Intro

Intro

eQuest Solutions was formed to define the new millennium in technical recruiting.  It comes as no surprise that the technical arena has experienced substantial changes in recent times.  eQuest Solutions is here to support and assist you in these important times of change.

Unequivocal ethics is the cornerstone of eQuest Solution's business.

The foundation of eQuest Solutions is based on a superior level of client  service.  Although a great deal has changed in the industry, we are still  dedicated to providing your company with the top-quality service that you command and deserve.  We pride ourselves on the ability to offer  personalized attention and to appreciate your business, culture and technical  environment.

To further distinguish ourselves, eQuest Solutions has been touted for its superior comprehension of today’s bleeding edge technology and its persistency in staying abreast of new developments in the industry.  This allows us to converse with your managers on a technical level, understand their technical requirements and present you with only the most qualified candidates.   We guarantee to thoroughly evaluate our candidates to ascertain their professional and personal qualifications and introduce them to you with a comprehensive summary of our assessment.  Our clients find that this service adds efficiency and faith to the process and relationship.  You will soon discover that our success ratio of resumes submitted to offers extended is unsurpassed.

eQuest Solutions locates today’s leading talent via an extensive network, not a stale database.  As fast as the technology is changing, so are the candidates’ skill sets.   A candidate’s technical skills today are not the same as a year or two ago.  We treat our contacts with professionalism and provide them with only preeminent opportunities and they reward us with elite referrals.  Furthermore, we embrace and utilize the latest in technological recruiting tools and strategies.

At eQuest Solutions, we define our success not by quantity, but by the quality of client service and the lasting contributions made by the talent that we have referred.


Contact Us

eQuest Solutions

Hermosa Beach, Ca. 90254
Al Karaptian, President
al@equestsolutions.com
(310) 937-3388

Client Services

Client Services

The top level talent in the industry is not actively pursuing opportunities. These candidates are not comfortable posting resumes on the Internet or Job Boards.  They develop their careers through referrals based on a proven network that has been established over time. They are represented and advised by a recruiter that has and continues to present them with superior job opportunities. eQuest Solutions is integrated into this network due to its superior ability to present these elite candidates with opportunities that match their background and offer opportunity for career advancement.

eQuest Solutions prides itself on representing these industry leading candidates to its clients.

eQuest Solutions has the ability to assist its clients with all levels of Information Technology positions.  The following are examples of positions that eQuest Solutions consistently fills:

Security

  • CISO
  • Security Architects
  • Security Engineers
  • Security Analysts
  • Security Areas
    • SIEM/Incident Response
    • IDS/IPS
    • Vulnerability Management
    • Penetration Testing
    • Application Scanning
    • DLP/Forensics
    • Encryption
    • Compliance (PCI, SSAE 16, EU)

Data Professionals

  • BigData (MapRedue, Apache Hadoop, Aparch Spark Streaming, Pig, Hive, Hbase, ZooKeeper, , Sqoop, Apace Kafka, Amazon Elastic, HDFS, Cloudera, YARN, Impala, Flume, etc.)
  • Amazon AWS Big Data Solutions
    • Kinesis Firehose, Streams and Analytics
    • Redshift (Datawarehousing)
    • Amazon EMR
    • RDS Aurora
    • Quicksight
    • Elasticsearch Service
    • ElastiCache
    • CloudSearch
    • AWS Auto Scaling
    • Route 53 DNS Service
    • SQS (Simple Que Service)
    • SNS (Simple Notification Service / Push Notification)Cloud Computing (Amazon EC2/AWS/S3, Goggle Application Engine, Rackspace, HP Cloud Services)
  • DBA (NoSQL/MongoDB/Cassandra/Couchbase/Elasticsearch/DataStax, MySQL, Postgres, Oracle, SQL Server)
  • Data Architects
  • Data Warehouse Engineers
  • Business Intelligence/Reporting Architects/Engineers (Tableau, Business Objects, Microstrategy, Sci2, Pajek, Gephi, D3, Crystal Reports)
  • ETL

DevOps

  • AWS
    • Cloud Formation
    • EC2: Elastic Load Balance (ELB) and LAUNCH configuration
    • RDS: backend database service
    • Lambda and API Gateway
    • Cloud watch (alerts and logs)
  • Chef, Puppet, Splunk, Ansible, Docker, SaltStack, Cobbler, Spacewalk, ServiceNow, GuardRail and Atlas

Enterprise Architects (SOA, EAI)

Engineers/Developers

  • Java (Java EE, MicroServices, Spring, Struts/Tiles, Hibernate, MVC)
  • Scala/Play Framework
  • Ruby
  • Python
  • PHP
  • Perl
  • .NET
  • C/C++
  • Continuous Integration/CI (Jenkins/Hudson)
  • Web Developers (jQuery/jQuery UI, AngularJS, Angular2, Backbone.js, Ember.js, Handlebars.js, Vue.js, Mustache. JSON)
  • Mobile Application Developers (Apple iOS, Objective-C and Google Android, Java)
  • UI/UX Architects and Designers

Quality Assurance Managers/Engineers, Configuration Management

Infrastructure Architects

Network

  • Network Architects and Engineers (CCIE)
  • Network Administrators
  • Systems Administrators (RH ES/AS Linux, Centos, Debian, Ubuntu, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, Microsoft Windows)
  • Site Reliability Engineers
  • Data Center Operations
  • NOC
  • Storage Area Networking (SAN)/Network Attached Storage (NAS)

ERP/CRM Managers/Analysts/Developers (Oracle Applications, SAP, SalesForce, Workday)

Project Managers, Scrum Masters/Agile Coach and Systems Analysts

Pre/Post Sales, Product Development, Implementation Engineers

Executive Management

  • CTO/CIO
  • VP
  • Director
  • Manager

We specialize in the placement of top level talent.


Contact Us

eQuest Solutions

Hermosa Beach, Ca. 90254
Al Karaptian, President
al@equestsolutions.com
(310) 937-3388

Candidate Services

Candidate Services

eQuest Solutions is dedicated to offering its candidates only the best in career opportunities.  We vow to inform you of the client, its business and model, culture, technical environment and roles and responsibilities of the position applying for.  We will provide you with all the necessary information to allow you to evaluate the opportunity and perform a successful interview.

We offer only the best in career opportunities.

Select a Service

Resume Writing Tips

Step 1 - Name and Contact Information

Introduce yourself with the name you use in your personal and professional life.
  • Full Name
  • Home Address
  • Home Phone Number
  • Work Phone Number
  • Email Address

Step 2 - Objective or Profile

You should not overlook the importance of the objective part of the resume. The objective informs the potential employer that you are moving in a certain direction; it relates your work preference(s); and it is used as a center point from which to review and analyze your resume.

Make sure the objective is brief, clear, and consistent with your accomplishments and skills as written in your resume. (If you have more than one professional goal, you should consider developing more than one resume with each presenting a different objective.) You can use a profile to serve as an alternative to an objective statement. You are able to present your strengths at the very beginning of the resume.

Step 3 - Education

Education is important to many hiring managers. List your most recent  educational experience first. Include:
  • Degree Earned (A.S., B.S., B.A, etc.)
  • Major institution(s) attended
  • Date of graduation (If not complete, indicate as “In Progress”)
  • Minors or concentrations
  • Any industry related certifications
  • Any special workshops, seminars, related coursework or senior project

Step 4 - Work Experience 

It is important that the employer be aware of your skills and on-the-job abilities. All significant work experience should appear in chronological order. Include:
  • Name of organization
  • The title of your position
  • Location of work (city, state)
  • Dates of employment, including month and year started and month and year completed.  This is the most important part of a resume, especially for technical candidates.  It is important to provide the reader with an overall description of the company, department or project that you were working on.  Proceed with an in-depth description of your responsibilities within the department or project.  Be sure to list, in detail, all of the specific technologies utilized and your accomplishments. Cite specifics, such as development language/s, number/type/O/S/version of servers installed/administered/maintained, number/size/type of databases installed/administered/maintained, monetary budgets, time periods/efficiency improved, which demonstrate progress or accomplishments due directly to your work. One should describe what they have done or performed with each technology.

Do not be concerned with being too detailed or having a resume that is too long.  In my 15+ years of recruiting experience, only once have I had a client comment that a resume was too long. Too brief or a non detailed work experience section leaves doubt in a reader’s mind which increases the possibility of the reader passing and moving on. After reading this section of the resume, the reader should have no doubts regarding your technical experience and ability.  Draw focus to your achievements in describing work responsibilities by using action words to communicate your skills. Begin sentences with action verbs. Portray yourself as someone who is active, ambitious, and proactive. List the most important and related responsibilities first.

Step 5 - References

Usually, you should not list references on resumes unless space is available at the end. Note, however, that you should have a typed list of references available at the interview. Include the name, title, employer, address, business and home telephone number.  State at the bottom of your resume: References: Furnished upon request.

Step 6 - Review

Proofread, proofread and proofread. Be sure to catch all spelling errors, grammatical weaknesses, unusual punctuation, and inconsistent capitalizations. Proofread the resume over a two day period to allow a fresh eye to catch any hidden mistakes.

Have a trusted friend review your resume. Be sure to pick someone who is attentive to details, can effectively critique your writing, and will give an honest and objective opinion. Seriously consider their advice. Get a third and fourth opinion if you can.


Contact Us

eQuest Solutions

Hermosa Beach, Ca. 90254
Al Karaptian, President
al@equestsolutions.com
(310) 937-3388

Submit Your Resume

Include the following information:
  • Current salary (or contracting rate).
  • Salary requirement (range) or contracting rate.
  • Preference: Contract or Permanent positions.
  • Reason for leaving last 3 employers.
  • When you can start your next position.
  • Any pending offers.
  • Citizenship Status (i.e. U.S., Green Card, H1 Visa).
Submit Resume

Contact Us

eQuest Solutions

Hermosa Beach, Ca. 90254
Al Karaptian, President
al@equestsolutions.com
(310) 937-3388

Interview Preparation Tips

Attire

Consider the corporate culture carefully and dress to make a positive, professional impression. This usually means a coat and tie, business suit or casual suit. However some casual employers request you dress according to their work environment, thus check with your recruiter or the Human Resources Department prior to the interview to determine the proper interview attire. Most important, make a neat appearance.

Arrival

Arrive right on time. A late or early arrival can inconvenience a hiring manager.  Keep coats, bags and belongings you must carry to a minimum.  If you bring copies of your resume, references or samples of work, enclose them in a briefcase or an attractive notebook.  Juggling multiple items may make you appear clumsy and awkward, especially when you are reaching for that firm handshake.

Sell Yourself

This interview will probably be your first and only chance to prove to the employer or hiring manager that you are the person for the position.  Tout your accomplishments without coming off as arrogant.  Hiring managers tend to ask general and vague questions, however you need to be confident, thorough and detailed in your responses.  Never attempt to answer a question that you do not know the answer to.  Simply reply that you have not had the opportunity to work with that, but you are willing to do the necessary research and are confident in your ability to learn.

Be Positive and Energetic

Emphasize the positive impact you have made at your current and previous employers. Avoid mentioning any negative experiences, as a hiring manager may associate the negativity with you.  Be enthusiastic and zealous during the interview, as everyone likes to work with an exciting person.

Prepare

Again, the interview is your one and only chance to prove yourself.  Review the job description thoroughly and then your resume.  Prepare a summarized list of your strengths, accomplishments, and examples of your work as they meet the job description.  From this list, you will be able to answer most questions asked by hiring managers.  This list will serve as a starting point for responses to questions, and then remember to elaborate, in detail, about your strengths or accomplishments.

Some say that past performance predicts future performance or behavior. Thus, your answers or responses are more credible and convincing when they are supported by your actions. Don’t lead an answer with “my greatest strength is …” or “I am very good at …” This is a great start, but you should validate that statement with your previous actions or accomplishments that support the statement. For more information on this strategy; search, review and practice Behavioral Based Interviewing.

Be proactive about relating your skill set or strengths with those of the position requirements. If a hiring manager mentions a job requirement or position responsibility, be sure to bring your past experiences to the attention of the hiring manager that meets those requirements.

Body Language

Maintain eye contact, good posture and lean forward to indicate interest.  And, of course, give a firm hand shake.

Closing

Ask the hiring manager if there is anything else that he or she would like you to clarify or elaborate. Bring a list of prepared questions to ask.  Some good questions are:

  1. What are the most important responsibilities or qualifications for this position? Ask only if they have not already been discussed.
  2. What do you see as the greatest challenge of this position?
  3. What would be the next logical position after I successfully complete this assignment?
  4. What do you like most about working for this department or company?
  5. And if you feel confident, ask the hiring manager if there is any reason why you would not be offered the position?  At this point, address any concerns that he or she may have.

Thank You Note

It is always a good idea to send a hand-written “Thank You” note or email after an interview. Ask for a business card from everyone whom you interview with and create them all a short note.  Besides politeness, this sends another positive message to the hiring manager about you.


Contact Us

eQuest Solutions

Hermosa Beach, Ca. 90254
Al Karaptian, President
al@equestsolutions.com
(310) 937-3388

Counter Offers

Statistics from Business Week, the National Employment Association, and the National Business Employment Weekly state that 80-90% of employees that accept counter-offers, leave within 6 months.

Emotions run high when a resignation is received and promises tend to be made by employers that are unrealistic. A natural fear of change could make you do something you would not ordinarily do. Never underestimate the value of your integrity in this situation.

Reasons companies extend a counter offer:

  1. Department morale suffers when people leave.
  2. Employee resignations do not look good on a manager's record.
  3. It is cheaper to give you a raise than it would be to recruit a new employee.
  4. The project you were working on will suffer delays because of your departure.
  5. Companies want to have low turnover rate.
  6. Companies do not want sensitive or confidential information going to a competitor.
  7. Companies do not want skilled professionals going to competitors.

Reasons for not accepting a counter offer:

  1. Aside from money, your original reasons for leaving your job will still be present after accepting a counter offer.
  2. The money extended to you in the counter offer often comes out of your next raise or bonus. Companies usually have strict guidelines about salary increases and promotions.
  3. You will not be considered a loyal employee from here on out; therefore, you will never be included in the inner circle.
  4. When promotion time comes around, managers remember who was loyal and who was not.
  5. If the company hits rough waters, you will be the first to be let go.
  6. You had to threaten to leave in order to receive the rewards and career path you have earned.
  7. Often, when you accept a counter offer, your manager will already be looking for your replacement.

The reality is that your boss does not like to be fired. Your boss is likely most concerned that she/he may look bad, and that this could jeopardize his/her career.  He/she is judged by the ability to retain staff. When a contributor quits, morale suffers. Further, your leaving might jeopardize an important project, cause a greater workload, or foul up a vacation schedule.  It's never a good time for someone to quit, and it may prove very time consuming and costly to replace you, especially considering search and relocation expenses. It is much cheaper to keep you at a slightly higher salary. And, it would be better to fire you later, on the company's time frame.


Contact Us

eQuest Solutions

Hermosa Beach, Ca. 90254
Al Karaptian, President
al@equestsolutions.com
(310) 937-3388

Resignation and Recommendations

Shortly after you hand in your letter of resignation, you might get escorted out the door. That's typical at large companies, because it's better all the way around for both you and your company. On the other hand, your company might ask you to stay through your notice period. In either case, you might be watched closely in your final hours. Last impressions are more powerful than first impressions, so do all you can to be remembered as a professional and keep your references intact.

When conducting reference and background checks, employers go back as far as ten years or more when contacting your former employers. 

Prepare to Resign

So there's no question about what belongs to you or the company, compile your portfolio, take personal property home, and remove personal files and software from your computer before you resign. Again, you might be escorted out the door soon afterwards, so you might not a get a chance to do all of this. It might look just a tad suspicious if you wait until after you resign to remove stuff from your office, especially from your computer and file cabinet.

Resignation Meeting with Boss

Work out what you're going to say and then stick to it. The boss will try and probe you for more information – details that you may not want to give at this stage. Don’t be obstructive but simply make it clear that you are submitting an oral resignation. Emphasize the positives: you never know when your career will mean that you cross paths with your former employers so don’t dwell on the negative aspects of your time at the firm.

Expect a reaction: unless your boss is expecting you to resign, your decision may come as a surprise. The boss may get emotional or even confrontational in which case, stick to your prepared comments.

Retain your composure. The boss may by now no longer see you as a team player and may even feel betrayed. Once again, stick to your pre-prepared comments and try not to rise to the challenge. Speak in measured tones and regulate your breathing.

Always leave the meeting on a good note and be as co-operative as possible.  You should stress that you will undertake uncompleted work to the best of your ability. People remember both the first and last impression you make on them.

Give Ample and Proper Notice

The minimum notice that U.S. employers typically require is two business weeks, and they usually want it in writing.  Don't jeopardize your new job or let your current employer exploit you.

Offer to Help

Don't make promises you can't keep and again, don't let them exploit you. Consider offering to assist in finding and interviewing your replacement.  Help out until your replacement is on board.  Train your replacement.

Ask for Reference Letters

If they're not too upset that you quit, now's a good time to ask bosses, coworkers and direct-reports for reference (recommendation) letters, while they can still recall your finer points. Even if you've already landed a new job, look down the road. It doesn't hurt to keep reference letters on file for later use. They have several advantages, the biggest of which is that you'll already know what your references have to say about you.

Say Good-Bye

Take the time to talk with each of your bosses, coworkers and direct reports. Keep it positive and light, while choosing your words carefully. If asked why you're leaving, make general statements such as, "It's a career opportunity I just can't pass up." Avoid expressing too much regret, as it probably won't appear to be sincere. (Why would you quit if you truly regret it?) Instead, express your appreciation and say that you’ll miss working with them. If appropriate, distribute simple thank-you cards or notes.

Don't accept a counteroffer

Despite how flattering it might be, many career advisors agree that it's not a good idea to accept a counteroffer once you've made it clear you want to resign. They might be making it only to take advantage of you until they find a "more dedicated" or cheaper replacement. (Why did they wait until you resigned, to offer you what you're really worth to them?) Try not to encourage a counteroffer by making statements such as, "I'm leaving because I need more money." You should decline tactfully to avoid bad feelings. However, avoid expressing too much regret, as that will encourage them to pressure you to stay.

Don't feel guilty

People quit all the time. No matter how guilty they try to make you feel, the company will likely survive just fine without you. If you feel a guilt trip coming on, think about how the company would likely have laid you off, without any guilt, if it were to their advantage.

Don't display a short-timer's attitude

Before handing in your resignation letter, make sure your office and projects are in order and try to clear up unfinished business. Try to leave things in the same condition you'd like to see them if you were the boss or your replacement. If you have to stay through your notice period, conduct business as usual and give a little extra effort to wrap things up.

Don't join the bad eggs

Some of your discontented coworkers might think you're now on their side, and prod you to criticize the company or coworkers. But it's not a good idea. You never know who you can truly trust, who your next boss might be, or who is eavesdropping just around the corner in the cubicle maze.

Exit Interview

Your management or HR department might ask you for "constructive criticism" during your exit interview, but they might be trying to find out the "real" reason why you're leaving. (Why did they wait until you quit to ask for your opinion?) Never criticize the company or its employees. If they ask why you're leaving, make noncommittal statements such as, "It's a career move." Avoid statements they can read into, such as, "It's a more challenging career opportunity." To those ready to pounce, this seemingly innocent statement might imply that you weren't happy with the job you resigned. It might bite you later during background and reference checks.

Sample Resignation Letters


Contact Us

eQuest Solutions

Hermosa Beach, Ca. 90254
Al Karaptian, President
al@equestsolutions.com
(310) 937-3388