In any career, networking is a critical skill that can help you unlock new opportunities, gain industry insights, and accelerate your career growth. While technical expertise often takes centre stage, building and leveraging a strong professional network can give you the edge to stand out and achieve your career goals.
In this blog, we&rsquo;ll explore actionable strategies for software engineers to advance their careers through better networking. Whether you&rsquo;re just starting out or are an experienced developer, these tips will help you connect with the right people and grow your professional circle.
&nbsp;
Why Networking is Crucial for Software Engineers
&nbsp;
<ol class="ol1">
<li class="li1">Access to Hidden Opportunities: Many job openings are never advertised. Networking can connect you with decision-makers and help you learn about these hidden opportunities.</li>
<li class="li1">Learning and Skill Growth: Engaging with experienced professionals exposes you to different perspectives, tools, and practices that can enhance your skills.</li>
<li class="li1">Career Advancement: A strong network can open doors to mentorship, freelance gigs, or leadership roles, helping you climb the career ladder faster.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
So, What are the Strategies for Better Networking as a Software Engineer?
&nbsp;
1. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
&nbsp;
LinkedIn is the go-to platform for professional networking. Ensure your profile is polished and showcases your skills, projects, and achievements.
&nbsp;
Tips:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Use a professional profile photo.</li>
<li class="li1">Write a compelling headline that highlights your expertise (e.g., "Full-Stack Developer | Scala Enthusiast").</li>
<li class="li1">Share posts and articles relevant to your field to establish thought leadership.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
2. Attend Meetups and Conferences
&nbsp;
Industry events are great places to meet like-minded professionals, potential collaborators, and recruiters.
Scala Matters, an online community that also hosts meetups for Scala enthusiasts, is an excellent resource. Attending these events allows you to connect with people who share your interests and may be working at local companies or ones hiring in your country. These commonalities can spark engaging conversations and potential opportunities.
Alternatively, platforms like Meetup and Eventbrite can help you discover relevant events in your area.
&nbsp;
Pro Tip: Prepare an elevator pitch to introduce yourself and explain your interests. Don&rsquo;t hesitate to follow up with people you meet.
&nbsp;
3. Join Online Communities
There are countless online communities where software engineers discuss trends, share knowledge, and help each other solve problems.
&nbsp;
Popular Options:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Scala Matters&nbsp;</li>
<li class="li1">Reddit communities like r/programming or r/scala or r/[your language]</li>
<li class="li1">Stack Overflow and its chat rooms</li>
<li class="li1">GitHub Discussions</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
4. Leverage Open Source Contributions
Contributing to open-source projects is not only a way to sharpen your coding skills but also a powerful networking tool. It puts your work in front of other developers and project maintainers who might recommend you for roles or collaborations.
&nbsp;
Getting Started:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Search for beginner-friendly issues labeled &ldquo;good first issue&rdquo; on GitHub.</li>
<li class="li1">Collaborate actively by reviewing pull requests or suggesting improvements.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
5. Seek Out Mentors
Mentors can provide invaluable guidance, share their experiences, and help you navigate your career path. Reach out to senior colleagues or use platforms like ADPList or MentorCruise to find experienced professionals willing to mentor.
Our team at UMATR can help you connect with one too! We have extensive connections within the field and can help you find mentors or career opportunities.
&nbsp;
6. Showcase Your Work Online
A portfolio site or a GitHub profile that highlights your projects can make a lasting impression. Share these in your LinkedIn posts, online forums, or during networking events to demonstrate your expertise. Regularly update your portfolio with new projects or accomplishments to keep it relevant.
&nbsp;
Networking Mistakes to Avoid
<ol class="ol1">
<li class="li1">Focusing Solely on Personal Gain: Networking is a two-way street. Offer value to others by sharing insights or helping them solve problems.</li>
<li class="li1">Neglecting Follow-Ups: Stay in touch with your connections by periodically checking in or sharing articles they might find useful.</li>
<li class="li1">Overlooking Quality for Quantity: Building a few meaningful connections is more valuable than adding hundreds of superficial ones.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
Final Thoughts
Networking doesn&rsquo;t have to feel like a chore. By focusing on building genuine relationships, contributing to the community, and showcasing your skills, you can make connections that propel your career forward. Whether it&rsquo;s attending events like Scala Matters, contributing to open-source projects, or engaging on professional platforms like LinkedIn, the effort you invest in networking will pay dividends over time.
Start implementing these strategies today, and watch as new opportunities unfold in your career as a software engineer.
&nbsp;
<a style="color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:Hello@umatr.io">📧 Hello@umatr.io</a>&nbsp;

How to Advance Your Career with Better Networking

UMATR is a specialist Scala recruitment agency, and we&rsquo;re passionate about connecting exceptional Scala talent with innovative businesses. Scala&rsquo;s robust ecosystem has made it a go-to choice for building high-performance, scalable web applications. Today, we&rsquo;ll explore the top Scala web frameworks that are shaping the digital landscape and how businesses can leverage them to stay ahead in the competitive tech world.
&nbsp;
Why Scala for Web Development?
Scala&rsquo;s unique blend of object-oriented and functional programming paradigms makes it a versatile choice for modern web development. Businesses across industries value its scalability, expressive syntax, and compatibility with Java. These attributes make Scala a natural fit for creating reliable, maintainable, and highly concurrent web applications.
The key to Scala&rsquo;s success in web development lies in its powerful frameworks. Let&rsquo;s dive into the most popular Scala web frameworks, their features, and why they matter.
&nbsp;
<h3 class="p1">Top Scala Web Frameworks</h3>
1. Play Framework
The Play Framework is one of the most popular choices for Scala web development. It&rsquo;s a reactive, full-stack framework designed to cater to the needs of modern web applications.
Features:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Asynchronous and non-blocking architecture, ideal for real-time applications.</li>
<li class="li1">Integrated testing tools for seamless debugging.</li>
<li class="li1">Hot reloading for a smoother development experience.</li>
<li class="li1">Built on Akka, ensuring scalability and resilience.</li>
</ul>
Use Cases: Play is widely used in industries such as fintech, e-commerce, and social networking where scalability and performance are paramount.
&nbsp;
2. Akka HTTP
Akka HTTP is a modular, low-level framework perfect for building high-performance RESTful APIs and microservices. Its lightweight nature offers developers fine-grained control over HTTP interactions.
Features:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Fully asynchronous and highly scalable.</li>
<li class="li1">Integrates seamlessly with Akka Streams for reactive data processing.</li>
<li class="li1">Supports WebSockets and HTTP/2 out of the box.</li>
</ul>
Use Cases: Ideal for microservices architecture and data-intensive applications requiring high throughput.
&nbsp;
3. ZIO
ZIO (Zero-dependency IO) is a powerful library for building type-safe, functional, and concurrent applications. It simplifies complex asynchronous operations with ease.
Features:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Pure functional programming model with type safety.</li>
<li class="li1">Built-in support for error handling and resource management.</li>
<li class="li1">High-performance execution with fibers.</li>
</ul>
Use Cases: Perfect for building robust and concurrent backend systems and microservices.
&nbsp;
4. Pekko
Pekko is a fork of Akka, designed to provide scalable, actor-based concurrency. It&rsquo;s an excellent choice for applications that demand resilience and fault tolerance.
Features:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Actor-based concurrency model for distributed systems.</li>
<li class="li1">Supports clustering and message-driven architecture.</li>
<li class="li1">Provides tools for building highly available systems.</li>
</ul>
Use Cases: Ideal for distributed systems and fault-tolerant applications.
&nbsp;
5. Cats and Cats-Effect
Cats is a library for functional programming, while Cats-Effect extends it with powerful tools for effect management and concurrency.
Features:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Abstractions for functional programming, such as Monads, Functors, and Applicatives.</li>
<li class="li1">Cats-Effect provides safe and composable concurrency primitives.</li>
<li class="li1">Highly interoperable with other Scala libraries.</li>
</ul>
Use Cases: Cats and Cats-Effect are widely used in functional programming projects, enabling type-safe and maintainable codebases.
&nbsp;
6. FS2
FS2 (Functional Streams for Scala) is a library for handling data streams in a purely functional way. It&rsquo;s designed to work seamlessly with Cats-Effect.
Features:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Purely functional and type-safe stream processing.</li>
<li class="li1">Back-pressure handling for controlled resource usage.</li>
<li class="li1">Highly composable and efficient.</li>
</ul>
Use Cases: Ideal for applications involving streaming data, such as ETL pipelines and real-time analytics.
&nbsp;
7. Typelevel Ecosystem
Typelevel is a community-driven initiative offering a suite of functional programming libraries for Scala, including Cats, FS2, and Circe (for JSON handling).
Features:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Comprehensive functional programming toolkit.</li>
<li class="li1">Interoperability between Typelevel libraries.</li>
<li class="li1">Strong community support and active development.</li>
</ul>
Use Cases: Best suited for building applications with a functional programming approach.
&nbsp;
8. Lightbend&rsquo;s Toolset
Lightbend provides a range of tools and services for Scala, including Akka, Play, and Lagom (for microservices).
Features:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">End-to-end support for building scalable applications.</li>
<li class="li1">Enterprise-grade solutions with monitoring and analytics tools.</li>
<li class="li1">Strong emphasis on reactive systems.</li>
</ul>
Use Cases: Excellent for enterprises seeking scalable, resilient, and maintainable software solutions.
&nbsp;
<h3 class="p5">Why Businesses Should Consider Scala Frameworks and Libraries</h3>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="p1">Scalability and Performance</li>
</ul>
Scala frameworks like Play, Akka HTTP, and ZIO are designed to handle high traffic and ensure low latency, making them ideal for businesses looking to scale.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="p1">Versatility</li>
</ul>
Whether you need a secure platform for financial transactions or a real-time chat application, Scala&rsquo;s ecosystem can cater to diverse business needs.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="p1">Cost Efficiency</li>
</ul>
With built-in testing tools and a robust developer community, Scala frameworks and libraries reduce development time and maintenance costs.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="p1">Strong Talent Pool</li>
</ul>
As a Scala specialist recruitment agency, we&rsquo;ve seen a growing demand for skilled Scala developers. With the right expertise, businesses can unlock the full potential of these frameworks and libraries to build cutting-edge applications.
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="p5">Finding the Right Scala Talent</li>
</ul>
Choosing the right Scala framework or library is only half the battle. To leverage Scala&rsquo;s full potential, you need the right team. That&rsquo;s where we come in. Our recruitment experts specialize in identifying top Scala developers who can bring your vision to life.
&nbsp;
<h3 class="p1">Why Partner with Us?</h3>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Access to a network of highly skilled Scala developers.</li>
<li class="li1">Creators of Scala Matters - online and in-person community.</li>
<li class="li1">Tailored recruitment solutions to meet your unique business needs.</li>
<li class="li1">Deep understanding of Scala&rsquo;s technical landscape.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Conclusion
Scala&rsquo;s frameworks and libraries offer unparalleled advantages for businesses aiming to build high-performance, secure, and scalable web applications. Frameworks like Play, Akka HTTP, and libraries like ZIO, FS2, and Cats showcase the versatility of Scala in addressing diverse business challenges.
If you&rsquo;re looking to harness the power of Scala for your next web development project, contact us at UMATR today. As a leading Scala specialist recruitment agency, we&rsquo;re here to connect you with the talent that drives innovation.
&nbsp;
<a style="color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:Hello@umatr.io">📧 Hello@umatr.io</a>&nbsp;

Choosing the Right Scala Web Framework: Top Picks

Before transitioning from a permanent job to contracting in Switzerland, it's essential to understand the legal and financial implications of this career shift.

Contracting offers unparalleled career autonomy, but success requires careful planning.

Here are four critical aspects to consider:

<div>
<ol id="pookr646" class="lbaWh" start="1">
<li id="d3wuu647" class="uLMcn" dir="auto">
Mindset and Motivation:&nbsp;
Contracting is ideal for software engineers who thrive on solving challenges, delivering results, and working on diverse projects. If your goals include:
<ul>
<li>Expanding your experience in new industries or technologies,</li>
<li>Building a more flexible work-life balance,</li>
<li>Commanding higher rates while broadening your skill set, ...then contracting might be the perfect move for you.</li>
</ul>
To succeed, you need to deliver high-quality work, be proactive in your communication, and adapt quickly to new teams and environments. Contractors are hired to hit the ground running, so a solutions-oriented mindset is key.


</li>
<li id="rc27o651" class="uLMcn" dir="auto">
Choosing Your Business Structure:&nbsp;
In Switzerland, software engineering contractors usually choose between two main options for managing their business:
<ul>
<li>
Umbrella Companies (Payroll Providers): These companies handle administrative tasks like taxes, social security (AHV), pension contributions (BVG), and accident insurance. This is the simplest option if you&rsquo;re new to contracting. Umbrella companies typically charge 5%-10% of your gross earnings but allow you to focus solely on your work.
</li>
<li>
Setting up a GmbH (Limited Company): A GmbH offers more autonomy and higher take-home pay. However, it requires CHF 20,000 in starting capital and involves additional responsibilities, such as registering for AHV, managing your own accounts, and submitting tax returns. Many contractors hire an accountant to simplify these tasks.
</li>
</ul>
Your choice will depend on how much administrative work you&rsquo;re willing to take on and whether you plan to contract long-term.
</li>
<li class="uLMcn" dir="auto">
Financial Planning:&nbsp;
Software engineers in Switzerland command some of the highest contractor rates, but it&rsquo;s essential to plan your finances carefully. Consider these factors:
<ul>
<li>Rates: Aim to earn 2-3 times your previous permanent salary. This accounts for expenses like social security contributions, health insurance, pension, and periods without work.</li>
<li>Expenses: Budget for additional travel, software licenses, and equipment. Also, remember that you won&rsquo;t receive paid holidays or sick leave as a contractor.</li>
<li>Payment Terms: Swiss agencies and clients usually work on 30-day payment terms, but confirm this in your contract to avoid cash flow issues.</li>
</ul>
Use online calculators or consult with an accountant to ensure your rates cover your obligations while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.


&nbsp;
</li>
<li id="zpifu688" class="uLMcn" dir="auto">
Soft Skills and Expertise:&nbsp;
While your technical expertise as a software engineer will land you contracts, it&rsquo;s your soft skills that will make you stand out. Swiss clients value contractors who:
<ul>
<li>Communicate effectively and clearly explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.</li>
<li>Adapt quickly to new tools, environments, and team dynamics.</li>
<li>Demonstrate a proactive and solutions-oriented attitude.</li>
</ul>
Additionally, multilingualism is highly valued in Switzerland. If you can communicate in German, French, or Italian alongside English, you&rsquo;ll have an edge in the local market.


</li>
</ol>
</div>
<h3>Ready to Make the Leap?</h3>
Contracting as a software engineer in Switzerland can be highly rewarding, offering opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects and significantly boost your earnings. Whether you&rsquo;re drawn to the variety of roles or the financial independence, the key to success lies in preparation and understanding your obligations.
For tailored advice or to explore contract opportunities, contact&nbsp;<a class="rJ4ej c7XhY" style="color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:Sam@umatr.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-hook="WebLink">Sam@umatr.io</a>

Considering Contracting in Switzerland as a Software Engineer? Here's What to Know

With International Women&rsquo;s day (or month for us!) happening in March, we would love to be able to share stories of women in tech, in the hope that it will inspire young women thinking of starting out, or women who are trying to find their way against the odds. 
Nychol Bazurto is currently working as a Director of Engineering at 47 Degrees. She was born in Colombia, and is currently based in Bogot&aacute;.

In this blog, Nychol goes in-depth to discuss how she began her career, her transition from being a Software Engineer to Director of Engineering, and challenges she faced as a woman in tech. With her experience and knowledge, she mentions how women can get started in tech, what can be done to raise awareness and encourage women, and what companies can do to encourage diversity in the workplace. 

Nychol&rsquo;s experience and advice is very insightful, and everyone should be aware of it&hellip; so keep reading!
When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in technology, and why?
I&rsquo;ve always loved puzzles, logic, and math, part of that led me to this career, even when it wasn&rsquo;t in my plans. When I was in school I thought about other careers, like law or environmental engineering, but it was an uncle that lived outside that suggested to me to take a look at the Computer Science career. He told me: this is going to be strong in the future and I think you&rsquo;re going to like it. I searched for the syllabus and I realized it sounded really cool, also it had a lot of math, so why not. I gave it a shot at the local university in the town I&rsquo;m from and I discovered in my first semester that it was my area.
Logic everywhere, It's like solving puzzles for a living. I also learned how engineering can be part of the solution of many many areas. After that, I moved to Bogot&aacute; to continue my studies in Computer Science at another university.

How was the transition from going from Software Engineer to Director of Engineering?
Before finishing my undergraduate studies, I started working as a Junior Developer at a bank. Learned a lot and I had a great leader there. It was a good start besides the old tech stack.

When I was finishing my studies, I received a scholarship for being the best engineer of my promotion, so I decided to start my master's degree in Computer Science and worked for the same university supporting the program that helps students to learn to code.
After that, I had a couple of experiences as a backend developer at consultancy companies, when I had the chance to grow even more until becoming a tech lead. Also, in my spare time, I used to work as a professor as I love teaching others and helping future new engineers.
While I worked as a tech lead at my former company, I had the chance to share with a lot of people from different companies and cultures, which helped me to improve my communication skills, and overall, my professional profile. As a consultant, I believe that you should look for a great result for the client, no matter if your colleague is from another consultancy, teamwork is important and guarantees success for each involved person. I always try to apply that though and keep an eye on the details. That opened the door to become a Director of Engineering at 47 Degrees, an amazing place full of talented and kind people, an opportunity I never imagined when I started.
 Do you think growing up in Colombia had an impact on breaking through the tech industry?
As Colombians, we tend to be optimistic, creative, and hard workers. This innate motivation helps us to shine in our experiences with international clients. We try, and try, and try, we don&rsquo;t give up. And actually, our cultural differences might affect how we&rsquo;re perceived in a good way :D
​
Are there any challenges you have faced being a woman in tech?
Of course, I think most of us (unfortunately) have faced challenges because of that. Overall, we still have a lot to do in Colombia around equality. For small example, once I was told: you&rsquo;re really smart for being a woman. What a charming &ldquo;compliment&rdquo;, ah? and I know a few colleagues were told the same at different points of their lives. Some people still believe women are not good at math or logic, and our culture didn't incentivize girls to explore that. Also, in the past, when I was studying, I went through explanations I didn&rsquo;t ask (from things I implemented myself) and overall behaviors that come from others' precepts about what a woman is/isn't good at.
Is there anything women can do to get started, such as courses, conferences to attend etc?
I think a good start it&rsquo;s looking for communities, especially Women in tech ones, not because we need to be in a bubble, but because it&rsquo;s easier to be surrounded by people that understand and support us. Once there, give it a try to different things, you&rsquo;re going to start discovering if you&rsquo;re more like a backend vibe, frontend, or DevOps. You can always tailor your talent to a different area. Look for free courses/conferences, if you don&rsquo;t have access to formal education, you can learn a loooot on your own. However, I know from my country's reality, that it&rsquo;s not that easy for everyone to get access to this virtual content and I hope it stops being a barrier at some point.
What can be done to raise awareness and encourage women to work in Tech?
I feel I was lucky. It's true I worked and studied hard, but I had opportunities and I could focus on it, and some women don&rsquo;t have that to start with. Here is when I think companies, associations, and governments can create spaces that help small communities so they can change their lives through engineering (as I did). That was for me and many of my university colleagues, an opportunity to change our lives.
For me, it&rsquo;s easy to give tips about all the bunch of resources we have access to nowadays. But there are a lot of kids that don&rsquo;t have access to the internet nor access to a good education, so equality in the basis of our society is key to encouraging women. Girls need to have the chance to study and receive the same quality education instead of having to dedicate their childhood to help take care of their little brothers.
 What do you think companies should do to increase diversity in the workplace?
First, guarantee there&rsquo;s a good environment, that your company actually has a good culture. Hiring a person for the sake of hiring is not going to add diversity if that place is just a battlefield. The first step should be to identify how women in your company are feeling now. How everyone feels and thinks about it, you might find there is a subculture there when people feel uncomfortable, stressed, way competitive, or even find someone that needs to learn more about respecting others and value their work leaving outside their biased perceptions.
Best piece of advice?
I made a mistake in my career that cost me a little mental peace. I wanted so badly that my gender didn&rsquo;t matter at my workplace, that I ended up associating my femininity and vulnerabilities with something bad, and I tried to be strong in the style of the "harsh and strong" man stereotype. If I was starting to feel bad about my job (burnout) I didn&rsquo;t want others to think I felt like that cause I&rsquo;m a woman, I even used to think: probably my male colleagues don&rsquo;t feel like that (surprise, they felt it too). My advice it&rsquo;s: don&rsquo;t think, not for a minute your gender is a problem, if you feel you need to hide something or that you&rsquo;re going to be judged by your gender probably the problem is the environment you're in.
 We&rsquo;d like to thank Nychol for her insightful contribution to this blog. Based on her answers, we hope that her story will inspire and motivate many women in tech, or women thinking of joining the tech industry.
 At UMATR, we encourage diversity in the workplace, and work with tech companies that share the same values as us. We&rsquo;re happy to say that 31% of our placements come from underrepresented backgrounds, and we will continue raising awareness.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Are you an engineer looking for a new Scala role, or a tech company looking for talent? Get in touch with hello@umatr.io and work with us today. At UMATR, as tech recruiters, we are committed to helping you find your dream role, or finding your ideal talent Because You Matter.&nbsp;

In Conversation with Nychol Bazurto-Gomez | Women In Tech

​With International Women&rsquo;s day (or month for us!) happening in March, we would love to be able to share stories of women in tech, in the hope that it will inspire young women thinking of starting out, or women who are trying to find their way against the odds.
 In this blog, <a class="rJ4ej c7XhY" style="color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetteres?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAA7gxCIB4moQ6yuIS_90-1IaBi8FDHwP1gQ&amp;lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3BTJK%2Barg0TsqVhi%2BMySOp3Q%3D%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-hook="WebLink">Annette Gieschen </a>discusses her software engineering journey, including her lengthy process when starting, to her role now as a software engineer at MOIA. She goes in depth discussing all the rejections she was getting due to being labelled as a &lsquo;tester&rsquo;, rather than software engineer. Yet, she continued her journey, and four years later, she got her first offer. To find out more about Annette's story, continue reading!
​
⚡When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in technology, and why?
It was a lengthy process that required me to try the jobs, sectors and industries out. Each one of my early jobs taught me something valuable about myself that allowed me to take the next step in the right direction. Starting from cleaning a hospital, sales, customer service, hospitality all the way to freelance translating or testing games I was on a lookout for the right thing.
In the end the deciding factor was my hobby. I used to draw a lot and was actually quite good at it. I thought that graphic design would be a really cool way to marry my hobby and good career prospects. And then while doing some research on which university I could go to, a part of me kept on lurking around the computer science curriculums and so in the last moment I said to myself &ldquo;I will be a software engineer&rdquo;, jumped ships and went ahead with computer science. And here I am today.
​
⚡Where and how did you start?
I actually had a bit of a hard time getting started as I had to stay on top of my full time job at the time which was not really in the IT sector so that I could afford to pay for the studies. I sent hundreds of CVs and eventually got my first IT job which was in QA where I pushed heavily to automate and code on any opportunity that I had. I kept on applying for software engineering jobs only to receive rejections stating that I was a tester and not a software engineer. In all this frustration I saved a bit of money, quit my job and went to Portugal for a couple of months, took the much needed sun in as much as I could and spent many days studying software engineering and coding puzzles, sometimes morning till evening. Around that time I also got my first Java Oracle certificate too. That holiday/focus time investment really paid off and finally, more than four years after I first promised to myself &ldquo;I will be a software engineer&rdquo;: I got my first offer.
​
​⚡Any particular highlights of your career? 
Working alongside amazing engineers at SoundCloud tackling complex problems related to platform and system abuse. Thinking about why certain actors behave in certain ways and coming up with systematic ways to protect the platform and users was definitely the most interesting set of problems I got to work on so far.
​
⚡Are there any challenges you have faced being a woman in tech?
Personally, I have not faced any challenges in my journey. I think the industry is more inviting now than ever before.
​
⚡Is there anything women can do to get started, such as courses, conferences to attend etc?
I think this depends entirely on the person, how much time and willingness they have and also what is their end goal. Regardless of the goal, I think it is absolutely crucial to understand what the reality of becoming a junior engineer is: it is only 15% about your knowledge, 60% about your willingness to learn, your communication skills, being humble and also being able to take feedback and learn from it and 25% about networking: speaking to engineers, seeking help, writing a blog, meetups etc.
When it comes to materials themselves I think starting off with a classical Computer Science syllabus is always better instead of jumping into programming on its own. Seek mentors to guide you towards materials. Mentoring is a very rewarding experience for the mentee as well as for the mentor: you&rsquo;d be surprised how many engineers out there will gladly help you out.
​
⚡What can be done to raise awareness and encourage women to work in Tech?
I believe this has to be addressed at the source, not at the symptom. So my answer is always: educate the children and recap the benefits later. Make computer science classes mandatory just like maths or English. At home: take your 5yo daughter/sister/cousin to a science museum. Don&rsquo;t label things as &ldquo;girly&rdquo; or &ldquo;boyish&rdquo; and ditch the whole blue vs pink thing. What we do and say is how stereotypes get perpetuated.
​
⚡Best piece of advice? 
Seek a mentor. Remember that no engineer knows it all, regardless of their seniority. That's why you need to own every single "I don't know" during your career. Also, write about your learnings: this really helps your visibility and networking.
​
​
We&rsquo;d like to thank Annette for her insightful contribution to this blog. Based on her answers, we hope that her story will inspire and motivate many women in tech, or women thinking of joining the tech industry.
​
From Annette&rsquo;s answers, we have gathered:
-Each one of Annette&rsquo;s early jobs taught her something valuable about herself that allowed her to take the next step in the right direction of becoming a software engineer.
-Annette&rsquo;s journey wasn&rsquo;t quick - took her 4 years. She kept on applying for software engineering jobs only to receive rejections stating that she was a tester and not a software engineer.
-Getting started as an engineer is 15% about your knowledge, 60% about your willingness to learn, your communication skills, being humble and also being able to take feedback and learn from it and 25% about networking.
-Seek mentors to guide you through materials. Mentoring is a very rewarding experience for the mentee as well as for the mentor: you&rsquo;d be surprised how many engineers out there will gladly help you out.
-To raise awareness and overcome stereotypes, we have to start early on. What we do and say is how stereotypes get perpetuated.
-The industry is more inviting now to women than ever before.

​Are you an engineer looking for a new Scala role, or a tech company looking for talent? Get in touch with hello@umatr.io and work with us today. At UMATR, as tech recruiters, we are committed to helping you find your dream role, or finding your ideal talent Because You Matter. 💙

In Conversation with Annette Gieschen | Women in Tech

As part of our Women in Tech series, we recently had the opportunity to speak with Barbara Raciniewska, a Junior Software Engineer at Roqad to explore her career in tech so far.

In this blog, we highlight Barbara's journey as a Woman in Tech, as she navigates the intricacies of the industry, shares her aspirations for the future, and reflects on the hurdles she's overcome along the way.

What is your current role, and what does a typical day look like for you?
My current role is Junior Software Engineer in a start-up company that develops adtech solutions. My day starts with a meeting with the engineering team, during which everyone has the opportunity to share their plan for the day and point out current problems and blockers. I then start working on the tasks assigned to the current sprint. These are usually tasks related to adding new functionalities and fixing current bugs in the code. I write my code mainly in Scala and Python. During my work, I am often in contact with customer satisfaction team, mainly in order to fine-tune the requirements to the client's needs. Every two weeks, we have special team meetings to review the sprint and create a plan for the next sprint. 

When did you first realise your passion for tech, and what motivated you to pursue this as a career?
I realised my passion for technology while pursuing a University Degree in Computer Science. My particular interest was in subjects related to Big Data and computational optimisation. I decided to pursue my career in technology mainly because I had always done well in science subjects, but I also saw numerous possible career paths in this sector. The IT industry seemed to me to be intensely developing and having a significant role in creating our everyday reality, I wanted to be part of these changes.

What was your first role in tech?
My first IT-related job was a 3-month internship that I completed during my studies. We developed a platform for students to deal with university matters online. During my internship, I worked with technologies such as Java, databases and code repositories. It was a great opportunity to get acquainted with the work of a programmer and learn about the methods of organising work and time.

Are there any highlights from your career that you would like to share?
A significant moment in my career was working as a Junior Analyst in a large corporation. The job developed my presentation and customer conversation skills significantly. In addition, I had the opportunity to use analytical programs from user point of view. It was a new perspective on technology for me than the one I was taught at the university. I realised that I would like to learn Big Data technology from the inside out as a programmer not just a user. My work as an analyst set me on a path of development as a Data Engineer, which I am currently trying to follow.

What are the biggest challenges that you faced along the way?
It was definitely a big challenge to find my first work experience in IT. I remember sending many resumes, often without a response. However, through patience and determination, I managed to get my first job offer.

As a challenge, I also remember the difficulty of choosing the technology I would like to focus on and develop in. There were a lot of topics covered during the university studies, and most of which I found interesting. It wasn't until after my first few work experiences, which steered me into a Data Engineering field I'm sure I want to pursue in.

What do you see for the future of Women in Tech? What steps can businesses take to be more diverse and inclusive in the industry?
Over the next few years, I would like to continue my path in specialising in Big Data technologies. In the future, I would like to develop my skills towards project management and try my luck in this field as well. It seems to me that a good idea to foster diversity and inclusion in the industry are mentoring programs for students and those starting their careers. Such support will certainly dawn on the opportunities in the industry for those who are just planning to enter it.

Do you have any advice for women who aspire to pursue a career in tech?
Above all, to be persistent in your goals and to look for opportunities to grow and when you find them, don't be afraid to take them on. What is beautiful in the IT industry is a wide range of meetings, training and mentoring programs that it offers. All these programmes allow you to meet amazing people from the industry, exchange experiences, knowledge and tips and often all you need to take part in them is your willingness and time.


We'd like to thank Barbara for her insightful contribution to this blog. Based on her experience, insight and knowledge, we hope that her story will inspire and motivate many women in tech, or women thinking of joining the tech industry. 

At UMATR, we encourage diversity in the workplace, and work with tech companies that share the same values as us. We're happy to say that we've placed several female software engineers across various companies, and will continue to do so.

&nbsp;

If you are looking for a new tech role, or are currently hiring for talent - reach out to us at <a class="rJ4ej c7XhY" style="color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:hello@umatr.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-hook="WebLink">hello@umatr.io</a> 📧

In Conversation with Barbara Raciniewska | Women in Tech

In today's ever-changing business landscape, both attracting and retaining top talent are vital for companies looking to stay competitive. High turnover rates can directly hold back a company's growth potential. Therefore, effectively bringing in and keeping the right talent can improve an organisations performance, stimulate innovation, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to overall goal achievement. 

With a growing pool of job seekers and a shortage of skilled workers in many industries, it's important to stay ahead of the curve and implement effective strategies to attract and retain top talent. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

Create a positive company culture
One of the most important factors in attracting and retaining top talent is a positive company culture. Create a workplace that values open communication, collaboration, and a good work-life balance. Encourage employee engagement and provide opportunities for growth and development.

Foster a sense of purpose and mission
Top talent is often motivated by more than just financial rewards. Make sure your organisations mission and values align with your employees&rsquo; personal values and provide opportunities for them to get involved in initiatives that make a difference.

Offer competitive compensation and benefits packages 
Top talent is often looking for the best possible financial compensation, so it&rsquo;s important to offer competitive salaries and benefits packages. Consider offering flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and health and wellness programs to attract top talent.

Invest in employee development
Top talent is often looking for opportunities to grow and develop their skills. Provide training and development opportunities, as well as mentorship programs, to help employees reach their full potential.

Encourage open communication and feedback
Regular, open communication and feedback helps to create a positive work environment and keeps employees engaged. Encourage employees to share their thoughts and ideas and provide regular performance evaluations to help employees see how they are contributing to the company&rsquo;s success.

Provide opportunities for work-life balance 
Work-life balance holds significance for employees with the rise of remote work, it&rsquo;s important to offer flexible work arrangements to attract top talent.
Consider offering flexible hours, remote working and other flexible work options to accommodate employees&rsquo; schedules and lifestyles.

Encouraging employees to utilise their vacation days and engage in volunteer or community service opportunities also underscores your commitment to their well-being. Prioritising work-life balance not only attracts but retains talent, showing your dedication to fostering a fulfilling professional life for your team.

Foster a positive work environment
Creating a positive work environment is essential for boosting employee morale and engagement. This can be achieved by encouraging collaboration, maintaining open lines of communication, and cultivating a culture of respect and appreciation. To foster a sense of community, provide opportunities for team-building activities and socialisation among employees.

By incorporating these strategies, you have the ability to establish an environment that draws in and keeps high-caliber professionals even in a competitive landscape. Your commitment to employee development and fostering a positive organisational culture will not only enable you to attract exceptional talent but also elevate overall employee contentment and performance.
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At UMATR, we specialise in connecting skilled professionals with innovative companies, from fast-growing start-ups to established organizations. Whether you&rsquo;re a start-up building your team, a larger company expanding your capabilities, or a professional seeking new opportunities, we have the expertise, network, and insight to make it happen.
With a presence in 34 countries and a focus on software, AI, and product, we work to ensure the right talent meets the right role. Let us help you achieve your goals and find the perfect fit.
Ready to take the next step? Let&rsquo;s create something extraordinary together.
<a style="color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:Hello@umatr.io">📧Hello@umatr.io</a>&nbsp;

Guide to Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

Hiring software engineers is a critical process that requires precision, thoroughness, and an engaging approach. As technology continues to evolve, so should your interview process to attract top-tier talent and ensure the right fit for your team.

A well-structured process benefits both your business and candidates. It identifies top talent while showcasing your commitment to growth. By creating an engaging interview experience, you'll attract, retain, and drive your business towards success. 

Let's explore the key steps to create an engaging interview process that assesses skills, reflects your culture, and offers opportunities.

Define Clear Interview Strategies
Begin by outlining the different stages of your interview process. The most common stages include a phone screening, technical assessment, technical interview, behavioural interview and possibly a final cultural fit chat.

Providing a clear roadmap helps candidates and your team understand what to expect at each stage, creating a smoother and more transparent experience. Breaking down the process into distinct phases, candidates can navigate through the process with clarity and confidence, enhancing their overall experience.

Craft Thoughtful Technical Assignments 
Central to an engaging interview process for software engineers is the art of crafting thoughtful technical assessments that mirror the challenges and tasks they encounter in their daily work. These assessments transcend simple evaluation; working as a canvas for candidates to display their coding proficiency, problem-solving skills, and hands-on application of their expertise.

Consider using platforms that enable candidates to code in their preferred languages, providing them with a comfortable environment to exhibit their abilities.

Technical Interviews: Real-World Scenarios
Real-world technical interviews hold immense value, allowing candidates to showcase their skills within a context mirroring their future job challenges. These interviews assess problem-solving, analytical thinking, and practical application of abilities, making them an essential part of the evaluation process. Real-world interviews align candidates' skills with the businesses needs, ensuring you select individuals who can smoothly transition their capabilities to tackle new challenges.

Behavioural Interviews: Cultural Fit
Evaluate candidates' soft skills and cultural fit through behavioural interviews. Craft questions that explore their communication, teamwork, problem-solving under pressure, and adaptability. See how their values align with your company's culture.

This goes beyond technical proficiency, offering a glimpse into candidates' potential contributions to your team's growth and cohesion. Ultimately, this phase ensures that your team operates within a collaborative cultural framework.

Foster Collaboration
Consider implementing pair programming sessions to give your candidates an opportunity to collaborate with your engineers on a coding problem. This hands-on approach reveals their ability to work in a team, communicate effectively, and contribute ideas. It also offers insights into their coding style and problem-solving strategies, helping you assess their compatibility with your existing team.

An engaging interview process is a reflection of your commitment to excellence and innovation. It not only helps you identify top software engineering talent but also creates a positive candidate experience. By following these key steps, you'll attract, retain, and nurture the best talent in the industry, driving your organisation to new heights of success.
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At UMATR, we specialise in connecting skilled professionals with innovative companies, from fast-growing start-ups to established organizations. Whether you&rsquo;re a start-up building your team, a larger company expanding your capabilities, or a professional seeking new opportunities, we have the expertise, network, and insight to make it happen.
With a presence in 34 countries and a focus on software, AI, and product, we work to ensure the right talent meets the right role. Let us help you achieve your goals and find the perfect fit.
Ready to take the next step? Let&rsquo;s create something extraordinary together.
<a style="color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:Hello@umatr.io">📧Hello@umatr.io</a>&nbsp;

How to Create an Engaging Interview Process

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is quickly becoming a leading destination for businesses of all sizes. With its strong economy, strategic location, and supportive business policies, it offers the ideal environment to establish, expand, or diversify your business. Whether you are in energy, technology, finance, or tourism, Abu Dhabi provides exceptional opportunities. Here is what makes it a standout choice:
<div>1.&nbsp;A Strategic Location with Global Connectivity</div>
Abu Dhabi is positioned at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it a central hub for businesses aiming to access international markets. The city&rsquo;s world-class infrastructure&mdash;including Abu Dhabi International Airport and Khalifa Port&mdash;ensures efficient global connectivity for trade, logistics, and travel. With access to over 200 destinations, businesses in Abu Dhabi are well-placed to expand their reach globally.
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<div>2. A Diversified and Growing Economy</div>
While oil has historically driven Abu Dhabi&rsquo;s economy, the city has successfully diversified into sectors such as clean energy, healthcare, tourism, manufacturing, and technology. The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 highlights the commitment to building a sustainable, knowledge-based economy. This focus on diversification creates significant opportunities for businesses across various industries.
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<div>3. A Supportive Business Environment</div>
Abu Dhabi is committed to fostering a business-friendly ecosystem. From free zones offering tax incentives to policies allowing 100% foreign ownership, the city makes it straightforward to start and grow a business. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) provides additional support through financial incentives, grants, and programs designed to help businesses succeed.
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<div>4. A Thriving Tech and Innovation Ecosystem</div>
Abu Dhabi is emerging as a key hub for innovation and technology. Initiatives like Hub71 provide startups and tech companies with funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to scale their businesses. With a strong focus on digital transformation and cutting-edge industries, Abu Dhabi is the ideal environment for forward-thinking businesses.
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<div>5. An Exceptional Quality of Life</div>
Abu Dhabi offers a high quality of life, making it an attractive destination for businesses and their employees. With world-class healthcare, excellent schools, and a range of cultural and entertainment options, the city ensures a balanced and rewarding lifestyle. Abu Dhabi&rsquo;s appeal also attracts skilled professionals from around the globe, providing businesses with access to a diverse and talented workforce.
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<div>6. Access to Investment and Partnerships</div>
Abu Dhabi is home to some of the world&rsquo;s largest investment funds, such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), creating opportunities for funding and strategic partnerships. From venture capital for startups to significant investments for established businesses, Abu Dhabi offers access to the capital needed to drive growth and innovation.
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Abu Dhabi combines economic strength, innovation, and a focus on sustainability to create an ideal environment for business growth. Its strategic location, supportive policies, and exceptional quality of life make it a prime destination for businesses looking to thrive in today&rsquo;s competitive market.
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At UMATR, we specialise in connecting skilled professionals with innovative companies, from fast-growing start-ups to established organizations. Whether you&rsquo;re a start-up building your team, a larger company expanding your capabilities, or a professional seeking new opportunities, we have the expertise, network, and insight to make it happen.
With a presence in 34 countries and a focus on software, AI, and product, we work to ensure the right talent meets the right role. Let us help you achieve your goals and find the perfect fit.
Ready to take the next step? Let&rsquo;s create something extraordinary together.
📧 <a style="color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:Hello@umatr.io">Hello@umatr.io</a>&nbsp;
</div>

Why Abu Dhabi is the Perfect Place to Grow Your Business

In today&rsquo;s business world, companies are always looking for new ways to build partnerships that encourage teamwork and drive long-term success.

At <a class="pLMfK FXl7l" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/70926319/admin/feed/posts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-hook="WebLink">UMATR</a>, we take pride in the fact that 63% of our valued partners choose the retained model. In this blog post, we'll delve into the reasons behind this preference and explain why this model has become the preferred choice for our partners.

Firstly, what is retained?

Retained recruitment is where a client hires a recruitment agency to fill a specific position on an exclusive basis. In other words, the client pays an upfront fee to the agency to start the recruitment process, and the agency dedicates a team of recruiters to fill the position. The recruitment agency works on the assignment until the position is filled, or until the search is terminated.

So why would do our partners choose this model when working with us?
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Predictable cost
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One of the key factors driving our partners towards the retained model is the predictability it offers in terms of cost. In a business environment where budgeting and financial planning is crucial, the retained model provides a fixed and foreseeable cost structure. This predictability allows our partners to allocate resources more efficiently and make informed decisions further.

2. Dedicated resources and expertise

This dedicated approach ensures a higher level of attention to detail and a thorough understanding of our partners' goals. The continuity of the team working on the project leads to a more seamless workflow, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability that is often instrumental in achieving successful outcomes.

3. Long-term relationship building

Choosing the retained model signifies a commitment to a long-term relationship. This commitment goes beyond the transactional aspects of a partnership and fosters a sense of trust and collaboration. Building strong and lasting relationships with our partners is at the core of our values, and the retained model serves as a vehicle for achieving this goal. We are still partnered with some of our partners since the first month of founding!

4. Reduced Time-to-Hire

Retained reduces the time-to hire. We are able to focus exclusively on filling the position, rather than splitting our team&rsquo;s time and resources among multiple clients. Retained recruitment can also result in a more efficient recruitment process since, usually, recruitment agency is able to quickly screen and select the most qualified candidates. Not to mention that we already have a great talent pool of Engineers in our pipeline that speeds up the process!
The decision of 63% of our partners to choose the retained model is grounded in the tangible benefits it offers. From cost predictability to strategic alignment, dedicated resources, reduce time-to-hire, and the opportunity for long-term relationship building, the retained model proves to be a winning formula for both our organisation and our partners. We remain committed to providing the highest level of value and success to our partners who choose this model.
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<hr>
At UMATR, we specialise in connecting skilled professionals with innovative companies, from fast-growing start-ups to established organizations. Whether you&rsquo;re a start-up building your team, a larger company expanding your capabilities, or a professional seeking new opportunities, we have the expertise, network, and insight to make it happen.
With a presence in 34 countries and a focus on software, AI, and product, we work to ensure the right talent meets the right role. Let us help you achieve your goals and find the perfect fit.
Ready to take the next step? Let&rsquo;s create something extraordinary together.
📧 <a style="color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:Hello@umatr.io">Hello@umatr.io</a>&nbsp;

63% of Partners Opt for Our Retained Model - Here's Why! | UMATR

It goes without saying that LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for job seekers and recruiters alike. But with millions of users, how do you find a way to stand out from the crowd and capture the attention of recruiters?

Here are 10 proven strategies to elevate your LinkedIn profile and make a lasting impression on recruiters.

1. Optimize Your Profile:
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Craft a compelling headline that showcases your key skills and expertise.
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Write a concise and engaging summary that highlights your unique value proposition.
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2. Highlight Achievements:
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Showcase your accomplishments in your experience section using quantifiable achievements.
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Use bullet points to make your accomplishments easily scannable.
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3. Utilize Keywords:
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Use relevant keywords in your headline, summary, and skills section to improve searchability.
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4. Request Recommendations:
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Request recommendations from colleagues, supervisors, or clients to add credibility to your profile.
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5. Stay Active:
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Regularly update your status, share industry-related content, and engage in conversations to stay on the radar of recruiters.
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6. Participate in Groups:
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Join and actively participate in LinkedIn groups relevant to your industry to connect with professionals and showcase your expertise.
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</ul>
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7. Engage with Recruiters:
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Like, comment, and share content from recruiters or companies you are interested in to establish a connection.
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</ul>
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8. Express Your Career Goals:
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Clearly communicate your career goals and aspirations in your profile so recruiters can understand your long-term objectives.
</li>
</ul>
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9. Utilize the Open to Work Feature:
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<ul id="1e307m7ykfofzn871534" class="v3kkl">
<li id="pndelm7ykfofzn871532" class="LdEbo" dir="auto">
Enable the "Open to Work" feature on LinkedIn to signal to recruiters that you are actively seeking new opportunities.
</li>
</ul>
</div>
10. Attend Virtual Events:
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Participate in virtual events and webinars related to your industry to expand your network and increase visibility.
</li>
</ul>
</div>
By implementing these tips, you can enhance your LinkedIn presence and increase your chances of standing out to recruiters in a competitive job market.

Give it a go!
&nbsp;
<hr>
&nbsp;
At UMATR, we specialise in connecting skilled professionals with innovative companies, from fast-growing start-ups to established organizations. Whether you&rsquo;re a start-up building your team, a larger company expanding your capabilities, or a professional seeking new opportunities, we have the expertise, network, and insight to make it happen.
With a presence in 34 countries and a focus on software, AI, and product, we work to ensure the right talent meets the right role. Let us help you achieve your goals and find the perfect fit.
Ready to take the next step? Let&rsquo;s talk!
<a style="color: #ffffff;" href="mailto:Hello@umatr.io">📧 Hello@umatr.io</a>&nbsp;

10 Ways to Increase your Chances of Getting a Job via LinkedIn

<h3>We helped many Software &amp; AI Engineers find their next role</h3>

Blogs covering a wide range of topics, including effective hiring strategies, in-depth interview tips for both candidates and employers, and the latest news, trends, and insights from the industry to keep you informed and ahead of the curve!

<h3>Companies previously hosted with</h3>

We organise and host meet-ups with companies that bring together professionals, fostering networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities. These events create a platform for collaboration, where like-minded individuals and companies can connect and grow together.

<h3>Would you like to contribute?</h3>

As a global tech recruitment agency, we connect talent with companies, helping businesses find the perfect fit for their teams while fostering a sense of community.

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<h3>The Stats</h3>

As an evolving matter, we're here from the start, uniting people and driving progress together.

<h2>Event Feedback</h2>

Our thorough screening and matching techniques ensure that we present only the most suitable candidates, allowing clients to find the right fit quickly and efficiently.

The stats demonstrate our impressive growth and collaboration with companies since our founding in 2021.

Our thorough candidate screening process ensures that we present only the best-fit talent for your needs, streamlining your hiring process without compromising on quality.

By carefully matching candidates with the right roles and fostering strong relationships, we ensure that both clients and candidates thrive together for the long term.

We've adopted other recruiting methods by building communities both online and offline. Our extensive network is bolstered by attending conferences and leveraging referrals, enabling us to connect with diverse talent who may not engage with traditional platforms.

We provide relocation packages to make the process of moving for a new role as seamless and stress-free as possible. By supporting candidates with the resources they need to settle into a new location, we help them focus on their career growth while ensuring our clients gain access to top talent from across the globe. It&rsquo;s our way of fostering successful, long-term matches that benefit both candidates and employers.

communities and meet-ups groups created

<h3>Relocation guides</h3>

<h2>Every Number Has a Story</h2>

<h2>Experience in everything from scaling Fortune 500 companies to building the coolest and most innovative start-ups</h2>

<h3>Shortening the time to hire to just 15 days</h3>

<h3>96% candidate retention for 12+ months</h3>

<h3>17% of our placements do not have or use a LinkedIn account</h3>

4:1 ratio on candidates introduced to hire for permanent roles, and 2:1 for contract positions.

Our clients, ranging from startups to global leaders, benefit from our tech expertise, industry insights, and personalised service. We prioritise building long-lasting relationships by consistently delivering results and understanding each client&rsquo;s evolving needs.

Our team brings a wealth of experience across various industries, catering to different needs and levels. We leverage our expertise to navigate diverse challenges and deliver impactful solutions.

Our extensive global network, combined with deep local market knowledge, allows us to source top talent from diverse regions while understanding local hiring dynamics. This blend of global reach and local expertise ensures that we deliver the best candidates for your needs.

We are more than just recruiters

We operate across 34 countries

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Leading companies that have previously hosted with us include industry innovators and top employers, each benefiting from direct engagement with the community.&nbsp;
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<h3>Want to host, or want to speak at one of our events?</h3>

Host a Scala, Rust, AI, or Product event with us and draw hundreds of professionals to your office. Your logo will be highlighted in our promotions, and you&rsquo;ll get a speaker slot to showcase your latest project&mdash;an ideal way to spark interest in joining your company and to position your brand at the center of the community as a tech house!

We are dedicated to our community, building strong relationships and creating local initiatives to make a positive difference and enhance a vibrant, flourishing environment for everyone.

<h3>Event Feedback</h3>

<h3>Get in touch today</h3>

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With expert teams specializing in various tech stacks, we will connect you with professionals who have in-depth market knowledge. Our goal is to link top talent with leading companies.
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Looking to find your next career opportunity or hire top talent? We're here to help! Whether you're seeking advice, have questions about our recruitment services, or want to discuss job openings, our team is ready to assist you.

We understand the value of community, which is why we've created a space where you can discover events organised by us as well as conferences, meetups, and networking opportunities hosted by others in your industry. Stay connected, exchange ideas, and grow alongside like-minded professionals.

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<h2>The best way to predict the future is to bring together the people who will build it.</h2>

<h3>The best way to predict the future is to bring together the people who build it</h3>

<h3>Experience in everything from scaling Fortune 500 companies to building the coolest and most innovative start-ups.</h3>

<h1>Your go-to Software Recruiters in 34 Countries</h1>

We&rsquo;re committed to going the extra mile for our partners&mdash;literally.&nbsp;Whether it means traveling 19 hours to meet in person or leveraging our global network and deep local market knowledge, we ensure we understand both the unique hiring needs and the local dynamics. This personal approach helps us connect clients with the best talent, no matter where they are.

We are a recruitment agency focused on the tech and product sectors, specialising in Scala, Rust, and AI. Our goal is to connect top talent with leading companies while fostering a vibrant community. Through events, meetups, and our online platform, we bring developers together to share knowledge, collaborate, and grow, strengthening the ecosystems around these languages.

We don't just fill positions; we build careers and contribute to business success.

<h3>Start hiring</h3>

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<h2>Apply Today</h2>

Moving into our 2,500 sq ft office in Dubai Hills

We offer incentive trips, international client visits, and attend numerous conferences worldwide. So far, we&rsquo;ve explored 17 cities&mdash;some of them more than once!

Our office is located in Dubai Hills, where we've acquired and renovated a spacious 2,500 sq ft space. But no matter where you are in the world, we&rsquo;re ready to bring our team together! If you&rsquo;re considering making a big life change, check out our relocation guide&mdash;and get ready for an exciting journey.

This is your chance to be part of an exciting journey and play a significant role in building something special. If you&rsquo;re ambitious, eager to grow, ready to listen and trust the process, and excited to take your recruitment career to the next level, let&rsquo;s talk!

Check out our latest podcasts and conferences around the world.

<h3>Podcasts</h3>

<h3>Benefits</h3>

<h3>Countries visited</h3>

<h3>Our Team</h3>

<h3>Relocation packs</h3>

<h3>Growth plan</h3>

Our people are everything. UMATR was built for the very purpose of creating a platform we always desired ourselves, which is exactly where our name comes from &ldquo;You matter&rdquo;

<h3>We are more than just recruiters</h3>

<h2>We're specialists in dreaming big, and we've got BIG plans for the future. Help us change the way tech companies hire.</h2>

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Massa amet vel odio felis amet viverra duis vulputate eu semper faucibus ipsum. Integer dignissim pulvinar mus mauris ac.

A amet ultrices fusce venenatis. Vel massa quam suspendisse ullamcorper nibh. Ullamcorper auctor nisi tempor vel tellus. Nibh ut rutrum pulvinar mattis ornare dignissim.

Here, you'll discover everything from hiring tips to information about upcoming Software and AI events.

We collaborate with companies to facilitate the hosting of over 100 Rust engineers at their offices, enabling discussions and providing insights into their workplace culture.

If you're interested in contributing by hosting a meet-up or providing blog or video content for Rust Matters, please fill out the form below to start a conversation.

A vault for everything Rust. Exclusive training materials, blogs, jobs, events and much more.

<div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"><div class="min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5" dir="auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="65ed74ef-9a4c-4ae8-a0ab-d9f952201e82" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o-mini"><div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">We collaborate with companies to facilitate the hosting of over 100 Scala engineers at their offices, enabling discussions and providing insights into their workplace culture.</div></div></div></div>

We are a dedicated Scala recruitment agency passionate about building and fostering a vibrant Scala community.

events in Europe, Middle East,&nbsp;and USA

of attendees are Senior-Level Engineers

<div class="flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow"><div class="min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5" dir="auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="cfc3661e-53df-4cfa-9633-27d54525367c" data-message-model-slug="gpt-4o-mini"><div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">If you're interested in contributing by hosting a meet-up or providing blog or video content for Scala Matters, please fill out the form below to start a conversation.</div></div></div></div>

<h3>The Stats</h3>

Shaping the future of scala, bringing people together worldwide

<h3>What our candidates say</h3>

<h3>Software, AI, and Data Engineers&mdash;Placed Across the Globe</h3>

Our goal is to strive for excellence in everything we do. We are committed to setting high standards and continuously improving our services to ensure that we achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients and candidates.

Communities created for Software Engineers, and Product Managers

<h6>To inspire confidence and spark creativity. To provide custom-fit recruitment solutions to suit teams at any growth stage.&nbsp;</h6>

To inspire confidence and spark creativity. To provide custom-fit recruitment solutions to suit teams at any growth stage.

Contact us and we will discuss different hiring plans, personalised just for you and your company.

<h2>Relocation guides</h2>

<h1>Every Number Tells a Story</h1>

<h3>We excel in connecting exceptional talent with forward-thinking companies, while actively nurturing an engaged community.</h3>

<h3>We have set out to do things differently</h3>

<h3>Need to hire fast in a niche community?</h3>

<h3>Have some serious plans to scale and need some support with the heavy lifting?</h3>

<h3>Have some serious plans to scale and need some support with the heavy lifting?</h3>

Since our founding in 2021, we&rsquo;ve become a trusted recruitment partner for candidates and companies across Europe, the U.S., and the MENA region. Count on us as your go-to recruitment agency.

We're more than just tech recruiters - we go beyond traditional hiring by fostering lasting relationships, providing tailored solutions, and contributing to the growth of individuals, businesses, and the broader AI &amp; Software Engineering community.

what makes us different

Aimee Ramsay

Jack Wilson

Sam Oakley

Since joining UMATR I&rsquo;ve had the pleasure of speaking with many incredible candidates and collaborating with some fantastic clients across Dubai, AbuDhabi and Saudi. With over five years of experience in the tech industry and a passion for all things AI, ML and Software, I stay on top of the latest trends by attending industry events and diving deep into research. My goal? To help you find the perfect talent that matches your tech needs! 👩🏼&zwj;💻 I&rsquo;m all about building long-lasting relationships and take a friendly, people-first approach to recruiting. This means smoother hiring processes, quicker placements, and less turnover for you. Plus, I&rsquo;m always up for a coffee to chat about opportunities!☕️☕️☕️ How can I help? 🤝🏼A fully managed process that enhances the candidate experience, boosts offer acceptance, and reduces dropouts. 🧠Offer valuable insights to help you easily navigate the talent market. 🌍Access to an extensive network that includes top-tier, passive candidates. 🔐Expert headhunting to secure highly skilled candidates, avoiding direct competition. 💰Salary guidance to help you manage budgets and reduce attrition for new hires. ✉️ hannah@umatr.io

Hannah Lowe

Hi! I'm Adam, a Consultant at UMATR, focusing on Data &amp; AI across Europe where I am supporting global clients on large scale tech transformations. With over two years of professional experience in the Technology recruitment industry, my mission is to innovate talent acquisition through data-driven insights and AI applications. At UMATR, I'm dedicated to connecting groundbreaking tech companies with top-tier talent, aligning my efforts with the organization's forward-thinking culture and commitment to excellence.

Adam Howe

Charlie Hayes-Newington 

Hey, I&rsquo;m Patrycja (or Pat)👋🏼 I'm the Marketing Manager at the UMATR Group👩🏼&zwj;💼✨ As soon as I&rsquo;ve learnt about the company&rsquo;s values, I knew this place was for me, and a company I&rsquo;d happily market to the public. I finished my master&rsquo;s in Management, which introduced me to marketing. Without a second thought, I knew marketing was something I want to pursue in life. It allows me to express my creativity, as well as stay connected with people. The relationship between the company and clients is greatly important to nurture, and that&rsquo;s where I step in! 😇 I also lead and market a community called Scala Matters and Rust Matters! 💌To get in touch, please email Patrycja@umatr.io, Marketing@umatr.io, or Hello@umatr.io

Patrycja Kaczor

Hey, Ryan here 👋🏼 I am a Recruitment Consultant with 3+ years of experience, working with exciting clients across the AI/ML &amp; Software Development space. I help Hiring Managers build their teams with a focus on; AI Engineers, ML Engineers, Data Scientists, React Native Engineers, React Engineers, DevOps Engineers &amp; Backend Engineers with .NET, Golang, Java, Node.js experience. Working closely with CTOs and hiring teams to refine interview processes, increase brand awareness for UMATR's clients, and to introduce elite AI/ML and Software Engineering talent to businesses. Quality &gt;&gt; Quantity is fundamental to my approach to Recruitment - let's save time and money 💸 Big fan of catching up over a Flat White, start-up culture and all things tech. And, of course, Padel and Football ⚽️🎾

Ryan Kavanagh

Glen Willis

Hey, I'm Mitchell, I founded UMATR at the start of 2021 after spending three years collaborating with some of the coolest tech companies across the globe.&nbsp; ​ My driving factors behind UMATR are simple: to provide a growing market with a true specialist focusing on Cloud Computing. Ensure that both clients and engineers are listened to, and provided with a bespoke service. Last but not least, absolutely ensure that the UMATR team are valued and fulfilled. 👫🚀 Why? Because your hiring needs matter. Your career matters. Your goals &amp; dreams matter, and most of all - You Matter. 💙 ​ I started my recruitment career helping contract engineers within Europe, and then shifted my focus to working with full-time engineers across the United States. This has provided me with an in-depth knowledge of different markets and tech communities. My efforts in the recruitment sector have led to recognition from two reputable groups. The RDLC awarded me with the 'Rookie of the Year&rsquo;, and the Recruitment Awards Shortlisted me within the Top 4 &lsquo;Most Inspiring Recruiters&rsquo; within the industry. 🏆💫 ​ I love to travel and see the world. That is my passion and one of the reasons I love recruitment. I get to work with so many different people across the globe, and I get to visit my clients around the world. I have personally lived in Los Angeles &amp; Dubai which have been some of my best experiences of my life so far. But London is my home and, in my opinion, the greatest city in the world. 🌎🏌️&zwj;♂️

Mitchell Franklin

Hi I&rsquo;m Jack 👋🏻 I am Division Manager at UMATR &amp; am leading the growth of our Data &amp; AI division! I have been involved in the Scala Community since 2016. I had the pleasure of sponsoring the London Scala User Group &amp; Scala eXchange for multiple years where I met hundreds of talented engineers &amp; lots of awesome companies, many of which I still speak to today 🙌🏻 I have spent the past 4 years of my career working in tech consulting. In that time I have helped business&rsquo; solve complex challenges and deliver tangible outcomes by building high performing, cross functional teams with innovative, flexible, outcome focussed delivery models 🎯🏄🏽&zwj;♂️ I am looking forward to combining my 7 years of experience to offer innovative contract/freelance solutions to the Scala Community 💪🏼 If you are looking for a new gig yourself.. or are looking for flexible options to augment your current engineering teams, then please get in touch as I would love to tell you how myself &amp; UMATR can help. 👇🏼&nbsp;

Jack Calvin

Hey I&rsquo;m Jai, 👋🏼 I am the Delivery Manager at UMATR, and one of the founding team members. 🦈 I have spent the last 9 years working for some of the most exciting brands and influential companies within their space. From Dubai to London, I have always had a passion for helping people. Providing my knowledge and insights to anyone I partner with, whether that be helping someone find a new home in my early career, or more recently helping Software Engineers secure dream roles at some of the worlds coolest tech companies. 🏠🌵 My recruitment career was initially launched by helping freelance and contract engineers secure positions across Europe. I am using this experience of the fast-paced market to assist clients across the Europe &amp; United States find the top 1% of talent within the community. With a fresh approach, Software Engineer&rsquo;s &lsquo;wants &amp; needs&rsquo; will always go at the centre of the search and I thrive off helping them navigate a competitive market to land their dream role. 🎯🏄🏻&zwj;♂&zwj; Originally from Sheffield, my love for travelling the world started at a young age. I have family in Australia and the UAE, so I was lucky enough to spend my younger years experiencing and understanding the different cultures that this wonderful world has to offer. I have lived and worked in my two favourite cities, Dubai &amp; London, and I intend to add to that list whilst growing UMATR into a global business that helps people all around the world. 🚀🌍