Digital Research Skills: JCU Alumnus and Founder of Vanalize Dimitri Visnadi
Professor Antonella Salvatore’s Professional Skills for Career Development class welcomed Alumnus Dimitri Visnadi for an online talk on “Digital Research Skills” on November 20, 2020. Visnadi shared his professional experience with Professor Salvatore’s students, and provided them with tips and advice on how to look for and get a job.
Visnadi graduated from JCU in 2013 with a Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing. He then earned a Master’s in Data Science and Computer Science from University College London. After living and working in six countries, in 2019 Visnadi founded Vanalize, a consulting firm based in Munich, Germany, that uses data science to help companies reach their business goals.
According to Visnadi, there are many ways to get a job. Applications are the easiest way to do so, but since they are very common, the likelihood of getting a job is low. Recruiters increase the possibilities of success, but usually look for people with some experience in the field. Referrals are a good way to get a job at a specific company, but they are usually harder to come by. Some companies have programs that motivate employees to refer someone for a job by giving them a small bonus. The most difficult and least common way of getting a job is by being scouted. This usually happens when someone has extensive experience, a specific talent, or a notable online presence.
When searching for a job, one can look at a company’s website, which usually has a “Work with Us” section where all job openings are listed. Job boards like InfoJobs are also effective platforms to find niche job openings. Lastly, talking to one’s network about the job search could produce good results. “People can’t help you if they don’t know that you’re looking for a job,” said Visnadi. Some good job search platforms that he mentioned include LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor.
Once an interesting position has been found, it is essential to research the company. The website is the first place to go to in order to find out about a company’s mission, values, employees, and other relevant information. Google News is also a good tool to find out more facts about a company. Some job search platforms like Glassdoor allow users to read what employees have said about salaries, interview processes, and job openings in a given company.
Next, it could be helpful to research employees, connect with them, and ask about the company, its application process, and the available jobs. According to Visnadi, it’s good to start by giving some background information, explaining one’s interest in that specific company, and then asking a few specific questions. Afterwards, one can also ask for a referral. “Candidates who have researched the company and talked to employees tend to make a good impression on hiring managers,” he said.
As for the application, Visnadi suggested having clear and simple resumes that include keywords relevant to the desired position, and a link to a personal portfolio. A short summary of each previous job and a few bullet points with the main responsibilities make the resume less likely to be overlooked by hiring managers. He also mentioned some useful platforms, like JobScan, which helps optimize one’s resume, and Hunter, which is helpful to find people’s professional emails.