So, you want to become a cloud superstar? Tech giants such as Microsoft, AWS, and Salesforce need your skills, and we can’t wait to get you started on the journey to becoming a highly sought-after, qualified cloud specialist. Â
Applying to join Revolent is the best way you can get started, and the great news is that we want to give you the best possible chance of succeeding every step of the way. That includes your initial application! Â
As you’re (hopefully) about to find out, we’re not just another employer. We know that transitioning into a new career is a big step, which is why we’ve put together this handy guide to help ensure that your application meets what we’re looking for. From what you need to get started to tips for excelling during your interviews, it’s all in here! And if there’s anything you’re still unsure about, we’re always here to provide support along the way. So, what’s in store?Â
Your resume
At the application stage, we only really need to know a few details about you. This includes any technical languages you may know, experience in your preferred area of tech and any visa requirements (we have a number of world-leading clients across the globe, so it’s handy to know where you can and can’t work during your placement). We don’t require a cover letter, so there’s no need for a carefully crafted introduction to yourself. We do need a great resume, however.Â
Ideally, it should be a one or two-page document that simply outlines some of the key details about your professional development. Include your education, any work-related qualifications, plus your work experience. And that is pretty much it. We don’t need to know about your love of travel or pets (not just yet anyway!), all we require is the information that’s relevant to you joining us.Â
Make sure you check the entry criteria section for each Revolent training program (located towards the bottom of the page, like here). We’re not asking you to get creative, but just make sure that anything listed here is included on your resume, assuming you match the criteria. One of the most common reasons for applications slipping through the cracks is individuals not listing all the requisite skills they have, so make sure you include everything that’s relevant to the program, then check, check and double-check again. Then hit send!Â
Motivation
Once you’ve submitted your application, and assuming your resume ticks all the boxes we’re looking for, one of our advisors will then have a short introductory call with you. It’s not an interview, so there’s no need to panic and make sure you ‘pop’, we’re just looking to make sure you fit the bill ahead of a more formal interview. Â
So, try and have a good understanding of the reasons why you’re applying, and be up front about it too! Whether you want a job that pays enough so that you can drive your dream car, or you’re switching careers because you find your current role unstimulating, or simply dream of retiring at 50 – those are all good reasons to join us! Whatever your goals and aspirations, the clearer you articulate them to us, the better the chances that we can help you in your new career.Â
Knowing those end goals will also help you as you look to answer the most testing question any prospective employer may ask you: ‘Why us?’ Â
After we’ve completed the introductory call, we’ll send you a short tech test to make sure we can match your skills to the right training program.Â
The interview
Once your application is accepted and we’ve gauged your suitability, we’d love to speak to you on a more formal basis for a first-round interview.At present these are mainly video calls, where we’ll cover your experience in more detail and find out more about you. We understand that some people can find video interviews overwhelming, but you can use them to your advantage, so that the power tips in your favour. Here’s how.Â
First things first: make sure the tech works on your end. We usually use Teams, so download the app and make sure it runs okay on your device. Call a friend from the same area of the house you’re planning to dial in from for your interview, ideally around the same time of day, just to make sure that you’re well-lit and the connection is strong enough. There’s nothing more frustrating than an interview call that’s constantly dropping, and it’s never good for your nerves, either! So, make sure you eliminate the risk as much as possible. Â
Having said that, don’t worry if you do run into genuine problems. If a call drops, we can try again or reschedule, we understand that these things happen. Â
Also, another pro tip: if there are any points you want to get across, examples of problem-solving from your work history that you think might be relevant, stick post-it notes around your screen. You can sit with prompts in your eyeline to make sure you don’t forget anything, all whilst looking at us through your camera! Â
Finally, while we don’t want to sound like your parents, it’s worth tidying your room before the interview. We’re not demanding a deep clean, simply that you appear in an area that’s organized and ready to work from (even if the clutter is simply moved out of view of your camera!). It’s never a great start if an interviewer is focusing on your background rather than you. Think of your quick tidy as a trade for not having to press your clothes for an in-person meeting!Â
The presentation
Once you’ve nailed your tech test and the first interview to verify your knowledge, we’ll invite you back for a final interview where you’ll be asked to put together a short presentation. Okay, so there’s no denying that this may be the scary part for many. But once you’ve got this far, we’re confident that you can make it. So why are we asking you to do a presentation? Â
Pretty much any cloud role will involve problem-solving and lateral thinking. That’s why we’ll ask you to present for a few minutes to explain a tech problem that you’ve faced previously and talk us through what you did to overcome it. It’s not an open-ended presentation though, so no need to panic. We’ll give you a handful of questions to focus on, and plenty of time to prep, so all you need to do is prep around 10 minutes’ worth of time to cover your answers!Â
The reason we do this is that a really desirable skill for any candidate joining the Revolent program is the ability to communicate clearly. As cloud platforms are almost infinitely customizable, you’ll often find yourself being asked to come up with solutions that either aren’t possible or could have a negative impact on the rest of the implementation. We don’t expect you to know what these are right now, but we want to see that you’re able to communicate effectively, as well as showing us how you think.Â
That’s really it when it comes to your presentation. We’re not looking for a jargon-heavy monologue that displays an intimate knowledge of tech, we’re not looking to be blown away by how much you know—we just want to see evidence of your ability to solve a problem, and demonstrate your understanding of an area of tech. The same as you’ll potentially be doing with our clients further down the line.Â
That's it!
Once you’ve done all this, you can relax and wait for us to let you know if your application has been successful! Hopefully, this post gives you all the information you need to know how to excel in your application with Revolent, and leaves you feeling confident ahead of joining us on your journey to cloud super-stardom. However, if you feel there’s anything missing or you have any questions for us, then let us know. We want to make the application process as smooth as possible for you—after all, if we want to attract the best, we surely need to be the best ourselves!Â
