1:1 with COR - Hiring Strategies & Tips for Interviewing with U.S. Companies

In this interview, we speak with Gabriel Marin, CTO at COR, an all-in-one management solution for creative agencies. 

Gabriel discusses the type of roles that COR typically hires for in LatAm, highlighting the most highly sought-after profiles. He also mentions the importance of certain soft skills for candidates, such as a passion for creating a unique product, a willingness to think big, and tips for tech talent looking to work with U.S. companies.

‍

Tell us a bit about COR. What is it that you do, and how did the company come about?‍

We provide a comprehensive 360 SaaS solution for service companies worldwide at COR. With our platform, service companies can effectively manage their projects, measure profitability, track team performance, and automatically record work time. Furthermore, our solution enables companies to pursue internal performance metrics, which helps them invoice more, generate greater profits, and improve internal organization. This leads to maintaining low staff turnover, cultivating better company culture, and achieving superior delivery times and quality.
‍

‍

What type of roles are you typically hiring for in LatAm?‍

The world of startups is currently experiencing a global investment crisis that has brought about significant changes in recent months, creating a great deal of uncertainty about when it will return to the risk investment stage. Despite this, the most highly sought-after profiles are typically Back and Front developers with Ssr or Sr seniority. At COR, our teams consist of developers, Product Owners, Functional Analysts, UX/UI designers, and QAs. Among these, the POs are perhaps the most difficult roles to fill, as it is a relatively new position that plays a key role in interdisciplinary teams. These individuals must possess unique skills that provide them with a deep technical understanding, a strategic view of the product, and highly developed operational and communication abilities. 

Additionally, designers are highly valued for their extensive experience and creativity in designing features easily adopted by users. Analysts provide essential order and depth to designs, allowing for scalability and robustness that reduces rework and ensures that all pieces of the system work together seamlessly. 

Lastly, QA brings a layer of quality to each development, not only to prevent errors from going into production but also by examining each initiative from the user's perspective, identifying relevant data and functional actions that may otherwise go overlooked, and detecting big and small flaws that ultimately define the difference between a great product and a mediocre one.

‍
‍

Which countries around the world do you have team members or offices in?‍

Our IT team is mainly based in Argentina, but we also have team members working in the US, Uruguay, Chile, and other parts of the world. For us, and especially after the pandemic, a person's place of residence is not the defining factor in determining whether they are a good fit for the team. Rather, we focus on their technical skills and attitude. We seek inspired and driven individuals to make a difference in the world through their work, creating developments that users love.
‍

‍

Which soft skills do you think are important for candidates in LatAm who want to work for global companies like COR?‍

If I were to list the primary skills necessary for success, they would include the following:

‍

• A passion for creating a unique product, as well as a willingness to think big and work hard to achieve goals.
  ‍
• Recognizing the importance of a healthy and collaborative work culture, where working hard and enjoying oneself are two fundamental aspects of day-to-day work.
  ‍
• A proactive mindset that understands that problems and crises are an inevitable part of both work and life and that facing and solving them provides growth opportunities not only as individuals but also as a team and a product.
  ‍
• An attitude of continuous learning, where experience is highly valuable, but an eagerness to discover new technologies, problem-solving methods, and improved methodologies for working is even more critical.
  ‍
• Having the ability to engage in discussions where there may be disagreement is an important skill. Instead of avoiding these discussions, individuals should work towards conducting in-depth analyses that can lead to better solutions through constructive conflict.

‍

How important is the candidate's English level?

‍On a scale from 1 to 10, I’ll say 10.

‍
‍

If you are looking to upgrade your English and soft skills, make sure to check out TECLA Boost, our tailored online solution to kickstart your international career. 

I'm sure you've reviewed many CVs throughout your career. Which would you say are the most important elements in a CV when screening candidates at COR?‍

When reviewing a CV, there are several factors that I take into consideration, including:

‍

• The number of jobs and the companies in which the individual has worked.
  ‍
• The amount of time spent in each position.
  ‍
• References from others, particularly when found on LinkedIn.
  ‍
• The description that the individual provides about themselves as it often speaks to their attitude.
  ‍
• Whether or not the individual has changed technologies throughout their career.

‍

Which hard skills (technical skills) would you suggest that candidates learn?‍

When considering general skills, the required skills will vary depending on the role, but some important skills include:

‍

• Self-organizational abilities.
  ‍
• Proficiency in agile methodologies.
  ‍
• Experience with current technologies.
  ‍
• Proficiency in scalable design patterns.
  ‍
• Oratory skills. This also includes expressing their ideas clearly and fluently and discussing concepts in team meetings or presentations.
  ‍
• Ability to establish clear agreements and adhere to them.

‍

Many candidates in our community tell us that they have applied to work with U.S. companies but have fallen short of getting an offer. What tips or suggestions would you give those candidates regarding interviewing that could help their chances of getting hired?‍

In my case, the interviews are divided into two parts.

The first part is the technical interview, which requires much effort to impress the interviewer with your skills.

The second part is the soft interview which is more relaxed, similar to a meeting between peers. In this part, you can share your work experiences from recent years, what motivates and inspires you, and what you envision for your professional growth in the coming years. This includes technical challenges and the kind of culture, team, and organization you want to work. I appreciate it when the interview is driven by the candidate, as they are the main focus and the one who holds the key to the meeting's success.

‍
‍

Why is COR a great place to work?‍

I always express that working at COR presents a unique opportunity that should not be missed.

Firstly, the technical challenge is enormous, and it entails continuously surpassing oneself, constantly assimilating cutting-edge technologies, and conceiving innovative solutions to highly complex problems.

Secondly, COR's culture stands out as one of our greatest achievements and values. Our teamwork is exceptional, and everyone, regardless of their role, participates in the idea generation, discussion, and planning of various initiatives. We strongly believe in what we do and highly appreciate each person's contribution. We also cherish the after-work gatherings where we chat about our personal lives and the captivating, intricate problems we encounter and love to brainstorm.

At COR, individuals develop, assist one another, and strive for a healthy balance. The job is not easy or mundane, but it is challenging, thrilling, and enjoyable.
‍

‍

What job openings do you have now or in the near future?‍

COR vacancies are always published on our LinkedIn or our website: https://projectcor.com/ 

‍

About‍

Gabriel is the Chief Technical Officer of COR, a management software for creative agencies that automates time tracking with AI to predict project profitability, reduce work overload, and meet delivery times.

Prior to his work at COR, he was part of various companies where he held roles such as Systems Director, Systems Deputy Manager, Social Innovator, Software Developer, and Web Developer.

‍

‍