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8 Things I wish I knew before I started my first job 7 November 2023

Are you a recent grad about to start your first ‘proper’ job? If so, we understand just how you feel. The anticipation. The nerves. The excitement. The self-doubt. It’s perfectly normal to feel a little uneasy before taking your first steps in the world of work. So, to help calm your nerves, here are eight things you should know before starting your first job.

5 benefits of studying in a group and why it works so well 5 November 2023

Collective study has grown in popularity over the last decade. Students gather in a particular place, such as a library, to sit together in silence and study – sometimes with hundreds of people in the same room. What are the advantages of studying together? Why does it work so well? And where can you find a good study space? That’s what we’re going to explore in this blog post.

Podcast: “Our brain is not a storage unit” 29 October 2023

This is an episode full of firsts. For the first time, we have someone behind the mic who used to be a colleague, but is now a training partner. This episode, we’re not going to dive into someone’s personal story, but rather give you concrete tips and tricks to make you more productive and calmer at the same time. And for the first time, we’re doing this blog not as a translated, written account of the conversation, but mainly as an informative piece listing the gist of what you need to know about time management and productivity. If you’re intrigued and want to learn more, we invite you to listen or watch the full podcast episode below.

Exellys on tour – Meet us at your local job fair 12 September 2023

Here’s a (pretty lengthy) list of all the job fairs and events we’re doing in the upcoming weeks and months. So grab your calendar, start highlighting some dates and let’s have a conversation. Our tech talent scouts, consultants and talent development managers are looking forward to meeting you.

Writing magnetic job descriptions: 10 tips to captivate top talent 15 August 2023

When it comes to technical jobs today, the demand far outweighs the supply. Graduates and talent with technical skills have their jobs for the taking. So how can you get their attention in a sea of similar job descriptions? How can you make your organisation stand out? And how can you inspire talented people to apply for the position you’re offering? Here are 10 tips on writing an effective and captivating job description that will attract top candidates!

Why personal development is so much more valuable than a fancy company car 5 June 2023

Especially in the earlier stages of your career, looking for personal development opportunities should be your priority over the actual money you’re making, the perks you’re receiving or the company car you’re driving. Try to look at it as an investment in future you. Trust us, the ROI will be worth it!

Stuck in a Golden Cage? Here’s how to get out! 15 May 2023

Ever heard of the Golden Cage Syndrome? It’s a phenomenon that affects a lot of people at some point in their career. And while it may sound nice, it’s probably best to avoid. Here’s why…

10 tips to succeed at your first job 1 May 2023

It’s natural to have some nervous jitters when starting a new job, especially if it’s your first one. You might find the reality of working doesn’t align with your expectations, and there are always things you weren’t prepared for. In this blog, we give you 10 concrete tips on how to make your first job a success.

5 ways ChatGPT will make your life in IT easier 11 April 2023

Have you heard about ChatGPT? It’s the latest innovation that has caused a global buzz, both positive and negative, as all new things tend to do. However, there’s no denying that it’s pretty impressive. At its core, ChatGPT is a tool that can assist us with daily tasks, and it has been disrupting various sectors, including the tech industry. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the IT use cases of ChatGPT, but before we delve into that, let’s catch up those of you who haven’t heard of ChatGPT, you know, those who have been living under a rock.

7 office pranks to try out this April Fool’s 26 March 2023

With April Fool’s coming up you might be still looking for some office prank inspiration. Keep on reading for some of the internet’s greatest examples.

7 soft skills you need in today’s business world 20 March 2023

You’ve mastered all the skills and knowledge required to get a degree, but will that be enough to help you land your first job? Probably not. So what are soft skills? Why are they important? And which ones do you need? Those are exactly the questions we’re looking at today!

Why salary isn’t everything – 7 things to consider during your job hunt 13 March 2023

Often times, when it comes to deciding which job to take, gross salary will be the determining factor. You might think that more money equals more happiness and a better quality of life, but that isn’t true. In fact, it might be the exact opposite – when more money means spending 80 hours a week doing something you hate, that’ll hardly be beneficial to your general sense of wellbeing.

The power of your purpose: how to create a meaningful job 7 March 2023

While previous generations valued a stable and reliable income, Millennials and Gen Z value purpose over a paycheck. In fact, according to a survey conducted by BetterUp, 9 out of 10 employees would be willing to accept a pay cut in exchange for a more meaningful job. How about you?

We’ll meet you in the metaverse 17 February 2023

Key takeaways of an inspirational session by Pieter Van Leugenhagen We recently hosted an inspirational session about the Metaverse for our alumni. In this article, […]

Does size matter? The pros and cons of working for a big company or a small firm 17 January 2023

What’s better: working for a big company or a small firm? The truth is, there is no right answer to that question. It’s all about your personality and what works best for you. Below we give you the (dis)advantages of both, so you can make up your own mind about which type of company suits you best.

7 last minute study tips that actually work 29 December 2022

If you’re a student, January and June usually mean one thing; exam time! If you’re feeling stressed, here are some tips for last-minute efficiency and a care free summer. Because you don’t want to add August to that first list.

5 awesome last-minute Christmas gifts for your techie friends 9 December 2022

Still wondering what to get your techie friend or loved one this Christmas? Well, stop stressing because we’ve got you covered!

6 tips for getting the most out of your internship 8 December 2022

Doing an internship over the summer? Internships may not come with much power or allure, they can be a fantastic way to earn professional experience before you graduate. You can even leverage this experience into a full-time position later on.

5 strategies to succeed fast in your new role 22 November 2022

People nowadays tend to switch roles a lot more frequently than previous generations ever did. Millennials and Gen Z’ers will have on average twelve different jobs throughout their lives. Internal moves are also increasingly common. But those transitions aren’t easy, even if you move to a new role within the same company. A Gartner survey indicates that 49% of people promoted within their own companies are underperforming up to 18 months after the change. That’s surprising, isn’t it? After all, these people know the company, they have the right skills and experience and they’ve been vetted for cultural fit. So why are they performing so poorly?

10 questions you should ask during your next job interview 7 November 2022

We live in a time when interviewees, especially if they are skilled in new technologies, have the upper hand. So as a tech graduate, it’s okay for you to be critical of your prospective employer. You should use the interview to your advantage, to learn as much as you can about the company and the role you’re interviewing for.

Log4Shell: Securing the Web of Interconnectedness (video) 26 September 2022

At the end of last year, the Log4Shell vulnerability detected in the Apache Log4j library made thousands of companies and security officers around the world grind their teeth in anxiousness. It was a huge problem, and it needed to be addressed immediately.

5 reasons why you should pursue a career in Data Engineering 17 September 2022

We’re just going to come out and say it: Data Engineering kicks Data Science’s ass. But before we dive into the why’s, let’s recap quickly what the difference is between Data Engineers and Data Scientists.

5 reasons why you should always take the interview (even if you’re not looking for a job) 22 August 2022

Maybe you’re comfortable where you are and you don’t want to be looking over the proverbial fence. Maybe you’re afraid of change, of stepping out of your comfort zone. These might be reasons not to take an interview. But we’re here to tell you: even if you’re not looking for a new job, it’s always a good idea to go on interviews

TRUE OR FALSE: Statements about working in the financial sector 16 August 2022

What is a job in finance really like? Can you really have a positive impact on society or are you just a small step away from becoming the next Wolf of Wallstreet?

How to balance your head & your gut: 8 tips to help you choose between employers 8 August 2022

In an age where the war for talent has debouched into a war for people, young graduates with technological skills are entering a job market where possibilities are abundant.

Why you should consider a career in Cloud Computing 18 July 2022

Thinking of starting your career in Cloud Computing? Smart choice. As we’re still in the early days of Cloud, the opportunities are endless, always evolving and available across every industry. So, you’re almost guaranteed an exciting and rewarding future.

8 Cloud Roles explained 12 July 2022

Thinking of starting your career in Cloud Computing? Smart choice. As we’re still in the early days of Cloud, the opportunities are endless. So, you’re almost guaranteed an exciting and rewarding future. But what does such a career actually look like?

Beyond buzzwords: why A.I. isn’t always the best solution (video) 6 July 2022

Wim is an Exellyst working as a Business Analyst (in RPA & Data Science) at Umicore, and one of the people in charge of finding new and improved ways of managing repetitive administrative tasks such as logging worked hours. They need a better, more user-friendly tool than the one they currently use, which was around since before Wim was even born. So they got in touch with a scale-up launching a new time management tool and scheduled a meeting.

Kubernetes: An introduction to high availability (video) 13 June 2022

Meet Jochen Wilms, Exellys almunus & Software Engineer at ProjectiveGroup company The Glue. During one of latest events, he took the stage to give a talk on Kubernetes, or k8s, in short.

The case of consultant vs employee (video) 11 May 2022

If you’re unsure whether you’re cut out for consultant life, or whether you’d rather be an internal employee, this panel is an interesting way to spend 40 minutes. In this talk, Patrick Goysens (Belfius Insurance), Koen Ermgodts (Projective), Wido Steenmans (Teal partners) and Jelle Van Langendonck (Pareteum) share and discuss their views on consultancy.

Why it’s hard to find talent (and how to solve it) 11 April 2022

With only a limited number of yearly graduates with a tech related background, it’s safe to say that tech talent isn’t growing on trees. But why exactly is it so hard to find talent and how can we tackle this?

The do’s and don’ts of office pranks 29 March 2022

How do you make sure that you don’t turn your office prank into a career limiting move? We listed some easy to remember do’s and don’ts, so that your next (or first) office prank won’t get you fired.

25 ways to boost your productivity in 2022 28 January 2022

As work productivity resolutions are near the top of most professionals’ lists, we thought we’d offer a helping hand. We’ll discuss 25 ways that you can boost your productivity at work. The best news? There’s no need to wait until the New Year; you can start implementing these ideas right away!

What to look for during your post pandemic job hunt 21 January 2022

You’re not the only one out there looking for a job right now. What are the most important things to look for in this jungle of vacancies and head-scratchingly vague job descriptions? And when you do find a great opportunity, how do you make your application stand out over hundreds of others?

The next generation of talent for HPE 5 October 2021

Exellys has been working together with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) since 2018. Exellysts are active in various teams within HPE, from Networking to Hybrid Cloud. HPE’s open culture really appeals to our consultants and matches well with the values of Exellys. We had a chat with HPE’s Account Services Lead Frederic De Schepper about why Exellys and HPE make such great partners.

How to make the most out of your final year as a student 4 October 2021

How do you find the perfect balance between enjoying the last of your ‘student-life’ as much as possible and making sure that you graduate with the right (soft) skills and competencies? Here are six handy tips that will definitely help you graduate in style.

6 easy ways to make your CV stand out 4 October 2021

Are you graduating this year? Or are you on the lookout for a new challenge? Spoiler alert: Even if you’re being spammed by recruiters on a daily basis, you’re probably going to need a CV.
We decided to make it fun and selected these 6 GIFs to help you get started.

6 things to do at work before leaving on vacation 5 July 2021

Taking time away from the office is a fantastic way to lower your stress levels, improve your productivity, and boost your mood. But if you aren’t careful, work problems can follow you on vacation and leave you feeling even more stressed than before you left. Here are six things you should do at work before you leave to make your vacation as relaxing as possible.

I’m about to graduate. What’s next? 18 May 2021

Almost graduated? If you’re feeling a bit lost about which direction to head in, here are some top tips for starting the next chapter of your life and getting the life you want to!

Scrum in five minutes 15 May 2021

Ever heard of scrum? Small tip: it doesn’t have anything to do with rugby! Scrum is an agile framework for managing work. Today, we’re going to take you through the basics and essentials, the things you need to know to become a Scrum Master. Just one thing, before you draw any conclusions. It’s about way more than playing with Legos!

Why most developers don’t (get to) code all day 7 May 2021

Congratulations, you got the job! You’re ready to dive headfirst into your new life as a software developer and write thousands of lines of code. Because that’s your job now, or is it? If you really think developers do nothing but code all day, you’ve probably seen too many movies…

A LinkedIn starter’s guide for graduates 28 April 2021

Over 90% of hiring managers use LinkedIn to look for recruits and the professional networking platform is only gaining in popularity. So when it comes to your career, the potential of LinkedIn is huge. Here’s how you get started with the platform.

News: Belgian Talent Incubator launches NL branch 15 April 2021

Exellys, a Belgian based Tech Talent Incubator, recently launched its Dutch branch. With over 120 IT consultants working at +40 companies in a variety of industries and an internal team of tech talent scouts, talent development managers, (digital) marketeers and account managers, the company has already shown an impressive growth curve since its establishment in 2014.

Pivot your career: When should you switch? 13 April 2021

Feeling unsure about your career is totally normal every once in a while. But when is the time to actually jump and make that change you’re looking for?

Starting out with home automation: A practical guide (VIDEO) 16 March 2021

Exellys alumnus Jeroen Reinenbergh offers some pointers about how anyone can get started with IoT at home. His talk covered everything from microcontrollers to starter kits, tutorials, and entry-level projects that anyone can explore.

What do these people actually do? 17 IT function titles explained 9 February 2021

We get it, the spectrum of IT jobs is a broad one and navigating through this sea of function titles isn’t always easy. So, if you’re looking for a simple way to explain your grandmother what you actually do for a living, this list will definitely help you out!

7 things no one will tell you about salary negotiation 12 October 2020

How do you ask for a raise and actually get one? Whether you’re starting a new job, are up for a promotion at your current employer, or just don’t feel that the value of what you do is reflected in your current paycheck, you’re bound to have this conversation at one point in your career.

10 reasons why leaving your comfort zone is good for your career 18 September 2020

When was the last time you did something that scared you? Do you remember what it felt like before and after? Often we need to step out of our comfort zone in order to grow and learn. That’s why it’s so important, even early in your career, to go beyond the safe and familiar so that we can push our boundaries and build our confidence.

How to handle (exam) stress 8 June 2020

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed with stress every once in a while. But it’s important to remember that everyone’s in the same boat and you certainly aren’t alone! That’s why we wanted to offer you our most effective tips and strategies for coping with stress. These ideas will help get you going and stay cool, calm and focused!

Video: Should you join a startup or a corporate? 3 May 2020

Do you want to work for a start-up? Are you attracted by the drive, the innovation, the flexibility of a small company on its way to greatness? Or would you rather work for a big company, which has already proven its validity and expertise, where you can enjoy stability and security? During the Talk of the Minds Gathering in March, we invited four panel members to discuss the differences between start-ups and corporates.

If you don’t give your employees a chance, they will go look for it elsewhere 27 April 2020

Even if you don’t see them immediately, there are several valid reasons why it’s often better to promote from within, instead of relying on external hires. We listed five reasons why you should give your employees a chance and stop them from looking elsewhere.

How to find a job during a pandemic 15 April 2020

If you’re approaching graduation or are on the lookout for a new challenge, the coronavirus pandemic may have got you wondering, “Should I even bother looking for a job with all of this going on?” You should! We’ll show you how to jumpstart your career in these uncertain times and give you our ultimate job-hunting tips for landing a job during a pandemic.

How to prepare for a job interview through Skype 16 March 2020

Whatever the reason, you received an invitation for a job interview. But then the Corona virus happens, nobody’s shaking hands anymore and the job interview you have been looking forward to becomes a Skype call. But how do you prepare yourself for an online job interview? Here are some pro tips.

How to work from home more efficiently 11 March 2020

Chances are your employer recently asked you to start working from home. Whether you work from home fulltime, once a week, or just every once in a while because of a virus outbreak, here’s how to be as productive at home as in the office.

How to survive as a woman in tech 6 March 2020

A few weeks ago, we invited 4 top leading ladies to have a round table session with some of our female Exellysts. They took the time to share their experiences and stories on leadership, career progress and gender equality. Based on the insights of these power women, here are some tips and tricks to handle yourself as a woman as you pursue your career in tech.

The art of making a job fair worthwhile 18 February 2020

Here is a common misconception about job fairs. A lot of people seem to think that a job fair is just meant to be ‘strolled around’, to get a general idea of what companies have to offer and collect brochures and goodies.

An Exellys Intern story: How a taste of ‘company life’ can make an impact 25 November 2019

Exellys matches the finest tech talent with ambitious companies. Not only for recent graduates and young professionals but students as well. This Summer, 8 motivated students completed an internship at our clients. We had a quick chat with Atsuki Kojima, an international student from Japan who completed an internship at e-commerce pioneer Veepee in Brussels.

Why you should focus on sharpening your presentation skills 8 October 2019

Whether you’re presenting your ideas to a prospect or pitching a new app in the boardroom, strong presentation skills are a must for both sales reps and developers (and all function titles in between). Here’s why…

Glass ceilings are made to be broken 26 August 2019

A few weeks ago, Exellys and CIOnet joined forces and organized a ‘Women in Tech’ event. 4 business savvy women shared their stories on the battles and triumphs they encountered during their way to the C-suite. Based on their insights and stories, we’ve captured some lessons learned for the tech industry.

Glickman and Exellys: a good match right off the bat 24 July 2019

“We’re 9 months along and our first impression has been fully confirmed. The consultants at Glickman are a perfect fit.”

Video: The unexpected career path of a bachelor in IT 29 June 2019

When it comes to a career, there’s no such thing as a straight line. Just ask Stijn, a bachelor in IT who joined Exellys as a Business Analyst a while ago.

Does the money even matter? What makes developers stay (Podcast) 10 June 2019

Joren Verspeelt, one of Exellys’ full-stack developers recently got invited to the Lazy People Podcast a while ago. In the one hour talk he focused on the problem of talent retention within IT companies. Why are well-paying and cushy jobs being abandoned? And more importantly, what can companies do about it?

9 Career lessons to learn from Game of Thrones 21 May 2019

That was it, Game of Thrones is over. After 71 episodes it turns out, Game of Throne’s biggest ‘gotcha’ was that between all the violence, nudity and dragons, the show actually offered some important career advice too. So, here are 9 career lessons that this legendary show taught us. Just be careful, because spoilers are coming…

What you need to remember from Stack Overflow’s 2019 Developer Survey 23 April 2019

For nine years, Stack Overflow has fielded an annual global survey asking tens of thousands developers about their opinions on a wide variety of topics, from which programming language they prefer to how optimistic they are about the future. Following the recent publication of the Developer survey results 2019 we picked out some of the highlights.

I believe in the collaboration between man and machine 28 March 2019

Acronyms such as IoT, AI, and ML can make it easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges presented by Industry 4.0 (i4.0). But according to Veerle Lozie, VP of Operations and IT at Melexis, there’s no need to worry. “The opportunities will be huge for everyone”.

A 10 step guide to finding your career path 13 February 2019

In an ideal world, everyone would have a clear calling and settle into a life-long, fulfilling career doing what they love. Unfortunately, things don’t work out that way and many people find themselves unsure of which occupation to choose, or which direction their career should take them. Whether you’re just starting out, or are trying to decide your next move, this step-by-step guide might help…

14 rules programmers should live by 22 January 2019

There are some truly great programmers out there. So, what sets them apart? All successful programmers live by certain rules and applying these rules can help you become more efficient and productive.

Man of steel: Where the steel industry and IT come together 6 September 2018

When you match an industrial engineer with an innate passion for oversized swords with an internationally renowned steel company like Arcelor Mittal… you just know you’re a winner! But how do the steel industry and IT come together?

Partnering for talent incubatorship 3 August 2018

“A good understanding of our organisations’ needs and the ability to match talent profiles, characterized by an open and flexible partnership.”

18 job interview tips by Mathilde, an Exellys Tech Talent Scout 24 April 2018

You’ve made a great impression at a job fair. Or perhaps you wrote an exceptional letter of application? Whatever the reason, you received an invitation for a job interview. Perhaps this is your first interview or maybe you’ve got a few under your belt already. Fact remains that effective pointers are worth their weight in gold.

Disrupting disruption: What the heck is a Hashgraph? 10 April 2018

Hashgraph DLT technology is a superior consensus protocol with a unique data distribution structure. It may be a much better alternative to current blockchain technology. The project is still under development and there is no public version of it yet. Nevertheless, it’s interesting to follow the development of this technology to see where it might lead.

The ultimate guide to finding a Blockchain job in 2018 6 March 2018

Given that this particular market is growing exponentially, wanting to get involved is natural. If you are thinking of making a career change, this guide will supercharge your move off the sidelines and into the thick of this exciting space.

Weathering the financial crisis and beyond 15 February 2018

“Attracting tech talent via Exellys guarantees that both candidates and our company can really get to know each other.”

How to find your dream internship 9 February 2018

How do you know if an internship will provide you with the experience and accomplishments you’re looking for? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back and we’ll be breaking down 6 golden tips to get you where you want to be.

When alliances are formed, both companies and employees grow 23 January 2018

Many companies are working hard on rethinking and rebuilding their employer-employee relationship framework. The Alliance, a book by Reid Hoffman, provides insight and a framework for the new model of employment.

4 Industries that will never be the same after Blockchain 16 January 2018

You might first have heard of blockchain in connection with the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. It seems to be in the news more frequently nowadays, and people are talking about it more and more.

Building the bridge between business and IT 27 December 2016

One year ago, Lissa and Vincent started working for Exellys as IT business analysts for Umicore. Umicore is a worldwide and BEL20-listed company that aims to deliver materials (mostly metals) to the processing industry.