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Explore our insightful blog posts that delve deeper into the latest industry trends, best practices, and success stories. Gain valuable knowledge and stay informed about the ever-evolving landscape of digital transformation.

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How to Vet Remote Candidates and Prevent Hiring Fraud

Since COVID-19 hit, lots of job interviews moved online. It's been great for many, but there's a problem – more and more people are pretending to be someone they're not in these online interviews. This article tells us how interview fraud takes place and how to prevent hiring fraud.  According to HirePro's report, the percentage of candidates who engage in some form of cheating for entry-level positions ranges from 30% to 50%. However, it decreases to 10% to 25% when candidates are applying for lateral entry positions. One reason this is happening is that it's easier for people to pretend online. They can make up fake details about themselves, like their job experience or skills. It's tough for employers to figure out who's real and who's faking it because they can't meet in person. Without face-to-face meetings, employers can't see body language or other signs that might show if someone is lying. Fraudulent candidates take advantage of this by making themselves seem more qualified than they are. They might send in fake documents or use fancy tricks to cheat during the interview. Another reason for this rise in fake candidates is that the job market is super competitive right now. With many people looking for work, some resort to dishonest tactics to try and get a job. It's like a race, and some people are willing to cheat to get ahead. Some of the fraudulent practices we have encountered are:Some other person is giving the interview rather than the actual candidate.The candidate pretends to talk, but someone else is actually doing the talking, and the candidate is just moving their lips.They use a different screen where someone else is coding, and the candidate just acts like they're typing.They try to sneak a peek at another screen or phone they've placed next to their laptop.Instead of showing their entire screen, they only share one tab and copy the code from somewhere else.Same candidate makes multiple profiles on hiring portals with different emails and phone numbers.To stop this, employers need to be extra careful. They should check candidates' backgrounds, verify their information, and use reliable sources to make sure everything adds up. Being open and honest during interviews can also help build trust between employers and real candidates. Technology tools can also be used to make sure the interview process is fair and genuine. Finally, although online interviews are more convenient, they've also made it simpler for fake candidates to trick their way in. This is a friendly reminder to all candidates: always be truthful in interviews and avoid doing things like the ones mentioned earlier. These actions might not help you succeed in the interview, but they will definitely raise a red flag for the hiring team.

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Experience Nineleaps’ Virtual Onboarding Success

The current pandemic has come about suddenly and has brought extreme uncertainty around the world. IT companies everywhere have started remote operations, with all their employees working from home. Even though Nineleaps has successfully integrated a remote operations framework, on the management front new challenges arose especially with virtual onboarding.With our hiring getting more aggressive than before the pandemic, it became vital to discover and implement a virtual process to onboard new talent. After much thought and many discussions, we as a team was able to devise and bring to life a process that has helped us convert this challenge into a new opportunity.I am writing this article to share my experience in designing and conducting the Virtual Onboarding and Induction program at Nineleaps. One of our beliefs at Nineleaps is the evolution towards the future with active collaboration through commitments. With that belief in our hearts, we transitioned from our traditional onboarding to a more virtual process in welcoming our new hires.It was in the middle of March when we decided that all our employees will work from home and continue working for customers remotely. The challenge of onboarding arose when new talent started coming in and there was a question about how to welcome them into the family. After much thought, I decided that using a virtual platform would enable remote onboarding easily. The more I thought about it, the more the challenges presented themselves.We had to design our process in a way so that our new joinees feel welcome in the absence of physical office premises, welcome kits, and the customary meet and greets.We had to also integrate an easy way to provide them with enough information to start off with.We also had to discover ways to keep them engaged throughout the virtual onboarding process.Post Onboarding, we needed a plan to constantly connect with them and give them enough supportFinally, we needed to take in their inputs as feedback and improve the process.I started researching on the digital platforms for documentation and with the necessary details, I approached my seniors with the proof of concept of the process I had envisioned. After a lengthy discussion, they gave me a thumbs up and we went ahead with it.We soon finalized on a very user-friendly, open-source platform provide by Zoho. To make sure that our process is radiant and transparent, we developed our own GLEAM Framework as our plan of action.Greeting: To welcome our new joinees we decided to have a creative welcome note designed by our internal design team that would go as the first thing to their inboxes. Post that, to start with the meet and greets we would have our recruitment team giving notes of welcome to the new joinees post which I would take over to reins in taking the onboarding program forward.Learning: We reduced our traditional 5-hour program to 3 hours on the first day where we would pass on all the knowledge that the new employees require about the company, processes, policies, etc. They would then be introduced to the tech team and our leaders.Empathize: We also decided to utilize this opportunity to connect with them on a personal level by going beyond the traditional ‘How are you?’ by understanding their background, current situation and encouraging them to be transparent. This information would help us help them get accommodated better with the organization.Acquit: We planned their day two in such a way that they could get acquainted with their PoC’s and get a deeper understanding of the next actions that they need to take.Monitor: We also planned to roll out a questionnaire rolled soon after the Induction program for the new joinees to share their experience on the virtual onboarding, monitoring these inputs to help us to improvise our process for the upcoming batches.The framework was then approved and we began to onboard our first talents remotely.On 6th April 2020, we began our first virtual onboarding and induction program with 14 new employees. I remember feeling anxious about the video con-call. However, things settled in soon as there was a synchronicity between me and the employees, the interactions, the new virtual environment, and of course, the new platform. Towards the end of my first Virtual Induction, I remember feeling happy, excited and having a sense of achievement.We have onboarded 30+ new members to our Nineleaps family. It gave me immense pleasure and a lot of positivity while welcoming the new and fresh faces virtually. I am eager to welcome our next batch.“The induction was good and informative. It gives the clear picture of the working and culture of the company. I liked being introduced and being able to chat with different people. I was also happy to get interacted by founders as well. So, it was a very nice experience for me.” — Utkarsh Kumar Agarwal (Software Development Engineer II)Virtual onboarding undoubtedly is a new experience for us however it has made the process more streamlined and quicker by allowing us to continue with our operations even during times like this. Functioning in the current pandemic has made us future-ready in terms of operating remotely and keep the business growing.

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Mastering Data Analysis Skills and it’s Impact on Business

Are you curious about what it takes to become a data analyst? Being a data analyst is an increasingly important role in today’s business landscape and the ability to develop insights from data can be invaluable for companies. In this blog, we’ll discuss what a data analyst does. We will also explore some of the data analysis skills and technologies that would help you become one. We’ll also touch on how even project-based learning can give you an edge as an aspiring data analyst.Who is a data analyst?A data analyst is someone who collects and analyzes data from various sources to uncover patterns, trends, and insights. They are responsible for understanding a company’s internal or external data sets, extracting meaningful information from them, and presenting it in an easy-to-understand way. Data analysts use analytical tools such as SQL and statistical software like SPSS to help them draw conclusions about the data they analyze. By doing this work, they can help businesses make better-informed decisions that will drive their success.What technologies does a data analyst need to learn?Data analysts need to be well-versed in many different technologies and tools. They should have a good understanding of SQL, which allows them to query databases and extract data. Additionally, they will need to learn statistical software like SPSS or SAS that can help them analyze the data they pull out of databases. Data analysts also need to understand how to use visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI, so they can present their findings in an easy-to-understand way. Finally, data analysts may benefit from learning programming languages such as Python or R, which allow them to automate repetitive tasks or build more complex models with their data sets.Importance of a data analyst in the current business landscapeData analysts are playing an increasingly important role in today’s business climate. As companies become more data-driven, organizations need people who can extract meaningful insights from their data sets. Data analysts can help businesses make better-informed decisions by providing them with a deeper analysis of their internal or external data sources. They provide a valuable link between the raw data and decision-makers within a company, giving them the information they need to move forward confidently with any kind of strategic plan.They also play a pivotal role in  consuming and processing large amounts of data generated by the Engineering or Platforms team and then synthesizing it to feed the Data Science Team which powers Digital Transformation initiatives in the organization. In addition to this, data analysts can also identify potential areas for improvement that could lead to increased profits or efficiency gains for the business. Ultimately, having a skilled and experienced data analyst on board is essential for any organization looking to stay ahead of its competition in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.How can project-based learning help you become a data analyst?Project-based learning is an excellent way to gain experience and refine your skills as a data analyst. Through project-based learning, you can get hands-on practice with the tools and technologies used in data analysis. You can work on real-world projects that require you to solve complex problems or build models from scratch, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned in a practical setting. Additionally, project-based learning provides a great platform for networking with other professionals in the field and getting valuable feedback on your progress. By working through projects related to data analysis, you’ll be able to hone your technical abilities while gaining insight into the industry as well. Project-based learning could be just the thing needed to set yourself apart from other aspiring data analysts!Overall, a data analyst is an important role in the current business world. They need to be equipped with numerous technologies and tools to collect, analyze, archive and visualize large datasets. Project-based learning is one of the best pathways to becoming a proficient data analyst as it will allow you to practice the different techniques first-hand to apply them effectively in real-world scenarios. With the right practice and dedication, you can acquire all the skills necessary for making a successful career out of this job!Are you an aspiring data analyst looking to start your career in a dynamic data-driven work environment? Get in touch.

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Navigating the IT Skills Evolution for Career Growth

Gartner predicts that hiring of IT professionals would fall by over 5% by 2019. The report further says that by 2021, 40% of IT staff will be responsible for multiple roles, mainly related to business than technology. This clearly indicates that it is not enough to be just a subject matter expert anymore. IT professionals need to learn and develop a broader set of IT skills and business knowledge to survive and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.As digital technologies continue to redefine business models, conventional job roles are being replaced by emerging positions with more versatile requirements. This change in dynamics warrants newer and more holistic skill sets. Simply put, IT professionals are at a crossroads that reads, and to quote Marshall Goldsmith, “what got you here won’t get you there”. In order to meet evolving business and workplace requirements and seize newer opportunities, you need to learn and develop broader skill sets.So, what’s driving this need?Increasing geo-sourcing and outsourcing, ushering of new-age automation, intensifying and aggressive competition, emerging channels of marketing and strategies, distributed workforce, technology standardization and growing focus on privacy and IT security — are some of the key driving forces behind this shift.Furthermore, as technology continues to integrate more deeply into everyday business operations, IT professionals are compelled to understand the use of technology from a business perspective. They are required to develop IT strategies to not just meet business requirements but deliver benefits and drive IT-enabled transformation to stay ahead of the game.How do you future-proof your career?The only way to ensure career progression is to bridge the skills gap to keep pace with changing business requirements. In other words, you need to diversify into new areas and upskill. The need of the hour is adaptability, creativity and learnability. As IT professionals the future of our career relies on building on our business knowledge. While core IT skills and certifications are useful, employers are increasingly looking for people with diversified skills and knowledge across multiple disciplines.It is no longer about specific technical skill or knowing a particular language. To be successful in today’s competitive and demanding workplace, you need the ability to understand technology holistically and adapt to it as it evolves. There is no doubt that, specific technical skills such as cloud computing, data science, SQL queries, cybersecurity and machine learning are all incredibly important and in demand. But make no mistake, soft and interpersonal skills such as creative thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, communication and stakeholder management also continue to be in high demand in today’s technology-enabled business environment.Reinvent to stay the courseSeeing how technology is evolving at a breakneck speed and continually redefining the way we communicate and do business — employers are seeking candidates who can embody that ability to learn, adapt and advance. There is a strong demand for people with drive, passion and curiosity to learn new skills and take on new challenges. Tech professionals who can plan for and adapt to uncertainty and embrace continuous learning, with a focus on skill development, have greater potential to improve career longevity, personal growth and success.

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Thriving in the IT Job Market with Strategic Approaches

Every year we see thousands of students graduating as engineers. But is this a destination reached? No! Rather, it heralds a new beginning.According to a study conducted by an employment agency known as Aspiring Minds in 2016, 80% of engineering graduates who passed out the previous year were unemployable. When we juxtapose the number of students who pass out and how many of them get into core engineering and IT jobs, the result is negative.On a good note, Nineleaps is hiring!While trying to figure out the reasons for such a thought provoking situation, we get the answer as lack of quality education, infrastructure, faculty and following the same old parrot-fashion learning, among many other issues.Varun Aggarwal, the CTO of Aspiring Minds, was quoted saying, “Engineering has become the de-facto graduate degree for a large chunk of students today. However, along with improving the education standards, it is quintessential that we evolve our undergraduate programmes to make them more job-centric”.Let’s face the truth. This objective is long-term, and we cannot achieve it in a day. However, you can do your part to give that resume more visibility in the recruitment process, and remember, it is not always the grades which reflect in your mark sheets, but there is more to it.Understand The Fundamental Concepts:Try to understand the basics of a subject and also go into the depth of it so that you can be confident enough about it. No matter what question you face with regarding the same, you should be able to answer that. If you were inattentive in class or did not get an opportunity to absorb it, this is not the time to whine about it. Rather, take up the responsibility to teach yourself.How to do that? Refer to the video lectures on Coursera and Lynda to increase your knowledge base. Repenting is not an option, repairing is!Goals Imply Motivation:Often in interviews, one is asked about goals and vision or where you see us five years down the line.Why?Because this gives an insight into how you think.Therefore, rather than getting perplexed and fumble in interviews, one should be well prepared with the answer.Setting Us Apart:In the rat race, we need to have something which will set us apart from the crowd. The first thing which we need to go through in the short-listing process of an interview is the aptitude test. What the recruiters want is someone who can think quick and execute quicker. You need to make sure that you have a firm grip on problem-solving and you think with lightning speed when it comes to aptitude. You can start by visiting websites such as java t point, geeks for geeks, indiabix, freshers world, m4maths, campus gate.Directing Our Thoughts:It might so happen that you thoroughly know a particular subject, but when it comes to putting your knowledge into speech, you run out of words. This lack of communication skills can be a barrier because the interviewer would not be able to gauge the depth of your thoughts if you cannot speak your minds out. Therefore, one of the prerequisites to grab a job is to better your communication skills so that you can effortlessly drive home your point.Above & Beyond:There is no doubt that everyone who is applying for a job has the required educational qualification. At such an event, what makes your profile more visible in the eyes of the recruiters. Here is when extra curriculum activities come into play, and you thank the moment you decided to pursue your passion along with studies. It shows how you skillfully invest your time into various activities which will definitely strike the interviewer and the job might be YOURS!Wish you all the very best for your endeavors.

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Empowering Gender Equality in Tech Industry

Women are breaking grounds and proving themselves in fields which were once thought to be male dominated. However, this has not resulted in a positive shift in the issue of gender equality. Engineering and technology are among the few where this scenario is woefully prevalent. So, we look towards female leaders who broke stereotypes, shattered myths and cemented their position in the world of technology for advice and inspiration. Who else will be better to guide us on this topic?In this search for motivation, we came discovered a few words of wisdom from renowned women in technology. Their experience is valuable and when looked closely, we will know how they have made the difference.Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook“A study in the last two years of people entering the workforce out of college showed that 57 percent of boys entering, or men, I guess, are negotiating their first salary, and only seven percent of women.“I wish I could go tell all the young women I work for, these fabulous women, Believe in yourself and negotiate for yourself. Own your own success.”Her words are really energizing and we all know that she is absolutely correct. For a person or an organization to believe in you, you need to believe in yourself first. We should never shy away from our capabilities, but rather work towards improving them.Susan Wojcicki, CEO, YouTube“Focus on working smart. Work smart, work hard, do a great job. But then go home. Being in it for the long term, and not burning out is more important than a short and fiery stint in technology.”She talks about a fine balance between professional and personal life. At no cost should we make our personal life suffer for our profession. When we are at work, we need to put in our 100%, but this should not come at the cost of our time towards personal pursuits and family.Wojcicki says, “Throughout my career, I’ve made it a point to try to be home every night with my family for dinner.”Her take on opportunities is, “Life doesn’t always present you with the perfect opportunity at the perfect time. Opportunities come when you least expect them, or when you’re not ready for them. Rarely are opportunities presented to you in the perfect way, in a nice little box with a yellow bow on top. … Opportunities, the good ones, they’re messy and confusing and hard to recognize. They’re risky. They challenge you.”Meg Whitman, CEO, HPMeg Whitman shared a piece of advice which she had received early in her career. These words, which came from Frank Wells, President of The Walt Disney Company, left a profound impact on her. She recalls his words as,“You need to speak up because you are just as smart as these guys, but if we don’t hear from you, we won’t know that. So, make yourself speak.”Since then she stood for herself, spoke her mind and is now the CEO of Hewlett-Packard Enterprise. She advises all of us to speak up so that the world knows ourcaliber.Ginni Rometty, CEO, IBM“You never let someone define who you are. Only you define who you are.”Such energy and motivation in just a few words!Rometty’s mother seems to have inspired her a lot. She recounts, “When my father left us, my mother went back to school immediately. She went to school in the day while we were at school and she worked at night. She worked very hard to never let someone define her as a victim or a failure.”On a note about taking the risk, she says, “I learned that growth and comfort never coexist. It’s the same for people, countries and companies. Ask yourself when you learn the most? I guarantee it’s when you felt at risk.”We need to learn how to take risks in life, if we want to grow. Being stuck in our comfort zone is toxic, turning us into mere shadows of what we are truly capable of.Amy Hood, CFO, MicrosoftAmy Hood said, “Someone asked me what the most successful quality I think I have is. I’m pretty gritty. You can work through most things and come out on the other side feeling like you’ve learned a good lesson and you’ll get better.”She continues saying, “You’re kind of a survivor … you kind of grit it out.”“Every step, every risk I took, built confidence.”Amy Hood concludes, stating that, “You fake it a little, have a few early wins, rely on your team, and then keep at it.”These words reflect experience and have motivated us into imbibing a culture that encourages women to take a stand, express their opinions fearlessly and stand toe to toe with their male counterparts.Here at Nineleaps, everyone believes that we are a team not because we work together but because we respect, trust and care for each other.

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Upskill for Career Advancement

A recent NASSCOM report says approximately 40% of the estimated 4 million workforce in India need to upskill over the next 5 years to stay relevant in the wake of increasing automation and digitization.Technology is advancing at an exponential pace transforming business models and the ecosystem. Rapid proliferation of digital technologies, shift towards service economy and dynamic market demands are fueling the need for workforce with right skills and competencies. To stay competitive in this rapidly shifting marketplace, organizations are forced to revisit their strategies in order to retain and recognize top performers with niche skills. Just last year, one of the leading IT major laid off approximately 6000 employees, who were not being able to meet new business requirements.Going by the trend, it is evident that there is a pressing need for employees to proactively upskill in order to stay relevant. Apart from ensuring that you do not put yourself in a disadvantageous position, here are three other reasons why it’s time for you to gear up, refine and update your expertise.Eliminate the risk of being redundantAs organizations continue to adopt automation, there is a rising concern regarding redundancy of roles. While you may have years of very useful and satisfying experience, given the blistering pace of change, it can still make you redundant. People are being replaced in their jobs to optimize productivity, cost and efficiency. In a modern environment where every business is trying to stay ahead of the curve, there is a high demand for talented and skilled resources. Which means, employees who fail to upskill may find it difficult to survive. Updating your skill will make you more competitive and valuable to your organization, offering better job security.Future proof your careerAs a tenured employee you may bring greater experience to the table, however given the rapidly changing business requirements you may not always have necessary skills to match current or future business requirements. The employment landscape is increasingly becoming unpredictable and the only sure-fire way to shield your career against change is to continually upskill. We are witnessing a sweeping change across sectors with the advent of technology that has led to the emergence of new job roles and expectations that require new skills. As businesses continue to transform it is only imperative for employees to evolve and acquire new skills to keep pace with the change. And, if you fall behind the learning curve it will only weaken your position for any lateral progression or promotion.Rediscover your potentialUpskilling has abundant advantages, from ensuring career growth to boosting personal morale and confidence. Acquiring new skills and building new expertise sets you on the path of personal and professional development, allowing you to unlock your learning potential and rediscover your strengths. Learning helps you grow and evolve, it not only makes you valuable to your organization but drive professional growth and cease future opportunities.If you wish to drive career growth and explore the world of opportunities, learning is an inescapable reality. And nothing better sums the situation than the famous Charles Darwin quote from theory of evolution, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”

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