Our first 10 years doing recruitment in Spain
This year marks a decade since E-Frontiers took a significant step by expanding its operations to Spain. With a clear focus and defined mission, it arrived in Madrid with the firm conviction of providing effective solutions to both companies and candidates across the country. Today, looking back, we take pride in how our recruitment in Spain has transformed lives, advanced careers, and helped companies find the talent they need to thrive.
First conversations with E-Frontiers
My relationship with E-Frontiers goes back a long way. Even before working here, I had connections with its employees and some of its directors. Why? Because I knew that their team had a perfect understanding of the Spanish IT market; because their people were present at all the key tech events, and most importantly, because I knew they worked differently. Where other companies struggled to find qualified talent in a competitive market, the people at E-Frontiers were able to help their clients build highly qualified teams.
I remember one of my first conversations with one of the founders of E-Frontiers. While I was telling him about how I did my job at a large company in the sector, sharing data about how many interviews I conducted and how many hires I made, none of this seemed to impress him. What he said to me was:
“Pino, for us, the important thing here is the candidate and our clients. It’s quality, not quantity. The most important thing is to support individuals throughout their journey, whether they are candidates or hiring managers. For candidates, this means preparing them for interviews and ensuring they find a job where they truly fit and feel happy. For hiring managers, it involves leveraging our expertise to introduce them to strong candidates who will positively impact their teams”
It didn’t take long for me to realize that E-Frontiers really works differently. Their teams not only have great expertise in the market, but they also understand technology, the labor world, and they truly know how to prepare a candidate to achieve the desired job.
How we work
Our success in Spain is measured not only by the number of placements made but by the quality and impact of our solutions. Every company we collaborate with receives a personalized service tailored to their specific needs. We strive to deeply understand each client’s corporate culture, goals, and challenges. This understanding allows us to find the right talent—people who not only meet the technical requirements but also fit perfectly into the work environment and share the company’s vision.
However, our true passion and commitment are focused on the candidates. We know that job hunting can be an overwhelming and sometimes discouraging experience. That’s why we dedicate ourselves to accompanying each candidate on their journey, providing them with support, guidance, and life-changing opportunities.
From the first contact, our goal is to establish a relationship of trust with eachn individual. With candidates, we listen to their aspirations, understand their strengths, and work to find the perfect opportunity that allows them to develop both professionally and personally. It’s not just about finding a job; it’s about building a career and realizing dreams.
Success Stories
Over these ten years, we have witnessed countless success stories. From young graduates who found their first job to experienced professionals who discovered new opportunities and challenges that revitalized their careers. Each story is a testament to our commitment to the well-being and development of people.
I remember the case of Marta, a talented engineer who, after months of unsuccessful job searching, came to our agency feeling discouraged. After getting to know her skills and aspirations, we found her a position at a growing tech company. Today, Marta has not only advanced professionally but also leads innovative projects and has become an inspiration to others.
Another example of a client success story involves a mid-sized tech company struggling to find experienced software developers with experience with a new and unusual programming language. Despite numerous efforts, they were unable to attract the right candidates. After partnering with E-Frontiers, we conducted an in-depth analysis of their needs, culture, and the specific challenges they faced. We then leveraged our extensive network and market knowledge to identify and attract top talent. Within a few months, the company had successfully hired several highly skilled developers who not only met the technical requirements but also integrated seamlessly into the team, significantly boosting their productivity and project success rates.
Continued Growth – Recruitment in Portugal
We have recently expanded into the Portuguese market, supporting clients from Spain, Ireland and the UK as they grow in Portugal. Our goal is to deliver our quality service in this promising and expanding market.
Our mission
As we celebrate our tenth anniversary in Spain, we renew our commitment to excellence and dedication to our clients and candidates. We are more motivated than ever to continue providing effective and humane solutions to the labor market. Our mission remains clear: to connect people with opportunities that allow them to reach their full potential.
Thank you to everyone who has trusted us and been part of this story. We look forward to celebrating many more decades with all of you.
Alejandro Pino Alamillo – Team Lead Recruiter @E-Frontiers Spain
Do you want to speak with me? Book a slot here
Foto de Christina @ wocintechchat.com en Unsplash
Tienes una entrevista de trabajo: ¿Ahora qué?
A día de hoy, asegurarte una posición en la industria IT requiere más que un conocimiento en ciertas herramientas y tecnologías. Destacar a nivel personal y encajar a nivel cultural con la empresa con la que tienes interés es casi igual de importante.
Tanto como si eres un profesional senior como si eres un recién graduado entrando en el mundo laboral, prepararse una entrevista de trabajo es crucial para poder pasar con éxito un proceso de selección.
Para ello, contar con la ayuda de un recruiter de E-Frontiers es una ventaja que te hará destacar en cualquier entrevista. No solo ayudamos con la preparación del CV y tu posicionamiento dentro de una empresa, si no que también te asesoraremos durante todo el proceso de selección, dando tips para entrevistas y preparándote para ellas de la manera más eficaz posible.
¿Cómo prepararse antes de una entrevista de trabajo?
Interés
Puede parecer obvio, pero es crucial verse, sonar y actuar interesado en la posición en la que estás inscrito. Mostrarte afable cuando te llaman desde RRHH para concretar una primera entrevista, mantener el contacto con el reclutador que te está llevando la candidatura y preguntar dudas es una señal positiva que señala que de verdad te interesa el puesto al que te estás postulando.
Investiga la empresa
Antes del proceso de entrevista siempre recomendamos hacer una pequeña investigación acerca de la empresa. Comprender sus valores, su misión, los productos y servicios que desarrollan. No solo para responder a la típica pregunta de “¿Qué sabes acerca de nosotros?”. También para poder tener un contexto y hablar con más naturalidad con ellos.
¿Y qué investigo?
Investiga su página web.
Novedades en la compañía, últimas noticias, conoce a sus directivos.
Estudia en profundidad la descripción del puesto para el que estás aplicando, anticipándote de esta manera a posibles preguntas.
Descubre quién te entrevistará y aprende cosas sobre él. A través de LinkedIn podrás ver dónde ha trabajado, dónde ha estudiado, qué contactos tenéis en común. Es una forma de romper la barrera y puedes usarlo para romper el hielo y hacer la entrevista más amigable.
Demuestra tus conocimientos técnicos
En el sector IT, la experiencia técnica es uno de los puntos clave. Para poder demostrarla, son necesario una serie de matices:
La descripción del puesto de trabajo
Todo el proceso y evaluación técnica se va a basar en lo que salga allí listado. Revísala, conoce qué puntos dominas a la perfección y en qué puntos puedes llegar a fallar. Toda prueba técnica estará basada en las herramientas que salgan listadas en ella.
Refuerza puntos de mejora
Tras revisar la descripción quizá haya alguna herramienta que hace tiempo que no tocas. Tómate tu tiempo en repasarla para poder llevar esa información lo más fresca posible.
Destaca tus hitos
Quizá te pregunten de qué proyecto basado en Java te sientes más orgulloso. O cómo fue el despliegue de Kubernetes más duro en el que trabajaste. Párate un tiempo a pensar qué proyectos te gustaría destacar y tenlos siempre en mente para cuando te pregunten sobre los proyectos más relevantes de tu experiencia.
Ejemplos prácticos y repositorios
A través de un repositorio como Github o un portfolio personal puedes demostrar al entrevistador con ejemplos reales hechos por ti, parte de lo que puedes hacer. Mantenlo siempre actualizado ya que es una carta de presentación junto con tu CV.
Demuestra tus habilidades personales
En los procesos de selección siempre habrá un porcentaje elevado de importancia en competencias técnicas, pero no podemos dejar de lado las personales. Por lo general, habilidades comunicativas, de solución de problemas, trabajo en equipo o idiomas son en general skills que van a evaluarte.
Mejora tu discurso
Método STAR
Estructura tus respuestas usando el formato Situación, Tarea, Acción, Resultado. Esto ayudará a organizar tus pensamientos y presentar tus experiencias de manera clara y concisa.
Practica la entrevista
Practica en voz alta posibles respuestas a preguntas que sabes que te harán. Hacer esto en alto, junto con un familiar o amigo que haga a la vez de entrevistador, ayudará a anticiparte a la entrevista practicándola de forma real.
Prepara tus respuestas
Organiza posibles respuestas a las preguntas típicas que sabes que te harán.
Estudia los requisitos
Prepara tus respuestas basándote en qué se está pidiendo en la oferta de trabajo y alineándolo con los objetivos y valores de la empresa.
Haz preguntas
Prepárate siempre un par de preguntas para el propio entrevistador, en las que demuestres tu verdadero interés en la posición mostrando curiosidad por algunos de los aspectos de la empresa.
Tu ropa y actitud
La vestimenta es muy importante ante cualquier presentación frente a una empresa aunque no necesariamente tienes que ir con atuendo excesivamente arreglado. Explorando un poco la cultura de la empresa, o incluso preguntando al reclutador, podrás escoger la forma de vestir adecuada para reunirte con ellos.
Otro punto también importante sería tu comunicación no verbal y actitud: llegar puntual, un apretón de manos firma, mantener el contacto visual o escuchar atentamente son buenas señales para los entrevistadores.
La entrevista en Videollamada
Durante los últimos años hemos visto un crecimiento enorme de las entrevistas en vídeo. Agilizan el proceso de selección y permite una mayor flexibilidad para programarlas. A pesar de sus ventajas, puede acarrear varios inconvenientes como problemas técnicos y fallas de comunicación
Testea tu equipo
Antes de acceder a la entrevista, comprueba que el link que te han mandado funciona correctamente, que micrófonos y cámara están conectados. Prueba también tu conexión a internet, a ser posible conéctate mediante cable para evitar problemas.
Elige un fondo profesional
Un fondo en blanco o un ambiente bien ordenado dentro de tu casa. Evita fondos donde pueda haber distracciones para la persona que te está entrevistando.
Iluminación
Colócate cerca de una fuente de luz potente, a ser posible natural evitando crear sombras.
Domina la plataforma
Ya sea Zoom, Teams, Skype o cualquier otra plataforma de videoconferencias, haz siempre una prueba inicial para conocer sus comandos: Cómo mutearte, cómo encender el vídeo o cómo compartir pantalla.
Gestiona las interrupciones
Siempre puede pasar en mitad de la entrevista algún problema como un repartidor que llama a tu puerta o un ruido externo que se cuela en la llamada. Trata esto con naturalidad, discúlpate y sigue la entrevista como si nada.
¡Si estás considerando una cambio laboral, contáctanos! Estamos aquí para asistirte en cada etapa de emocionante cambio.
Síguenos en nuestras redes sociales y LinkedIn para estar al tanto de todas las novedades y nuevos blogs.
Picture by Michael Discenza
Meeting Brendan
I had visited America twice before on summer holidays, exploring New York in 2010 and Chicago in 2013. It had always been my plan to return after graduating, but this time, there seemed to be more on offer.
I met Brendan Carroll, the MD, for a coffee at the Anner Hotel in Thurles around midSeptember 2016. Funnily enough, I had spent the day making hurleys and just managed to rush home to shower and change before racing to Thurles. Brendan, whom I knew through the GAA and Thurles Golf Club, ran a recruitment company in Dublin. I thought he might have strong connections in the US to help me find a job.
How it started
Arriving in New York in 2017, truth be told, I knew very little about business, recruitment, or even life in general. I was 25 and had just graduated from Waterford Institute of Technology with a degree in Software Engineering. I was so undecided about my future that I spent four months making hurleys in my hometown of Borrisoleigh, Tipperary, with Bourke Sports.
We chatted for an hour or two about everything and anything, and jokingly, I quoted my dad saying,
“If Brendan was any good, he’d give you a job himself.”
For some reason, something clicked with Brendan, and he said, “I’ve got an idea. I’ll give you a buzz later today. I want to run something past Paddy and Vinny,” our other two founders.
Later that day, while I was back at Bourkes sanding down a few new hurleys, Brendan called and said, “We are going to give this a go.” I replied, “What do you mean?” as I had no idea what he was talking about.
“We’re going to open an office in New York, and you’re going to take it on.”
One week later…
One week later, I landed in New York with a phone, a laptop, and a hand-me-down suit from my brother. Initially, Brendan spent time with me explaining E-Frontiers’ offerings, how we positioned ourselves, and ultimately, why a specialist recruitment firm could be successful.
It was my first dive into the world of LinkedIn and networking, understanding who was connected to whom and how it all worked.
The beginning
From there, I began meeting people in the city as much as I could, some of Brendan’s connections and some new connections I found through Irish networks in New York and the GAA. Joining the IBO(Irish Business Organization) was a good move for networking. It was great to meet people, share my story, and develop my pitch, even if the person I was speaking with wasn’t interested. My main focus was connecting clients we had in Ireland, the UK and Spain with opportunities in the US. I checked to see their operations in NYC and tried to get a warm introduction to a hiring manager.
Then, I would try to meet the right person here, share a bit about my story and E-Frontiers, and hopefully win some business. It was a great personal learning curve. Growing up, I was always a bit of a class clown, loud and always with something to say, but in more formal settings, I tended to be quiet as a mouse.
How it’s going
Over the past eight years, we’ve stuck to the basics i.e. making connections and meeting the right people who understand what we do. We’re not competing with large recruitment firms; that would be a foolish strategy.
Instead, we provide quality professional services to save time and become trusted partners of our clients.
A partner is someone you can rely on to solve a problem. Just as companies turn to lawyers or financial advisors, we want to position ourselves as trusted partners in hiring top talent.
From 2017 to 2024
Now, we have a team of four in our 5th Ave New York office. We live and breathe the business every day. The mood in the office shifts with the smallest losses and the biggest wins.
Recruitment is a game of rejection; statistics show that only one in every eight submissions for a role ends up being a hire. That means seven personal relationships with candidates where the outcome is unsuccessful.
“Recruitment is about resilience and rolling
with the ups and downs. Those who can
manage and navigate through it succeed.”
Our main focus in the US at the minute lies in 3 main areas: Technology (roles including Desktop Support, Network Engineers, Developers, and Engineering), Fintech Consulting (roles including Business Analysts, Project Managers, and Solution Architects), and finally Construction, an area that has grown massively in the past few years due to the large Irish
contingent involved in the industry here in the US.
Looking ahead, we hope for further growth and the building of a US team and business. We believe in what we’re doing and the solutions we provide.
The author of the article is Tommy Kavanagh, Head of Operations at E-Frontiers US. tommy.kavanagh@e-frontiers.com
