Though, if you are an architect you could probably write “TOGAF wibble” on a bit of paper and still get an interview at the moment
So it’s a good time to make a move?
Architects are definitely the 'in thing' at the moment eg I get endless unsolicited emails from recruiters offering various architects available. Sadly, I also have 'architect' in my job title, so my LI inbox is full of unsolicited messages from recruiters with 'amazing' opportunities which all sound like utter shite if I'm honest. Would I like to spend every day driving down to Stansted Airport to design the network infrastructure for their new terminal? Nope, I'd rather stick pins in my eyes if I'm honest.
I think my personal mission statement could just be one work now 'Jaded'.
Its definitely an invogue word. Need to be clear in your mind what 'type' you are or want to be. I often see roles where what they want is a senior developer or tech lead, but have used the 'architect' word to denote some level of seniority rather than it being an independent role
For what its worth I describe myself as an enterprise architect at the moment as I like meddling in all bits of the business. When I talk to people about roles they are nearly always looking for the tech lead not an EA / Business architect thats why its always worth having a chat if you can. Not to say I couldn't turn my had to solution architecture, but I'm very much a 'T' person not an 'I'
I've been with the same company a long time, but its been constant change, and I like to have stuff ready to go if need be - the same with linkdin and maintaining contacts. Should I have to / want to jump it shouldnt be a massive deal. You never know when your dream job could come along, best be ready to grab it....!
Lst few jobs i've had They've not asked for a CV. I tend to treat linkedin as a CV nowawdays (web development industry)
Linkedin is your marketing platform for finding a job.
Its a really good way of using tools to filter relevant jobs rather than obtain a list of "any" jobs - direct to you. Although, I tend to find a desirable job then jump on the companies website, do some more research then if I continue to like what I see apply via the website instead.
Somehow I feel that gives the impression that I'm less lazy and more keen on the job than others because I've had to fill in the details for the application rather than have LinkedIn do a "generic" version for me.
I personally think linkedin is nivaluable.. at least for my industry. Employers want to see you are engaged in the industry, posting articles, involved in groups. The recommendations part is prety useful too
I cant see why anyone would be told not to keep linkedin up to date. Obviously don't post anything commercially sensitive or secret
I sort of agree with that, except maybe University. A first from Cambridge in Computer Science is a very different qualification than say a first from S****horpe Poly (other made up institutions may exist).
Yeah but by the time you've been banging away at it for 20 years, it doesn't really matter where you went to uni.
Maybe an exception for graduate degrees or something. But I shouldn't GAS about what someone did at 17 to get into a good uni.
but have used the ‘architect’ word to denote some level of seniority rather than it being an independent role
Sort of self feeding cycle of it gets used a lot, so people notice it and then covet it, so they end up having it added to their job title as a cheap way of keeping people happy, which means there are more Architects around etc.
We will will know when the cycle has peaked once you have a 'Washing machine architect' turn up to change the door seal on your washer dryer....
I cant see why anyone would be told not to keep linkedin up to date. Obviously don’t post anything commercially sensitive or secret
In a word China.
They have a massive program of subverting people in industry to steal stuff or remote hacking etc. LI is a god send to them, gives them instant access to all the right people to target without ever leaving the country....
In the old days it was MoD, I used to work on stuff and we were told never to tell anyone what we worked on as we would be a legitimate target for the IRA, both at work and personally.
I can see why linkedin is useful for searching for jobs although I wouldn't discount anyone just because they don't actively post stuff or contribute to it in the same way that I don't filter my friends on whether they do/don't have a facebook account.
I also need to look into finding a decent recruiter for my position as well. Anyone know any good ones for Product Manager roles?
As also mentioned above make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and up to date. When we were struggling to get applications for a position we got at recruitment consultant who screened LinkedIn for us for people who might be looking to move up and we're relevant. The short list was great and we found the right person
I get endless unsolicited emails from recruiters offering various architects available
Relentless isn't it. Shared a position within my organisation on linkedin a few weeks back and was absolutely inundated by agencies - I wasn't the recruiting manager. As annoying as the messages/mails offering me "superb opportunities" for £15k a year helpdesk roles. Every now and then I'll respond and ask them to try and at least put some modicum of effort into their searches and that they shouldn't really be targeting someone with 20+ years experience in IT an entry level helpdesk role.
offering me “superb opportunities” for £15k a year helpdesk roles.
They'll be 'helpdesk architects' now 😉
Achievements and not just what you did...
CVs ae now often screened by software looking for key phrases, etc, so it might be worth using a CV formatting firm who will make sure your CV gets through such software with a decent score.
But avoid topcv.co.uk, they changed the formatting nicely but kept filling the CV with BS/meaningless statements, probably because the person working on it wasn't a native english speaker and also wasn't familiar with the field.
I cant see why anyone would be told not to keep linkedin up to date. Obviously don’t post anything commercially sensitive or secret
All I'm going to say is that it's surprising what can be deduced when you put details of your work life on the public internet.
I'll update it, but I'll be very bloody careful as my current bosses are most likely on it as well.
Architects (in IT)…
Its definitely an invogue word. Need to be clear in your mind what ‘type’ you are or want to be. I often see roles where what they want is a senior developer or tech lead, but have used the ‘architect’ word to denote some level of seniority rather than it being an independent role
Yes, I’ve seen that. It’s quite frustrating as being an architect is a different discipline from being a senior techie.
In my org it’s a distinct career path and we define it’s purpose (caution, poncy wording…)
“The role of an Architect is to drive change that creates business opportunity through technological innovation. Shaping and translating business and IT strategy, and needs, into realisable, sustainable technology solutions. Architects take end-to-end solution delivery ownership from idea to benefits delivery.
They provide insight, thought leadership and innovation to ensure the solution meets the client’s business goals, and ensure the solution is designed for production and can be delivered efficiently maximising re-use.
Architects ensure that the solution has integrity, that it is safe, secure and compliant. “
We then have loads of different flavours; Enterprise, Business, Cloud Infrastructure, Security, Solution, Data, Systems, Engineering, Delivery, and Technical Architect.
There's no pointing in "friending" idiots on LinkedIn for no reason. It's not Facebook. The only people I have on there are people that I would take for a coffee irl.
From the employee's POV, LinkedIn isn't really a social network, it's just an online directory.
Architects take end-to-end solution delivery ownership from idea to benefits delivery.
Completely unlike actual architects then
'Architect' can simply mean someone who designs something. People who design buildings have taken over the word and want it to apply to only people who design buildings. Tough. Words get used for all sorts of things, get used to it. See also engineer.
I'm going with
- Short and carefully considered personal statement
- 'Experience' with sub-sections of integration technology, Business Automation, Development and.. soft skills? Technical leadership? Not sure what to call that bit yet. Not sure if this should be called . Previously I had number of years next to each skill, but I might skip that and have them read the career history
- Career history, with diminishing verbiage given to older roles which in this case is all bar the most recent two
As for achievements - that's quite hard as for the last 12 years I've been on dozens and dozens of projects - lately I'm on 3 a week and most of them represent a day-saving intervention at some level or other varying from unblocking a PoC to saving a multi-million dollar customer. I'll just have to espouse that as a generic thing and then can ask me about it at interview.
As for achievements – that’s quite hard as for the last 12 years I’ve been on dozens and dozens of projects – lately I’m on 3 a week and most of them represent a day-saving intervention at some level or other varying from unblocking a PoC to saving a multi-million dollar customer. I’ll just have to espouse that as a generic thing and then can ask me about it at interview.
Perhaps say that then. With three or four key achievements that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.
As for achievements
Longest thread about a Passat gearbox in recent history living memory?
That has to be in there...
Architect’ can simply mean someone who designs something. People who design buildings have taken over the word and want it to apply to only people who design buildings. Tough. Words get used for all sorts of things, get used to it. See also engineer.
Well I think Architect is actually a protected title (like pharmacist or nurse?). Presumably either it’s not protected when combined with another word or the governing body doesn’t give a shit?
I don’t fundamentally oppose the use of “Software Architect” but 90% of them are actually Software Engineers (and are actually engineers), but 80% of people with that job title are Software Developers - mindlessly banging out code with no actual engineering.
Don’t bother, focus on content if applying to FTSE CO’s via recruiter or their platform. Keep it in Word format. It’s someone’s job to strip out all your personal information and send shortlisted CV’s in their own format. In many cases they will strip out at stage 1:
All personal info apart from first name
Company names
They will keyword search for attributes or achievements, looking for nuggets like:
I.e. My solution design using x and x, enabled x App at x co to scale from 4 to 8m users, increasing conversion by 58%, and revenue by £5m… Engineers and the CEO love me.
I would keep LinkedIn up to date. If you can’t mention co just say, X type co at x scale, under NDA so people know you haven’t been working at your local sweet shop.
Good luck with the search.
Just interviewing and recruiting a technical architect type role in my org paying +100k (so I think that's senior).
I have been kind of ignored the CV's at first. If they actually wrote a covering letter they got bonus points from me then I go straight to LinkedIn. I want to see what they have been posting, who they are following, what experience/roles have they had. As its relatively public its open to peer review which I like. Your CV isn't.
If I'm still interested, I compare the CV to LinkedIn and draw up some questions or areas I want investigated at 1st round interviews.
What I always want to know is what was your role - great a project saved a company millions, but what did you do to help with this?
I'm always less focused on technical skills as in my space those can be picked up. For me its more about how they will fit (and challenge the current team) and their people skills, conflict resolution, influencing etc.
Anyway I think we have a successful candidate and an offer is being prepared. Good luck with your search.
Well I think Architect is actually a protected title (like pharmacist or nurse?).
I suspect only if trying to be an actual Architect in the protected sense. There are millions of SW architects out there and no one seems bothered!
I want to see what they have been posting, who they are following, what experience/roles have they had.
As far I can tell everyone follows Barack Obama and Richard Branson and they mainly post inspirational memes which are only slightly more highbrow than those on FB.
I have some some very current thoughts on Chat GPT for job applications. I am reviewing applications today, and it is super super obvious who has just put the the essential criteria into the bot and pasted the response.
I asked my HR contact about this, he said you should expect somebody who works in Digital to use an AI. Sure, but I also expect them to be able to think for themselves, not pass off other entities work as their own, or at least have the sense to realise that this is not an original idea, and when a recruiting manager looks at 4 applications that use all the same words, the jig is up!
As it happens it didn't work anyway, the pass mark is quite high and needs specific and real examples so they were all sifted out.
Yeah there's no way I'm using ChatGPT. I'm good enough not to need it!
I have also been informed by a colleague (I haven't tested this) that if you put text into Chat GPT and ask it "did you write this?" it will give you an honest answer. So I will be doing that with all the CVs from now on. We really need to stop feeding then abusing the machines, did nobody watch Terminator?
I suspect only if trying to be an actual Architect in the protected sense. There are millions of SW architects out there and no one seems bothered!
clearly in practice there is some acceptance of the Software Architect (and I think its quite a good term for it) but it appears they may actually be illegal!
[code]20.-(1) A person shall not practise or carry on business under any name, style or title containing the word "architect" unless he is a person registered in Part 1 of the Register.
(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent any use of the designation "naval architect", "landscape architect" or "golf-course architect".[/code]
‘Architect’ can simply mean someone who designs something. People who design buildings have taken over the word and want it to apply to only people who design buildings.
This is, charitably, utter bollocks. Its original and literal meaning is "chief builder". Obviously it has long been used metaphorically (e.g. Hitler was the architect of his own demise) and recently has been adopted by tradespeople (e.g. database architect).
But the idea that architect just means designer, and uppity house-designers have "taken over the word" is very silly.
I go straight to LinkedIn
Ever since my sister endorsed my xml skills on LinkedIn I knew it was pretty much worthless.
It is just a self-congratulatory forum where no one critisises anything and hardly anyone posts anything that could be critisised, there's lots of virtue signalling, and lots of building up connection networks with tenuous links just to show how great you are.
But the idea that architect just means designer, and uppity house-designers have “taken over the word” is very silly.
Thank you for your input. You can give yourself a sticker, and maybe have a warm drink to soothe your throat after shouting at the world.
I have also been informed by a colleague (I haven’t tested this) that if you put text into Chat GPT and ask it “did you write this?” it will give you an honest answer.
That's awesome!
It is just a self-congratulatory forum where no one critisises anything and hardly anyone posts anything that could be critisised, there’s lots of virtue signalling, and lots of building up connection networks with tenuous links just to show how great you are.
Maybe I'll put in my profile that I am not using it and you can reach me by DM on singletrackworld.com
I’ll update it, but I’ll be very bloody careful as my current bosses are most likely on it as well.
Anyone active on LinkedIn is looking for a new job. It's the obvious giveaway 😀 . If I were HR I'd be running monitoring systems for flight risk.
I put together Son2's first CV. He left school at 18 planning for a career in aviation. With 10 GCSE's and 3 A Levels he needed a little extra something to standout. A nice smart selfie photo of him flying solo did the trick. There is no photo on my CV but I used a work headshot for LinkedIn. My work teams picture is me in a skin suit and helmet on the starting line at Hillingdon. Says something about me outside of work.
I really should have a go at seeing what chatgpt does to my CV. I've played with it a bit and I'm sure its just made stuff up so you cannot just cut and paste. Tbh if they can't be arsed to check their application, then what will the quality of their work be like! (though I have a problem with spelling and mixing words up, sometimes I can't spot errors despite knowing they are likely to be there)
I recruit in a similar way to DB. Sounds like others don't. Still worth updating it, as you may get someone who does use it as a verification tool to help with recruitment.
Often I look to see if I know someone who has worked with the candidate, and then contact that person to have a chat. The amount of bs on peoples CVs is incredible
In fact there is one contract chap on linkedin I actually have a chuckle about seeing his latest fanciful claim or job title, after he reapplied for a role with us a few years after being booted for being terrible. He didn't realise the same people would be recruiting. You'd think he'd single handedly saved the IT dept from oblivion
The other one I picked up on when recruiting a lot a few years back was fake software companies that some of the applicants had obviously paid money to provide a dodgy references. After a while seeing the same company name coming up on the same 'type' of CVs made it obvious something not quite right was going on, especially after interviewing and finding out they didn't have a scooby. Dunno if that is still a thing
Ever since my sister endorsed my xml skills on LinkedIn I knew it was pretty much worthless.
I disabled that years ago, I was being recommended for all sorts of shit I knew nothing about, mainly as LI randomly asks people 'Does footflaps know Perl / Judo / Chess / CPR' and people would just tick Yes to get the box to go away.
Half our sales team were experts in SW Architecture or 5G physical layer, it was about as useful as Bojo as PM.
Architects are on the down slope of the hype cycle with my current employer. There are too many associations with big design up front and contradictions with self organisation and DORA principles IME.
They’ll come back into fashion though once the current egos in the roles have moved on.
I’ve not seen anyone else suggest it but have you thought about asking STW for a job, I mean well, you know…
Hamsters aren't cheap in the current climate, someones got to keep that treadmill revolving.
Welp, it's short - I cut out all the waffle from earlier jobs since they were all so long ago now. It's basically just a few paras about how awesome I am and what I have done in my current role, then a job history.
Welp, it’s short
send the new one plus the original one to one of the people on here who offered to scan it for you. We all have a terrible tendancy to downplay what we can do because we don't think it's important when it might just be what people want
(or start hunting ebay for a hamster costume 😉 )
The original one is going in the bin. It's.. a blast from the past. It's like a floppy blonde haircut with round glasses. It contains the acronym 'WAP'.
