1. Ask the Recruiter TCQAA June 13, 2013

2. Ask the Recruiter What types of jobs are out there? o Kirk Walton, Recruiting Director, tap|QA kwalton@tapqa.com Where do I find these jobs? o Christian Pederson, CEO/CIO, The Bulldog Companies cp@thebulldogcompanies.com How do I win these jobs? o Lonnie Fluck, Vice-President of Recruiting, Tech-Pro Lonnie.Fluck@tech-pro.com

3. What types of jobs are out there? Kirk Walton Recruiting Director, tap|QA kwalton@tapqa.com www.tapqa.com Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

4. A show of hands… Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

5. How many of you have held a full-time, salaried job? How many of you have consulted / contracted? For those who haven’t, how many of you are anxious about consulting? Who considers consulting / contracting “not a real job” or “temp work”? Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

6. Let’s talk about Full-time work AND Consulting / Contracting Different employment models with consulting Pros and Cons QA Career Paths / Areas to explore Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

7. Full-Time Employment Most often, includes salary and benefits Consistent Paycheck Assumes a “40 Hour Workweek” Permanent Home, not just project-based Chance for advancement / growth Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

8. Consulting / Contracting Typically project-based or for a defined period of time End client pays hourly fee for services Different employment models o Employed by firm – Salaried with “Bench Time” o Employed by firm – Hourly (W2) o Independent (set up personal LLC, S-Corp, C- Corp / 1099) Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

9. Pros and Cons of Consulting / Contracting Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

10. Cons of Consulting What company do I really work for? “On an Island” / “Outsider” Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

12. Cons of Consulting What company do I really work for? “On an Island” / “Outsider” You are “the Hired Gun,” so expectations may be higher No traditional management relationships If you are a W2 or Independent: o Benefits may not be as good… or exist at all o If you don’t work, you don’t get paid o Paychecks differ – bigger some checks, smaller others Contracts may end unexpectedly Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

13. Pros of Consulting Pay is likely higher… and in some cases MUCH higher! o In most cases, you are paid for EACH hour you work! Less Politics, More Focus! Flexibility Pick up new skills, technologies, industries, friends, etc. “Layoff-Proof” your career Entrepreneurial Spirit! Support from a strong firm Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

14. Interested in Consulting? Research companies in town – BE SURE they are strong at what you do! o Tech-Pro, Bulldog and tap|QA are three strong firms when it comes to QA o Ask the question: “what clients do you work with where you are THE go-to in the area I focus in?” Get to know your Recruiter / Account Mgr! Understand the employment model Have a “short list” of firms – no more then 4-5! Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

15. QA Career Paths What else is out there? More “technical” roles o Have a knack for code? Look at automation roles. o Enjoy working with SQL? Focus on QA/DA positions. o Mastered a particular software? Be a functional expert. Focus on “Process” and Requirements o Many great QA’s also take on BA work in a hybrid role. o Release Management o Help establish “true QA” Management Roles JUST GET BETTER AT WHAT YOU DO! Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

16. Where do I find these jobs? Christian Pederson CEO / CIO, The Bulldog Companies cp@thebulldogcompanies.com www.thebulldogcompanies.com Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

17. Job Boards Referral Company Web Site Want Ads Coffee Shop Social Media Job Boards Referral Company Web Site Want Ads Coffee Shop Social Media

20. How do I win these jobs? Lonnie Fluck Vice-President of Recruiting, Tech-Pro Lonnie.fluck@tech-pro.com www.tech-pro.com Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

21. This still works Hang out with people who do the work you want to do Get referrals from someone who knows someone Demonstrate how you will make the manager look good and make money for the company Look the part Do your homework on the company Review your resume so you can talk about the skills that you need for the job Post your resume on the boards Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

22. Best time to find a job When you have a job What are the hot areas you want to go into to advance your career? Mobile? Data? Automation? Volunteer for extra assignments to position yourself to be able to work with the products you want. The best place to be allowed to get new experience is where someone already knows your work habits. Sometimes the best job change to advance your career is right within your own company. Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

23. Have you thought of this? “ Google” yourself Master the popular social media sites Facebook – LinkedIn – Twitter Review all of your profiles and edit appropriately Have someone who does not know what you do read your resume for 30 seconds. Now can they tell you what you do? Set a strategy for getting the job you want Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

24. Times are tough, but… Don’t listen to depressing statistics We’ve been in recessions before You only need one job A person with average performance and a great attitude will beat someone with a bad attitude every time. Make yourself a great day! Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

25. Interviewing 101 Make a good first impression Be on time Leave negative Nelly in the car Dress appropriately Answer in examples of your experience—not with “yes” or “no” Smell good Be polite to EVERYONE Learn the name of the interviewer Practice, practice, practice Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

26. Lasting impressions When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, do not ask questions you do not already know the answer to. “What is the next step?” Your final words may leave the most significant impression. However you choose to make your departure, do it on a positive note. Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013

27. Writing a Resume What type of document is your resume? A sales document Best ideas are always stolen Find 20 jobs that you really want to do Cut and paste the descriptions into the resume where you did something like that Merge the documents IT resumes – ideally 2-4 pages First page Is it clear you are a good fit for the position from the first page? Ask the Recruiter – K. Walton, C. Pederson, L. Fluck -- TCQAA June 2013