When looking for a job, you more than likely will come across positions with the line among the requirements “MBA/Masters degree preferred. The question is, if you don’t have the relevant advanced degree in the desired field, can you still go ahead and submit your resume? In other words, how much of a deal breaker is not having an MA or MS and if you in fact have it, will it catapult your resume ahead of the applications of the other hopeful job seekers?

In our returning series “Ask a Recruiter”, we spoke with Shrijeet N., one of Akraya’s senior technical recruiters about the pros and cons of having a master’s degree when it comes to nailing your dream job.

There has been a lot of discussion lately if getting an advanced degree is really worth it. Do you think having an advanced degree, such as a Masters or PhD helps candidates get a job?

“Any advanced degree or specialization is always good to have. It adds value to your resume, especially if you are applying for the job in the same domain. Though, don’t stress if you only have a bachelor’s degree. Hiring managers want to hire only the best and they do not restrict their options to only those with a MS/PhD or having specific number of years of experience. Hiring managers will consider both and weigh their options wisely. In addition, sometimes you don’t even need to invest time and money into an MS/MA. A certificate in the specialized field you are applying for can also do the trick and these can be obtained much faster. The most important thing is that you have specialized skills and experience that are relevant to the job you are applying to; this will put you ahead of the competition!

Can relevant work experience ever outweigh a Master’s degree?

“Yes, definitely. If a job candidate is looking for a job in Creative or Project Management, having a Masters, MBA or a specialized certification related to the job will put them ahead of others. For research related jobs, managers specifically ask for a PhD or MS, as these people will be more analytical than those without. Also, sound conceptual knowledge is more important than applied knowledge for certain specialized jobs. However, sometimes a master’s degree means that the candidate spent their time gaining conceptual knowledge and lacks hands-on experience. Working in the field for a certain number of years can benefit a job candidate over a candidate with a Master’s degree and no work experience.”

Do advanced degrees from top universities make a difference compared to not so well known universities?

“If someone has a degree from a top university or has worked with Fortune 100 companies, recruiters notice that and highlight that information in the candidate’s resume. Also, a high GPA score from a well-known college also becomes a great selling point for the recruiter. Though, no matter where you get your advanced degree from, it will still benefit you in your job search.”

For more job search tips and IT job postings, follow us on Twitter @Akraya.

Whether you’re currently employed or not, receiving a call from a recruiter about a job position is always a surprise. You may wonder how they found your resume, or want them to answer more of your questions before you answer theirs. Either way, how you handle the next few minutes of your interaction could work for or against your favor.

If You're Intersted
-Answer questions honestly
The recruiter reached out to you because your resume matches the skill sets they are looking for, but that does not mean that the position has your name on it. The recruiter often takes the initial conversation as an opportunity to screen you further, so don’t exaggerate or leave out any important details about your work history. You don't want the reference check to reveal any surprises.
-Keep your recruiter in the loop
If you are already have multiple job offers in hand and time is of the essence, let your recruiter know. They may be able to expedite the interview process to accommodate your circumstances or provide you with a more competitive offer.
-What’s the timeline?
Communication between you and your recruiter should flow both ways. Ask your recruiter to give you an estimate on when you might  hear back from them with an update on your resume status. If the client is interested, your recruiter should call you back with timeslots for phone interviews.

If You Are Undecided
-Take a few minutes
If you are unsure about the recruiter’s proposition, or if you need time to process the information given to you, it is certainly okay to tell the recruiter to send you the job description and you will call them back. Your recruiter shouldn’t mind waiting – they want you to comfortable pursing the opportunity.
-Research the firm
Do a little research on the firm that’s offering to submit you as a candidate. Does it seem like they regularly handle candidates in your career field? Check the Press Room or About section on their website. Is the company respected throughout the staffing industry? If you are not reassured by what you find, you may want to reconsider finding a job through them.

If You're Not Intersted
-Hear them out
Even if you currently are not looking for a change in employment, it may be in your best interest to speak with the recruiter for a few minutes. The fact that they selected you to call means that your background is relevant for the types of positions they regularly fill. That same recruiter may even turn out to be a helpful resource in the future if you ever return to the job market.
-Offer a Helping Hand
Most recruiters would appreciate you offering to spread the word among your qualified colleagues who are looking for employment. That simple gesture should end the conversation on a positive note.

What ever your answer is, when a recruiter gives you a surprise call, you’ll be ready!

The debate over working as a contractor versus a permanent employee is a classic one. Some benefits of working as a salaried permanent staff member are well known (such as security and an extensive benefits package). However, contract work also has its benefits and its drawbacks. If you’ve been contemplating a break from your 9-5 job, here’s a look at the realities (good and bad) of working as an IT contractor.

Flexible Schedule

Nothing makes a contracting position more appealing to a woman juggling busy professional and personal lives than the promise of more freedom and flexibility! Indeed, for a working mother, the freedom to choose your own work hours instead of having to stick to the rigid office hours schedule seems like a real treat. Independent contractors aren’t told by the company what to do and how to do it.  What is important is the end result and how it’s reached is up to the contractor. If you work as an IT consultant through an agency, you might also be able to enjoy the flexibility of making your own work schedule as long as your project is completed on time. An IT contract assignment might also be a great option when you return from a long maternity leave as the flexibility can help you adjust back to the work responsibilities gradually.

Unpredictable Future

When you work as a permanent employee, you know what your benefits are, what your schedule will look like, and you can avail opportunities for career growth at your firm. When employed at an established company, there is a definite ability to predict the future. This is not the case with short term contract assignments. Thus, before jumping into IT contracting, you need to consider if the idea of not knowing what you will be doing after your project ends sounds scary or exciting.

Larger Professional Network

Consulting also provides a continued focus on networking. This is especially beneficial for women, as this is often something we don’t continuously prioritize.  Skilled contractors will likely get the chance to work at several of the top companies in their area. By forming lasting connections with their colleagues and managers at these companies, contractors develop a robust professional network to draw from in the future. As an added bonus, they get to meet lots of people with similar interests.

Potential Gaps Between Assignments

Contract assignments tend to last from 1 month to a year. When an assignment ends, you might not always have another project lined up.  Most contract jobs slow down around the holidays and at the close of the fiscal year when budgets are reevaluated.  Thus, if your contract work ends during a slower period, you might be left without a new assignment for a while. Therefore pre-planning your schedule and finances for these downtimes is very important; otherwise you might be left unprepared.

Varied Duties

Short contracting projects give you more opportunities to work on different teams and projects. By the very nature of consulting work, instead of working on similar tasks day in and day out, you have a guaranteed supply of fresh responsibilities when you begin a new project. As a result, IT consultants often have a strong and diverse resume that includes many clients and a variety of projects, which adds value to their professional worth.

Tied to a Contract

If you are considering contract work just to try something new but your preference is fulltime work, be aware that timing might not work in your favor. During your contract assignment, a very appealing fulltime opportunity might occur with you being months away from completing your project. In this case, you might not be able to break your contract and the fulltime offer might not be waiting for you by the time you finished your contract work.

Greater Pay

On average, a contractor can earn more than a permanent employee in the same role. The reason for this is that contractors have two major advantages: they pay less in taxes, and they can deduct their expenses. As an independent contractor, you are responsible for paying your own employment taxes and are not entitled to company provided benefits, but you also take a lot more of your pay home.  If you are employed through a consulting firm, you are an employee of the consulting/staffing firm and you get their employee benefits and they will deduct your taxes as well. However, you will still be able to charge much more hourly than what you would get as a salaried employee to make up for the shortness of the project.

Might Need to do some Convincing to Get a Full Time Offer

When you decide to look for a full-time permanent assignment after working on contract projects, hiring managers might question your commitment to a long term position.  Therefore, they might be hesitant to hire you fulltime and believe you may not stay with them long term if a more lucrative contract appeared.

IT contracting is not for everyone. As with any job, there are clear pros and cons. It is important that you weigh these to decide if it is right for you. However, few other work options will give you the variation and flexibility that contracting provides so it is definitely worth considering.

Sometimes, jobs with the hottest companies can only be obtained by working with a recruiter. Recruiters have inside knowledge about the freshest jobs in the market. Since they work closely with many local hiring managers, they are often the first to be notified about open positions.

If you want to score a spot on a team that’s working on “the next big thing”, teaming up with a recruiter or staffing firm may be the way to go. Here are several tips to keep in mind that will make it easier for you to land your ideal job.

Introduce Yourself First

When you first contact a staffing firm, you may have to share contact information or details about your professional background before asking for sensitive details about the project. Recruiters often cannot reveal specific details about a position until they can confirm they are speaking to a legitimate potential candidate.

Be comfortable with sharing details.

It is the recruiter’s job to ask questions to make sure the candidate is a clear match for the position. If the candidate stretches the truth about his skill level or cannot elaborate upon his past experience, the recruiter will begin to question his technical abilities and be wary about moving forward with the process. Even if the candidate feels that certain relevant details would decrease his/her chances, withholding the truth is a bad move.

Keep your recruiter in the loop.

It’s very important that the candidate communicate to the recruiter exactly where they are in the job hunt process. If the candidate is close to accepting another offer, they should let the recruiter know. The recruiter may be able to expedite the interview or hiring process to accommodate for his special circumstances. If the candidate is confused about the specifics of a position, he should voice his concerns. The recruiter will be happy to clarify any confusion about the job because they want the candidate to be confident that the position is right for them.

Be flexible.

Remember, the recruiter is on your side and wants to help you score your ideal job, so try to be as flexible as possible when arranging interview slots. The hiring manager also wants to be sure they hire a good match for the project, so several interviews might be required beore they select a candidate. It may be a slight inconvenience to the candidate’s current schedule, but if they are selected for multiple interviews, this is a good thing! It means the manager has strong interest in them and they are a top contender for the position.

Keeping these tips in mind will ensure you get the most of the relationship with your recruiter and find the job you want!