your next IT position. Visit our job board today.

Important Skills to Develop as an Engineer

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Working as an IT engineer provides access to in-demand and lucrative jobs. This provides a foundation for long-term career success.

Continuously developing your skill set helps you take on more senior engineering jobs. This provides additional opportunities for career growth.

Develop These Important Skills To Grow As An Engineer

Communication

Team discussion and collaboration are important parts of an engineering job. Open communication helps you understand the client’s needs, create the product or service, and resolve issues.

Sharing ideas, asking questions, and providing input is essential. Actively listening and sharing constructive feedback also are required.

Using the right form of verbal, written, online, or in-person communication helps you effectively share information. Speaking in non-technical terms when interacting with professionals in other departments is important as well.

Creativity

Dealing with novel situations is part of being an engineer. Innovation is required to develop things that previously did not exist.

There will be times when the typical solution cannot be implemented or does not work. This requires using your knowledge, skills, and experience to resolve the issue.

Critical Thinking

Developing a strong sense of reality and trust in your abilities is essential. Drawing on your knowledge and experience helps you accurately evaluate situations and take appropriate action. Digging deeper for more information helps you make educated decisions and respond appropriately.

Problem-Solving

Working as an engineer involves identifying, analyzing, and solving problems. This is especially important in urgent situations.

Ongoing education and experience help you apply relevant theories and formulas to resolve issues. Learning from your mistakes also is beneficial.

Attention to Detail

Following systems to check your engineering work is essential. This may involve keeping a notebook of the mistakes you made, how you fixed them, and what you learned. You can refer to your notebook as needed to improve your performance.

Leadership

Being a self-starting engineer who wants to lead others as you increase your value to an organization is important. The more skills and experience you gain, the better equipped you are to take on management and leadership roles.

Your ability to motivate your colleagues, assess their strengths, and assign roles helps your team efficiently complete projects. Providing guidance, answering questions, and resolving issues help build team cohesion.

Ready To Grow Your Engineering Career?

Make RightStone part of your engineering career. Visit our job board today.

What Are Common Interview Styles?

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Interview styles differ by the method of asking the questions. For instance, participation in a panel interview may involve being asked behavioral questions to learn more about your work experience.

Some interviewers might choose multiple interview styles. Different styles can gather the information needed to fill different needs.

You can practice answering questions in different interview styles to prepare for the one your potential employer uses. These tips can help.

Learn about the common interview styles and how you can prepare for them.

Open-Ended Interview Style

Open-ended interview questions typically are broad in scope. This means you speak significantly more than the interviewer.

One topic may be how your strengths can help you succeed in the position. Or, the interviewer might ask you to describe how your skills and experiences relate to the role and can benefit your performance.

Emphasize your hard and soft skills in your answers. Include specific examples of how you used these skills in previous roles. Demonstrate that you are well-equipped to carry out the job duties and responsibilities.

Situational Interview Style

Situational interview questions present real-life scenarios and ask how you would approach the situation or solve the problem. This helps the interviewer determine whether you would handle the issue in line with company culture.

Be sure to include specific examples of how you handled similar scenarios in previous positions. This demonstrates how you would handle related situations with your next employer.

Behavioral Interview Style

Behavioral interview questions focus on your thinking, behavior, and outcomes in previous professional, personal, and interpersonal situations. The results of your behavior show what likely would happen under similar circumstances while working at another company.

Behavioral questions may be broad, such as asking how you work while under pressure. Or, they might involve how you would handle a specific situation in the workplace.

Use the STAR method to answer behavioral questions. Explain the situation you encountered, the tasks you performed, the actions you took, and your results. Demonstrate effective communication, leadership, creativity, teamwork, flexibility, organization, and problem-solving in your answer.

Want Additional Interview Prep?

Partner with a recruiter from RightStone for interview coaching and other job search support. Visit our job board today.

Daily Remote Work Habits That Make You a Better Employee

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Remote work provides benefits that onsite work does not. Among them is the freedom of having no commute and the flexibility of working where you choose.

However, this freedom and flexibility can lead to issues. They include potentially overworking and experiencing burnout.

As a result, you must establish healthy remote work habits to improve your work-life balance. The following suggestions can help.

Develop these daily remote work habits to be a better employee.

Establish Your Workspace

Determine where you will perform your work. This may be in your home office, a guest room, or a section of your kitchen table.

Let the people you live with know that when you are in this area, you are working. They are not to disturb you unless there is an emergency.

You need uninterrupted time to get in the zone to complete your tasks. This promotes creativity and productivity. It also makes you a better remote employee.

Set Your Work Hours

Determine which work hours best fit your professional and personal needs. Adhere to these hours as much as possible.

You may be tempted to work longer hours because you do not have a commute. However, overworking can lead to mental health concerns and burnout.

As a result, aim to work a reasonable number of hours each day. Be sure you reach your deadlines and still have adequate time for other interests. These actions make you a better remote employee.

Prioritize Your Tasks

Determine which tasks need to be completed and when. Schedule them accordingly.

If you are unsure about your top priorities, talk with your manager. They can go over your objectives and help you plan your day or week.

Take Breaks

Include regular breaks throughout your day. Get up and walk around. Stretch, meditate, read, or listen to music. Come back refreshed and ready to work.

Regularly taking breaks, including an hour for lunch, lets your brain rest. This helps you be more focused and creative when you resume working. It also makes you a better employee.

Communicate with Your Team

Let your manager know what you are working on throughout the day. Include your accomplishments and what still needs to be done.

Share with your teammates relevant information that impacts their work. This is especially important for team projects.

Ask for and offer help when needed. This makes you an effective remote employee.

Looking for a New Job?

Partner with RightStone to find your next role. Visit our job board today.

Ways to Find a Job You Will Love!

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Finding a job you will love can be challenging. You might apply to a job posting, interview for the role, and discover the position or company was not what you expected. As a result, the job does not turn into a long-term relationship.

A job you will love fits where you are in your career and where you are going. It serves as a stepping stone you will enjoy for an extended period of time.

Conversely, if you accept the wrong job and it does not work out, you have to start your search over. This takes additional time to find the right match.

As a result, focus on finding a job you will love rather than settling for less than what you want. These tips can help.

Follow these guidelines to find a job you will love!

Write Down What You Want

Make a list of the most essential traits that attract you to a job. You may want to complete a career assessment for guidance.

Use your list of qualities to search for jobs online. You can find roles that match your skills, experience, and interests.

Network

Talk with your professional connections about your search for a job you will love. Include the type of position you seek, your skills and experience, and other relevant information.

The members of your network may know of opportunities that fit what you are looking for. Or, they might introduce you to hiring managers or other professionals who can help with your job search.

Set up informational interviews with employees in roles like the one you desire. Find out more about what they do and why they enjoy it. Determine whether the position is a good fit for you.

Consider Company Culture

Determine whether the company’s mission, vision, and values fit with your personality and beliefs. Include how the organization is structured, what the work schedule is, and whether there are opportunities for advancement.

Read online employee reviews of the company. See what current and former employees have to say about how things are done. Use your findings to determine whether you would love the job or should continue your search.

Ask Questions

Bring a list of questions to ask employers during interviews. Include the topics that are most important to you when deciding where to work.

Ask to meet your potential manager and colleagues. The people you might work with affect the job offer you accept.

If you need additional time to consider a job offer, ask for it. Set a reasonable time for the employer to hear back from you.

Ready to Find a Job You Will Love?

Work with RightStone to find a job you will love. Visit our job board today.

What Should You Take Into Account Before Learning an In-Demand Skill?

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Being proficient with an in-demand skill makes you attractive to employers. Many companies are offering high salaries and competitive benefits to technologists with specialized skills.

However, knowing which in-demand skills are most desirable can be challenging. Understanding which tech skills are popular in the job market can help you determine which one to pursue.

If you want to develop an in-demand skill, now may be the time to start. Knowing how to approach the process can help you map out the steps to attain your goal.

Follow these guidelines to learn an in-demand skill that can benefit your tech career.

Research the Skill

Data science, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR) are among the most in-demand skills. These skills will be increasingly important for years to come.

However, before deciding which in-demand skill to pursue, do some research. Find out which related skills you should learn, the certifications you should earn, and the job opportunities available. This gives you a clearer sense of whether you should pursue the skill.

Gather Feedback

Talk with tech professionals for advice on the in-demand skill. Find out how and what to learn and which issues to avoid.

Gathering feedback on the skill helps guide your path to learning about it. This may include whether you should develop the skill on your own or take specific classes.

Talk with Your Manager About Upskilling

Find out whether your manager will cover your education, training, and certification for the in-demand skill. Emphasize the benefits the company receives from employee upskilling.

Your manager may have part of the budget allocated for employee educational activities. If so, the business might cover your professional development expenses.

Publish Independent Work

When you become certified in the in-demand skill, create an independent project to demonstrate your abilities. Then, share your results on GitHub or your personal website.

Publishing an independent project helps you stand out among other tech professionals. It also can help you land a role focused on your new skill.

Ready to Advance Your Tech Career?

When the time comes to land a job with your new skill, make RightStone part of your search. Here is a link to our job board.