Interview with Sarah, Tech Recruiter and Business Developer at BlueCoders

Victoire : Hello Sarah, delighted to have you with us today. To begin, can you tell me about how you became a recruiter specializing in tech jobs?

Sarah: It was completely by chance that I joined Bluecoders. At the time, I was finishing my bachelor's degree in communication at Assas University, and I had to decide about my master's program. Having always been very interested in human resources, I decided to opt for a work-study master's in HR. I didn't want to limit myself to theory alone. So I started applying for work-study positions, and that's when I was contacted by Célia, talent acquisition at Bluecoders. This marked the beginning of a fast and extremely stimulating recruitment process, which quickly made me want to join the company.

Today marks almost a year since I joined Bluecoders, and I absolutely don't regret my choice, which has exceeded all my expectations. I entered the tech field quite by chance, and ultimately, I'm extremely happy. I feel privileged to have gained experience in such a high-demand sector. This gives me confidence, as I am now well-prepared and competent in a rapidly growing field.

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Victoire: Can you tell us about the support and training you received to become an experienced tech recruiter?

Sarah: Within the company, we benefit from a personalized training program that benefits both junior and senior employees. Every day, I leave work with the feeling that I've learned something new.

When I arrived, I didn't even know what "stack" meant and I didn't understand much of it. Fortunately, I received a training program tailored to my level. I learned about the technology environment, programming languages, and best practices for interacting with technical profiles. I also learned how to qualify client needs, source candidates, and understand them more deeply. My training sessions were led by Christophe, our CEO, and Cécilia, who is a Business Manager. They included numerous practical workshops and shared listening sessions, which allowed me to receive constructive feedback on my work. I truly appreciated this support and the numerous feedback sessions, which enabled me to progress quickly.

We were also supported by the training organization Bluecoders Academy, which provided us with real coaching sessions to become coding geniuses.

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Victoire : As a recruiter specializing in tech jobs, you have to deal with a constantly evolving technological landscape. Can you tell us about the complexity of your job and the challenges you face?

Sarah: Absolutely! The complexity of my job lies in the need to understand and stay up-to-date with the latest technological trends, programming languages, frameworks, and the skills companies are looking for. Tech is a constantly evolving field, and it's essential for me to stay informed about the latest developments. Another challenge is identifying the technical skills and interpersonal qualities that companies are seeking. It's not just about finding candidates with technical expertise, but also about finding people who will fit well into the company culture and have a positive impact on the team. The competition to attract top talent in the tech sector is fierce. Highly qualified candidates often have multiple job offers, which makes the recruitment process even more competitive. Therefore, it's crucial to be proactive and develop strategies to attract and retain talent.

Internally, we have an e-learning platform that allows us to deepen our knowledge on the topics that pose a problem for us. We need to be proactive and seek out information.

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Victoire : You mentioned the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest technological trends. How do you ensure you stay informed in such a rapidly evolving field?

Sarah: To stay informed, I attend tech conferences, events, and meetups where I can network with industry professionals. I also maintain close relationships with technical experts and tech professionals. I'm in regular contact with developers, engineers, and other specialized recruiters, which allows me to benefit from their knowledge and stay up-to-date on the latest developments. But ultimately, I think my greatest strength comes from the Bluecoders group, which does everything it can to stimulate and teach us about this constantly evolving market.

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Victoire : What motivates you in your job as a recruiter specializing in tech jobs?

Sarah: What motivates me most is the opportunity to contribute to building talented and high-performing teams within technology companies. Finding the right talent and placing them in roles where they can excel and deliver real added value is extremely rewarding. Furthermore, I greatly appreciate the dynamism of the tech world. The speed at which new technologies emerge, the innovative projects, and the passionate people I interact with make my work a constant and exciting adventure. In short, being a recruiter specializing in tech jobs allows me to combine my recruitment skills with my passion for technology, while contributing to shaping the technological landscape of tomorrow.

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Victoire: Can you tell us about your daily life as a Tech recruiter? Do you use any tools? What advice can you give?

In my work, I use LinkedIn and my phone a lot, but especially Marvin, our ATS.

Sarah: In my work, I use LinkedIn and my phone extensively, but especially Marvin, our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This tool was designed to meet our needs thanks to features developed specifically for our business. It's a comprehensive tool that supports the entire recruitment process, from start to finish. With Marvin, I have access to all the exchanges, feedback, and my candidate sourcing and search activities. Marvin's interface is very intuitive, which allowed me to get to grips with it quickly. Honestly, I couldn't imagine working without Marvin. It's an indispensable tool that significantly simplifies my daily work.

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Interview conducted by Victoire Lachau de Turckheim on 30/05/2023

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