tech recruitment: how to select managers for your company?
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Blog
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Introduction
- The tech world today can be described as a unique reality with its own heroes diligently crafting complex codes for user-friendly mobile apps, engaging games, useful corporate solutions and various services on a daily basis. Developers and engineers, UX/UI designers and QA managers, System administrators and DevOps turn various ideas into software solutions which are used by millions of people. However, while all the laurels usually go to the techies, we usually tend to forget about those who play a vital linking role in any software development process, and those are managers.
There is not much difference in the tech recruitment field, nevertheless, recruiting managers for tech companies is a widely provided and equally important service as there are no companies that can run without managers.
In this article, GitMax will cover the main managerial positions in the tech companies and provide the points that should be kept in mind while looking for the managers in IT.
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What managers are there in tech industry?
The variety of managerial positions grows with the number of tech companies depending on their structure and corporate culture, and ranges from account managers to chief happiness managers. Due to that, we are going to cover the most common and high demanded positions which are sought by most of the companies.
Account manager (or customer relationship manager) is engaged in strategic planning and management being in constant contact with the clients.
Project Manager is one of the most common positions that are sought after when recruiting for a management position in both outsourcing and product companies.
Product manager is accountable for the product itself, from the ideation to market launch.
One of our customers contacted us to develop an MVP of an online service for money transfers in a short time. GitMax promptly provided the client with a team of an account and project managers coupled with five developers for the implementation of this urgent task.
Within the time frame we created the MVP version of the page for money transfers within the specified time by the virtue of well-coordinated work of the management and development team. As a result, the service keeps on working, and our team continues to develop new features.
Within the time frame we created the MVP version of the page for money transfers within the specified time by the virtue of well-coordinated work of the management and development team. As a result, the service keeps on working, and our team continues to develop new features.
Roles and responsibilities of the Program Manager depend on the company’s business model.
A sales manager is a specialist who is responsible for the initial communication with the client starting from the first contact and finishing with closing a deal and handing the client over to Account Managers.
BDRs determine and generate new opportunities for the business by searching for new niches or markets, working on long-term partnerships or new sales channels.
One of our clients recently bought another company in Europe and GitMax's goal was to find a Program Manager who would integrate the freshly acquired company into the main one dealing with tax accounting, infrastructure, changing internal recruitment processes, changing tools, training people, changing salespeople and pricing policy.
Due to the vast management talent pool and precise description from the client, GitMax recruiters closed the case within three weeks.
Due to the vast management talent pool and precise description from the client, GitMax recruiters closed the case within three weeks.
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Points to remember while selecting managers within tech industry?
According to statistics, IT vacancies are the most challenging for HR managers after top management. Hiring managers for tech industry may seem like a puzzle at first, but there are a few must checks that GitMax recruiters use in their every day routine, which you should keep in mind for your hiring process:
These tests enable employers to understand better whether a candidate demonstrates the skills, competencies and behaviors required by managers.
Various positions imply different key soft skills that candidates should have.
It is crucial for managers working in the technology industry to have a deeper understanding of the development processes.
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Conclusion
- To sum it up, tech recruitment has its own features and hidden pitfalls as there are various factors affecting the process that vary from company to company. The same applies to managerial positions. However, following a thoroughly developed recruiting strategy and optimizing recruitment processes will eventually (efficiently) bring you to the right candidates.
In case you have a few opening positions for managers or you need a dedicated managerial team along with the developers, GitMax is here to match you with the top tech talent for your outstaffing, custom development or recruitment purposes. Hit us up and our managers will find the best solution catering for your needs!
Account manager
Account manager (or customer relationship manager) is engaged in strategic planning and management being in constant contact with the clients. (S)he is responsible for developing long-term partnerships with clients as well as complying with the obligations accepted by the two parties. His/her tasks include establishing budgets with the client and company, identifying the scope of work as well as possible risks, and managing and solving conflicts with clients.
The account manager accompanies the customer at all stages of the project, including initial briefing, as well as establishes and maintains communications between the team and the customer's representatives. (S)he is aware of specific information regarding daily operations of the Company and keeps the Client updated regarding every stage of the project.
The account manager accompanies the customer at all stages of the project, including initial briefing, as well as establishes and maintains communications between the team and the customer's representatives. (S)he is aware of specific information regarding daily operations of the Company and keeps the Client updated regarding every stage of the project.
Project manager
Project Manager is one of the most common positions that are sought after when recruiting for a management position in both outsourcing and product companies.
Project Manager is mainly responsible for the implementation of the project, controlling its progress and processes, monitoring project’s scope execution and establishing clear communication between developers, team leaders and other stakeholders. Their main task is to hand over the finished project for the customer on time and without going beyond the budget.
Project Manager is mainly responsible for the implementation of the project, controlling its progress and processes, monitoring project’s scope execution and establishing clear communication between developers, team leaders and other stakeholders. Their main task is to hand over the finished project for the customer on time and without going beyond the budget.
Product manager
While a Project manager is responsible for the processes of developing a specific product, a Product manager is accountable for the product itself, from the ideation to market launch.
40% of the workload consists of communication which involves negotiating and coordinating with different departments for a product release, convincing and motivating teams to work together on one vision, tactfully communicating progress to higher ups and turning roadblocks into insights or even opportunities.
Product Managers also constantly measure the success of a new product or feature by validating product assumptions through product hypothesis testing and decide either to scrap them or expand them, whether it’s a price of a subscription, call-to-action on the site or onboarding in the application.
The product manager is also responsible for developing a growth strategy, compiling a Roadmap and setting OKRs. The success of the product and the profit of the company vastly depend on his decisions.
40% of the workload consists of communication which involves negotiating and coordinating with different departments for a product release, convincing and motivating teams to work together on one vision, tactfully communicating progress to higher ups and turning roadblocks into insights or even opportunities.
Product Managers also constantly measure the success of a new product or feature by validating product assumptions through product hypothesis testing and decide either to scrap them or expand them, whether it’s a price of a subscription, call-to-action on the site or onboarding in the application.
The product manager is also responsible for developing a growth strategy, compiling a Roadmap and setting OKRs. The success of the product and the profit of the company vastly depend on his decisions.
Program Manager
Roles and responsibilities of the Program Manager depend on the company’s business model. In outsourcing, for example, (s)he most often is accountable for the project pipeline management - in this case, the program manager ensures sets of projects are better aligned to corporate strategies and resources are optimized across the organization with minimal conflicts that can cause delays or budget issues. The Program Manager takes a lateral view at the implementation progress of all the company's projects as a single program that should bring the organization the projected revenue and new opportunities for the business.
In product companies and large IT service providers, such a specialist is more involved in strategic initiatives regarding the set of products or services the company owns to keep the program launch on track.
If the project manager is responsible for a specific project, its daily progress, deadlines, budgets, and resources, while the product manager is responsible for what the final solution for the client or users will be, the program manager's attention is focused on the success of the overall program, which includes all products or projects of the company.
In product companies and large IT service providers, such a specialist is more involved in strategic initiatives regarding the set of products or services the company owns to keep the program launch on track.
If the project manager is responsible for a specific project, its daily progress, deadlines, budgets, and resources, while the product manager is responsible for what the final solution for the client or users will be, the program manager's attention is focused on the success of the overall program, which includes all products or projects of the company.
Sales Manager
A sales manager is a specialist who is responsible for the initial communication with the client starting from the first contact and finishing with closing a deal and handing the client over to Account Managers.
If an IT company develops its own products, the sales manager focuses on proving to the client the advantages and benefits of the company’s solution and convincing them to choose their particular product(s). If an IT company provides outsourcing services, then the sales manager offers potential customers help with their business needs in custom software development. Regardless of the company's business model, a sales professional must have a deep knowledge of the full development process and understand what can be promised to the client.
If an IT company develops its own products, the sales manager focuses on proving to the client the advantages and benefits of the company’s solution and convincing them to choose their particular product(s). If an IT company provides outsourcing services, then the sales manager offers potential customers help with their business needs in custom software development. Regardless of the company's business model, a sales professional must have a deep knowledge of the full development process and understand what can be promised to the client.
Business Development Manager
Each business is aiming at scaling up, gaining new clients and, thus, generating more profit. That is what Business Development Manager or Representative (BDR) main focus is. BDRs determine and generate new opportunities for the business by searching for new niches or markets, working on long-term partnerships or new sales channels. A business development manager in the tech sector must possess fundamental business and technical knowledge that it would be possible to arrive at conscious decisions that will have a positive effect on the company’s prosperity.
Oftentimes, the role of a Business Development Manager may seem to have similar responsibilities as a Sales Manager has. What makes these positions different is the initial goal each of them reach. While BDMs are ultimately accountable for finding new prospects by exploring new areas for the business, Sales team makes sure these leads turn into long-term clients of the company.
GitMax recruiters thoroughly check the candidates’ technical knowledge of the client’s field at the interviews to provide the best BDM talents who will assist in expanding the business
Oftentimes, the role of a Business Development Manager may seem to have similar responsibilities as a Sales Manager has. What makes these positions different is the initial goal each of them reach. While BDMs are ultimately accountable for finding new prospects by exploring new areas for the business, Sales team makes sure these leads turn into long-term clients of the company.
GitMax recruiters thoroughly check the candidates’ technical knowledge of the client’s field at the interviews to provide the best BDM talents who will assist in expanding the business
Management Assessment tests
These tests enable employers to understand better whether a candidate demonstrates the skills, competencies and behaviors required by managers. If Assessment tests are a way for an employer to see candidates “in action”. These tests enable employers to understand better whether a candidate demonstrates the skills, competencies and behaviors required by managers.
If there is an interview for a project position, then the candidate will have to show how he is going to handle difficult situations when, for instance, the client does not get in touch, or the team leader announces he’s quitting the job right in front of the final iterations, while there can be a role play interview with a new prospect for the sales manager. The key to success here is to create a test assessment based on the future job requirements of the candidate.
If there is an interview for a project position, then the candidate will have to show how he is going to handle difficult situations when, for instance, the client does not get in touch, or the team leader announces he’s quitting the job right in front of the final iterations, while there can be a role play interview with a new prospect for the sales manager. The key to success here is to create a test assessment based on the future job requirements of the candidate.
Soft skills check
Soft skills are essential for managerial positions. A useful way to check them would be to ask potential candidates to reflect about specific skills they used at their previous work places - this will not only give them the opportunity to express themselves, but also an opportunity for you to see how candidates communicate.
Various positions imply different key soft skills that candidates should have. A great product manager should have product vision and high emotional intelligence, while sales managers should be immune to stress while smoothly mitigating objections and handling negotiations.
Various positions imply different key soft skills that candidates should have. A great product manager should have product vision and high emotional intelligence, while sales managers should be immune to stress while smoothly mitigating objections and handling negotiations.
Technical knowledge
It is crucial for managers working in the technology industry to have a deeper understanding of the development processes so you should look upon the previous experiences of the candidate in the tech sphere. It is easier to manage teams if you experienced their work firsthand which will help you envision the right expectation for the business as well as the team.
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