optomi

Optomi earns place on SIA’s 2026 List of Best Staffing Firms to Work For

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:59:33 GMT

Optomi has been named one of the Best Staffing Firms to Work For in 2026 by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA). SIA describes this recognition as one that celebrates staffing firms that are successfully driving engagement and satisfaction in the workplace while creating value for their employees. Data is collected via an anonymous survey, and recipients are those who are the highest rated in their respective categories.

Optomi is recognized in the 201–500 employee category, reflecting the company’s focus on building a culture where team members thrive, collaborate, and lead with purpose. “SIA’s 2026 Best Staffing Firms to Work For winners continue to set the standard in a rapidly evolving industry through their unwavering commitment to culture, leadership, and innovation,” said SIA President Ursula Williams. “These organizations don’t simply respond to change; they anticipate it, embracing new opportunities with agility and a growth mindset. By prioritizing their people and remaining closely attuned to shifting client and market needs, they are building stronger, more resilient businesses.”

This honor highlights the strength of Optomi’s culture, the talent and dedication of its team, and their positive impact on clients and consultants every day. Optomi’s culture is defined by collaboration, mutual support, grit, and a relentless drive to raise the bar. These qualities allow the team to tackle challenges head-on and consistently deliver outstanding results that power our partners’ most critical initiatives.

“Being named a B est Staffing Firm to Work For by SIA is a meaningful milestone for our team,” said Optomi President Tyler Snellings. “It’s a reflection of a culture grounded in trust, growth, and a shared commitment to excellence. We’re proud of this recognition and the team behind it, but even more focused on building on this momentum and continuing to elevate the experience we create for our people, partners, and consultants.”

As Optomi celebrates this recognition, the company remains focused on the future. With a strong culture, an engaged team, and a proven approach, Optomi is well-positioned to continue creating opportunities, delivering results, and building a workplace where people thrive.

From The Acadomi to Rookie of the Year (2024): How the Right Foundation Created Lasting Momentum

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:45:03 GMT

From the Desk of Dylan Ulmer, Senior Tech Recruiter

When I began my career at Optomi, I had no idea what a day in the life of a recruiter actually looked like. I knew it involved constantly talking to people, building relationships, and probably a lot of phone calls, but beyond that, I was unsure of what I was getting myself into. I felt overwhelmed and excited, but slightly unsure how I would fare in this new industry.

This is where The Acadomi completely altered the trajectory of my career.

Learning the Basics (Without Feeling Like a Robot)

The Acadomi did more than just teach me how to recruit. It taught me how to be myself while doing it. One of the biggest lessons I learned was that I didn’t have to sound like I was reading a script and repeat the same lines over and over again. I could be a real person having genuine conversations that actually matter.

Through my training in The Acadomi, I developed a very good understanding of key recruiting technologies and industry tools. From an operations standpoint, I gained hands-on exposure to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), like Bullhorn, as well as sourcing platforms such as LI Recruiter and Dice.

Additionally, the program strengthened my technical fluency by providing insight into widely used tools and systems that candidates work with daily. This includes project management platforms such as Jira and Confluence, UI/UX design tools like Figma, and programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, and C#, among others.

Being introduced to these tools and technologies helped me build a foundation that made my job feel manageable and realistic. Rather than trying to figure everything out on the fly, this new knowledge allowed me to succeed early on, and this job that originally seemed overwhelming felt like an attainable role, one I confidently stepped into.

Taking What I Learned and Applying It in Real Life

Once I graduated from The Acadomi in April of 2024 and transitioned into my role as a Tech Recruiter, everything started to click. The lessons did not remain in training; they showed up in my daily routine, my conversations with candidates, and dictated how I handled challenges.

I felt more comfortable picking up the phone, more confident explaining roles, and more prepared to navigate situations that did not always go perfectly. Recruiting is far from predictable, but having that foundation from The Acadomi made it much easier to stay focused and keep moving forward.

The Impact of an Incredible Sales Team

At Optomi, the recruiting and sales teams collaborate daily, and our sales team gets things done, plain and simple. Everyone shows up for one another, stays on top of what needs to be done, and genuinely wants to see their peers succeed.

While I trained as a recruiter in The Acadomi, others chose the sales path. The same program that prepared me for my role as a recruiter simultaneously prepares others for roles as Account Executives at Optomi. Their skills, organization, and approach to client relationships all stem from that shared foundation, leading to better collaboration between Account Executives and Tech Recruiters.

We speak the same language, understand expectations, communicate clearly, and work toward the same goals. This alignment makes collaboration easier and more effective, creating an environment where everyone can continue learning and growing together.

Rookie of the Year and Knowing I Chose the Right Path

Each year, the top producers at Optomi are awarded a spot on the annual Platinum Club trip. In addition to producers who have met or exceeded their goals, four more spots are awarded to Optomi employees who go above and beyond. Rookie of the Year is classified as achieving record success with a short tenure, and all newcomers (Acadomi and new hires) are eligible.

Just months after graduating from The Acadomi, I had the honor of being named the 2024 Rookie of the Year. Receiving this award was an incredible moment. It meant more than just recognition—it confirmed that I chose the right career path. Seeing my hard work pay off was amazing, but realizing I genuinely had a knack for recruiting was even better.

Looking Ahead

At the start of my journey with Optomi, I was unsure of what my future in recruiting would look like. Now, I am confident, motivated, and excited about what’s ahead. The Acadomi was truly a launching pad for my career. Not many other companies can boast a 3-month training program that sets their new employees up for success, but Optomi can. I was a graduate of the twelfth Acadomi class (and we’re on class eighteen now).

If you’re considering a career in the recruiting industry but aren’t sure if you have the experience, The Acadomi at Optomi may be for you. Does it take dedication and a desire to learn and grow? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

I credit not only my strong start as a recruiter to The Acadomi, but also my continued success long after graduation. My coaches still check in on me to this day, and the lessons still continue. I would not be where I am today without their support and the framework they provided for me to build from.

Connect with Dylan on LinkedIn

2025 End of Year Impact

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:26:21 GMT

As we close out the year and prepare for 2026, we’re taking a moment to pause and reflect on all we’ve accomplished in 2025. Because of your support, we’ve been able to drive impact throughout the year.

1300+ consultants placed

Recognized by SIA as Fastest-Growing Staffing Firm

Recognized by Inc 5000 as Fastest-Growing Company

New Optomi President

Tyler Snellings

Obtained ServiceNow Specialist Partner status

Graduated 76 Acadomi Participants

30+ Internal promotions

Supported dozens of local charities

Thank you for your support. We couldn't have done it without you.

Optomi Professional Services Appoints Chief Operating Officer

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:01:35 GMT

Optomi Professional Services (OPS), a 100% U.S.-based IT solutions and staff augmentation provider, announced today that Nick Murphy has been appointed Chief Operating Officer effective December 1, 2025.

Since joining OPS in 2023, Murphy has served in roles across various facets of the organization; most recently, he served as Vice President of Marketing, Sales Enablement, and Enterprise Strategy. Murphy seamlessly integrates stakeholder insights with data to guide strategy and drive high-impact outcomes. With a background in investment banking and organizational optimization, he brings more than a decade of experience in operational leadership, corporate strategy, and business transformation, along with a proven track record of delivering results to his new position.

In the role, Nick will be responsible for leading cross-functional teams to strengthen operational performance and execute upon strategic initiatives within the organization.

“Working across multiple functions within OPS has shown me the power of aligned teams,” says Murphy. “As COO, I’m committed to enhancing cross-functional collaboration, advancing operational maturity, and ensuring that OPS operations remain fully aligned to our long-term enterprise strategy as we continue to grow.”

“Promoting from within allows OPS to harness the expertise of leaders who know and live our culture,” says OPS CEO Chuck Ruggiero. “During his tenure with OPS, Nick has demonstrated a rare combination of strategic insight and collaborative skill, and we are confident he will accelerate OPS’s growth while advancing our performance and operational maturity.”

ABOUT OPTOMI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Optomi Professional Services (OPS) is a 100% U.S.-based firm dedicated to delivering world-class IT solutions. Through our Optomi brand, OPS provides high-end technology talent services via contract, contract-to-hire, and team augmentation models. Meanwhile, Provalus delivers consulting, implementation, and managed service solutions powered by our Centers of Excellence located in rural American communities. Collectively, OPS offers a comprehensive suite of services to empower organizations and fuel their technology initiatives. For further information, please visit www.optomiservices.com .

How The Acadomi Can Set You Up for an Extremely Successful Career in IT Staffing

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:00:12 GMT

From the desk of Christopher Smith, Director of The Acadomi.

Here at Optomi, we strive to be the best we can be within the competitive IT staffing world. Inspired by our name, which stems from the word optimum, meaning “the best,” we empower every team member to embody that goal in everything they do. With this as our standard, we set out to create an avenue for young professionals to gain hands-on experience that can be translated into a successful career in the industry. Thus, The Acadomi was born.

Our 3-month training program for entry-level Account Executives and Technical Recruiters does just that, launching recent college graduates into successful careers. Through The Acadomi, we deliver a comprehensive learning experience that equips each associate with the skills, confidence, and mindset to thrive. In the ambitious IT staffing landscape, we prepare our “Acadomites” to stand out from the competition, becoming trusted partners for both clients and candidates.

Why The Acadomi?

1. We strive to be the best

The Acadomi was born from our founders’ dream to make Optomi the best staffing firm in the industry, and that starts with developing the best people. Success in this business is more than just sales skills. It takes determination, relationship-building, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact for both customers and candidates. At Optomi, we don’t settle for being “just another staffing firm.” We train you to break the mold, build real connections, and bring genuine value to every conversation.

2. Skillset-set focused AEs and Recruiters

From day one, you’ll dive into the world of IT, not just learning buzzwords, but understanding the six key areas that drive our clients’ success: Application Innovation, Business Enablement, Cloud & Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Data & AI, and Enterprise Platforms. By aligning our teams to these capabilities, you’ll develop expertise that makes you stand out. You won’t just fill positions, you’ll become a trusted partner who truly understands the tech talent market.

3. Thorough training with real results

Is the Acadomi extensive? Yes. You’ll be challenged, stretched, and pushed out of your comfort zone. But it’s worth it. This program has produced some of the most successful Account Executives and Technical Recruiters in the business. If you’re someone who’s motivated by hard work and a little competition, The Acadomi is the perfect place to start your career. My hope is that my Acadomi students walk away from this program having experienced both personal and professional growth, gained confidence, and a sense of pride in how far they have come.

How do we successfully train in The Acadomi?

When you walk through the doors to The Acadomi on day 1, it can be overwhelming. But I know exactly how you feel, because I’ve been there. It’s tough to walk into such a successful company surrounded by so many accomplished employees and think, “I’m never going to understand all of this.”

“Agile? What is that?”

“.NET? Say what?”

“Cold calls with people listening in? That’s so embarrassing.”

I’ve been there, but here’s the truth: the faster you fail, the faster you learn. We know learning isn’t linear, and at Optomi, we expect you to stumble in the beginning; it’s part of the process. We train our “Acadomites” to be fearless. Mistakes aren’t failures; they’re lessons. IT Staffing is tough work, but that’s exactly why it’s so rewarding. The curve is steep, but the payoff (both personally and financially) is huge. And the best part is that you’ll never have to do it alone. My amazing coaching team and I will be right beside you every step of the way.

The Acadomi isn’t your average training program—it’s an experience built by people who have walked the same path and come out stronger. What we hear time and time again from our Acadomi graduates, now thriving in our Cobalt, Platinum, and Diamond spheres of performance, is this:

“I learned more in my first three months in the Acadomi than I did in my last three years of college.”

It’s a lot to take in, but what’s awesome about The Acadomi is that most of our company is comprised of Acadomi graduates (and myself) who can tell you:

“I’ve been there, and here’s how I overcame it.”

In The Acadomi, we live by a simple mantra: learn, then apply. You won’t just sit in a classroom taking notes—you’ll gain hands-on experience that will only strengthen your skills for the future. For example, when we teach you how to prepare a candidate for an interview, we’ll guide you through writing that email, having that conversation, and celebrating the win when your candidate lands the job.

And here’s the best part—if your candidate is hired while you’re still in The Acadomi, you earn full commission for that role. Yep, even while training. (Our current record? Four placements by a trainee!)

So yes, The Acadomi is a training program, but it’s also the launchpad for your career at Optomi. By the time you graduate and head to your home market, you’ll already have real-world experience, confidence, and momentum to hit the ground running.

How does The Acadomi prepare me to stand out as a Technical Recruiter?

I’m big on analogies, so say you’re hired as an Announcer for the PGA Tour (You’re the new Jim Nantz). It would probably help to know a thing or two about golf, so you have talking points and sound knowledgeable, right? Could you get through a Sunday final round as an Announcer without knowing much about golf? Possibly. But you would most likely spend more time commenting on the players’ outfits or facial expressions than you would on ball speed or score to par.

It’s the same when it comes to IT staffing. Could you be a successful Technical Recruiter without being an expert in a capability such as Application Innovation? Maybe. But man, your job would be a lot easier (and candidates would enjoy speaking with you more) if you knew the difference between Java and JavaScript.

That’s where the Acadomi comes in. We train you to become an expert within one key area of IT so you’re well-equipped to place candidates in the right roles.

Knowing the ins and outs of your specific area of expertise prepares you to have effective conversations with candidates rather than aimless ones. Discussing what they need, want, and are excited about in their next role becomes seamless when you’re the expert in the room. Not to mention, also allows us to perfectly align our candidates with what our clients are seeking the first time around.

During my time recruiting for Optomi, I created genuine connections with my candidates, forming a trust to not only place them in great roles but also to assure them that I had their back every step of the way. I teach our Acadomi Recruiters to forge the same types of connections.

The bottom line is that you have to become a Technical Recruiter that candidates are excited to work with. Provide a level of service that makes candidates want to reach out to you specifically when it's time for you to find them their next role. Be knowledgeable and memorable—and that’s exactly what The Acadomi prepares you to do.

How does The Acadomi prepare me to stand out as an Account Executive?

Sales is hard; there’s no way around that. If sales were easy, everyone would do it. Sales is even harder when you’re not properly trained on what you’re selling and why you’re selling it. Our Acadomi Sales Program will prepare you to become the best Account Executive that you can be.

To be a successful Account Executive, you need a few things:

Grit: You have to be able to hear “no” from a potential client and believe they’re the ones missing out. Take the loss, shake it off, and know you’ll give it your all with the next one.
Product knowledge: You need to understand exactly why partnering with Optomi benefits the client—how to solve problems, strengthen teams, and make their lives easier. When you can confidently speak to our value, clients feel it.
The ability to stand out: Your goal is to become the first person a client thinks of the moment they have an open req. Build relationships, bring value, and stay top of mind.
A willingness to have fun with it: Yes, you’re going to get rejected. Yes, you’re going to get objections (on just about every call). But if you stay persistent and understand the value we bring, you will succeed in this role.

That’s exactly what The Acadomi prepares you for. We teach you the fundamentals to have confident, effective conversations with decision-makers across the industry. The grit, the knowledge, the fun. That’s what you bring to the table. One of the coolest parts of my job is seeing how confident my Account Executives are as they leave The Acadomi, assured that they do provide value to clients.

Final Thoughts

When we first dreamed up The Acadomi back in 2020, I had no idea it would turn into what it is today. We’ve seen countless Account Executives and Technical Recruiters hit their life goals and become some of the strongest performers in the industry.

Fast-forward 5 years, and some of our earliest Acadomi grads are now running entire recruiting departments, making money they only once dreamed about, and managing some of the largest accounts in our company.

One of my favorite parts of this job is Platinum Club—our annual company trip that rewards our top producers for their hard work and dedication over the past year…many of whom started exactly where you are right now. Seeing former Acadomi students celebrate their success together is honestly one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

Here’s what I can promise you: you’ll leave this program more confident, capable, disciplined, and absolutely more prepared for the career ahead of you than when you first walked through the door. Sales and recruiting aren’t for everyone. But if you’re competitive, hungry to grow, want to make real money, and are ready for a challenge, we’ll pour everything we’ve got into helping you succeed.

I can’t wait to meet (and train) the next generation of Acadomi grads. Let’s get to work.

Learn more and apply at https://www.optomi.com/acadomi

Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn

Finish Strong Without Burning Out: A Balanced Approach to End-of-Year Success

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 12:09:11 GMT

Q4 is in full swing, and the end of the year has crept up quickly. Balancing end-of-year goals, travel, less daylight, and the holiday season can be tough, but don’t panic! Stay focused and finish strong with these tips.

Check in on the status of your goals

As the year winds down, now is the perfect time to pause and reflect on the goals you set at the beginning of the year. Have you accomplished some of your major milestones? Are there any goals you’re close to achieving but need a final push? Are any of them no longer realistic or relevant? Reflecting on the status of your goals isn’t just about measuring success but also identifying where you’ve grown and where you may need to shift your mindset. Celebrate every win, big or small, and reassess where to make changes moving forward.

Seek feedback

Regular, constructive feedback is a powerful tool on the road to achieving your goals. Whether it’s from a trusted colleague, your manager, or a mentor, outside perspectives can help identify blind spots, discover new ways to overcome obstacles, or validate your progress. If you feel you’ve hit a roadblock, have that honest conversation with your boss or peers. Ask for feedback and be open to what they share.

Remember: Goals are not set in stone. It’s okay to reassess and realign when unexpected challenges arise. The end of a calendar year doesn’t have to mean the end of your goals. It’s simply a checkpoint, not a deadline.

Achieve a work-life balance

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential in the grand scheme of goal setting. It can be extremely important while trying to sustain both long-term professional performance and personal well-being. Be sure to make time for rest and personal fulfillment while partaking in habits (both work and personal) that support your health and happiness. If there’s room to make adjustments in these areas, consider reevaluating. Reaching your goals should not come at the cost of your peace of mind. Balance is the foundation for achieving success both personally and professionally.

Give back

As the year draws to a close, there’s no better time to give back. At Optomi, our team sets aside an entire workday each year on our company’s anniversary to volunteer with local charity organizations. We call it Opt2give Day. We step away from our desks and focus entirely on community service. It’s a meaningful reminder to pause, express gratitude, and share our good fortune with others as the holiday season approaches.

You don’t need a corporate event to make a difference. Get out in your community and give back. If you’re schedule is packed, consider donating canned goods or gently used clothing to a shelter. Find something you’re passionate about and use that to propel yourself forward.

Rest and recharge for the new year

It can be easy to use the new year as an excuse to start a fresh set of goals. Before you jump into something new, make sure you’re entering the new year fully rested and recharged. The holiday season can be busy in the corporate world and in your personal life, so taking time to care for yourself is essential.

Declutter your home or workspace to feel organized. Spend time outdoors (or as much as you can if you live in a colder area). Whether it’s a planned activity or a simple stroll through your neighborhood to check out everyone’s holiday decor, nature has a way of grounding and re-energizing us.

Don’t forget to take care of your body. Hydration is important during the colder months when we often trade water for more coffee or festive drinks. Eat your veggies and take your vitamins. Your body will thank you in the new year.

Look to the future

Once you’ve reflected on the past and recharged your batteries, shift your focus to what’s next. The end of the year is an ideal time to start brainstorming goals for the coming year. You don’t need to finalize anything yet, but start exploring what excites or challenges you, and what you want to accomplish next year.

Give yourself the space to think. Instead of trying to plan everything in one sitting, jot down ideas as they come to you and revisit them over a few weeks. This will help you prioritize your goals and understand the amount of work and effort it will take to achieve them.

As you refine your goals, identifying tools or inspiration that will strengthen your drive can make all the difference. Read a book, listen to a podcast, work with someone who can help you build better habits, stay disciplined, and maintain focus. Even if you met your goals this year, there’s always room to exceed.

Final thoughts

It’s never too early or too late to achieve your goals. Start envisioning where you want to be, not just next year, but beyond that. Even though the year is over, don’t forget to look back and pat yourself on the back for all that you’ve accomplished this year. The key is to set clear, measurable objectives that align with your long-term vision while allowing you to grow each day.

Tyler Snellings to Succeed Founder Radka Winwood as President of Optomi

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:45:00 GMT

Optomi Professional Services (OPS), a 100% U.S.-based IT solutions and staff augmentation provider, today announced that Tyler Snellings will be named President of Optomi , the organization’s IT Staffing division. Effective October 1, 2025, he will succeed OPS co-founder and current Optomi President Radka Winwood, who plans to retire.

Tyler has been with Optomi for four years, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, where he played a key role in expanding client partnerships and scaling delivery teams. He brings to his new role over 20 years of industry experience. Known for his collaborative leadership style, he has been instrumental in mentoring future leaders, aligning teams with Optomi’s mission, and driving initiatives that helped the organization achieve multiple years of double-digit growth. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles in IT staffing and consulting, giving him a deep perspective on how to pair top technology talent with meaningful opportunities.

In his new role as President, Tyler will be dedicated to nurturing company culture, building meaningful career paths, and uniting the team for sustained, shared growth.

“This company is about so much more than business; it’s about people, purpose, and opportunity. During my four years here, and across two decades in this industry, I’ve seen the transformative impact Optomi has,” he said. “As President, I will honor the legacy Radka and our founders established by continuing to invest in our people, cultivating future leaders, and ensuring every decision reflects our mission to drive positive change while delivering exceptional value for our clients.”

“Tyler’s passion for our industry, our people, and our clients is evident in everything he does,” said Winwood. “Having grown up in the staffing world, he leads from the front and brings a wealth of experience that inspires those around him. I’m confident that under his leadership, Optomi will continue to thrive, build strong partnerships, and create meaningful opportunities for our team.”

“Tyler’s promotion represents an exciting new chapter for Optomi,” added Optomi CEO Chuck Ruggiero. “He came to us with deep industry experience, and throughout his time here, he has continued to grow as a leader, taking on new challenges and delivering strong results. We are grateful for Radka’s leadership and the foundation she established. I am confident Tyler will build on her work, continuing to support our teams, enhance our culture, and drive meaningful results for our clients and partners.”

Starting a New Job? Here’s How to Nail Day One

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:30:40 GMT

So, you’ve landed a new job. Everything is in place for your first day, but now you’re wondering: How do I set myself up for success? How do I make a great first impression? What should I wear? What should I pack? How can I walk into the office feeling confident and prepared?

Every year, we see countless Acadomi Associates take this exciting leap into their first professional role. After mentoring hundreds of grads, we know what sets people up for success and what can derail a great start.

Whether this is your first job out of college or just your next big opportunity, these tips will help you show up like a pro on day one.

Build a routine that works for you

Success in the workplace starts OUTSIDE of work. What time do you wake up? What’s for breakfast? How will you wind down after work? These might seem minuscule, but they’re important for setting the foundation of a smooth workday.

Start strong in the morning, rest and recharge in the evening.

Prioritize sleep: A good night’s rest ensures you show up focused and energized. Consistent sleep keeps your stress low.
Plan ahead: Lay out your work clothes the night before, prep your lunch, pack your bag, and set your alarm so your morning feels effortless.
Know your schedule: Factor in your commute, parking, or log-in/setup time so you’re never rushing.
Unplug before and after work: Give yourself some time away from screens to decompress. Chances are, you may be looking at one for most of your day.
Take care of yourself: Cook healthy meals, exercise, or just relax to clear your mind.

Tip: Invest in a reliable alarm clock and avoid screens right before bed. A consistent sleep routine ensures you wake up refreshed, on time, and ready to make a strong first impression.

Curate a functional workspace

Your workspace isn’t just where you sit; it can make or break your productivity. A clutter-free, functional setup helps you stay focused and sets the tone for your workday.

Keep it organized: Clutter leads to distraction. Try to limit this as much as possible.
Stock your essentials: Do you snack a lot? Keep a few granola bars in your desk. Need to jot something down? Make sure you have a notepad and plenty of pens. Do your devices need charging? Invest in a charger that stays at your workstation.
Control your environment: What helps you stay focused? If you prefer some type of background audio, invest in a good pair of headphones to keep at your workspace.
Personalize your space: Personal photos, trinkets, fidget toys, or proof of achievements can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed, allowing you to work to your fullest potential.

Dress the part

You don’t want to be that person on your first day on the job. First impressions matter, and your wardrobe speaks before you do. Showing up under- or overdressed can set the wrong tone, so aim for a polished and professional look. Remember: dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

Your appearance tells your coworkers (and potential clients) that you take your role seriously. If you’re unsure about the dress code, do some quick research:

Check the company photos on social media
Ask your recruiter for guidance
Utilize resources online with examples of office-appropriate attire

Use your best judgment. When in doubt, lean more formal than casual

Tip: At Optomi, we provide dress code guidelines in our Employee Handbook, which is available to employees at any time.

Meal prep for in-office days

Running out for fast food three days a week might sound convenient, but it’s not sustainable long-term—for your wellness or your wallet. Meal prepping for in-office days is a game-changer that helps you stay energized and focused throughout the day. If you’re feeling uninspired, there are endless recipes on TikTok and Instagram that will guide you in the right direction. If you want to go the extra mile, prep your lunch the night before so you’re not rushing in the morning. Future you will thank you!

Invest in a quality bag

If you’re commuting daily, a good bag is a necessity. Think about the items you’ll be carrying to and from work: laptop, charger, notebook, lunch, water bottle, personal items, etc. If you commute on foot or via public transportation, a backpack may be your best bet. If you drive or prefer a more professional look, a sleek tote or messenger bag is a great option.

Tip: This is a great item to add to a birthday or holiday wish list!

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Take the time to watch and learn how things are done, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek guidance when you need it. Observing, listening, and understanding the ‘why’ behind processes will help you adapt more quickly. Even as a newcomer, your ideas matter. If you see ways to improve workflows or support the team, speak up. Staying curious, collaborative, and thoughtful not only helps you learn faster but also builds credibility and shows you are invested in the success of the team and organization. Approach each day with intention, and you’ll make a meaningful impact from day one.

Your first day sets the tone, so make it count!

We know taking this next step can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation, you can walk into your first day with the confidence you need to succeed. Approach each day with intention, and you’ll do more than make a great first impression; you’ll set yourself up for long-term growth and success.

Navigating the Cybersecurity Talent Gap: How a Skillset-Focused Staffing Partner Can Boost Your Business

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 22:17:56 GMT

From the desk of Brandon Jordan , Cybersecurity Recruiting Team Lead.

Why you need a strong skillset-focused cybersecurity staffing partner

In today's digital-first world, the strength of your cybersecurity posture directly reflects the talent defending your digital borders. Yet, finding these elite professionals can often feel like searching for a needle in a global haystack. As cyber threats grow in both scale and complexity, the battle for talent is more intense than ever. For many organizations, going at it alone in this market is no longer a viable option. That's where a specialized, skillset-focused cyber staffing partner becomes more than just a resource; it becomes a vital part of your security strategy.

The right partner should provide:

Deep Domain Expertise: They speak your language. For example, a focused partner understands the difference between a SOC Analyst and a Penetration Tester, recognizes the importance of a CISSP certification for leadership roles, and knows the specific skills required to secure a multi-cloud environment. This saves time by filtering out candidates who look promising on paper but lack practical skills.
Acc ess to a Vetted Talent Pool: Niche partners build a network of pre-vetted, often passive, candidates and high-performing professionals who aren't actively browsing job boards but are open to the right opportunity when approached by a trusted expert. This gives you access to a richer talent pool that might otherwise remain hidden.
Speed and Efficiency: By utilizing their existing network and thorough screening processes, specialized firms can significantly reduce the time-to-hire. They present a select group of highly qualified candidates, allowing your team to focus on final interviews rather than sifting through hundreds of irrelevant resumes.
Higher Quality Placements: Understanding technical requirements is only half the battle. A focused partner also understands the culture of cybersecurity teams and can better match candidates for long-term success and retention, helping to reduce costly turnover.

How Optomi Cybersecurity Recruiters provide unparalleled service

In a candidate-driven market, a generic approach to staffing is a recipe for frustration, extended vacancies, and compromised security. Your organization doesn’t just need a body; it needs a specific skill set. Whether you need a SOC Analyst who can proactively hunt for threats or an AppSec Engineer who can secure code in a fast-paced CI/CD pipeline, you need a partner who understands this distinction and the expertise necessary for success in either role.

This is where Optomi Cybersecurity delivers an unparalleled approach. We’ve moved beyond the outdated, one-size-fits-all recruiting model. Our entire structure is built on a foundation of deep specialization, with dedicated recruiters focused exclusively on the core pillars of cybersecurity.

Our Specialized Cybersecurity Recruiting Pillars

Optomi has dedicated experts in the cybersecurity space, ensuring we not only speak your language but also have a curated network of the top cyber talent. Our focused pillars include:

SOC (Security Operations Center): From Tier 1 Analysts to Threat Hunters and SIEM Engineers, we connect you with the talent that forms the vigilant front line of your defense.
Application Security (AppSec): We source the DevSecOps and AppSec engineers who can embed security into your software development lifecycle, ensuring your applications are resilient from the start.
Offensive Security: Need to test your defenses? We have a network of elite Penetration Testers, Red Teamers, and Ethical Hackers who can identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors do.
IAM/PAM/IGA: We specialize in connecting you with experts in Identity and Access Management, Privileged Access Management, and Identity Governance & Administration—the professionals who manage "who gets access to what."
GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance): We find the talent that helps you navigate complex regulatory landscapes, manage risk, and align your security posture with business objectives.
Cloud Security: As infrastructures shift to the cloud, we connect you with the AWS, Azure, and GCP security specialists who can architect and secure your cloud environments.

The Optomi Cybersecurity Advantage

This pillar-focused model isn't just a different structure; it's a better strategy. It means we deliver:

Unmatched Speed and Precision: No more sifting through dozens of irrelevant resumes. Our deep understanding of each pillar means we present only highly qualified, pre-vetted candidates who match your specific technical and cultural needs.
Access to Hidden Talent: Our recruiters are deeply embedded in their respective communities. They know the passive candidates—the top performers who aren't actively looking but are ready for the right opportunity.
True Partnership: We act as a strategic extension of your team, providing market insights and consultative guidance to help you build a world-class security organization.

What a partnership with Optomi can do for a company’s Cybersecurity Organization

A partnership with Optomi Cybersecurity is an investment in your organization's security maturity and resilience. We go beyond transactional staffing to become a strategic extension of your team, enabling you to overcome the most significant challenge in the industry: the severe shortage of elite cyber talent. By leveraging our specialized, pillar-focused recruiting model, we empower your organization to move faster, reduce risk, and transform your security posture from reactive to dominant, delivering tangible results.

How the Optomi Cybersecurity Team Helps:

Instead of just receiving a list of open jobs, our dedicated team partnered directly with the CISO.

Final Thoughts

Partnering with Optomi Cybersecurity offers a distinct advantage for organizations aiming to secure top-tier cybersecurity talent swiftly and efficiently. Our skillset-focused approach means we delve deep into understanding your precise technical requirements and cultural fit, ensuring that every candidate presented is not just qualified but an ideal match for your team's unique needs. This meticulous vetting process, combined with our extensive network within the cybersecurity community, allows us to dramatically cut down on time-to-hire, enabling your organization to strengthen its defenses and innovate at an accelerated pace.

In a landscape where cybersecurity threats evolve rapidly and skilled professionals are in high demand, the ability to quickly onboard the right talent is paramount. By leveraging Optomi Cybersecurity’s specialized expertise, you gain a strategic partner dedicated to empowering your organization with the human capital necessary to navigate complex cyber challenges. Discover how Optomi Cybersecurity can deliver the precise talent and unparalleled service your organization needs to thrive in today's complex threat landscape.

Don't just fill roles—build a resilient, future-ready cybersecurity team!

Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn

Optomi Celebrates Ninth Appearance on Annual Inc. 5000 List

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:02:04 GMT

Optomi is proud to announce its inclusion on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list, marking the ninth consecutive year the company has been recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies. This milestone underscores Optomi’s sustained growth, unwavering commitment to excellence, and dedication to delivering exceptional technology talent solutions nationwide.

“To be recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for the ninth consecutive year is an extraordinary achievement. In a marketplace defined by constant change, this consistency speaks volumes about the partnerships we’ve built and the trust our clients place in us to deliver exceptional talent,” said Chuck Ruggiero, Chief Executive Officer of Optomi Professional Services. “That trust, combined with the relentless commitment of our team, has fueled our ability to grow year after year, no matter the challenges in front of us.”

Each year, the Inc. 5000 list celebrates the most successful and dynamic businesses in the country—those that are fueling the U.S. economy. Earning a place for nine straight years is an achievement few companies realize, highlighting Optomi’s ability to adapt to market shifts, embrace innovation, and maintain a trajectory of consistent growth.

“Recognition on the Inc. 5000 list for nine consecutive years reflects not only revenue growth, but also our commitment to long-term financial health,” said Chief Financial Officer Tony Pritchett. “We’ve consistently reinvested in our people, technology, and processes, ensuring we can meet our clients’ evolving needs without compromising stability.”

This recognition comes during a time of economic uncertainty, rising operational costs, and rapidly evolving workforce demands. Optomi’s ability to thrive in this environment, achieving 63% growth over the last three years, speaks to the strength of its business model, the dedication of its team, and the trust of its partners.

About Inc.

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit  www.inc.com .

So, You Want to Integrate AI Into Your Business — Here’s Where You Should Start

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 12:43:08 GMT

From the desk of Mike Haug – Recruiting Manager and trusted Data & AI partner

If you’re a business leader today, it’s almost certain that AI has been a topic of discussion in recent board meetings, strategy sessions, or investor conversations. You may feel excited about the possibilities, overwhelmed by the complexity, or perhaps both. The reality is, while AI can unlock powerful new capabilities, the path to meaningful integration isn’t always clear.

Over the past four years, I’ve worked with Data and AI business leaders from various backgrounds, helping them identify and navigate the best path to leverage AI (and good, old-fashioned analytics) to enhance their business outcomes.

Invariably, these discussions often begin with the same questions and topics, so I encourage you to ask yourself some of the following:

Why do we want to leverage AI?

As Simon Sinek says, “Start with why.” Get clear on why you want AI, not just that you want it. Too often, organizations rush toward AI because of the hype surrounding it and the desire to stay ahead of the competition or be disruptive, rather than because they’ve pinpointed specific business challenges or opportunities where AI can deliver value. Start by asking: What problems are we trying to solve? Are we looking to improve customer experience, reduce costs, boost productivity, or drive innovation? Defining clear objectives helps prevent wasted effort and ensures your AI investments align with actual business priorities. As Zig Ziglar said, “It’s hard to hit a target you can’t see, it’s even harder to hit a target you don’t have.”

Are we ready for AI?

AI, especially machine learning, is only as good as the data that powers it. The old cliche in data, “Garbage in, garbage out,” when scaled with AI, just leads to an information junkyard, and a rather expensive one. Before you invest in AI tools, software, or talent, it’s essential to understand whether your data infrastructure and governance are up to the task.

A mature data infrastructure means your data is collected systematically and strategically across the business, stored in well-organized and scalable systems like cloud data lakes or warehouses, and accessible through secure, automated pipelines. Teams can work with data efficiently without manual workarounds, and documentation makes it easy to understand what the data represents. In contrast, an immature data infrastructure is fragmented. Data exists in silos, often requiring manual gathering or cleaning, with inconsistent quality and little automation. Even the best AI teams will struggle to create value in this environment because they’ll spend most of their time wrangling data rather than innovating. Unfortunately, you will need more than Excel spreadsheets and duct tape to truly make an impact with your business leveraging AI.

Similarly, consider your data governance. In mature organizations, data ownership is clear. There are enough data validation frameworks in place, access is managed carefully, and data quality is actively monitored. People understand how data should (and shouldn't) be used accurately. On the flip side, immature data governance means no clear accountability for data, inconsistent validation processes during data entry, limited oversight on privacy and compliance, and often reactive rather than proactive data quality management. The outcome? Increased risk and AI systems that produce unreliable or misleading results. As Gordon B. Hinckley said, “You can’t build a great building on a weak foundation.” The same applies to AI — data first. I often tell leaders that what was once the most boring part of the data landscape (data entry and governance) is now one of the most crucial for leveraging AI, and you must address it on the front end.

Investing in the Right Talent

Once you have a strategy in place, the next challenge is investing in the right talent or trusted partners. True AI integration isn’t a plug-and-play solution. You’ll need data engineers, AI product managers, data scientists, machine learning engineers, and other technical experts (likely in that order) to build and scale effectively.

That said, there are different ways to get there:

Going Direct

Hiring full-time employees directly into the company gives you deep in-house expertise and long-term capability, but it can be slow and expensive in today’s market, and you’ll need to invest in retaining that talent as demand rises. For many companies, it will be hard to justify a long-term ROI for having a fully-fledged in-house Data Science/AI org.

Consulting

Large consultancies can provide quick access to AI specialists and packaged solutions, but that often comes with a long-term dependency on external teams with very different incentive structures as well as a hefty hourly cost.

Contingent Labor & Specialized Recruiting

Partnering with a staffing agency that specializes in AI and data talent can be a flexible and cost-effective way to find skilled professionals. Whether you need contract talent, contract-to-hire options, or permanent placements, Optomi can help you hire faster, reduce risks, and build teams that match your culture and goals—without the hassle and delays of doing it all yourself.

Once you’ve developed a strategy for how you want to bring in talent, it’s worth considering what these specialists are looking for in an organization. While I’m not a PhD-level expert on AI systems, I, along with our entire team at Optomi, have spent our careers engaging with these professionals and understanding what they seek in their next opportunity. If you want the right people leading this effort, you’ll need to create a compelling environment, as they are in very high demand and competition is fierce.

Remember, the search for elite Data and AI talent is a two-way street, and the candidates are driving with a very clear map. They have seen enough "AI for AI's sake" initiatives to know the warning signs. Your ability to clearly articulate why you need AI, prove you have the foundational data to support it, and define how their specific talent fits into that mission is precisely what they are evaluating. They aren't just auditioning for a role; they are auditioning your organization's vision and readiness. The best candidates aren't just looking for a job; they're looking for the right problem to solve, and they'll only commit to an organization that has proven it's equipped to tackle it with them.

In sum, integrating AI isn’t about chasing hype or checking a box — it’s about solving real business problems in smarter, faster, and more sustainable ways. Success starts with clear goals, investing in building data maturity, and a strategy that focuses on practical, high-impact use cases. From there, it’s about bringing in the right talent — whether you build internally, work with consultants, or partner with a staffing firm like ours that helps you scale with flexibility and speed. Whether you’re just beginning your Data and AI journey, defining your why, or are ready to invest in the talent to execute, we’re here to help you turn ambition into action. Let's connect to discuss your specific roadmap.

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn

Optomi Earns Spot on SIA’s Fastest-Growing Staffing Firms List for the 7th Time

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:04:30 GMT

We are proud to announce that Optomi has once again been named one of the Fastest-Growing Staffing Firms in the United States by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA)—marking our seventh appearance on this annual list.

Earning this recognition year after year is not something we take lightly. In a constantly evolving market, sustained growth requires more than strategy—it demands vision, adaptability, and a relentless commitment to excellence in every facet of the business.

This milestone is a reflection of the strength of our model, the caliber of our people, and the lasting partnerships we’ve built with our clients and consultants. We’ve remained focused on delivering IT talent solutions that solve real business challenges, while staying rooted in a culture that values integrity, performance, and purpose.

“Achieving a compounded annual growth rate over the last few years of 25.6%, when the market as a whole has faced significant headwinds, is truly remarkable. It's a testament to the fact that during uncertain times, clients don't just look for a service; they seek a true partner,” said CEO Chuck Ruggiero. “This growth is a direct result of the trust our clients place in us to deliver the critical talent they need to navigate complexity and innovation. That trust, paired with the unwavering dedication of our team, has allowed us to excel in a down market.”

As we look to the future, we’re proud of this achievement—but even more committed to what comes next. With a strong foundation and a proven approach, Optomi remains well-positioned for continued growth and impact.

Five People You Should Be Connected With on LinkedIn

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 20:56:24 GMT

LinkedIn has evolved far beyond being just a place to post your resume or browse job listings. Today, it’s one of the most powerful tools for relationship-building, thought leadership, career growth, and opportunity discovery. But like any tool, it’s only as effective as the way you use it.

It’s easy to focus on racking up connection numbers—but a high-quality network will always outperform a high-quantity one. Whether you're actively job hunting, exploring your next chapter, or just trying to stay sharp in your field, the right people in your network can help you grow faster, think bigger, and play smarter.

Here are five types of people you should be connected with on LinkedIn and why those relationships matter.

1. A Mentor Who’s Been There, Done That

A good mentor is like a career compass—they help you navigate the unknown, challenge your blind spots, and keep you focused on long-term growth. The beauty of LinkedIn is that it gives you direct access to leaders who have built the career you admire or who have overcome the same hurdles you're currently facing.

Your mentor doesn’t need to be someone you speak with weekly. It might be a former boss whom you reconnect with a few times a year or a respected professional who shares valuable content you follow closely. The key is having someone who helps you see the bigger picture—and whose journey provides a roadmap for your own.

Why it matters: Mentors can help you refine your goals, weigh important decisions, avoid common missteps, and even advocate for you when new opportunities arise.

2. A Great Recruiter in Your Industry

Even if you’re not actively on the job market, having a recruiter in your network is a strategic move. A good recruiter is dialed into your industry—they know who's hiring, what skills are in demand, and where the market is headed. And when you're ready to make a move, having a warm relationship with someone who already knows your strengths gives you a huge edge.

Recruiters can also be incredible sounding boards. Wondering if your compensation is competitive? Thinking about shifting roles or industries? Ask. Many recruiters are happy to offer insights, even when there’s no immediate placement involved.

Why it matters: Careers can change in a moment. Having a recruiter in your corner means you’re not starting from scratch when opportunity or challenge comes knocking.

3. A Peer Who’s Going Places

Think about your smartest, most driven peer—maybe it’s a former colleague, someone you met at a conference, or a classmate whose career path mirrors your own. These are the people who will rise with you, refer you for opportunities, and one day might be decision-makers who remember your name.

Peers also keep you grounded. They speak your language, understand your challenges, and can offer honest advice without hierarchy. Whether it's sharing job leads, tackling tough situations, or brainstorming new ideas, these relationships often turn into lifelong career friendships.

Why it matters: As you grow, so do your peers. Investing in these relationships today creates a future network of trusted allies, collaborators, and cheerleaders.

4. A Thought Leader Who Inspires You

We all need to be challenged. That’s where the right thought leaders come in. These aren’t necessarily influencers with massive followings—they’re people who offer sharp insights, ask the right questions, and spark new thinking. It might be a CEO who shares transparent stories about leadership, a consultant who posts industry trends, or a specialist who teaches you something new in every post.

You don’t need to know them personally. Just following and engaging with their content can transform your feed into a curated source of education and inspiration.

Why it matters: Thought leaders help you grow intellectually and professionally. The right one will expand your thinking, deepen your expertise, and keep you motivated to improve.

5. A Connector Who Knows Everyone

There’s always that person—the one who seems to know someone in every company, every city, and every niche. They’re natural networkers, community builders, and champions of others. You want one of these people in your corner.

Connectors are especially valuable because they can help you find the right person faster. Looking for a job, a freelance gig, or a speaker for your event? They’ll probably know someone, and they’ll gladly introduce you if you’ve built genuine rapport.

Why it matters: One warm introduction can do more for your career than 50 cold emails. Connectors make that possible.

Putting It into Practice

So, how do you go about connecting with these five types of people?

Be proactive, not transactional. Don’t wait until you need something. Start engaging now. Like their posts, leave thoughtful comments, and send a personal connection note.

Offer value. Share articles, insights, or even just encouragement. A simple “I really appreciated your take on X” goes a long way.

Be intentional. Instead of adding 20 random people a week, try finding 1–2 meaningful connections that align with your goals and values.

Keep it human. Behind every profile is a person, so connect with curiosity and authenticity.

Final Thought: Build Your Circle Before You Need It

Your LinkedIn network is more than a list of names. It's your career ecosystem—and it should be filled with people who inspire, challenge, and support your growth. Don’t wait for a job change or career crossroads to start building it. Start today and make a habit of cultivating meaningful connections with purpose.

Who are your five?

Look at your current network. Are these people represented? If not, go find them. And if they are, send a note of gratitude. After all, great connections go both ways.

Protecting Job Seekers: How to Spot and Avoid Employment Scams

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 19:11:08 GMT

Unfortunately, we, along with many in our industry, have seen a recent uptick in employment scams. Nefarious parties are impersonating recruiters, posting fake jobs, and attempting to steal personal information or money from unsuspecting candidates. At Optomi, we are committed to the safety and success of every job seeker, and that includes helping you stay informed and protected.

Employment scams come in many forms, but they all have one thing in common: they prey on the hopes and urgency of job seekers. These scams often involve fake job postings, phony recruiter outreach, and too-good-to-be-true offers that require payment or personal information upfront.

While these schemes can look sophisticated, they’re avoidable with the right information and awareness.

Common Warning Signs

If you’re actively looking for work, here are some red flags to watch for:

Upfront requests for payment: Legitimate employers or staffing agencies will never ask candidates to pay for training, software, equipment, or job placement.
Unprofessional communication: Be wary of poorly written emails, vague job descriptions, or messages from personal email accounts (e.g., Gmail or Yahoo) rather than official company domains, in our case, optomi.com.
Job offers without interviews: If you’re offered a position without a proper screening or interview process, it’s likely not legitimate.
Pressure to act quickly: Scammers may push for an immediate response to avoid giving you time to evaluate the opportunity.
Requests for sensitive information early: Optomi will only request personal details like your Social Security number or banking information after an offer has been extended and through secure channels.

How to Protect Yourself

Staying safe during your job search requires vigilance. Here are a few best practices:

Verify the source: Always double-check the recruiter’s identity and the company’s contact information. Visit the company’s official website and reach out through the listed contact details if something feels off.
Check the email domain: Legitimate communications from reputable companies will come from verified corporate domains (e.g., @optomi.com). Be cautious of messages from free, personal email accounts.
Received a message via LinkedIn?: Before responding, take a moment to verify the recruiter's profile. Authentic recruiters usually have a well-developed profile with a professional photo, clear job history, and active engagement. Be cautious if the profile is sparse, recently created, or lacks a clear company affiliation.
Do your research: Look up the job posting on the company’s official careers page or for a company-sponsored job posting on known sites such as LinkedIn . If it doesn’t appear, it might be fake. You can also read reviews on sites like Glassdoor .
Avoid paying for employment: Any request for money in exchange for a job is a red flag. Reputable companies will never ask job seekers to pay fees for interviews, training, or equipment.
Report suspicious activity: If you think you’ve encountered a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center ( IC3.gov ).

A Commitment to Safe Hiring

At Optomi, we take fraud prevention seriously. All communications from our recruiters will come from official company domains, and we will never request payment or personal financial information as part of the interview process. If you ever receive a suspicious message claiming to be from our team, please contact us directly to verify its authenticity.

Final Thoughts

Employment scams can be unsettling, but by staying informed and cautious, you can navigate your job search with confidence. Trust your instincts, verify all information, and never hesitate to ask questions. The right opportunity should feel transparent, professional, and secure.

For additional support or questions about a job opportunity with Optomi, reach out to us at info@optomi.com

Helpful Resources

FTC Employment Scam Resources: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams

Staying Relevant in the Ever-Changing World of IT

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 21:45:00 GMT

From the desk of Tim Gunter – a seasoned, 12-year Optomi employee with over 15 years of experience in the recruiting industry

Let’s be honest – keeping up with technology these days can feel like running on a treadmill that just won’t slow down.

One minute, you’re finally getting the hang of a new tool or framework, and the next, there’s a shiny new one stealing the spotlight. I see it every day in IT Recruiting, technologies shift, job titles evolve, and the skills that were hot last year might not even make the top of a Hiring Manager’s shortlist today.

But here’s the good news: staying relevant isn’t about chasing every new trend or knowing it all. It’s about being strategic, staying curious, and building habits that continuously help you grow, no matter how fast the industry moves.

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way that might help you do just that.

A.B.L. – “Always Be Learning”

This might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s worth emphasizing: NEVER STOP LEARNING! The best tech pros I’ve worked with have one thing in common: they’re intentional about growth. Whether it’s certifications, online courses, bootcamps, or side projects, they keep leveling up.

Staying proactive about upskilling ensures you remain relevant and in demand. Remain hell-bent on diving into new tools, frameworks, methodologies, whatever is shaping the future. Think AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, or the latest programming languages.

Pro Tip: Carve out just 30 minutes a day reading tech blogs, exploring GitHub repos, scrolling Hacker News , or catching up on relevant industry updates. It may not seem like much, but it compounds over time.

Go Deep, But Keep Your Head on a Swivel

Specialization is essential, but versatility? That’s the real game changer. Hiring managers love a strong core skillset, but what really grabs their attention is adaptability. In conversation after conversation, they keep coming back to the idea of "T-shaped" Professionals—those with deep expertise in one area, but a broad range of knowledge across others.

It’s that blend of mastery and flexibility that makes you stand out in today’s fast-moving tech landscape.

Never Underestimate Soft Skills

Here’s the truth that every Recruiter knows: tech skills might get you in the door, but soft skills are what keep you there and help you level up.

I’ve seen brilliant developers lose out on roles simply because they couldn’t explain their work clearly or struggled to collaborate. On the flip side, I’ve seen strong communicators land opportunities because they could bridge the gap between technology and business goals.

Collaborating well with others, solving problems, and understanding what the business needs is a game-changer. It transforms you from someone who just executes into someone who leads the way.

Embrace Change, Don’t Fight It

Technology moves fast, and it can feel overwhelming at times. Between low-code platforms, cloud-native solutions, LLMs, and AI-driven development, the landscape is shifting quickly and reshaping how businesses operate.

My advice? Approach change with curiosity, not resistance. Every shift in technology brings opportunities to lead, innovate, and differentiate yourself from your peers. The people who embrace new trends early are often the ones who end up leading the charge later.

Your Network Is Your Secret Weapon

The IT community is massive, buzzing with energy, and, honestly, one of the most supportive spaces out there. Whether it’s local meetups, open-source projects, conferences, or online message boards, there are so many ways to get involved.

Some of the best opportunities don’t come from job boards, they come from people. In fact, a huge chunk of the job market never even gets posted. It’s not just about what you know, it’s also about who you know. The more connections you build, the more likely you are to hear about exciting opportunities, roles, and collaborations before they go public.

So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Share what you’re working on. Ask questions. Offer help. It all comes full circle. As a Recruiter, I can tell you firsthand that Hiring Managers love it when you bring them someone passionate and plugged in. Make sure your name is the one that comes to mind.

Stay Curious and Connected – Become a Leader

At the end of the day, staying relevant in technology isn’t about being perfect or knowing it all. It’s about staying curious, embracing growth, and staying connected with your community. From my seat as a Recruiter, the people who really thrive are the ones who treat their careers like a long game. They’re always learning, always growing, and always building real connections

There’s no doubt the tech world isn’t slowing down anytime soon, but if you keep moving with it, you won’t just keep up, you’ll be leading it.

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn

The Value You Didn’t Budget For: What a Great ServiceNow Partner Really Brings to the Table

Thu, 01 May 2025 21:39:33 GMT

From the desk of Sam Del Toro Brown – Team Lead, ServiceNow Recruiting. Del Toro Brown is a trusted advisor in the ServiceNow ecosystem with a proven track record of placing specialized resources critical to the enablement of platform and client success.

It’s no secret that organizations across the globe are investing heavily in ServiceNow. While the ROI on a well-implemented ServiceNow instance speaks for itself, it’s a hefty price tag to consider when you’re running an initial POC. Organizations must consider licensing amounts, modules they would benefit from, minimum spend, yearly subscription costs, running costs, and implementation costs – all of which are highly variable based on the needs of each organization.

It's a lot to consider. So, what separates a successful ServiceNow rollout from one plagued by years of friction and scope creep? The truth is, there is no single answer…but after hundreds of conversations with leaders actively utilizing ServiceNow, I’ve come to understand that the single most important decision when implementing ServiceNow is the partner you choose. This decision can make or break your experience with the platform.

With implementation success hinging on selecting the right partner, how do you choose from the hundreds of options in the ServiceNow ecosystem? Let’s be real – everyone wants to pay less for more, and that’s exactly where the secret lies. The best ServiceNow partners deliver value that stretches beyond what’s written in the SOW. It’s not always about paying less upfront. The right partner might cost more initially, but save you significantly in the long run. Why? Because great partners don’t just execute, they align with your business goals, prioritize long-term platform health over short-term wins, and set you up for success after they’ve stepped away. And most importantly, they’re not afraid to tell you “No” when it matters.

If you’re evaluating potential partners, these three points are where you need to start in your vendor evaluation:

Deliverables Aren’t the Whole Story: Long-Term Platform Health > Short-Term Wins

The Problem: The most common frustration I hear from organizations post-ServiceNow implementation is this: “They only delivered exactly what was in the requirements. Nothing more, nothing less. There was no consideration for external systems, business processes, inefficiencies, opportunities for automations, future risk, or technical debt.” That might sound like a successful implementation on paper, but in reality, it often signals a lack of strategic thinking. And that’s the problem: if the implementation only reflects what was documented, the outcome is limited by the quality of the initial requirements. Delivered does not equate to being usable. Real success is in adoption, alignment, and relevance to business outcomes.

The Solution: Great partners don’t just deliver, they go beyond task completion. They understand the why behind each requirement and actively collaborate with your stakeholders, ask the right questions, and try to understand how each piece impacts your business.

If your ServiceNow partner isn’t asking:

Who is this impacting?
What problem are you looking to solve?
How does this problem impact the business?
What dependencies are involved?
What long-term plans should we consider?

…then they are not building with a future in mind and doing you a disservice.

Remember: It’s easy to deliver what’s asked for; it’s harder, but more valuable, to build what scales. The hidden value lies in a partner who designs with governance, sustainability, and future state in mind.

Post-Go-Live Scaries

The Problem: ServiceNow is officially live in your environment – now what? Your implementation partner did their job, packed up, and moved on. Now you’re wondering:

How do I find resources with ServiceNow expertise?
What does ongoing maintenance look like?
Am I really supposed to upgrade this thing every six months?
Why can’t I delete an update set?
How do I get the organization to actually use this?

You’re not alone. These are classic post-go-live scaries, and without the right plan, they can turn into real roadblocks.

The Solution: A great ServiceNow partner doesn’t just implement and disappear. They build time for knowledge transfer, internal team training, and a solid hypercare phase. The best partners take it one step further; they help you identify internal roles and skillsets you need for continuous platform growth. They provide strategic advice on user adoption and change management, ultimately setting you up for success after they’re long gone. A great ServiceNow partner doesn’t just set you up for go-live; they set you up for long-term success. Even after the invoices stop coming.

Remember: There is a life after implementation. Ask yourself: How does your partner strategically work with organizations to ensure long-term success after they’re no longer in the picture?

The Strategic “No” – Why You Want a Partner Who Pushes Back

The Problem: You don’t know what you don’t know. Not every idea should make it into production, and best practices are best practices for a reason. Did you know that over-customization could cost you more to fix than you paid for your initial implementation?

The Solution: The right partner protects you from bad investments, over-customization, and platform debt. It’s the partner’s job to guide you about what you don’t know. You need a partner who:

Identifies smarter out-of-the-box solutions
Prevents automation of broken or insufficient workflows
Steers you away from decisions that could lead to upgrade issues or data loss

Remember: Hearing “No” from a partner isn’t resistance; it is protective and necessary to direct you toward a smarter path and long-term success.

Sam will be joining the Optomi Professional Services team at ServiceNow Knowledge2 5 . Learn more about her take on what a great ServiceNow partner really brings to the table at booth #3613 next week (May 6th - 8th, 2025)!

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn

From Bottlenecks to Breakthroughs: Optomi’s Hiring Model Boosts Efficiency by 90% for Financial Services Giant

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 21:28:23 GMT

CHALLENGE

A Fortune 500 financial services firm was preparing for a major upgrade to its insurance platform but struggled to build the necessary technical team. Previous attempts to hire through Contingent Labor Programs and traditional outsourcing partners had failed, plagued by cultural misalignment and restrictive conversion terms. The initiative required onboarding 40 skilled professionals, including Scrum Masters, Developers, and QA Engineers. The CIO valued retaining in-house knowledge by transitioning long-term consultants into full-time employees. However, internal recruiting efforts were stretching their HR and IT teams beyond capacity, creating bottlenecks and delaying progress.

SOLUTION

Frustrated by the ongoing challenges with previous partners, the client turned to Optomi to revamp their hiring strategy. Optomi introduced a segmented hiring model, assembling a specialized 6-person QA team that included a Team Lead, QA Automation Engineers, and Manual Testers to support all insurance-related QA and automation initiatives. To improve efficiency, Optomi implemented cross-functional teams and adopted a staggered hiring approach. They ensured that at least 50% of candidates were open to full-time opportunities and only submitted candidates who fully met the hiring criteria, minimizing friction and offering greater flexibility for hiring managers.

90%

improvement in

hiring efficiency

75%

of all candidates

were selected for

engagement

1:1

submittal-to-interview ratio

IMPACT

Impressed with Optomi’s resolution, the client removed other Scrum Master, Java Developer, and QA positions from their MSP program and doubled Optomi’s team size. This partnership led to a significant boost in hiring efficiency, improving the submittal-to-interview ratio by 90%, from 10:1 to an impressive 1:1. Additionally, 75% of the candidates presented by Optomi were selected for engagement, reflecting the precision and quality of their recruiting process.

Optomi solved the client’s hiring bottleneck by simplifying processes, improving candidate quality, and creating a flexible hiring model. Through Optomi’s cross-functional QA approach, the client gained a lasting, reliable partner by building an efficient, long-term team and improved project outcomes beyond hiring efficiency.

Let us boost your hiring efficiency!

Optomi Professional Services Appoints Chief Revenue Officer

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 13:08:57 GMT

Optomi Professional Services (OPS) is pleased to announce the addition of Blake Guyton as the company's Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). In this role, Guyton will provide strategic and tactical leadership across key revenue-focused initiatives as OPS continues to unify and elevate their service offerings.

Guyton joins OPS after more than ten years of service with Robert Half/Protiviti where he most recently served as Managing Vice President, responsible for driving revenue growth, implementing sales strategies, and leading high-performance teams. His leadership was instrumental in shaping and expanding the overall managed technology solutions division, helping drive its growth to account for over 20% of the organization's total revenue.

"As we continue to expand, having Blake Guyton lead our strategy surrounding professional services and key practice areas ensures we are positioned to capitalize on emerging market opportunities and accelerate our growth trajectory," said Optomi Professional Services CEO, Chuck Ruggiero. "Blake's unique perspective and vast experience in the space will empower us to create more value for our partners and stakeholders while fueling long-term growth and success."

With over twenty years of experience in the professional services sector, Guyton brings a deep understanding of the industry and a proven track record of achieving revenue objectives in fast-paced environments. He will work closely with the executive team to align the company's sales and marketing efforts with its long-term business goals.

"Coming from a small town in West Texas, the Provalus mission of delivering solutions from rural America immediately resonated with me," said Guyton. "When you combine that with Optomi's impressive culture and proven track record in the staffing industry, it's clear that the growth potential for OPS is tremendous. The leadership team's vision paired with their commitment to innovation and excellence make this an incredible opportunity."

ABOUT OPTOMI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Optomi Professional Services (OPS) is a 100% U.S.-based firm dedicated to providing skillset-focused support through three service channels: talent, professional, and managed services. Collectively, our partners are provided with a comprehensive suite of services to fuel their technology initiatives through our two brands, Optomi and Provalus. Founded with a mission of giving back, we strive to make a positive impact on our consultants, clients, and communities.

View the full release here.

Optomi Recognized as One of the Fastest-Growing Staffing Firms in 2024

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 12:51:26 GMT

Optomi is proud to announce its recognition from Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as one of the fastest-growing staffing firms in the U.S. Appearing on the list for the sixth time, Optomi ranked 2024 and 9th among IT-focused firms. The company's continued success showcases its dedication to delivering top-tier IT solutions.

Driven by a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 27.9% from 2019-2023, this ranking reflects Optomi’s ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive landscape.

"Earning this recognition year after year highlights the power of our collaborative efforts and our relentless pursuit of innovation. Our team’s passion and resilience allow us to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing industry," said Tony Pritchett, Chief Financial Officer of Optomi Professional Services. "This achievement is a reflection of our collective strength and our unwavering focus on delivering excellence at every stage of our journey.”

ABOUT OPTOMI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Optomi Professional Services (OPS) is a 100% U.S.-based firm dedicated to providing skillset-focused support through three service channels: talent, professional, and managed services. Collectively, our partners are provided with a comprehensive suite of services to fuel their technology initiatives through our two brands, Optomi and Provalus. Founded with a mission of giving back, we strive to make a positive impact on our consultants, clients, and communities.

Optomi Shines Again as an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company for the 8th Year in a Row

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:05:05 GMT

Optomi has once again been named one of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies by Inc. Magazine with the release of its annual Inc. 5000 list. This marks the eighth consecutive year that Optomi has earned this recognition, showcasing an unwavering commitment to excellence and growth.

“This achievement highlights our team's ability to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. We're proud to be part of the Inc. 5000 and excited for the future as we continue to grow and evolve,” said Chuck Ruggiero, CEO of Optomi Professional Services. “Our inclusion in this list for the eighth consecutive year serves as a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. We are more motivated than ever to push boundaries, embrace change, and drive forward with the same determination that has brought us this far."

Compiled annually by Inc. magazine, the Inc. 5000 list recognizes the fastest-growing private companies in America. This award is based on sustained revenue growth over a three-year period and showcases organizations that have demonstrated consistent growth and the ability to thrive in competitive markets. Over this period, Optomi achieved an impressive 145% growth, highlighting our commitment to excellence and innovation within a dynamic marketplace.

Optomi President Radka Winwood said, “We are thrilled to be recognized among the fastest-growing companies in America, a testament to the extraordinary grit, tenacity, and drive of our team. This achievement underscores our unwavering perseverance, innovation, and ability to stay ahead of industry trends. As we move forward, our focus remains on driving growth and exceeding expectations for our partners and consultants alike.”

View the full release here .

Optomi Recognized as One of the Largest IT Staffing Firms in the US by SIA

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 12:24:44 GMT

Once again, Optomi is pleased to announce its recognition by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as one of the Largest IT Staffing Firms in the US in 2024.

Organizations recognized on this list account for over 80% of the IT staffing market, which is estimated to have generated nearly 40 billion dollars in revenue in 2023. All companies included in this year’s edition have generated at least $100 million in US staffing revenue in the previous year.

Recognized as a Top 50 firm for the second year in a row, our success is a testament to the tremendous dedication and passion of our team who provide best-in-class customized solutions to consultants and partners alike.

SIA is a global advisory firm providing staffing and workforce solutions to all parts of the ecosystem in staffing, recruitment, and contingent work. See the full list here .

Providing Local, On-Site Resources to Fuel Your Platform and Project Initiatives

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 16:57:56 GMT

CHALLENGE

A mobility, Big Data, and Cloud Intelligence company struggled with finding local, on-site resources to deliver cutting-edge connected products. The client required skilled software engineers and product delivery resources with experience in mature agile/Scrum methodology within a production environment to transform the automotive industry.

SOLUTION

After exhausting their resources, the client knew they needed to pivot their approach to find the right resources for the job. Aware that deadlines were closing in quickly, they decided to partner with Optomi to source local, high-performing candidates to lead their teams.

THE OPTOMI DIFFERENCE

Our dedicated recruiting team is deeply attuned to the client’s environment and objectives. With an extensive network of top-tier talent in DFW, they excel at identifying and securing the ideal additions to your team. Due to the nature of the work being very modern and cutting-edge, many candidates in the market did not have experience working in this type of environment.

To meet the client’s needs, we:

Staffed a dedicated delivery team to focus solely on building resource pipelines.
Appointed an Executive Sponsor of Delivery to guarantee quality control for the client is a top priority at Optomi.
Have been intimately involved in product road-mapping strategy sessions resulting in a strong understanding of the overall environment and challenges, enabling us to assess resources to ensure they possess the right skills and capabilities for the job.

RESULTS

With the help of Optomi, the client was empowered to meet deliverables across multiple product lines.

Since the beginning of our collaboration, multiple Optomi resources have been converted to full-time team members and are now in positions of leadership. We are working with the client to achieve their goal of cutting costs by 25%, meaning they see higher functionality at a lesser spend.

25%

cost savings

Want to take the first step towards sourcing local, on-site resources to fuel your platform and project initiatives?

Successfully Integrating Critical Identity & Access Management (IAM) Solutions

Wed, 15 May 2024 14:48:13 GMT

CHALLENGE

A global leader in security-related services embarked on a project to integrate three critical Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions: SailPoint IdentityNow, CyberArk, and Okta. With a team of only one primary engineer and a backup, the project faced significant resource constraints. The integration required robust technical skills, especially in managing APIs, debugging, and setting up backend connections. Additionally, the client struggled to manage compliance with HIPAA and SOX regulations, which require meticulous attention to detail and thorough documentation.

SOLUTION

The client chose to partner with Optomi to achieve a successful integration of SailPoint, CyberArk, and Okta. Optomi lead the client through IAM governance, policies, and solutions across Single Sign-On (SSO), directory, certificate, multi-factor authentication (MFA), privileged account management, privileged session monitoring, automation, and behavior analytic systems. This solution allowed the client to enhance security, streamline user management, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards such as HIPAA and SOX.

Project Requirements and Prioritization

Primary Focus: SailPoint IdentityNow

SailPoint IdentityNow was prioritized as the essential component (80%) for the integration project. The solution was chosen for its comprehensive identity governance capabilities including provisioning, de-provisioning, user lifecycle management, and separation of duties (SOD).

Secondary Focus: Okta

Okta’s Single Sign-On (SSO) was critical for the client given its pervasive use across the organization (30-40% priority). Okta facilitated seamless access to various applications, enhancing user experience and security.

Tertiary Focus: CyberArk

Although the integration with CyberArk was necessary, it was designed to be rapidly deployable. Expertise in previous CyberArk connections within IdentityNow was deemed sufficient, even if the individual was not a CyberArk admin.

THE OPTOMI DIFFERENCE

Our dedicated Cyber Security delivery team prioritizes understanding your goals to ensure we meet and exceed expectations. By leveraging an extensive network of top tech talent, our recruiters excel at identifying and securing the most ideal additions to your team, perfectly aligned with your objectives.

To meet the client’s needs, we:

Prioritized tasks and leveraged the existing knowledge of the CyberArk lead engineer.
Deployed a primary engineer responsible for responding to audit requests and ensuring all processes adhere to regulatory standards.
Implemented a practice of continuous learning and application of technical skills that were crucial for the project’s success.

Results

With the help of Optomi, the client experienced a seamless integration of SailPoint IdentityNow, CyberArk, and Okta. Successfully integrating these three IAM solutions resulted in a robust IAM framework that enhanced security and ensured compliance with HIPAA and SOX regulations. The project streamlined provisioning, de-provisioning, and user lifecycle management, improving efficiency, and reducing the risk of unauthorized access. In addition, Okta’s SSO implementation provided a seamless and secure user experience, facilitating easy access to applications across the organization.

Having fully integrated SailPoint IdentityNow, CyberArk, and Okta, the client now fully understands and appreciates the significance of a well-coordinated IAM strategy. Despite resource constraints and technical challenges, the project successfully enhanced security, streamlined user management, and ensured regulatory compliance, establishing a robust foundation for future IAM initiatives.

Want to take the first step towards successfully integrating critical IAM solutions to increase security measures?

Building a Robust Team Well-Versed in Multiple Skillsets to Drive Efficiency on All- Encompassing Projects

Sat, 30 Mar 2024 14:24:28 GMT

CHALLENGE

A Fortune 500 software and technology company was struggling with executing an organizational shift to user and product-focused initiatives. The client had a surplus of UX designers and not enough product-focused designers to handle requests flooding in from shared services. The company was evolving and needed all inquiries to funnel through one, robust team comprised of individuals capable of carrying multiple skillsets.

SOLUTION

After several instances of miscommunication with their previous vendor, the client knew they needed to pivot their strategy and bring in assistance from an expert in the IT staffing industry. In need of candidates with a deep understanding of technology and software, they chose to partner with Optomi to deliver the best talent and staff their new team of both UX and product designers.

50%

fill rate

on all openings

36%

of consultants

placed

came from Optomi referrals

90%

of candidate submissions

accepted f

THE OPTOMI DIFFERENCE

Optomi is skillset-focused. Our recruiters are five times more certified than the rest of the IT Staffing industry. Their deep network of candidates within the most in-demand technology sectors is at your fingertips.

Based on the client’s goals, we placed 40+ high-performing Product Designers, Analytics Specialists, Front End Developers, UI/Visual Designers, and 10+ Researchers to support 3 growing business units, 230+ software products, and their Design Systems. These Designers, Analysts, Researchers, and Developers supported all of the client’s product-focused development teams and their customers.

RESULTS

With Optomi’s help, the client migrated from sitting under the marketing umbrella to a technology one, emphasizing UI rather than traditional UX with their new product-focused team. Prior to our engagement, the client’s candidate submission acceptance rate was 10%. Optomi stepped in and raised it to 90%, utilizing our skillset-focused, consultant-centered recruiters.

With a high work ethic and retention rate, this vigorous new team remained on contract for the entire duration of the project. Today, we’ve maintained a strong relationship with the client, and they accept 36% of referrals coming from Optomi recruiters, proving that good people know good people. Our average time to fill each position is less than 2 weeks and we have a 50% fill rate on all openings the client has presented to us.

The client’s team members hired through Optomi earn industry-competitive salaries plus bonuses for senior-level UX Designers. These consultants have received several positive reviews with nearly 100% timely conversion rates. Many have gained leadership roles and taken on new responsibilities.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

“The Optomi team has been a strategic partner for the UX team as we’ve undergone significant changes over the past few years. They’ve sourced quality candidates with in-demand skillsets that are also the right culture fit for our team. The Optomi team is pivotal to our growth strategy.”

- Director, Experience Design

Want to take the first step towards building a comprehensive, robust team well-versed in multiple skillsets to propel success on your UX-driven projects?

Decrease Security Risks with a Highly Certified DevSecOps Team

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:11:09 GMT

CHALLENGE

A publicly traded company in the insurance technology sector had an alarming number of un-remediated vulnerabilities across their internal and external application portfolio, including revenue-generating websites/mobile apps. With the program sitting in an immature pipeline state with no secure SDLC policies and almost no tooling/automation (just open-source code scanners, manual secure code review, arbitrary pre-deployment standards, etc.).

SOLUTION

The client needed a security solution to manage the influx of risks and enhance their undeveloped program. The client did not have a DevSecOps program in place nor the resources to help secure their SDLC along with their CI/CD pipeline to allow automation for scanning their applications. They chose to partner with Optomi to find a highly skilled and certified team to establish a vulnerability remediation process against the number of security threats faced every day.

Certifications

Optomi consultants held the following certifications:

CISSP
GSSP-Java
CSSLP
GWAPT
GCPN
AWS Solutions Architect/Security Specialty

THE OPTOMI DIFFERENCE

Optomi is skillset-focused. Our recruiters are five times more certified than the rest of the IT Staffing industry. They are truly integrated within the Cyber Security community across the U.S.

Based on the client’s goals, we deployed highly certified, hybrid security resources to include Senior Engineering Consultants (AppSec & Cloud Sec) and an Architect/Lead Consultant (AppSec & Cloud Sec). With a strong combination of skills and industry-recognized certifications, their new hybrid team secured the cloud and container environment (EC2s, S3 buckets, EKS clusters, etc.) that supported these apps along with firewalls/ WAFs, monitoring/logging, key/secrets management (Hashicorp Vault), CSPM (Wiz.io), encryption, and automated detection.

RESULTS

Having their new DevSecOps team in place, the client saw positive results immediately. With the program starting at an immature pipeline state, Optomi consultants transformed it into a robust DevSecOps program with established remediation SLAs and secure coding standards, commercial SAST/DAST/SCA tools with automated scanning schedules, and security-conscious development teams. This resulted in a 70%+ average reduction in web and mobile application vulnerabilities, with critical findings for all applications near zero.

Today, the client’s DevSecOps team is now established with a combination of security and development skills. With the proper security processes surrounding their application development lifecycle, the client experiences little to no vulnerabilities, preparing them for a brighter future in the cyber security space.

70%

reduction

in web and mobile application vulnerabilities

Eliminating Wasteful Spending by Building an Internal MSSP to Manage Your CSOC

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 14:03:41 GMT

CHALLENGE

A Fortune 500 utilities company faced several challenges with running its Cyber Security Operations Center (CSOC). After evaluating the situation with their prior managed security service provider (MSSP), the client realized the MSSP did not have the appropriate access or authorization to investigate alerts off-site. This was extremely important for the client as they had multiple security protocols in place, meaning that investigations of alerts and escalations required on-site authorization or full-time employee (FTE) access. The client also struggled with retention and did not have effective methods to find quality candidates that fit the culture of their organization.

SOLUTION

With the impending need to resolve their issues, the client knew they needed to devise a solution that involved contract resources. Due to the nature of the essential services this client produces, they knew all work had to remain on-site going forward. They were overspending on training off-site analysts and wanted to bring their work completely on-site, requiring 24/7/365 support to ensure 100% fully operational services at all times. This Fortune-listed company engaged Optomi Professional Services as its partner to develop a full coverage solution to meet their needs and keep threats at bay.

3:1

interview-to-hire ratio

after Optomi

stepped in

50+

consultants

placed

with cyber security-specific experience

80%

consultants placed

after Optomi

stepped in

THE OPTOMI DIFFERENCE

Based on the client’s goals, we staffed a full team of analysts, security engineers, team leads, and architects, presented candidates that fit the culture of the organization, and provided opportunity for growth.

Understanding the client’s struggle to keep contract workers engaged, Optomi knew they needed to offer up their best candidates to solve the task at hand. Our recruiters specializing in Cyber Security produced a solution that involved contract resources. Optomi would present our best candidates to grow and thrive within the client’s organization, improve retention, handle the extra workload, and cover the off-hour shifts. The solution was thorough, allowing appropriate knowledge transfer time, incentives for obtaining industry-related certifications, and additional training opportunities for continuous improvement.

RESULTS

Optomi’s specialized recruiters found the right talent that was both qualified and the ideal cultural fit that the client was looking for. Due to the high performance of the Optomi consultants placed, the client converted the majority of contract workers to full-time employees (FTEs) when needing to fill permanent roles. With a 3:1 interview-to-hire ratio, our recruiters not only found the best candidates, but they found them quickly. After we stepped in, the client’s retention rate surged to 80%, proving that providing opportunities to grow and thrive in an organization is a vital benefit. Because of their recruiting strategy, the client has been able to launch and complete dozens of successful Cyber Security project initiatives.

The synergy and consistency of these Optomi-directed teams have allowed the client to maintain a high standard of analysis while retaining cultural integrity. The cultural and skillset alignment of our placements provides a steady flow of ideal talent with the flexibility to promote from within and convert to full-time as needed.

Want to take the first step towards investing in team members that grow and thrive with your organization?

Cutting Costs in Half by Establishing an Internal PMO

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 19:57:36 GMT

CHALLENGE

For 20 years, a multinational healthcare services company relied on the outsourcing support of a managed services provider to fulfill their hiring needs. Upon evaluating the deal later on, the client learned that not only were they overspending on resources, but that they lacked all contract proprietary rights. They did not own any of the documentation or standard operating procedures in place in their own company, handcuffing them to their old vendor.

SOLUTION

As the client brainstormed how to move away from their former vendor, they learned that the first step was to build an internal project management office (PMO) so they had full control over their own projects, could build in-house expertise, and create their own documentation and standard operating procedures. They chose to partner with Optomi to facilitate these initiatives.

50%

reduction

in costs

since Optomi

took over

90%

of consultants

placed

have healthcare-specific experience

70+

consultants placed

since Optomi

took over

THE OPTOMI DIFFERENCE

Based on the client’s goals, we:

Fully staffed a team of over 70 consultants
Sourced 90% of candidates with healthcare-specific experience per the client’s request

RESULTS

In the initial stages of the partnership, Optomi worked closely with the client to gain a full understanding of the organization’s specialized healthcare skills, projects, and corporate culture. After fully grasping the client’s initiatives and industry-specific knowledge, our team was prepared to provide the necessary methods and tools to succeed in the client’s fast-paced environment.

Optomi staffed a team of Program Managers, Project Managers, and Project Coordinators to enable the client to reclaim ownership of their own projects. After implementing new best practices and standard documentation, the client’s costs were reduced by 50%. The foundational knowledge built into the newly formed PMO now enables the client to shift more work away from their former vendor, allowing them to continue eliminating wasteful spending and continue building a more sustainable, cost-efficient team for the future.

Want to take the first step towards cutting your costs with an internal PMO model?

Sustaining Customer Growth and Demand with Augmented Teams

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 13:24:24 GMT

CHALLENGE

One of the fastest-growing mobile self-service platform solutions companies was experiencing explosive growth, pushing them to keep up with customer demand. The client was in search of the right partner to provide high-performing software development and quality assurance talent at a rapid rate without sacrificing candidate quality or cultural fit.

SOLUTION

After exhausting their options with other talent acquisition and HR strategies, the client determined the nature of work was two-fold and needed two things: a product-focused team for new client implementations and a project sustain team to enhance and support current customer platforms. To achieve this, they chose to partner with Optomi to deliver the best talent and staff both teams.

SOWs per

project

with a 12-month

contract commitment

consultants

placed

within a 5-week period

quality teams

built from

scratch

THE OPTOMI DIFFERENCE

Based on the client’s goals, we:

Built a fully functional product team of 3 Sr. Java Developers and 3 Angular Developers focused on the future state and next generation of the product/application.
Built a fully functional project team of 8 Software Engineers and 9 QA Engineers focused on the maintenance of the current product/application.
Managed the procurement and delivery of all required equipment (computers, peripherals, mobile devices for testing) and built this overhead cost into the SOW (so the client owns all equipment).
Put a “Consultant Touch Point Policy” in place to ensure the project’s success, address outstanding items, review individual consultant performances, and ensure the hiring manager and leadership team’s expectations were being met.

RESULTS

With their new augmented teams in place, the client’s customer satisfaction rate increased immensely. As customer demand fluctuated, so did the client’s requirements. Within 5 weeks, Optomi successfully screened, onboarded, and deployed 23 consultants to the two teams. We also executed 2 SOWs for each specific client project, with a twelve-month contract commitment.

We established weekly meetings with the client’s hiring managers and leadership to provide status updates on all positions, review resumes with outstanding feedback, discuss onboarding logistics for new hires, and collaborate on potential roadblocks as they evolved. The client agreed to have us conduct 1-and-done, 1-hour interviews to ensure we stay competitive in the tight labor market. Our team now provides managers with daily updates to alert them of our progress in fulfilling their requisites. The client is also able to convert consultants to FTEs (full-time employees) after twelve months on contract.

Now operating at the highest velocity, the client’s new, fully staffed teams are able to maintain the current product/application while simultaneously improving the next generation of the product/application.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

“Optomi has been an excellent partner over the past two years. At a time when increased capacity was needed quickly, they were able to begin staffing our openings immediately; Rapidly scheduling interviews with highly qualified candidates within a matter of days, pivoting as needed regarding skillsets based on feedback, and ultimately providing team members who are both knowledgeable and respected across our team. As our needs have shifted, Tyler and her team have continued a pragmatic, partnering approach to winding down contingent workers as and when appropriate, always focusing on our needs. My experience has always been positive, and I would recommend Optomi to colleagues and peers within the industry who may be in need of their services.”

- Senior Director, Client Services & Delivery

Want to take the first step towards building the best software development and quality assurance teams to sustain your growth and demand?

OPTOMI RECOGNIZED BY SIA AS ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING STAFFING FIRMS IN 2023

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 12:07:03 GMT

Optomi is pleased to announce its recognition by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as one of the Fastest Growing Staffing Firms for 2023. Optomi was ranked 77th on the comprehensive list, but 17th for IT staffing companies.

To qualify for the 2023 Fastest-Growing US Staffing Firms list, companies must have posted a minimum of $1 million in US revenue in 2018 and have had a compound annual growth rate of at least 15% from 2018-2022. This year, the methodology for selection has become even more stringent, further elevating this prestigious achievement.

“It is an honor to be named to SIA’s list of fastest-growing staffing firms. This is our fourth year on their list and it’s a testament to the hard work our team puts in every day,” said Optomi CEO, Chuck Ruggiero. “This recognition has come close on the heels of Optomi being named to INC 5000’s list of fastest growing companies and we are extremely proud of the explosive, organic growth we have continued to achieve year after year.”

Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) is a global advisory firm providing staffing and workforce solutions to all parts of the ecosystem in staffing, recruitment, and contingent work.

ABOUT OPTOMI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Optomi Professional Services is a 100% U.S.-based firm dedicated to partnering with clients to fuel their technology initiatives. Through our elite brands of Optomi and Provalus, we deploy the best tech talent to help define the technology of tomorrow. Our skillset-focused support through two service channels (talent services and onshore outsourcing solutions) provides the comprehensive suite of services our clients need to achieve success. OPS was founded on a mission of giving back and positively impacting our consultants, clients, and communities.

OPTOMI RECOGNIZED AS AN INC. 5000 FASTEST GROWING COMPANY FOR THE 7TH YEAR IN A ROW

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:11:59 GMT

This week, the Inc. 5000 list revealed Optomi, LLC as one of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies with a ranking of 2,782. Optomi Professional Services has made this prestigious list every year of its eligibility, making this the company’s seventh consecutive year being ranked.

Optomi Professional Services, comprised of both the Optomi and Provalus brands, is an I.T. talent services and outsourcing firm dedicated to partnering with clients to fuel technology initiatives.

“We’re honored to be listed alongside some of the most innovative, successful, and fastest growing companies in the U.S. In this incredibly competitive and challenging business landscape, doing the extraordinary is what keeps you at the top. I’m proud of how the team serves our clients and consultant-base so well,” commented Optomi Professional Services CEO, Chuck Ruggiero.

Companies are selected to the Inc. 5000 list based on their percentage revenue growth over the previous three years. Optomi, LLC has experienced a 3-year revenue growth of 192% which has also earned it recognition from Staffing Industry Analysts as one of the Fastest Growing Staffing Firms. In the Inc. 5000 subcategory of Human Resources, Optomi, LLC achieved the notable ranking of number 128.

President of Optomi, Radka Winwood, said, “this recognition is a testament to the drive and passion of our team to deliver excellence as we support our clients with the highest-quality talent for their projects.”

OPTOMI RANKS #1 AMONG COMPANIES AWARDED FOR BEST LEADERSHIP

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:25:25 GMT

In remarkable testament to our exceptional leadership team, we are honored to announce that Optomi has been presented with the prestigious Best Company Leadership award from Comparably. Out of millions of ratings, we have proudly secured the coveted first spot among the top 100 small/medium-sized companies .

The recognition of our exceptional leadership team by Optomi’s own employees validates our dedication to creating a positive, motivating work environment and empowering our employees to reach their full potential. In fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, our leadership team is duly equipped to set their teams on a path to success.

Optomi’s leaders understand that investing in their team’s professional and personal well-being is key to maintaining a high-performing and engaged staff. Through mentorship programs, ongoing training initiatives, and opportunities for advancement, Optomi empowers its employees to excel in their careers and achieve their aspirations. One Optomi employee said, “Leadership is always on your side and looking out for your best interest! They are committed to your personal growth as well as your career growth.”

In securing the #1 spot for Best Company Leadership, we not only celebrate our leadership team’s success but also reaffirm our commitment to continuing to provide the best possible experience to Optomi employees. Our leaders remain dedicated to nurturing a culture of innovation, collaboration, and growth, ensuring that Optomi continues to be a place where employees thrive and achieve remarkable success.

Interested in working with leadership that cares? Work with us! Learn more about The Acadomi training program and internal opportunities with Optomi today!

OPTOMI RANKS AMONG TOP 50 COMPANIES FOR BEST CAREER GROWTH

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 09:36:44 GMT

We are delighted to announce that Optomi has been honored with the prestigious Best Company Growth 2023 award from Comparably. Out of millions of ratings, we have proudly secured a place among the top 50 small/medium-sized companies . This esteemed recognition reflects our unwavering dedication to fostering a work environment where our employees can flourish and achieve their full potential.

At Optomi, we are committed to providing exceptional growth opportunities, exemplified by our renowned training program, The Acadomi. This program has had a profound and positive impact on our employees’ work experience, enabling them to acquire new skills and knowledge while advancing their careers. The Acadomi is an elite training program for sales careers in tech, designed to cultivate successful sales careers through a well-rounded education in the technology staffing industry. With a comprehensive curriculum tailored to the technology staffing industry, this program serves as the ideal launchpad for recent graduates seeking to embark on their professional journey in the tech sector as Associates with Optomi.

Through The Acadomi, participants, known as Acadomites, gain specialized technology skillsets, refine their communication acumen to effectively engage with business executives, and acquire a deep understanding of the intricate workings of the technology staffing realm. At Optomi, we recognize the importance of fostering talent across the board, which is why employees who do not undergo The Acadomi training program are offered comprehensive training to ensure their seamless integration and success within the company. One Optomi employee said, “Leadership is always on your side and looking out for your best interest! They are committed to your personal growth as well as your career growth.”

Receiving the Best Company Growth 2023 award from Comparably reaffirms our ongoing commitment to cultivating a culture of continuous learning and professional development. We believe that investing in our employees’ growth is not only vital for their individual success, but also for the collective achievement of our organization.

Moving forward, Optomi remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence, continuously striving to provide exceptional growth opportunities and maintain an environment that empowers our employees to thrive. We are honored to be recognized with the Best Company Growth 2023 award and will continue to set new benchmarks for fostering employee growth and creating a culture of success.

Interested in creating a career path with opportunity for growth? Work with us! Learn more about The Acadomi training program and internal opportunities with Optomi today!

OPTOMI RANKS AMONG TOP BUSINESSES FOR BEST COMPANY OUTLOOK SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 10:00:30 GMT

For the second year in a row, Optomi has ranked among the top businesses in the country for Best Company Outlook. Recognized by Comparably, Optomi has received this award thanks to anonymous ratings by our own employees. We are honored to receive this accolade.

Our future is bright, indeed, as Comparably’s Best Company Outlook list includes companies that look to the future with purpose and intent. The list is derived from millions of anonymous ratings from current employees.

Since 2012, Optomi’s mission has been to drive tomorrow’s technology with today’s optimum talent. From the start, we have been committed to giving back to our local communities and those in need. Since day one, we have provided a food insecure child with a weekend bag of meals with every consultant we place. This initiative became our Opt2give program .

Along the way, our culture developed into something truly special. Each and every individual at Optomi is connected to something bigger than themselves. An employee on Comparably said, “being able to be around people I genuinely like spending time with and when I connect with my candidates on a personal level it makes the job that much more special.” Another employee said that what makes them the most happy at work is, “the culture! Its like no other! I truly enjoy coming into the office and being around my co-workers 8+ hours a day.”

Our team is full of ambition… and we know they’ll help keep us at the top.

Join our team today!

See the full list here .

PLATINUM CLUB 2022 SPECIAL AWARD RECEIVERS

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 10:16:51 GMT

Each year, the elite among us celebrate their success on our annual Platinum Club trip. Among our top producers are a handful of exceptional individuals who went above and beyond, earning special recognitions.

This year’s Culture Award recipient is Courtney Villanueva! Courtney has shown extraordinary dedication to ensuring Optomi’s culture continues to thrive. She went from being a mere culture committee participant to creating and leading our Champion Committee, devoted to making all new hires and Acadomi members feel welcomed and at home in their new markets. She has become a true culture champion and an irreplaceable addition to Optomi.

This year’s Ring of Honor Award recipient is Paul Brown! Hard work doesn’t begin to describe what Paul does on a daily basis. Not only does he embody so much of what we value here at Optomi, but he has shown nothing shy of dedication and grit every single day. Aside from putting the company above himself, Paul is truly a mentor and seeks out ways to help others. He is definitely a “yes man” and everyone who encounters him walks away with a smile.

This year’s Shared Services Excellence Award recipient is Meagan Franklin! Members of our back office team don’t often find themselves in the limelight, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t deserving. Our Shared Services team is the backbone of everything Optomi does and the company would not be able to function properly without their hard work and passion. Meagan truly helps make everything tick every single day. Her sense of urgency is incredible and she always does everything in the most positive way.

This year’s Rookie of the Year Award recipient is Brittany Fetzner! Brittany found herself at Optomi by referral and right off the bat, it was clear she would be a trail blazer in this industry. She has #dedicated relentless hours in and out of the office, building her incredible book of business. Through highs and lows, she has fought tooth and nail to reach her goals and bounce back to achieve success. Brittany has set herself apart by showing outstanding tenacity, performance, and intense perseverance.

Congratulations and thank you for your hard work. See you in the Dominican!

Optomi's 2023 New Year's Resolutions

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 12:42:32 GMT

Over the past decade, Optomi has had the opportunity to make a difference, not only in the business world, but in lives of others. Cheers to a prosperous 2023!

What Is React?

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 13:25:49 GMT

What is React?

You most likely use React apps every day, whether you are watching your favorite TV shows, browsing through social media, or just checking your email. React is a JavaScript library built and maintained by Meta (Facebook). React is a very efficient, declarative, and flexible open-source JavaScript library for building simple, fast, and scalable front-ends of web applications. It is by far the most popular open- source JavaScript library and is used by most Fortune 500 companies.

What Does React Do?

React allows developers to create large web applications that can change data, without reloading the page. The main purpose of React, as mentioned above, is to be fast, scalable, and simple. It lets you create complex UI’s from small and isolated pieces of code called “components”.

What is the Importance?

The React library provides users templates and elements that serve as a base for developing creative web interfaces. Applications developed using React tend to have a high performing nature and state of the art user interaction and experience in addition to maintaining high traffic.

Client #1 is a photo and video sharing social networking service. The use of React within the popular social media app is HUGE. A proof for that is numerous features including the geolocations, Google Maps APIs, search engine accuracy as well as tags that pop out without hashtags. React is all there in the API of the app and the public seems to love it.

Client #2 is an American subscription streaming service and production company that uses React for a specific platform called “Gibbon.” Gibbon was designed with the intent to bring a better user experience to individuals who have low-performance TV devices instead of the traditional model used in web browsers. Their decision to adopt React was a no- brainer as it helps with startup speed, improve runtime performance, and modularity.

Talent Insights

Hiring demand is extremely high across the United States, especially in industries such as Financial Services, Retail, Telecommunications, and Real Estate.

Compensation Range: $125,000/yr. – $215,000/yr.

Current Active Candidates:

7.8k individuals are open to work across the country

OPS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NAMED BEST CEO FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:22:43 GMT

Optomi Professional Services CEO, Chuck Ruggiero, has been recognized as Best CEO for the second year in a row! Chuck ranked #49 among the top 100 CEOs, all rated by employees. Culture is and has always been at the core of Optomi’s success, and it’s that very focus that has awarded him this honor.

Comparably awards are derived from sentiment ratings provided by employees who anonymously rate their employer over a 12-month period. Employees answer questions from several categories including Leadership, Work-Life Balance, Professional Development and more.

We’re grateful to have Chuck leading both our Optomi and Provalus brands into a successful future full of growth. OPS was also named a “Best Company in Atlanta,” “Best Company Outlook” and “Best Company for Leadership” in 2022.

View the full list on Comparably.com here .

What Is Node.js?

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 06:01:46 GMT

What is NodeJS?

NodeJS is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment and library to run web applications outside the client’s browser. It is used to create server- side (backend) web applications.

What Does NodeJS Do?

NodeJS is primarily used for non-blocking, event-driven servers, due to its single-threaded nature. It’s used for not only traditional websites and backend API services, but was designed with real- time, push-based architectures in mind.

What is the Importance?

NodeJS sits on the server (backend) which is an application that runs and listens and what it listens for is people who want to connect to that server via requests – whether on your phone, laptop, or someone on an internet connected refrigerator can make a request to server and grab the requested data.

Case Studies Utilizing NodeJS

Client #1 is an American subscription streaming service and production company that uses NodeJS. Their platform streams tons of data at a very quick rate and this is where NodeJS comes into play. It solves data streaming problems for the client and increases overall efficiency for a great user experience!

Client #2 is an online shopping website that contains a large amount of data loaded in a web browser. NodeJS makes the data more accessible and therefore the uptime of the website will always be high.

Talent Insights

Hiring demand is extremely high across the United States, especially in industries such as Financial Services (Accounting, Banking, Investment Management), Retail, and Entertainment.

Compensation Range: $135,000/yr. – $225,000/yr.

Current Active Candidates:

5.5k individuals are open to work across the country

OPTOMI EARNS CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL BEST PLACE TO WORK AWARD

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 10:28:22 GMT

We are thrilled to announce that our Charlotte team has made the Charlotte Business Journal’s Best Place to Work list! This list represents the best of the best in the Charlotte region that offer a remarkable culture, great benefits, and have engaged employees.

Alexandra Williams, a Senior Account Executive in Charlotte, spoke about the origins of the office opening and how leadership has really taken their passion for culture and ran with it. “Having people in leadership roles lead the culture committees for the whole organization is really special because when you have someone from the top really instill a culture, it’s going to stem down. That’s where it all begins,” said Alexandra. “We have people who have just joined the company wanting to be a part of something bigger and get involved in more than just their day to day jobs.”

The culture in Charlotte is truly unmatched. The environment our team has created is one to remember. “We are a family. We celebrate professional success and milestones with one another, but we also celebrate one another on a personal level. We have housewarming parties and baby showers for husbands and wives who are married to someone at Optomi and we celebrate them and welcome a new baby into the home. We have wedding showers, we go to the beach together, we travel…we choose to spend time with one another. It’s a choice, but it’s because of the people that Optomi hires,” said Senior Account Executive Tyler Sheltra.

This award is especially honorable as the honorees are chosen based on a third-party survey that the team must provide feedback on. Thank you to our dedicated team in Charlotte for honoring us with this award. We would not be here without your genuine spirits and exceptional culture.

What Is .NET?

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 06:34:58 GMT

What is .NET?

.NET is an open-source development platform for building different types of applications. Microsoft first introduced the framework in 2002 after taking inspiration from Java, as well as their learnings from the ecosystem they provided, and came up with .NET. There is a variety of programming languages available on the .NET platform such as VB.NET and C# being the most common ones.

.NET Standard vs .NET Core

.NET Standard

– Allows engineers to develop websites, services, and apps on strictly Windows OS (Operating System) based machine
– Last version released in standard was 4.8

.NET Core

– .NET Core allows engineers to develop anywhere due to its cross-platform compatibility
– You can develop websites that are cross platform and can function on a variety of operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS based machines
– Latest version of .NET Core is .NET 6 (Microsoft decided to drop ‘Core’ from the name after version 3.1 to emphasize that .NET 5 is the “future” of all earlier versions of .NET Core!)

What is the Importance?

The use of .NET helps in the creation of web applications and websites. The applications are getting mainly developed which can be used in a computer, laptop or mobile easily and with great performance. The framework also provides great features which help developers or programmers develop applications which remain in sync with all platforms. Also, .NET provides great scalability for developing both small and large applications and has been found to be a great platform for redesigning small applications to scale with the growing needs of an organization or to make it large as per the client requirements.

What Can You Build Using .NET?

Case Study Utilizing .NET

Situation

– The client had 3 different customer-facing websites, each with its own look and feel; main website, one for online ordering, and one for catering which really wasn’t conducive to business.

Solution

– Build a new unified web presence from scratch using the below technologies
– Technologies used: C#, .NET Core, Visual Studio Code, and Azure

Benefits/Results

– As a result, ordering processes became more streamlined and seamless
– Marketers can now make changes to the site in minutes, including menu items and availability, while developers are freed to focus on making the site richer in other ways.
– Since everything is now hosted in Azure (Microsoft’s cloud service), the client no longer needs to worry about operational issues such as maintenance, patching, availability, and scalability!

Talent Insights

Hiring demand is extremely high across the United States, especially in industries such as Insurance, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Retail, and Automotive.
Compensation Range: $80,000/yr. – $150,000/yr.

Current Active Candidates:
1.7k individuals are open to contract work out of roughly 4K total open to work

OPTOMI MAKES SIA’S 2022 FASTEST GROWING STAFFING FIRMS LIST

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 10:35:23 GMT

We’re thrilled to announce our recognition by Staffing Industry Analysts as one of the Fastest Growing Staffing Firms. Optomi’s continued growth is an accomplishment of 10 years of grit and perseverance. We have also been recognized as one of SIA’s Largest Staffing Firms this year.

To qualify for the 2022 Fastest-Growing US Staffing Firms list, companies needed to have had a compound annual growth rate of at least 15%. The most-represented segment on the list was I.T. with 45 firms stating that Information Technology staffing as their top segment.

We owe our growth and success to our incredible team of top producers who truly embody all of our core values. Our culture has won us awards and kept our bond strong and our team is comprised of passionate individuals dedicated to doing the right thing in every circumstance.

SIA is the global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions. SIA’s analysis provides insights into the services and suppliers operating in the workforce solutions environment, including staffing firms.

Learn more about SIA here: https://www2.staffingindustry.com/Research/Research-Reports/Americas/Fastest-Growing-US-Staffing-Firms-2022-Update?cookies=disabled

OPTOMI MAKES SIA’S 2022 LARGEST IT STAFFING FIRMS LIST

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 10:47:01 GMT

We are honored to have made SIA’s prestigious list of Largest IT Staffing Firms in the U.S.! When we launched back in 2012, our founders had a saying that they wanted the company to be “the best”, not necessarily the biggest. As it turns out, Optomi is both! Our name is derived from the word optimum. We’re thrilled to be able to deliver the best talent to our clients with such broad reach.

Staffing firms on this list must have generated $100 million or more in US staffing revenue last year to qualify. This report ranks 62 IT staffing firms that have done just that.

OPTOMI RECOGNIZED AS AN INC 5000 FASTEST GROWING COMPANY FOR THE 6TH YEAR IN A ROW

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 10:40:15 GMT

For the 6th year in a row, Optomi Professional Services joins the elite list of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies with INC 5000. Optomi has made this prestigious list each year we’ve been eligible.

The list represents a unique compilation of the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment-its privately-owned businesses. Optomi Professional Services is a firm dedicated to partnering with clients to fuel their technology initiatives. OPS is comprised of the Optomi and Provalus brands which specialize in deploying highly qualified technology talent in the areas of cybersecurity, data modernization, software engineering, business optimization, cloud and infrastructure, Salesforce, emerging technologies, BPO, Service desk, Help desk and ITO. It is 100% U.S.-based and purpose-driven to positively impact consultants, clients and communities.

With the demand of technology talent at an all-time high combined with the resurgence of American workers providing outsourced solutions, OPS is on a growth trajectory rarely seen in the traditional professional services industry.

OPTOMI RECOGNIZED BY COMPARABLY FOR BEST LEADERSHIP TEAM AWARD

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 10:52:14 GMT

For the second year in a row, we are honored to be recognized by Comparably for the Best Company Leadership Team. Among the 100 companies ranked, Optomi ranked #10 on the list!

Our leadership team is comprised of some of the best in the business with core values that outshine the competition… and it shines through in our reviews on corporate evaluation sites like Comparably. We couldn’t have done this without the Optomi family! Thank you for honoring us with this prestigious award.

OPTOMI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RECOGNIZED BY INC MAGAZINE FOR PRIORITIZING WOMEN IN THE I.T. SPACE

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 11:08:40 GMT

We are so grateful to be recognized by Inc.com for our commitment to furthering the careers of women in tech. Creating space for women in the I.T. space has proven to be not only inclusive, but essential to our success. Optomi Professional Services [OPS] is comprised of both the Optomi and Provalus brands. Optomi has a workforce of over 50% women with a female President while Provalus employees are 56% female also with a President who is female. Our Provalus President, Laura Chevalier, has been an asset to rural communities in small-town America. She was recently recognized as a “Veteran Champion of the Year” (Read more on GI Jobs )

Inc wrote about OPS, “Helping these women start independent career paths that foster self-sufficiency is part of the company’s purpose.”

OPS was born out of a passion for making a meaningful impact all across the U.S. We employ a team of innovative thinkers, industry disruptors, and refreshingly enterprising strategists influencing a more purpose-driven world. The women filling these roles exemplify these qualities. Our team is anchored by some truly incredible women who continue to drive our mission each and every day.

We recognize the value in diversifying our team to stimulate growth. Our four founders, Michael Winwood , Todd Black , Radka Winwood , and Christen Black , have always instilled our core values and the importance of being appreciative of everyone’s contribution to our success. Our culture is simply centered around being “the best”. We define it by six core values. We are… innovative, passionate, respectful, genuine, dedicated, and connected. The women at OPS truly embody our core values and continue to prove they are what makes our company thrive.

Read the full article on Inc.com here .

OPTOMI RANKS IN TOP 5% FOR BEST COMPANIES IN ATLANTA

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 11:14:04 GMT

We’re so proud to have been recognized as one of Comparably’s Best Companies in Atlanta! THANK YOU to our amazing Atlanta team for always being so genuine and passionate about Optomi.

Join the team! https://optomi.com/join-our-team/

Comparably’s annual Best Company Atlanta list is derived from millions of ratings from employees who anonymously rated their professional development opportunities over a 12-month period.

OPTOMI RANKS IN TOP 5% FOR BEST COMPANY OUTLOOK

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 11:38:41 GMT

A little proof that our future is bright! We’re honored to be recognized by Comparably for Best Company Outlook. Optomi ranked in the top 5% of companies submitted for this award.

Comparably’s annual Best Company Outlook list is derived from millions of ratings. Our team is full of ambition… and we know they’ll help keep us at the top.

Join us! https://optomi.com/join-our-team/

How Not to Lose a Candidate in 10 Ways

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 06:48:00 GMT

More often than not, recruiters are juggling multiple candidates at once. During the process, an applicant may grow uninterested, so you’ll need to know how to keep candidates warm to avoid losing them altogether.

1. BE QUICK

When trying to hire the top talent, you’ve got to be fast. Your front-runner candidates will probably be on someone else’s shortlist too, so it’s important that you move quickly. But you don’t just need to be quick about a job offer. Candidates will start losing interest a few days after applying, so make sure you’re reaching out promptly.

2. OVER-COMMUNICATE

We all know that over-communicating is better than under communicating, but it’s important to put this into practice in your hiring. Beyond the basics of communicating when you need something from candidates, it’s a good idea to communicate your plans. For example, letting your candidates know when they will hear back and sticking to it. So, if you’re going to give them feedback within the week, let them know!

3. BE HONEST

Be honest in your communications. If something goes wrong, explain the situation. Hiring can be a long process and lots can go wrong. Your needs could change, your lead client could have issues, your funding could be pulled – anything can happen. It’s important to stay honest and open with your applicants throughout hard times.

4. GIVE YOUR CANDIDATES ENOUGH TIME

If you only give your candidate a 20 minute slot, you’ve got less time to get to know them, their skills, and whether they’re the right person for the job. If they have to rush through their answers – or when you rush through your questions and leave early – this sends a really bad message. This says that you don’t have the time to speak to them, you have better things to do, you’re not interested and not going to hire them.

5. BE UNIQUE

Candidates in today’s markets know their value and can afford to be picky, so you have to try harder to win them over. What sets this role apart from the others your candidate may be interested in? A candidate may accept the role with a lower salary if you sell them on everything else.

6. PROMOTE OUR CULTURE & VALUES

Create an emotional connection with your candidate by providing some insight on Optomi’s values. Your top candidates will probably be someone else’s top candidates, so their opinion of your company could be the thing that makes or breaks your job offer. Mention our Opt2give program in partnership with The TGB Foundation. If they accept your offer, they’ll help feed a kid for a weekend!

7. BE PERSONABLE

Being personable during your candidates interview process is extremely valuable. Smiling and being pleasant is a great start, but theres much more to be aware of. Have confidence, be a good listener, make eye contact, have good time management skills, be patient, be reliable – your candidate will appreciate these traits.

8. COACH YOUR CANDIDATES

Fully prepare your candidate for their upcoming interview! While this seems like standard procedure, not all recruiters are investing in candidate coaching. Set interview expectations beforehand; What types of questions they can expect in their interview? Does the hiring manager have any pet peeves? Guide your candidate towards the type of answers you know the hiring manager values.

9. BE CURIOUS

Ask about your candidates! Show interest in their lives! What are their hobbies? What movies do they like? Where are they from? Do they like sports? Did they attend an event recently? Ask how it went! People want to work with real people, not just a process. This could be the thing that makes them take the job.

10. BE FLEXIBLE

Make yourself available. Don’t be afraid to break out from the normal work day. Some candidate processes may call for early mornings or late nights. Having a flexible hiring process is important if you’re hoping to attract the best talent. The more flexibility you can offer, the greater success in hiring the right candidate.

OPTOMI AWARDED TOP WORKPLACES 2022

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 11:44:41 GMT

Optomi’s culture and core values have always been the core of our success. It’s also an amazing foundation for an exceptional workplace culture. Our dedicated, passionate, and genuine team strives to create the best environment possible to achieve amazing things. It’s also a competitive advantage when searching for the right people to JOIN OUR TEAM! We’re so grateful to be recognized as one of the Top Workplaces 2022 from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the nation’s most credible Georgian employer recognition program.

Our team is truly extraordinary! Learn more on our Top Workplaces profile: https://lnkd.in/e7csb-DQ

Virtual Interview Tips

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 07:16:24 GMT

In the current job market (and state of the world), you’d better have your act together for that virtual interview or you won’t stand a chance against the competition.
Check yourself on these basic points before you go on that all-important virtual interview.

Be sure to test your technology prior to your virtual interview. It’s imperative to ensure you’ll dodge any technical glitches so you’re set up for success. Check your internet connection and test your webcam and microphone as far in advance as possible. On the day of your virtual interview, check your internet and test your equipment again. It can be difficult to locate a webcam just minutes before your interview, and especially frustrating knowing it could have been avoided.

Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you should look like it. Dress to impress, just as you would in-person. This shows respect to people you are meeting with virtually and the seriousness you have for the position.

Try to avoid busy patterns and prints and opt for a more simple, sophisticated option. You are the most important part of the interview, not your clothes. When choosing your outfit, make sure to dress professionally from head to toe – you never know who might ask you to stand up during your interview.

Creating an illusion of how you’ll be perceived through a screen is important. Virtually speaking, opportunities to convey your emotions and uniqueness in the conversation will be limited, so you’ll need to make a strong first impression.

Determine where you will be during the virtual interview. Find a space with optimal lighting and few distractions, guaranteeing you are what the hiring manager focuses on during the interview. Make sure the visible space surrounding you is clean and uncluttered. It won’t be very convincing to the hiring manager that you’re detail-oriented and organized if your space isn’t. If you choose to use a virtual background, try to stick to office or home settings. Other settings like mountains or beaches can be distracting.

Place your computer on a steady surface and make sure your webcam is eye level. If you need to raise your computer a bit, feel free to utilize books or other sturdy, stackable items to achieve the correct position. Silence your cell phone, close nearby windows, and turn off any other devices that may unintentionally cause a ruckus. On your computer, close any programs, documents, or browsers you aren’t using during the interview.

Never arrive late to an interview…even a virtual one. You should enter your virtual meeting at least 5 minutes prior to its scheduled time. Don’t let the Hiring Manager wait on you.

While a virtual interview may have a similar discourse as an in-person interview, there’s one thing missing: your ability to fully convey your personality and uniqueness. Virtually speaking, it’s more difficult to express enthusiasm through a screen, but there are ways you can show your excitement during your interview.

Eye contact demonstrates confidence – try to look at the camera instead of yourself on the screen. Sit up straight and speak distinctly in a confident voice, even if you feel shaky. Hiring managers like people that are interested and passionate about the job.

One of the most neglectful interview skills is listening. Be attentive and make it known that you are listening to what the Hiring Manager has to say (i.e., nod your head while they are speaking). Also be aware that there may be technical issues during a virtual interview, so be sure to wait until the interviewer is finished asking their question before you begin speaking. Make sure to have 3-4 questions lined up for the interviewer to show you’re actively listening and interested.

Remember to send a “Thank you” note to the person(s) you interviewed with. This is a great way to state your interest in the position as well as give the Hiring Manager a reminder of your interview. If the position you virtually interviewed for is on-site, mention that you are looking forward to meeting them in-person.

OPTOMI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SECURES SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT FROM FFL PARTNERS

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 11:59:26 GMT

Optomi Professional Services is pleased to announce its partnership with San Francisco-based private equity firm FFL Partners (“FFL”) today. The investment solidifies the Company’s strength and potential for significant expansion on the back of nine years of above-market organic growth and a current revenue run rate of $200 million.

“We’re thrilled to partner with FFL to continue empowering our clients to achieve their digital transformation initiatives,” said Chuck Ruggiero, CEO of Optomi Professional Services. “We’re confident that FFL’s resources and expertise will further enable Optomi to meet the demand for next generation IT talent and provide Provalus with more opportunity to launch additional delivery center locations that benefit rural U.S. communities.”

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Atlanta, OPS provides technology consulting, team augmentation and domestic rural outsourcing services to Fortune-listed clients all across the U.S. OPS operates through two primary brands: Optomi , which focuses on high-end IT consulting and staff augmentation, and Provalus , a trailblazing provider of domestic IT outsourcing through jobs in rural communities that contribute to their revitalization. The Company’s services include a wide range of cybersecurity, data modernization, software engineering, cloud & infrastructure, helpdesk, customer experience and business optimization consulting services.

OPS Cofounder and Board Chairman, Michael Winwood commented, “We’re immensely proud of what we have built over the last nine years since our inception. This is the result of our team’s incredible dedication and tenacity for which we are profoundly grateful. OPS was built on the back of strong core values and we are pleased to have found such a culturally-aligned partner in FFL, whose knowledge and experience in our industry will help propel us to the next level of success.”

“The need for expert IT talent in software development, cybersecurity, data modernization and business optimization has never been greater, and OPS is helping companies solve the technology talent shortfall in new and unique ways” said Jonathon Bunt, Director at FFL Partners. Cas Schneller, Managing Partner of FFL Partners, added “our experience in the space has helped us identify and partner with some of the best companies in the business and we look forward to supporting OPS’ continued success.”

OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NAMED BEST CEO, RANKED #14

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:06:42 GMT

Our CEO, Chuck Ruggiero, has been recognized for the second time this year! We are so proud to have one of the Best CEOs for 2021 on Comparably.com . Chuck ranked #14 among the top 100 CEOs as rated by employees. We’re grateful to have him spearheading our #Optomi and #Provalus brands with record-breaking growth as we cultivate a remarkable #culture in tandem.

OPTOMI AWARDED ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING STAFFING FIRMS 2021

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 12:15:09 GMT

Optomi is pleased to announce its recognition by Staffing Industry Analysts as one of the Fastest Growing Staffing Firms.

The company’s strength and potential for significant expansion is on the back of 9 years of explosive above-market organic growth. A current revenue run rate of $200 million ranks Optomi,LLC in the top percentages of all U.S. companies in the I.T. staffing industry.

To qualify for the 2021 Fastest-Growing US Staffing Firms list, companies needed to have had a compound annual growth rate of at least 15% from 2016-2020. The most-represented segment on the list was I.T. with 20 firms stating that Information Technology staffing as their top segment.

“We’re grateful to be recognized for fast growth by SIA, but our success would not be possible without the dedication of our team to our purpose” commented Chuck Ruggiero, CEO of OPS. “Our incredible culture allows us to attract the best. And our people keep us increasing in revenue while always delivering a quality experience to our clients.”

The complete list can be found on the SIA website .

10 Ways to Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 08:52:12 GMT

EQ is believed to affect relationships with leaders, coworkers and clients. It also impacts the productivity of an employee and their ability to conceive of and implement successful strategies. Hiring employees with a high EQ can foster a healthier workplace and therefore has become a trending topic.

Most recently, recruiters and hiring managers are laser focused on bringing individuals with sound skills and a high EQ into the fold. Typically in an interview setting, questions aimed at determining a candidate’s emotional intelligence quotient come in the form of behavioral questions. Following is a list of potential questions and how to respond to them when asked.

This specific advice is taken from an article written for the MUSE by Alexandra Frost

1.Tell Me About a Time You Experienced a Conflict at Work.

This question is really about your thought process in addressing an issue, says Thompson, who looks to gauge the applicant’s perception of their role and others’ roles in solving the problem.

When you get a “Tell me about a time…” question, or others assessing EQ, answer using the STAR method , advises Joanna Lovering, an executive presence coach and workplace psychologist at Copper+Rise . Describe the situation (S), explain your task (T), lay out the specific actions you took (A), and end with the results of your efforts (R). “This shows a proven record of emotional intelligence instead of simply being able to talk about it,” Lovering says.

To employ the STAR method for this particular interview question, consider a project or event that actually did have conflict with a coworker, client, or boss. Explain the situation you encountered— including what conflict occurred and why—but keep it brief and neutral and, whatever you do, avoid blaming or bad-talking anyone else. You can simply state the facts as they happened, without opinionated words, or you can take responsibility for some of the conflict tactfully, showing self-awareness and leadership on your part. Then explain the task, or what you were responsible for doing in this situation. Next, list specific steps and processes you tried in order to solve the conflict, such as meeting with colleagues for open dialogue and using your empathetic listening skills to clear up a misunderstanding. Finally, give the results of your efforts, even if they didn’t work as you’d hoped, and the lessons you took with you. Remember, you are showing your process and reflection afterward, not trying to prove that you’re perfect.

2.Tell Me About a Time You Experienced a Setback and How You Dealt With It.

This question is an indicator of resilience, Thompson says. Someone with high EQ tends to use setbacks to learn and ultimately gain the advantage of new knowledge about themselves, others, and workplace processes that will help them avoid similar issues and set them up to succeed the next time around. Those with low EQ might wallow for an extended time, blame others, try to change the circumstances, or fail to see the lesson or bigger picture.

Future employers looking for high EQ are trying to see how you reacted to the setback in the moment: Did you get agitated and snap at your coworker? Did you let the problem fester and grow because you didn’t want to deal with it? Or did you handle it gracefully and see it as a learning opportunity for you and your team? If you can choose a time when a setback actually resulted in a better outcome, or led to an improved process in the future, all the better. Once again, you can use the STAR method to structure your answer—just avoid speaking negatively about your colleagues and don’t forget to emphasize the results and learnings.

3.How Do You Respond When a Coworker Challenges You in a Meeting?

A key element to EQ is identifying when you feel yourself getting upset and strategically choosing what to do about it, when, and how, instead of going with your first knee-jerk reaction. This question is the perfect opportunity for future employers to understand how you assess and address a situation, says Kimberly Prescott , President of Prescott HR, a consulting firm for small to midsize businesses. How you answer this interview question reveals your ability to regulate your emotions when the stakes are high and the situation is charged, Prescott says. “If they say, ‘If I know I’m right I’m going to make sure people understand it,’” that communicates one type of employee, she says, versus someone else who says, for example, “I make sure I let people know the points I have and that I understand they will make their decisions based on all the information they have, and I’m always available for questions.” Prescott watches out for someone who is “easily frustrated who may try to shove their opinion down peoples’ throats.”

To succeed at communicating EQ in your answer, ideally pick a real example (you can turn to the STAR method yet again) and don’t shy away from explaining the emotions you did feel at the time. Remember, EQ isn’t a lack of emotions but rather the ability to regulate and handle them in a productive way. To that end, if you were stressed or angry that you were being publicly questioned, you can say so, but then take the interviewer through your personal process of managing those emotions. Maybe you practice deep breaths. Maybe you take a walk and reengage later. Or perhaps in this particular situation, you asked a question to clarify if the tone you were sensing was actually what the person intended, which shows you’re able to pause and ensure you fully understand before reacting, a key trait for future employees at any company.

clarify if the tone you were sensing was actually what the person intended, which shows you’re able to pause and ensure you fully understand before reacting, a key trait for future employees at any company.

4.When You Start a New Job, How Do You Adapt to Your Work Environment?

People with high EQ invest in relationships with their bosses and coworkers from day one. If your answer focuses broadly on relationship building rather than narrowly on getting up to speed on your own tasks, that demonstrates you value teamwork and realize your projects won’t happen in a vacuum. In addition, your answer will give your interviewer a sense of your self-awareness and ability to read social cues in a new setting, which can be a nerve-racking experience.

You can reference other times when you’ve been in a new environment, and discuss ways you integrated seamlessly into the team and its mission. For example, you might discuss how you listen and observe to understand the company’s values as well as individual personalities and team dynamics before inserting your opinion or trying to change direction. And perhaps you’d say that you like to schedule one-on-one time with folks on your direct team as well as anyone else you’ll be working closely with to get to know them and what they do.

Your interviewer might also be thinking about what your answer says about your work style —and how well you’d mesh with the existing team. Ultimately, the best answer for this type of question is one that reflects your authentic self to ensure it’s a match with the company environment.

and how well you’d mesh with the existing team. Ultimately, the best answer for this type of question is one that reflects your authentic self to ensure it’s a match with the company environment.

5.Describe Your Strengths and Weaknesses.

You can almost guarantee most interviews will have some form of this question, whether it’s about your “greatest weakness” or both strengths and weaknesses. Regardless, it’s less about the chosen strength or weakness itself, and more about your honesty, self-awareness, ability to take feedback, and motivation to pursue growth.

Here, too, you can bring your answer to life by telling a story about a strength or a weakness in action, such as when the former helped you meet a big goal or land a major client deal or when the latter prevented you from doing so. Just don’t forget to get to the “so what?” part of your answer. That might mean explaining why the strength you mentioned makes you such a great fit for this particular role or talking through what steps you’re taking to further your development in an area that needs improvement.

6.What Are Your Strategies for Keeping Work-Life Balance?

At a time when employees report experiencing burnout at high rates , this question is essential to showing you value your own mental health and will be taking care of yourself. From the interviewer’s perspective, not only do they care about their employees’ well-being in and of itself, but your success also means you’ll be more productive in the long run, help foster a healthy and positive environment, and be less of a flight risk.

So take this question seriously rather than joking about how you love to work more than anything. You can demonstrate your high EQ through self-awareness: Do you know what you need in order to do your job well for the long haul? Maybe you’ve been working on a brief meditation process that helps you succeed when you incorporate it into your daily routine as well as in stressful work moments. Or go ahead and share a hobby you enjoy outside of work—maybe trail running helps you destress or scrapbooking serves as the perfect outlet for your creativity—which will have the added benefit of making you seem like a real person and possibly more memorable as well.

7.What Inspires You?

Interviews don’t have to be all conflict and setbacks and weaknesses. They can also be the perfect place to show just how passionate you are about your work, including past and future projects. Being able to answer this type of question demonstrates you are thinking about your own future intentionally, rather than floating through your career half-heartedly, which gets to the heart of an applicant’s EQ, says Janine Nicole Dennis, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Talent Think Innovations , a business strategy and management consulting firm dedicated to helping businesses and individuals realize their potential.

Instead of presenting yourself as a “caricature” of what you think the interviewer is looking for to get a job, Dennis says, you should focus on authenticity, which is much more sustainable than being fake anyway. Plus, giving an honest and emotionally intelligent answer can show your interviewer what you really care about and why this role would be so fulfilling.

Try zeroing in on a project or type of work you’ve done that you found really exciting and satisfying, preferably the type of work you’d be doing for the company or something adjacent to it. For example, if you’re interviewing for your first nursing position in the pediatrics department of a hospital, you could talk about the volunteer work you did with an organization for kids with rare diseases that inspired you to go to nursing school in the first place. How you talk about the project is more important than what it is, so go ahead and give specific anecdotes of memorable moments that mattered to you and let your voice and body language reflect how you feel—part of EQ after all is being in touch with your emotions and being able to convey them to others.

8.What’s Something You’ve Done in the Last Year to Grow Professionally?

If you hesitate in answering this, it’s possible that you need to work on furthering your emotional intelligence. This question might not look like EQ on the surface, Thompson says, but it “shows the person has a learning orientation and looks at themselves and can be self-reflective.” People who are introspective and in tune with their own emotions and strengths and weaknesses are able to openly identify and convey what they’re doing to improve themselves, both personally and professionally.

Don’t answer this question by discussing mandatory training, Thompson says. Instead, discuss something you initiated on your own, such as a conference you attended of your own volition, a book you read on a trending topic in the field, networking you did that turned into a helpful professional relationship, or intentional steps you took at work to hone a specific skill (sharpening your data skills, for instance, by putting together weekly social media campaign reports and presenting them to your team in a regular meeting). And whatever you decide to talk about, give it context by telling the interviewer how it fits in your larger plan toward professional growth. For example, maybe you’re reading books by a variety of leaders in your field to get an idea of what type of leader you want to become as you grow into more senior roles.

toward professional growth. For example, maybe you’re reading books by a variety of leaders in your field to get an idea of what type of leader you want to become as you grow into more senior roles.

9.What Would You Do if You Noticed a Coworker Was Struggling With Their Work?

The second aspect of EQ is to extend your understanding of the power of emotions to others, and to use that awareness to rally your team or workplace toward success. Prescott explains that it’s particularly essential in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic—and as some of us return to in-person workplaces—that we have an awareness of our own emotions as well as the ability to read and respond to others’ emotions. “People are dealing with so many things…you never know what level of trauma,” she says. You should “be able to read other people and identify, ‘Oh, I’m going down the wrong path with this person…maybe I shouldn’t say or do that.’”

When you’re answering this question, it’s important to illustrate concrete steps you would take to help a coworker who’s struggling, Thompson says, and to also emphasize that it may not be an indication of their abilities. For example, you might talk about how you’d ask the coworker how things have been going for them in a judgement-free conversation, outside of the stressors of a work meeting or even the work day. People with a higher EQ are also able to identify when others need solutions versus just a listening ear, so discussing your ability to distinguish between the two is also helpful. Don’t forget to tell a specific story, if you can, and to employ the STAR method to ensure you cover all the important elements.

10.How Are You Most Likely to Be Misunderstood by Others?

This question is about showing your awareness of the vibes you put off in a workplace environment and your understanding of your impact on others. For instance, “If you are really passionate, they may perceive that as overwhelming,” Thompson says. “If you are quiet, people may think you are unassertive.”

Instead of being concerned about what observations people have made about you in the past (and what your prospective employer may think of them), discuss them openly as well as what you are doing to mitigate potential misunderstandings. For example, if you’re pretty quiet, and in the past others have asked you what’s wrong, you could discuss how your careful and thoughtful approach can come off as disinterested, but that you’ve actively worked on asking questions early on to ensure your colleagues know you’re listening and invested from the start, even if you need time to process before giving meaningful insight.

The full article can be read here: https://www.themuse.com/advice/emotional-intelligence-eq-interview-questions

OPTOMI AWARDED BEST CEO FOR WOMEN

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 12:56:25 GMT

So proud to have one of the Best CEOs for Women 2021 as rated by female employees on Comparably.com . We’re grateful to have Chuck Ruggiero leading our #Optomi & #Provalus brands and our double digit growth as we cultivate a remarkable #culture in tandem. The list represents the top-ranked CEOs in the nation. Chuck was appointed CEO at the turn of the year (2021) and what a year it’s been. In a season of global uncertainty, Optomi has forged new fronteirs in business operations and use of technology tools. Amidst the adversity of today’s climate, we continue to blow away revenue projections. Optomi has been solidified as one of the “BEST” in several categories.

OPTOMI RANKED #4 IN BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR CAREER GROWTH

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 12:48:48 GMT

Optomi, LLC ranked #4 on the annual list of companies with best opportunity for CAREER GROWTH. In the last 12 months and in a season of uncertainty, Optomi has advanced the careers of over half our team. #NewCareer #Looking #Optomi

OPTOMI AWARDED BEST LEADERSHIP TEAM

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 12:38:30 GMT

THANK YOU Optomi family for honoring us with the Best Leadership Team award! We think you’re the best too! Our leadership team is comprised of some of the best in the business with core values that outshine the competition… and it comes through in our reviews on corporate evaluation sites like Comparably and Glassdoor. (Comparably’s annual list is derived from millions of anonymous employee ratings on executive leadership & direct managers over a 12-month period.) #Optomi #Culture

OPTOMI EARNS INC 5000 AWARD FOR THE FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 13:07:58 GMT

Optomi Professional Services joins the elite list of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies with INC 5000 – being recognized for the fifth consecutive year. The list represents a unique compilation of the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment-its privately-owned businesses. Optomi Professional Services is a firm dedicated to partnering with clients to fuel their technology initiatives . The company delivers skillset-focused support through three service channels: I.T. consulting, team augmentation and domestic rural outsourcing. OPS is comprised of the Optomi & Provalus brands which specialize in deploying highly qualified technology talent in the areas of cybersecurity, data modernization, software engineering, business optimization, cloud and infrastructure, Salesforce, emerging technologies, BPO, Service desk, Help desk and ITO. It is 100% U.S.-based and purpose-driven to positively impact consultants, clients and communities.

“We are honored to receive this recognition which validates our mission to offer innovative solutions to our clients with quality and partnership unparalleled in our industry, especially in a year such as this,” says Optomi Professional Services CEO, Chuck Ruggiero. I am grateful to the entire Optomi team for their commitment to our purpose which makes this all possible.”

“The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies ever compiled,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis we’ve lived through is just plain amazing. This kind of accomplishment comes with hard work, smart pivots, great leadership, and the help of a whole lot of people.”

ABOUT OPTOMI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Optomi Professional Services is a purpose-driven collection of elite brands – connected by our core values – tackling the tech talent shortage. It is a 100% U.S.-based firm dedicated to partnering with clients to fuel their technology initiatives. The firm provide skillset-focused support through three service channels: I.T. consulting , team augmentation and domestic rural outsourcing . OPS was born out of a passion for making a meaningful impact all across the U.S. We are advancing technologies through innovative alternatives to stale traditional staffing and offshore outsourcing while impacting kids, communities and generations to come. As we deliver our holistic solution to address the tech talent shortage, we fulfill our mission to provide meals for under-resourced children, lift the spirits of hospitalized kids, present opportunities for families to thrive through the creation of technology careers and elevate entire communities as a result of the economic growth we enable. We are purpose-driven. www.optomiservices.com #Optomi #Inc5000 #CommunityImpact #Provalus

OPTOMI SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE TIME AND EXPENSE OF HIRING FOR CLIENTS SEEKING TECHNOLOGY TALENT

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 13:18:55 GMT

Optomi, the technology talent brand of Optomi Professional Services , is known for significantly improving the interview-to-hire ratio for clients through a skill-set-focused approach to recruiting. Discovering culturally aligned candidates who possess the skills necessary to excel in their roles is a strength of Optomi’s. As reported; http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/4799887

A typical employer seeking to hire for a position will review 250 resumes and conduct 6-8 first interviews with 2-3 rounds afterward before making an offer to a single candidate. Optomi takes the burden from the hiring manager by vetting candidates so effectively that the firm averages an interview-to-hire ratio of 3:1 versus the industry norm of 6:1 (or worse).

“A time-consuming hiring process eats up hiring managers’ bandwidth and causes delays that can affect the entire organization. Our highly-effective skill-set approach to recruiting talent coupled with our proven processes streamline the hiring and greatly improve the chances that our clients will find the talent they need in the most cost-effective manner,” said Ben Tucker, Vice President of Delivery, Optomi Professional Services.

Optomi assisted an enterprise technology provider client by partnering with a group of hiring managers when the human resources (HR) department was overwhelmed by the task of finding resources for a 40-person project. The corporation needed to build a scrum team, hire java developers, BAs, C# and QA testers. The client was having trouble finding candidates that met its needs despite interviewing a significant number of individuals. Typically, this Fortune 500 company’s hiring managers would interview 15 contenders to find one good fit. A Vice President at the client recommended Optomi’s services after using the firm for a project. Soon, word spread about the superior quality of the Optomi candidates and streamlined process. It did not take long for the glowing inter-company referral to gain momentum. Optomi placed 70 contractors at once and currently has several hundred working for this client, with 94 percent on contract. Optomi was able to improve the interview-to-hire ratio from 15:1 to 4:1 immediately with its skill-set-focused approach to recruiting and its Opt2vue video technology.

Using its skill-set-focused approach, Optomi improved another Fortune 500 corporation’s interview-to-hire ratio by 38%. This financial services company was seeking employees based in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area to manage its data. The client’s technical team was changing over from waterfall to agile and needed workers proficient in iOS/Android development, agile, digital transformation, backend development, QA testing and DBA skill sets. Hiring managers were spending excessive amounts of time interviewing and it was seriously limiting their ability to focus on their core responsibilities. The result was a mounting backlog of work and a series of costly project delays.

Further compounding the problem were challenges with onboarding quality talent who could seamlessly dive into work. Furthermore, the firm needed staff members who were able to transition from contract to full-time employees as needed. A partner with integrity was also important to the client, as they had experienced frequent deception from previous staffing firms. The client also wanted candidates who were a good cultural fit for the business and who felt loyalty to the brand.

Optomi’s team met with hiring managers at the financial services company to gain a full understanding of their business objectives. Optomi’s high-quality candidates fit both the cultural parameters and the skill-set specifications. By implementing the Opt2vue video technology combined with its skill-set-focused approach, Optomi improved the client’s interview-to-hire ratio 38%, elevating the efficiency of the financial service company’s hiring process. Due to Optomi’s consultative approach and partnership, it was able to provide agile coaches and multiple scrum masters and developers for the projects.

The strong client relationship led to an introduction to the OPS domestic outsourcing brand Provalus. The Provalus brand of OPS sourced economical resources to ensure the stagnant projects got back on track. The Provalus technology talent was required to pass rigorous background checks and fingerprint screenings due to the sensitivity of dealing with financial data in real time. Because Provalus employees are American, these security concerns were easily addressed. The Provalus workers in rural towns write test cases based on requirement documents and perform system integration testing using PL/SQL for backend testing and Hue for testing the Hadoop environment.

The rural location of the tech talent has resulted in cost savings and increased employee retention. The employees provided by Provalus caught up to the internal development team and eliminated the backlog in just eight months – the first time the client experienced this outcome.

The Optomi Professional Services approach to business is truly unique and effective. The financial services company continues to leverage Provalus to hire more tech talent. The company frequently engages Optomi for onsite high-level technology projects. The ability for OPS to provide onsite and offsite technology talent and services gives the organization a unique position in the marketplace.

OPTOMI HONORED AS AN INC. 5000 FASTEST GROWING PRIVATE COMPANY IN 2020

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 13:26:21 GMT

We’re honored, once again, to be part of one of the most prestigious ranking lists – Inc. 5000 in 2020. With a growth rate of 106%, Optomi, LLC sits amongst the fastest-growing private companies. #Optomi #Inc5000 #fastestgrowingcompanies

OPTOMI PARTNERS WITH CHILDREN’S HEALTH TO READ BOOKS TO HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN DURING VIRTUAL STORY HOUR

Sat, 01 Aug 2020 13:37:47 GMT

Optomi spent the day reading a favorite childhood book to share with patients across the Children’s Health System. These readings will be broadcast on our very own Red Balloon Network during the daily story hour.

The team also participated in a book drive along with the virtual story hour. We donated the books, read during the virtual story hour, to the Children’s Health library so that patients can read along with our videos.

To learn more about Children’s Health giving back opportunities, visit:

https://give.childrens.com/ways-to-give

OPTOMI GIVES BACK TO CLASSROOM CENTRAL BY CREATING FLASHCARDS FOR STUDENTS IN NEED

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 04:50:00 GMT

1 in 2 students in our local area live in poverty. Optomi helped level the educational playing field for these students. Each set of flashcards Optomi created will enable a child to learn the basics they need to be successful in school.

Our office got together to create words of encouragement, math, alphabet, color and shape flashcards using Classroom Central’s templates and shipped them to the organizations address. Classroom Central will then distribute the cards we created, to teachers and students through their Free Store Program.

To learn more about how you can get involved with Classroom central visit:

https://classroomcentral.org/flashcards/

Invest In Your Career

Tue, 12 May 2020 09:32:33 GMT

You may be finding you have a few extra hours in your day without your traditional commute time, water cooler breaks or work travel. Successful individuals are capitalizing on this phase in their career by engaging in career-furthering activities.

Even now, companies ARE hiring.

Our clients are eager to jump ahead of the competition by completing projects that may have otherwise been in a queue. Initiatives that require the technology talent we work with everyday have a unique advantage. Still, the competition for strong candidates in the technology arena is heightened with some of the recent lay-offs. To give those in the IT field a leg-up in the marketplace, there are two things we suggest you give attention to.

CERTIFICATIONS

RESUME-BUILDING

Here, we outline the recommendations from our knowledgeable Optomi tech recruiting team. They provide sound advice in these unpredictable times.

1) Enhance your skills with relevant certifications.

A must-have for Project Managers – The Project Management Certification is a fundamental credential.

As companies continue to transition from a waterfall into an agile community, especially in enterprise environments, a scrum master certification can set you apart. It is geared towards a faster leaner process for project management & managing cross-functional teams or technical teams.

Taking what you learned from a Scrum Master Certification and scaling it into an enterprise environment, a SAFE (Scaled Agile Framework) Certification will go a long way.

PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION (PMP)
https://www.pmi.org/certifications/types/project-management-pmp

SCRUM MASTER CERTIFICATION- SCRUM ALLIANCE
https://www.scrumalliance.org/get-certified

SAFe® CERTIFICATION (SCALED AGILE FRAMEWORK CERTIFICATION)
https://www.scaledagile.com/certifications/about-safe-certification/

CERTIFIED CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL (CCMP)
https://www.acmpglobal.org/page/ccmp

CERTIFIED PROBLEM AND CHANGE MANAGER (CPCM)
https://gaqm.org/certifications/change_management/cpcm#R_process

Certifications are more than just letters at the end of your name. Hiring Managers look for these certifications as evidence the candidate has a base-line understanding or expertise in the field and is trained in the guidelines that should be followed. Those in roles of Functional IT can significantly enhance their skills.

AGILE CERTIFICATION
https://www.pmi.org/certifications/types/agile-acp

DEVOPS CERTIFICATION
Certifications

CERTIFIED CLOUD SECURITY PROFESSIONAL (CCSP)
https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/CCSP

NETWORK CERTIFICATION
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/certifications/associate.html

GOOGLE CLOUD CERTIFIED – ASSOCIATE CLOUD ENGINEER
https://cloud.google.com/certification/cloud-engineer

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-solutions-architect-professional/

CompTIA Cloud+ Certification
https://www.comptia.org/certifications/cloud

2) Make your resume stand-out in the stack.

The best resumes are achievement-based resumes. Things like a cost-saving effort, a process improvement, an efficiency you implemented are the things you want to call-out. Don’t just list your duties. Note accomplishments like: led a project that finished 6 months ahead of schedule, saved the company a hundred thousand dollars in costs… something you did that made you stand out.

Make sure the experience listed is relevant to the role that you’re going after. If possible, tailor your resume to highlight the parts of your career that correlate to the position you are applying for.

Give attention to resume length. Too long can be distracting.

Make sure the resume is cleanly formatted. Every role involves communication and organization. If a hiring manager is looking at a sloppy resume, it’s interpreted as a reflection of your work.

For Designers & Developers, have some tangible work samples. Managers need a portfolio, but they don’t care if it’s a portfolio that you created with your own URL or something on a free platform like Dribble, Behance, Dribbble, Coroflot, StackOverflow. It’s all about the content.

Update your portfolio during this down-time. If you are a Developer, contribute to your GitHub profile. The more active on GitHub you are with contributions, the more you will be noticed by a hiring manager!

Be sure to include wire-framing examples and mock-up examples. Hiring managers want to see thought process. When interview time comes, be prepared to talk about the value you added to the team.

Don’t put all group projects on your portfolio. Emphasize the elements of the project that you specifically contributed to. If a lot of your work is under an NDA, take this time to create something original you can show. Be creative! MANY Managers WANT to see and hear thought process before you attack something as it relates to UI/UX.

Make sure your LinkedIn profile marries well with your resume. Your online profile is really an extension of the traditional resume in this day and age.

FOR MORE ADVICE FROM OUR SAVVY TEAM, FOLLOW US ON LINKEDIN .

In These Uncertain Times, Here's Why You Can Have Confidence in Us

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 09:37:37 GMT

Many things may be unsettling amid this ever-evolving COVID-19 crisis. Here at Optomi, we’ve been practicing what many are now scrambling to figure out. The processes and philosophies we instituted upon our inception in 2012 are even more relevant in this world of remote work and WFH living. Rest assured that in this tumultuous time, Optomi can be a stable resource for your business. We are well- equipped to assist our clients as they adapt to new ways of bringing on the talent they need to stay ahead of the competition.

Here’s why you can have confidence that we can deliver with these 7 reasons why you can have confidence in us.

Opt2vue – our video mechanism. We’ve used it for almost a decade to video interview candidates for our clients so they don’t have to wait for an in-person interview to see if the candidate will be a good fit. Now ,more than ever, this tool is one of the best features we offer here at Optomi. Hiring managers can ask interviewees specific questions or use our library of interview questions to determine the viability of the candidate.
Onboarding – our entire process of filling out paperwork has never involved “paper”. The onboarding process is done via online portals. Our business is hiring consultants to work “on site” for our clients. In this current climate, “on site” is defined as WFH. Our onboarding process has always been virtual, which is proving to be a huge advantage in these crazy times. We also have special programs in place to ensure full integration of our consultant with their new team.
Skill-set focused – Optomi was founded on having recruiters that specialize in high-end technology skillsets. Their network is deep and as a result, our consultants tend to refer other experts, so you can be confident you’re getting high caliber talent.
Contact Methodology – our recruiters regularly reach out to the consultants all throughout their assignment with our clients to ensure everything is going as expected. We connect with them a week prior, the day of and a the end of their first week on the project. There are several connection points thereafter as well to confirm the client’s expectations and the consultant’s performance.
Giving – with each consultant we place, we’re able to feed a food-insecure child for a weekend. Our charitable efforts are directly influenced by the number of IT professionals we put to work. We’ve always been about fulfilling a purpose while making a profit.
Relational – we believe in creating genuine relationships with our candidates and consultants. Our team knows the right questions to ask that will spark meaningful conversations. We are thought of as career coaches rather than recruiters.
Valuable – we partner with our clients and consultants in ways other firms don’t. We can’t give away all of our trade secrets, but if we have not yet had a conversation – let’s talk.

DALLAS SPENT THE DAY VOLUNTEERING AT CHILDREN’S HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 04:55:49 GMT

OPS Dallas spent our Opt2give day volunteering at Children’s Health Medical Center Dallas/Plano! We had the opportunity to read, craft/paint, play games and interact with the children, it was easy to tell every moment counts when trying to lift their spirits.

For more information about Children’s Health Medical Center, please click the link below:

https://www.childrens.com/footer/about

So You're Working From Home...

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 09:46:48 GMT

So you got the directive to work from home… but it’s not as seamless of a transition as it sounds.

Initial elation may turn to anxiety when you come to the realization that getting work accomplished from home requires self-discipline in order to be productive. And if you’re in a consulting gig, you can’t afford to let your productivity decline.

Now more than ever, corporations will be watching costs as they navigate this current COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll need to be more productive than ever or risk being labeled expendable. No one wants that. Here are some tips on working remotely in this current environment.

DESIGNATE A SPECIFIC WORKSPACE

It’s important to separate your work life from your home life as much as possible. If possible, try and designate a specific room as your home office. Being able to close a door helps you identify that space for working. If needed, use a portion of your kitchen table as a workspace. Don’t just slump on the couch or work from bed, that’s not good for your productivity or your posture

STICK TO A ROUTINE

Set your alarm for the same time as you always get up for work so that you stick to the same morning routine. It’s important to still do your morning routine as you usually would if you were commuting into the office, since it signals to your brain that it’s time to work—not to lounge.

REMOVE DISTRACTIONS

It might be tempting to catch up on that Netflix series or your laundry, but again keeping to a routine will help you stay focused. Maybe even Invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. This can be a total game-changer to remove distractions. Have the discipline to keep these distractions away from you at home. Unplug the T.V.., etc. Also, resist unnecessary social media platforms.

CONVERT FACE-TO-FACE TO SCREEN-TO-SCREEN TIME

Download zoom, skype, facetime, whatever your video-conferencing app of choice. They will be your saving grace when you need a little facetime with your colleagues. As nice as it may sound to have a break from the office for a little while, it’s easy to get that cabin fever type of feeling when you’re isolated from the people you see every day. You might also want to use those noise-cancelling headphones for conversations. They will be more clear and more productive.

SPEND YOUR COMMUTE TIME DIFFERENTLY

Spend your commute time preparing for the day. Listen to a podcast, read, workout, go for a walk… whatever energizes you for the day.

PREPARE FOR YOUR DAY AS USUAL

Sure, maybe your dress code can relax a little, but there’s something to the act of getting up, taking a shower, and dressing in something other than sweatpants that shifts your brain into productivity mode.

EAT HEALTHY

Junk food will drag your energy level down. Eat well and keep your mind sharp.

GET OUTSIDE

If you’re not sick or under quarantine, nothing is stopping you from getting outside for some fresh air. Use your lunch hour, or that extra hour in the morning to go for a walk. Nature is indeed the best medicine, and we’re all going to need some fresh air to keep our minds fresh.

LET THIS CHANGE OF PACE REINVIGORATE YOU!

How to Grab the Attention of the Best Talent in the Industry

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 09:56:55 GMT

Nowadays our society seems to be obsessed with situations where one person is vying for the attention of another—everyone is becoming a contestant in the game of life. Cases in point: The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, Big Brother.

In this era of a technology talent shortage, every company is also playing “contestant” in a way… vying for attention from the best talent in the business. As a corporation, it’s important to stay true to your unique culture, purpose, mission and whatever makes the company stand out.

While a great salary might be the deciding factor for a candidate, it’s also critical to have a strong benefits package to attract and retain the best talent. Optomi works with hundreds of clients from Fortune 50-Fortune 5000 companies. In our experience, ensuring you offer quality, balanced benefits will make a project more desirable and help guarantee employees stay longer. Find out how to recruit employees’ attention with a strong benefits package. We’ve found that candidates admire the following perks and benefits most:

Opportunities for Growth and Expanding Skillsets

They say if you’re not learning, it’s likely you’re no longer in the right position. At Optomi, we think it’s important to ensure that you’re constantly learning from your manager or colleagues and are challenged professionally. Consultants value being able to constantly upgrade their skillsets .

Flex time

According to a recent survey by EY , 9700 full-time employees at eight of the largest U.S. corporations listed flexibility as a top feature in a job, right behind competitive pay and benefits. It was also cited as a top reason they would quit if there was a lack thereof. While having a balance of paid and unpaid time off can combat burnout and increase productivity, so can allowing your employees to choose their own schedule—such as working four 10 hours days per week rather than nine to five Monday thru Friday.

A perfect example is Microsoft in Japan. It recently tested having a four-day work week and the result, the company reports according to Forbes ., was a productivity boost of 40 per cent.

Remote work

Trusting your team is key in any role, and giving them the opportunity to work remotely (when possible) instills trust and respect. Knowing they’ll get the job done, regardless of location is a huge morale booster. And sometimes allowing your employees to skip hours in traffic means more productive and focused time in front of their computers. It’s all about striking the right balance.

Team camaraderie

Bottom line is, a happy team has proven to be a more productive one. Your employees spend the better part of each week at work, so having a solid company culture is an essential part of employee retention, loyalty, and overall happiness and morale at work. Many people will choose a company to work at based on how the employees are treated and how they treat each other.

Medical/Dental coverage

After salary, this benefit is not terribly high on the list of priorities for most potential employees, but if you have a poor plan it will affect your ability to attract them. Having a great medical and dental package can ensure employees aren’t stressing about how to manage their finances to take care of themselves and their family when and if illnesses happen.

Optomi specializes in recruiting employees with high-level technology skillsets. These happen to be the skills in the highest demand, a ‘candidate’s market’ as they say. As potential candidates explore opportunities, our qualified consultants are looking for the best place to call home. Our role at Optomi is to ensure the perfect fit for our clients and candidates. The more transparent about your workplace and the more authentically you represent your brand, the better chance you have of securing that successful match.

Why Your Next Rockstar Employee Won't Come From a Job Board

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 10:01:21 GMT

According to the Staffing Industry Analysts 2019 Growth Assessment report, unemployment in the software development sector is under one percent. Acquiring talent with specialized IT skillsets is becoming more challenging. The demand for Software Developers is projected to grow 32.4 percent this year.

Optomi has a fresh approach to locating, assessing and acquiring this hard-to-find talent. While most firms in the IT staffing industry scour job board web sites like Indeed, Monster.com and CareerBuilder, Optomi pursues the passive candidate—consultants who are gainfully employed—on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Social media is where most technologists spend their time looking for a job that’s the perfect fit for their lifestyle. No longer is any job good enough, candidates want to find a role with a company that matches their values, work-life balance, has a great culture, and provides a supportive environment to grow in.

“We know that the best talent is not sitting at home, unemployeed and binging Netflix, so we pursue candidates that have proven themselves in the workforce and offer them an opportunity to be part of something better,” says Todd Black, Optomi Chief Operating Officer.

To help mine the best talent, the recruiting staff at Optomi has become social media gurus. By connecting with potential candidates and networking with current consultants to find the optimum talent out there, it’s proven to be one avenue for success. Optomi attracts this talent with their unprecedented consultant service for employees and social media.

We use our social media accounts to recruit, as well as to share our brand story so that we can create a personable digital presence for potential clients and employees to connect with.

While the pool of highly-qualified technical talent is shrinking and demand increasing, Optomi constantly strives to find unique ways to attract and maintain their consultants so that they can be readily deployed to every perfect opportunity. This is just one of the many ways that Optomi is driving tomorrow’s technology with today’s optimum talent.

How Optomi Cares

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 10:07:15 GMT

— Sugar Spice and Everything Nice — I’m not a huge fan of nursery rhymes but that one has a good ring to it.

What does kindness mean to our consultant team? Kindness is what our Consultant Care team does well. That and a darn good job.

As we all know, success in business is because of the people. For us, it’s not only about the superior talent we provide our clients but also the internal OPS talent we have dedicated to making their employment with us enjoyable. And ours are the best. Helpful. Engaged. Nice.

Nice. It’s become somewhat of a lost art form in business these days.
One of our Senior Data Engineer consultants said it best in a review on Glassdoor, “This recruiting firm does things right with a personal touch. All the recruiters I worked with were great. And after you are signed they continue to stay in contact with things like lunch, care packages, and happy hours to make sure your role is going as expected.”

From on-boarding to travel logistics, relocation assistance to re-deployment on another project, our Consultant Care Team ensures our contractors have every resource necessary for them to exceed the expectations of our clients. Most of our competition relies solely on the recruiter to care for the consultants they deploy. We do not. Other talent firms (in the words of a Glassdoor reviewer) “pull fast-ones”. We’re better. Our “Consultant Care” is a team of folks dedicated to making a consultant’s experience the best it can be. They partner with the recruiter and the account executive to deliver superior support. This firm was founded on integrity, quality, passion and purpose. Intertwined with that is a heartbeat to do the right thing, to positively impact those we come in contact with and to simply be nice.

Our Consultant Care Team has reason to be joyful in their work. They get to be part of something purposeful everyday. Our consultants enjoy the knowledge that by working with us, a child is fed for the weekend through our Opt2give program. They are recognized when they exhibit our core values in their workplaces. They are invited to contribute to our consultant community blog. They receive bonuses for referring their peers to us. The list is extensive, but the point is, here at Optomi, we go above and beyond whenever possible. It’s just what we’re made of.

Optomi's Chicago Team Teaches Financial Literacy to K-5 Students

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 06:07:28 GMT

The Optomi Chicago office had a great Opt2give day yesterday volunteering at Ardmore Elementary for JA in a Day!! We taught multiple lessons to K-5 kids to help understand the skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices!

JA’s programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

Optomi Denver Packs Food at the Food Bank of the Rockies

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 06:01:44 GMT

Optomi Denver volunteered at Food Bank of the Rockies for an Opt2give day by sorting and packing food to go to different agencies around the city. There are 55 agencies total and everyday the food bank feeds about half a million people.

Food Bank of the Rockies is a trusted community partner, committed to serving people in need throughout metro Denver, northern Colorado and Wyoming.

Food Bank of the Rockies, along with Feeding America, is carefully monitoring developments regarding the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). A Coronavirus Contingency Planning Task Force, led by the Feeding America Disaster Services team and leaders from member food banks across the nation is actively supporting local food banks, including Food Bank of the Rockies, as we all prepare to continue our operations and distribute food to the people and communities we serve.

Optomi's Atlanta Team Gives Back to Power My Learning

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 05:30:20 GMT

Optomi Atlanta had a fantastic Opt2Give Day, celebrating Optomi’s and Tim Gunter’s birthdays by giving back to Power My Learning, a long-time partner of ours, and an organization that is making a huge impact in the child-education and tech space in Atlanta. Great event with a great team!

For more information about Power My Learning, visit the link below:

https://powermylearning.org/learn/local-offices/atlanta/

Optomi's Baltimore Team Spent Opt2give Day at the Maryland Food Bank

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 05:24:28 GMT

Optomi’s Baltimore Team Spent Opt2give day at the Maryland Food bank. In Maryland, 1 in 9 children are food insecure, so we feel like their mission aligns very well with ours. Over the course of the year, the Food Bank provides more than 37 million meals, via more than 1,000 distribution partners throughout the state, to those in need. During our visits, we sorted more than 34,000 lbs of food and other necessities which equates to more than 28,000 meals!

We also spent a day at the Ulman House. The Ulman House is run by one of my favorite local charities, The Ulman Foundation. Ulman offers guidance and assistance for people aged 15-39 who are battling cancer. The Ulman House is basically their own version of a Ronald McDonald House and will be available to any young adult that is in Baltimore for treatment at any of our local medical facilities. Whether they need to stay in town for three days or three months, the patients and their families will be welcomed into the Ulman House at no cost. The “house” is actually the combination of 6 historic Baltimore row homes that had fallen in to disrepair. Now, they’ve come together for a beautiful home that features 9 guest suites, a gym, meditation room, communal kitchen, etc. We spent the day doing making brunch for a number of their visitors, doing some general maintenance around the property, and filled a few postcards with words of encouragement for some of their former guests whose stories we’d read.

Optomi's Charlotte Team Volunteered with Beds for Kids

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 05:20:55 GMT

The Optomi Charlotte team had an amazing day yesterday volunteering at a Beds for Kids event!! We were able to partner with Beds for Kids, a local organization that provides beds and furniture for families transitioning into new housing. We spent the day organizing their warehouse, refurbishing old furniture, delivering furniture, assembling beds, and praying with families in need. In 1 day we were able to deliver 5 truckloads of furniture to 5 families all over Charlotte. Over 15 people who did not have a bed to sleep in Monday night were able to crawl into a brand new bed last night. This was such an amazing day and made such a huge impact on not only the people we were serving but on our Optomi family as well!

OPTOMI’S DALLAS TEAM GIVES BACK AT UPLIFT WHITE ROCK HILLS PREPARATORY SITE

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 05:17:32 GMT

The Optomi Dallas Team spent Opt2give day giving back at Uplift White Rock Hills Preparatory site! We read & helped the children pick out cool books to take home with many hugs. We also gifted the teachers with Amazon Fire Tablets for each class!

Mi Escuelita Preschool is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1978 with the mission to teach English to children from all cultures and prepare them for academic success. For the past 40 years, Mi Escuelita has provided English language intervention and early learning skills to thousands of low-income and at-risk children across Dallas County. While remaining strongly dedicated to the preservation of each child’s cultural heritage, Mi Escuelita’s primary focus is to provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment where non-English speaking children of preschool age are given a strong educational foundation to ensure a successful experience in both school and life.

DETROIT TEAM VOLUNTEERED AT THE CHILDREN’S CENTER

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 05:00:10 GMT

The Optomi Detroit team volunteered at The Children’s Center. The Children’s Center is an organization that provides total family services to local families in need, including a clothing boutique, a library, cooking classes and tutoring.

For more information on The Childrens Center, please visit the link below:

Homepage

Chicago Team Volunteers at Cal's Angels Glow Walk

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 06:10:42 GMT

The Chicago Team spent their Saturday night to helping out at the Cal’s Angels GLOW WALK event. Over 1,300 people participated to raise funds for pediatric cancer care and research. Cal’s Angel’s mission is to help children and families shape their own futures!

Detroit Spends the Day Volunteering at Gleaners Food Bank

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 06:27:48 GMT

Today the Detroit team had the pleasure of volunteering at Gleaners, a food bank in our local area that provides meals to schools, churches, soup kitchens and much more.

With our efforts today, the volunteers were able to pack over 24,000 pounds of food and over 19,000 people will receive a meal.

Credibility

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 10:11:04 GMT

Bob Dylan has passed… according to Siri. If you asked her last week about the famed musician, she would have said he passed in 2008. He has not. Fortunately, the mistake has since been corrected.

What makes someone (something) credible? Though Siri is no longer erroneously reporting the singer songwriter’s demise, the bug raises the issue of credibility.

Words like trustworthiness, honesty and authenticity come to mind. At Optomi, a core aspect to the success of our technical recruiters is the importance of credibility. This starts with being genuine and honest. Our consultants trust them to relate honestly with them about their career objectives. Our clients trust that our team will find the best professional and culture match for their projects and organization. And throughout, we lead by being an informed and transparent partner in the IT landscape.

Being credible is what sets us apart from so much of our competition. It’s a driver of why we remain atop the list of fastest growing tech staffing firms in the U.S. (as reported by Staffing Industry Analysts).

Optomi attracts in-demand talent with its unprecedented consultant experience. Optomi Consultants are treated like true employees of the firm with genuine career partnership, unique charity welcome gifts and recognition for their dedication. They become part of the company’s mission to bring value to the client and the community we have the privilege to work with.

Optomi’s consultant retention rate for its key clients hovers around 86%. An astounding endorsement for Optomi’s ability to place quality, culturally on-point tech talent. It’s a testament to the trust our clients and consultants have in our company. Many firms in our Industry scour job boards and postings, while at Optomi we pursue the passive candidate…professionals who are gainfully employed but willing to make a career move for a particular reason. Establishing credibility is key to being a partner in a successful career move for a consultant and client.

The importance of credibility… it’s how Optomi is driving tomorrow’s technology with today’s optimum talent.

Baltimore Volunteers at the Maryland Food Bank

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 06:43:43 GMT

Today Optomi’s Baltimore office went to work packing food boxes for the Maryland Food Bank to distribute to their partners. In our state, 1 out of 9 are considered food insecure and we were happy to do our part to work to end hunger in Maryland!

For more information about the Maryland Food Bank, please click the link below:

https://mdfoodbank.org/

OPTOMI’S AUSTIN OFFICE VOLUNTEERS AT MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 06:46:41 GMT

Our office volunteered with Mobile Loaves & Fishes in Austin at their Community First! Village – a 51-acre master-planned community that provides permanent housing to the homeless in the Austin area. We spent the morning helping landscape the micro-homes and community grounds with Lee, a 4 year resident of CFV and learned a lot about their pursuit to provide affordable, transformative residential programs (we also learned a lot regarding his religious views lol!) While it was not an easy job in the Texas heat, it was very fulfilling to see the impact we had in supporting their mission to break the cycle of homelessness in Austin!

OPTOMI HONORED AS AN INC. 5000 FASTEST GROWING PRIVATE COMPANY IN 2019

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 06:33:18 GMT

Optomi Professional Services joins the elite alumni of Inc. 5000 America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies by being recognized for the third consecutive year. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment — its independent businesses. Optomi Professional Services specializes in deploying technology talent in the areas of mobile, network/system engineering, information security, cloud and application development as well as healthcare IT related skills. Through its Provalus division, OPS competes head on with offshore outsourcing by creating a new wave of domestic technology talent located within delivery centers in American rural towns.

Optomi's Dallas Team Gives Back to Blue Sky Therapeutics

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 07:15:22 GMT

Our OPS Dallas market participated in our Giving Back day by volunteering with Blue Sky Therapeutics. We had such an amazing experience each time, simply because we see the impact that we make instantly and that’s what it’s all about!!

Blue Sky provides weekly individual therapeutic horseback riding lessons, in a structured learning environment, to special needs citizens. Also, we hold community group activities for special needs children and adults. On these days our riders create artwork, learn gardening skills, woodworking and other various entrepreneurial activities. No one is ever turned away due to inability to pay.

Charlotte Volunteers With Second Harvest Food Bank

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 07:19:28 GMT

Optomi’s Charlotte team had great time volunteering with Second Harvest Food Bank last night! As a group, we packaged more than 10 tons of food to be shipped out to impoverished towns throughout the Carolinas.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (SHMETROLINA) strives through education, advocacy, and partnerships to eliminate hunger by the solicitation and distribution of food. SHMETROLINA has been in existence since 1981. They provide a regional distribution warehouse and branches that supply food and grocery items to charitable agencies that assist people in need. They also provide training, technical assistance and hunger education to our partner agencies.

Denver Team Volunteers at Food Bank of the Rockies

Fri, 24 May 2019 07:25:28 GMT

The Optomi Denver Office had a wonderful morning volunteering at the Food Bank of the Rockies loading food for 20 agencies to distribute across the greater Denver area including the weekend backpack program!

RANKED FASTEST GROWING IT STAFFING FIRM ON THE 2018 FASTEST GROWING STAFFING FIRMS LIST FROM SIA

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 07:30:02 GMT

Optomi ranked as the #1 IT staffing company and 13th overall firm on the Staffing Industry Analysts 2018 list of the Fastest Growing Staffing Firms in America. The list is compiled from a ranking of organic compound annual growth in revenue from 2013 to 2017 by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), the global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions. During this period, Optomi accomplished a CAGR of 65.2%. The minimum CAGR criteria was 15% with 94 companies qualifying for inclusion on the annual list.

Michael Winwood, CEO of Optomi Professional Services commented, “We are thrilled that our Optomi brand has been recognized as the fastest growing IT staffing firm in the U.S. today. This status is entirely due to the accomplishments of our teams across the country as a result of their hard work and dedication over the last 5 years. They have truly executed on our desire to be the best in identifying the top technology talent for our clients. We would like to say a big thank you to our entire Optomi family and our clients and consultants for enabling our success.”

“The fastest-growing staffing firms stand out for their top line growth and performance in a dynamic and evolving ecosystem,” said Barry Asin, SIA President.

OPTOMI HONORED AS AN INC. 5000 FASTEST GROWING PRIVATE COMPANY IN 2018

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 08:24:26 GMT

Optomi has been honored with the position of 1882 on the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. With a growth rate of 238%, we are amongst the top ranked technology staffing firms.

Our unique philosophies of serving, being dedicated, displaying passion for our work, being consultant-centered and technology-driven have established us as innovative.

We strive to make a positive impact on individuals, families and communities while challenging the tech staffing and services industry status quo.

OPTOMI DIVERSIFIES – BECOMES OPTOMI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND ACQUIRES HEALTHCARE IT FIRM

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 08:29:27 GMT

Optomi is rebranding to Optomi Professional Services (OPS) to appropriately reflect its expansion into the onshore outsourcing solutions business and the healthcare IT space. The creation of OPS represents a new unprecedented collection of elite diversified brands rooted in a common purpose – identifying and creating talent to make a meaningful impact.

Michael Winwood, Co-founder and CEO of OPS noted, “The achievements of Optomi’s technology talent business over the past five years and the phenomenal success of our domestic rural outsourcing business, Provalus, have provided the catalyst for Optomi Professional Services. Now, adding healthcare IT expands our growth potential and creates a unique suite of services within the industry. We are pleased to announce the acquisition of healthcare technology talent company 1st Solution USA as we broaden our capabilities.”

Kimberly Bowden, CEO and Founder of 1st Solution USA commented, “Having created a very specialized business that focuses on technology recruitment for the healthcare industry, we are delighted to be merging into OPS. Our firm’s culture matches incredibly well with OPS’ values. Their mission, unique methodology and financial support will allow us to take our services to the next level nationally.”

The privately held firm has experienced success in the healthcare direct hire market and will expand its offering to include contract consulting under the OPS umbrella for even greater value to its client base. Todd Black, Co-founder and COO of OPS stated, “We are thrilled to have 1st Solution USA joining the OPS family. We would like to congratulate Kimberly and her team on their success in building a strong business. Having worked with Kimberly earlier in our careers, we have a great deal of respect for her. There is a fluid cultural synergy between our firms and we are confident we will do great things together.”

The addition of healthcare IT helps round out a unique portfolio of complimentary technology talent solutions. 1st Solution USA will undergo rebranding over the next several months to authentically communicate its expansion of services. The transaction is expected to close July 1, 2018.

ABOUT OPTOMI PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC

OPS was born out of a passion for making a meaningful impact all across the U.S. We take a refreshing approach to identifying and creating the best technology talent to fuel successful business relationships. Optomi Professional Services provides innovative alternatives to stale traditional staffing and offshore outsourcing.

Optomi Professional Services is a collection of elite brands that advance technology while impacting kids, communities and generations to come. As we deliver our holistic solution to address the tech talent shortage, OPS fulfills its mission to provide meals for under-resourced children, create opportunities for families to thrive through the creation of technology careers and elevate entire communities as a result of the economic growth we enable.

Chicago Office Volunteered at the Special Olympics Unified Sports Event

Thu, 17 May 2018 08:32:45 GMT

Optomi Chicago’s Team Volunteered with Special Olympics Unified Sports®. About 1.4 million people worldwide take part in Unified Sports, breaking down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities in a really fun way. ESPN has served as the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports since 2013, supporting the growth and expansion of this program that empowers individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to engage through the power of sports.

Thankfulness Days 2017

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:36:15 GMT

We celebrated THANKSGIVING with a Thankfulness Event honoring our clients and consultants. Optomi is grateful for all of our partnerships… they have helped us feed over 4,700 children, provide over 28,000 meals, employ 523 consultants, and work with 122 amazing client partners while we impact our communities through serving.

Optomi's Chicago Team Volunteers at Journeys: The Road Home and Feed My Starving Children

Sun, 05 Nov 2017 09:03:01 GMT

Optomi’s Chicago branch had an incredibly successful day yesterday giving back to our community at not one, but TWO, different organizations! They started their day off at the HOPE Center at Journeys, The Road Home in Palatine, IL. The HOPE Center is a day resource center that provides free services to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.

The team broke off into 3 groups, organizing food pantries, sorting donated clothes, helping the event coordinator with their Bid for HOPE event, and serving Chik-Fil-A to the clients that came to the HOPE Center for a warm meal.

The team made their way to Feed My Starving Children in Schaumburg, IL where they packed 113 boxes of food, which consisted of 24,408 meals, and feeds 66 kids in Cuba for a year!!!

What a humbling experience it was to help our community on a local and global scale!

Optomi's Atlanta Team Served PowerMyLearning to Provide Technology to Under-Resourced Communities

Sun, 05 Nov 2017 08:55:40 GMT

The Atlanta office partnered with PowerMyLearning, a national non-profit that partners with schools and districts in under-resourced communities to deliver technology to kids who might not otherwise have access to a computer. PowerMyLearning takes computers, tablets, etc. and refurbishes them with innovative learning programs tailored towards school-age children and runs workshops and other programs for children and their parents on how to use their new computers to be successful.

We spent the day at their warehouse assisting with a variety of tasks (broken up into teams) including warehouse clean-up and organization, computer testing and troubleshooting, computer and equipment cleaning, etc. We were able to help them knock out a ton of work that would normally take their team much longer and hopefully will speed up getting computers into the hands of Atlanta-area kids!

Optomi's Detroit Branch Volunteered at the Children's Center

Sun, 05 Nov 2017 08:51:58 GMT

Optomi’s Detroit office participated in the company’s 5th Annual Opt2Give Day of Service on November 6, 2017. We volunteered our time and labor to a wonderful service organization, The Children’s Center of Detroit. At the Center, we first learned about their mission and services to over 7500 families in the greater metro area: free meals and clothing, foster care services, coping skills, academic tutoring, interview preparation, and arts education among others.

During our Day of Service, we helped in a variety of ways: organizing and restocking bagged meals in the pantry, sorting donated clothes and setting up tables for clothing displays, touch-up painting of a mural, and soliciting plastic bag donations from a local general store.

Optomi's Orange County Branch Volunteers at Giving Children Hope

Sun, 05 Nov 2017 08:48:06 GMT

The OC branch had an amazing day volunteering with Giving Children Hope. We were able to put together over 150 backpacks with a week’s worth of food for homeless children in the Orange County area. We are looking forward to working with them again!

Giving Children Hope is a community driven nonprofit that equips front line partners with resources to serve vulnerable children and families. They provide sustainable hope through wellness programs and disaster response in collaboration with local and global communities; they do this through the gathering and giving of Medical Resources, Nutritional Foods, and Basic Needs.

Optomi's Dallas Team Gives Back to the Amadi Guess Foundation at John R. Good Elementary School in Irving, TX

Sun, 05 Nov 2017 08:43:19 GMT

The Dallas market had another very successful event with the Amadi Guess Foundation at John R. Good Elementary School in Irving, TX.

The Amadi Guess Foundation (AGF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide children from underserved communities access to nutritious meals. We weave together a net of community groups, activists and food programs to children facing hunger and surround them with nutritious food where they live, learn and play. Almost one in four children in America face hunger. These children will endure lifelong consequences as a result of having limited access to nutritious foods so we were very honored to volunteer for these kids today.

Optomi's Baltimore Team Volunteers at Pauls Places

Sun, 05 Nov 2017 08:39:41 GMT

We teamed up with Paul’s Place in Baltimore yesterday, an organization we have a long-standing relationship with that provides programs, services, and support to the area’s underprivileged residents. What we love most about Paul’s Place is their motto: treat everyone with dignity and respect – and we all have fun doing it!

Rob Wallace was put in charge of their computer lab where he helped people create email accounts, spruce up their resumes, and apply for jobs. The rest of the group took turns organizing the clothing donations for Paul’s Place “store” – where local residents get a personal shopping experience along with providing appropriate outfits for job interviews – and serving lunch. It’s always amazing to see how grateful and respectful the guests are to all volunteers and appreciate being given a hot meal with healthy options.

Overall, it was another humbling experience for everyone! Between the opening Paul’s Place meeting where we take turns reading inspirational quotes aloud to interacting with guests who were eager to learn all about Optomi, there was no shortage of smiling from the group!

INC5000

Sat, 23 Sep 2017 09:22:16 GMT

Optomi has been recognized in the top 20th percentile of the INC 5000 list of America’s fastest growing private companies 2017. “We set out to create a unique firm that would disrupt the tech staffing and services industry.”, says Optomi Co-founder & CEO Michael Winwood, “We are delighted to receive this recognition in our first year of eligibility which validates our mission to offer innovative solutions to our clients that address the real challenges in finding great IT talent. We would like to thank the entire Optomi family for all their hard work and dedication.”

TOP COMPANY CULTURES

Sat, 23 Sep 2017 09:17:31 GMT

Optomi joined Entrepreneur’s 2017 Top Company Cultures list, a comprehensive ranking created in partnership with CultureIQ® of U.S.-based businesses exhibiting high-performance cultures. The award recognizes the tech staffing firm for creating an exceptional culture that drives employee engagement and directly impacts company success.
“As we stay true to our vision of creating a unique tech staffing firm with strong core values, we continue to build a company culture that appreciates its employees”, says Optomi Co-founder & COO Todd Black. “We’re genuine in our relationships and that’s a unique way to do business.”

2017SIA

Sat, 23 Sep 2017 09:13:55 GMT

During its Executive Forum award ceremony in San Diego, Staffing Industry Analysts recognized Optomi with the prestigious “2017 Best Staffing Firms to Work For®” award. This makes a four year winning streak for the IT staffing firm. The “Best Staffing Firms to Work For®” honors workplaces where employees can thrive and deliver unparalleled quality to their clients.

“We set out to create a unique firm that would disrupt the tech staffing industry.”, says Optomi Co-founder & CEO Michael Winwood, “Winning this award four years in a row is external validation of our strong culture. It serves as the foundation for building our brand and reputation.”

GEORGIA FAST 40

Sat, 23 Sep 2017 09:10:49 GMT

Optomi was recognized by the Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth® (ACG) as one of the fastest-growing companies in Georgia and presented with the Georgia Fast 40 2017 Award. Optomi was amongst those with revenues between $15 million and $500 million. “We are delighted to be recognized by ACG as one of the fastest growing companies in Georgia. This is a tribute to the dedication of our teams across the country in our mission to bring a new disruptive approach to the industry and to raising the bar in the IT staffing world”, commented Michael Winwood, CEO Optomi. “As a tech staffing firm, we are in a business that begins and ends with people. Our people, the Optomi family, are the reason for our success. We founded a company based on a fantastic culture, strong core values that guide us every day and a philanthropic approach to measuring our success through our ability to impact the communities that we live and work in.”

OPTOMI HONORED AS AN INC 5000 FASTEST GROWING PRIVATE COMPANY IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 09:26:55 GMT

Optomi has been recognized in the top 20th percentile of the INC 5000 list of America’s fastest growing private companies 2017. Optomi specializes in technology staffing in the areas of mobile, network/system engineering, information security, data warehousing, cloud and application development. Through its Provalus division, Optomi competes head on with traditional offshore outsourcing by deploying technology centers in rural America.

“We set out to create a unique firm that would disrupt the tech staffing and services industry.”, says Optomi Co-founder & CEO Michael Winwood, “We are delighted to receive this recognition in our first year of eligibility which validates our mission to offer innovative solutions to our clients that address the real challenges in finding great IT talent. We would like to thank the entire Optomi family for all their hard work and dedication.”

Optomi places a strong emphasis on employee growth and leadership. With this supportive working environment, the firm has achieved 3-year revenue growth of 453%. Todd Black, Co-founder & COO added, “We strive to enable a strong company culture where our team’s dedication to their clients and consultants shines through. We have been successful because of our team’s passion to provide the best experience in the industry.”

IT SERVICES FIRM PROVALUS TO CREATE 300 JOBS AT ALABAMA FACILITY

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 09:56:02 GMT

MONTGOMERY– Governor Kay Ivey announced that Provalus, a company specializing in business technology service and support, plans to invest $6.5 million to open a center in Brewton staffed with 300 workers.

Atlanta-based Optomi, one of the nation’s fastest-growing tech-staff firms, launched Provalus to provide an alternative to overseas outsourcing of business functions. Provalus aims to utilize untapped talent in small communities for technology, business and support positions.

“Our main mission is to provide value from the U.S. by bringing jobs back, especially to rural areas,” Provalus President Chuck Ruggiero said.

The center in Brewton, a city of 5,500 in Escambia County, will serve as the company’s flagship facility. Training for Provalus’ first group of technologists has already begun. Once staffing levels reach 50, construction will begin on the first of three buildings, which will occupy a combined space of more than 60,000 square feet.

“I’ve made a commitment to attracting 21st Century jobs to Alabama so that our hard-working citizens can count on a more secure future for their families and communities,” Governor Ivey said. “Provalus’ technology-focused jobs will create this kind of opportunity in Brewton while reinforcing the message that Alabama is open for business.”

The Provalus facility will offer business process outsourcing (BPO), information technology outsourcing (ITO), and Helpdesk services to clients including Fortune 1000 companies.

“Alabama’s economic development team is sharpening its strategic focus by targeting promising opportunities that center on innovation and technology,” Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce said.

“Technology is the lifeblood of business today, and our team is going to make sure Alabama is positioned for the future,” he added.

‘PROJECT SHERLOCK’

The recruitment of Provalus, codenamed “Project Sherlock,” also aligns with a broad strategic goal of attracting more jobs to the state’s rural communities, which sometimes face hurdles winning economic development projects.

Brewton Mayor Yank Lovelace said Provalus’ campus will generate substantial economic growth for the South Alabama city. An Alabama Department of Commerce financial analysis projects the company’s cumulative payroll over 20 years at $210 million.

“Governor Ivey made it clear from the start that she was behind new technology coming to Alabama,” he said. “This project was the culmination of the work of so many, and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome the company to Brewton.”

Besides Atlanta, Optomi has offices in Chicago; Dallas; Baltimore/Washington D.C.; Orange County, California; Detroit; Denver; Austin, Texas; and Charlotte. The company was founded nearly five years ago.

ALABAMA JOBS: BREWTON RECEIVES $6.5 MILLION FROM ATLANTA BASED TECH FIRM

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 09:44:59 GMT

As reported by WKRG News, the technology company, Provalus, announced today that it plans to invest $6.5 million on a flagship facility in Brewton.

Provalus is part of the Atlanta-based tech firm, Optomi. Created to provide an alternative to overseas outsourcing of business functions, Provalus’ goal is to bring tech jobs back to the U.S.

At over 60,000 square feet and employing more than 300 Alabamians, the facility will provide business process outsourcing (BPO), information technology outsourcing (ITO), and helpdesk services to clients including Fortune 1000 companies.

When commenting on the companies new commitment to Alabama, Gov. Ivey said,

“I’ve made a commitment to attracting 21st Century jobs to Alabama so that our hard-working citizens can count on a more secure future for their families and communities. Provalus’ technology-focused jobs will create this kind of opportunity in Brewton while reinforcing the message that Alabama is open for business.”

Part of Provalus’ core mission is focused on bringing jobs to rural areas. And estimates predict that the company’s cumulative payroll at the Brewton facility could exceed $200 million over the next 20 years.

Showing support for Provalus’ commitment to local jobs, Brewton Mayor Yank Lovelace said,

“Governor Ivey made it clear from the start that she was behind new technology coming to Alabama. This project was the culmination of the work of so many, and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome the company to Brewton.”

This significant investment in Alabama jobs comes after Gov. Ivey recently announced her commitment to job growth and education in Alabama .

YELLOWHAMMERNEWS.COM

Optomi Gives Back at the Boys & Girls Club in Denver

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:06:17 GMT

Optomi’s Denver team spends the day volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club! They spent their time tutoring and making crafts with kids. Optomi supports the Boys and Girls clubs’ mission to empower each Club member, through safe and impactful experiences, to: graduate high school with a plan for college or career, contribute to their community and live a healthy life.

“These kids were so awesome! The summer program that they are in keeps them sharp in math and reading while letting them compete with other clubs in sports and art shows! We are excited for the many Opt2give events to come here in Denver!”- Chelsea Wells

OPTOMI LAUNCHES AN ALTERNATIVE TO OVERSEAS OUTSOURCING THROUGH NEW DOMESTIC TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS OUTSOURCING DIVISION PROVALUS

Wed, 26 Jul 2017 10:10:49 GMT

Optomi announced today that it launched a plan to bring 300 jobs to southern Alabama through its Provalus division. Provalus is elevating under-served communities by providing technology, business and support positions to untapped talent in the U.S. Services in the areas of BPO, ITO and Helpdesk will be available from the facility. The work provides Fortune 1000 companies the dependable, quality and practical services they need… straight from the heart of America.

“Our main mission is to provide value to the U.S. by bringing jobs back… especially to rural areas”, commented Chuck Ruggiero, President of Provalus. The IT solutions needs that have been traditionally outsourced overseas can now be serviced here in the U.S. through Provalus.

Optomi’s flagship facility is located in Brewton, Alabama which has a population of about 5,500. Training has begun for the first group and the bootcamp will yield a team of state-of-the-art technologists. Once staffing levels reach 50 employees, construction will begin on the first of three buildings, which will occupy a combined space of over 60,000 square feet. The campus will generate additional economic growth for the community in the way of commerce and real estate. “Governor Ivey made it clear from the start that she was behind new technology coming to Alabama,” Mayor Lovelace said. “This project was a culmination of the work of so many, and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome the company to Brewton.”

Optomi is one of the fastest growing tech staffing firms in the U.S. and makes a practice of implementing strategies that stand out from the competition as the most leading-edge and successful. Michael Winwood, CEO commented, “We strive to offer our clients a better experience. Through Provalus, we are able to provide services that have traditionally been outsourced overseas. Our strategies continue to disrupt the tech staffing industry.”

BREWTON TO GET 300 JOBS AFTER $6.5M DEAL WITH OPTOMI

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 10:25:56 GMT

BREWTON, AL (WSFA) –

Hundreds of jobs are coming to South Alabama after the city of Brewton secured a million-dollar deal with a leading tech company.

According to Brewton City Clerk, Alex McDowell, about 300 jobs will be coming to the city after it secured a $6.5 million deal with Provalus and its parent company Optomi, LLC.

The 15-year agreement was finalized Monday and the site will serve as Optomi’s ‘flagship U.S. facility’ according to Provalus/Optomi President Chuck Ruggiero.

The partnership with Optomi, LLC, a tech-staffing firm, includes the construction of three buildings on 10 acres of the former Dogwood Hills Golf Course property. Once staffing levels reach 50 employees, McDowell says construction will begin on the first of three buildings, which will occupy a combined space of over 60,000 square feet.

Brewton beat out many other locations including the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee, according to city and company officials.

“What sold us on Brewton was its people,” Ruggiero said. “The first person I met was Mayor Yank Lovelace of Brewton and he represented the city very well. We have so much gratitude towards Mayor Lovelace for helping us along in this journey.”

The project is being funded by city and state resources. Gov. Kay Ivey also provided $1.5 million from the discretionary fund for the project.

“Gov. Ivey made it clear from the start that she was behind new technology coming to Alabama,” Lovelace said. “This project was a culmination of the work of so many, and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome the company to Brewton.”

Optomi wants to be a part of the Brewton community by providing education and training. The first training class began Monday and the search continues for staff for the next class next month or September, Ruggiero said.

Ruggiero says Optima’s main mission is to provide value to the U.S. by bringing jobs back especially to rural areas.

Those interested in applying are encouraged to visit the company currently located in the former Cracked Pot on Belleville Avenue.

Construction on the facility is expected to take about a year.

Optomi's Atlanta Team Gives Back at the Foster Care Support Center

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 10:30:27 GMT

Optomi’s Atlanta team spent this afternoon at the Foster Care Support Center in Roswell, Ga. What a fun and humbling experience this was! Thank you, Jasmine Krasle, for getting us involved with this amazing organization. Most foster children arrive to their new foster families with nothing more than the clothes on their backs – the FCSC gives these children the basic necessities to start their new lives. We spent the day sorting & shopping through THOUSANDS of donations for these families (major s/o to Casey Halliburton & Dan Hill for sorting furniture in the 85-90 degree heat). This was one for the books! I definitely hope we can play/work here again!!

ATLANTA’S ACG NAMES OPTOMI AS A 2017 GEORGIA FAST 40 AWARD HONOREE

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 10:36:55 GMT

Optomi, in its fifth year of business, is achieving incredible organic growth within the tech staffing industry. To be recognized as an ACG Georgia Fast 40 company, applicants were required to submit three years of verifiable revenue and employment growth records. Optomi has experienced triple digit growth year over year with an expanding client base to accompany it.

“We are delighted to be recognized by ACG as one of the fastest growing companies in Georgia. This is a tribute to the dedication of our teams across the country in our mission to bring a new disruptive approach to the industry and to raising the bar in the IT staffing world”, commented Michael Winwood, CEO Optomi. “As a tech staffing firm, we are in a business that begins and ends with people. Our people, the Optomi family, are the reason for our success. We founded a company based on a fantastic culture, strong core values that guide us every day and a philanthropic approach to measuring our success through our ability to impact the communities that we live and work in.”

OOptomi Chicago Team Volunteers at Children's Hospital

Thu, 18 May 2017 10:52:43 GMT

In 2010, Cal’s All-Star Angel Foundation became the first organization to pledge $200,000 to the Heroes for Life Community Partners Program creating “Healing Environments” for patients and families at the new Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children’s Memorial Hospital). While the greatest accomplishment is that this helps build a great medical facility for children right here in our backyard, it also guarantees that both the inpatient (17) and outpatient (18) Hematology/Oncology floors will forever carry the Cal’s All-Star Angel Foundation name. In addition to the “Healing Environments” on the 17th and 18th floors, we have also committed to keeping the playrooms on both floors up to date with games, electronics and other items not yet realized giving us 2 complete floors out of 23 at one of the most renowned medical care centers in the world!

Optomi’s Chicago team volunteered at Lurie Children’s Hospital in full support of Cal’s Angels foundation by talking and playing with these kids and their families. Every little smile made a huge difference!

To get involved with Cal’s Angels, visit https://www.calsangels.org/get-involved/

OPTOMI HONORED AS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES IN ATLANTA BY THE ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE®

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 11:00:38 GMT

Optomi was honored yesterday with the 2017 Pacesetter Award® for the second consecutive year. As one of the top 100 fastest growing companies in Atlanta, Optomi continues to disrupt the tech staffing industry with its unique approach. “The Pacesetter Award® honors Atlanta’s top fastest-growing privately held companies that are taking business to the next level. Their methods are unconventional and their growth is top speed,” according to The Atlanta Business Chronicle.

TECH STAFFING FIRM OPTOMI RECOGNIZED ON ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE’S 2017 TOP COMPANY CULTURES LIST

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 11:05:40 GMT

“As we stay true to our vision of creating a unique tech staffing firm with strong core values, we continue to build a company culture that appreciates its employees”, says Optomi Co-founder & COO Todd Black. “We’re genuine in our relationships and that’s a unique way to do business.”

By establishing this recognition, Entrepreneur Magazine honors companies in a wide span of industries that are creating vibrant, healthy and sustainable work environments through an effective culture. “Great company cultures don’t happen on their own. They’re the result of great leadership, and a conscious effort to make everyone on a team feel engaged and important,” says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur. “The honorees on our 2017 list are proof that strong cultures make even stronger companies. Entrepreneurs at all levels can draw inspiration from them.”

The rankings for all companies were determined using CultureIQ’s methodology for measuring high-performance cultures. Employees at each company received a survey of 21 questions. The answers were used to assess a company’s strength across 10 core qualities of culture – performance focus, support and innovation, to name a few. These quality strength scores were combined with the employee Net Promoter Score to create a cumulative CultureIQ Score. The companies with the highest CultureIQ Scores became the Top Company Culture list in ranking order. The full 2017 list can be found here .

FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, OPTOMI NAMED ONE OF THE BEST STAFFING FIRMS TO WORK FOR®

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 11:09:26 GMT

Optomi values a strong company culture and has instituted a set of company core values that guide its business conduct and have contributed to its success. Every employee’s business interaction with clients and candidates is characterized as: passionate, dedicated, innovative, unique, connected and genuine.

Headquartered in Atlanta, the record-breaking tech staffing firm has been named one of the fastest growing companies by the Atlanta Business Journal and ACG.

“The Best Staffing Firms to Work For®” program recognizes staffing firms that understand the importance of a supportive working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth that encourages an individual to bring passion and energy to the office each and every day.” said Barry Asin, president of Staffing Industry Analysts. The award is based on a survey given to employees that focuses on ten key engagement categories including teamwork, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued, manager effectiveness, compensation and benefits.

Our Dallas Team Spends Time Packing Food for the North Texas Food Bank

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 11:13:38 GMT

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a top-ranked nonprofit relief organization, providing access to more than 190,000 meals each day for hungry children, seniors and families through a network of more than 1,000 programs and 200 Partner Agencies in our 13-county service area. In fiscal year 2016, NTFB provided access to some 70 million meals but the need for hunger relief in North Texas today is much larger. Optomi’s Dallas team contributed to this cause by packing food and transporting food all day to help rid hunger in their community.

The Charlotte Office Loved Volunteering with Second Harvest Food Bank at Devonshire Elementary

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 11:16:51 GMT

The Charlotte office had a wonderful time volunteering with Second Harvest Food Bank at Devonshire Elementary. What a great way to kick off the year and serve families in need!

The Baltimore Team Spends Opt2give Day Volunteering at Pauls Place

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:00:29 GMT

Optomi Baltimore has put another successful Founder’s Day in the books!! We had an awesome time spending time with the folks of Pauls Place and making sure everyone that walks in the door was given “Dignity and Respect.” Chuck Shaffer Luke Jensen and Sara Horne all gave 100% and look forward to giving back to our local non profit, Pauls Place here in Baltimore, MD in the near future.

Our Dallas Team Had a Blast Playing With Elementary School Kids for Opt2give Day 2016

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:54:25 GMT

Dallas had a great time playing with the elementary school kids at Good Elementary during Opt2give Day. We helped with homework and had lots of laughs.

“No one has ever become poor by giving.”
― Anne Frank

The OC Team Volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club Irvine for Opt2give Day 2016

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:51:07 GMT

On Founders Day, November 4th we volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club Irvine for a couple hours! This involved hanging out with the kids and rotating through different activities with them such as: Physical Fitness & Health and Academic Enrichment.

Our Charlotte Team Paints the Interior of a Habitat for Humanity Home for Opt2give Day 2016

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:46:43 GMT

The Charlotte team had a great day painting the entire interior of a Habitat for Humanity home today! The greatest part was seeing the future home owner come visit the house to say thanks for the help. She had just completed chemotherapy and was so grateful for everything.

Great work team!

The Chicago Team Cooks Lunch for Families Being Treated at Advocate Children's Hospital for Opt2give 2016

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:41:15 GMT

The Chicago team was honored to spend Opt2give Day at The Ronald McDonald House Charities and in particular their Meals from the Heart Program. In keeping with our message of feeding those in need, we had the pleasure of cooking lunch for families whose children are being treated at Advocate Children’s Hospital. It’s just across the street from the Ronald McDonald House, so families stay there while visiting their kids. The charity provides a “home away from home” offering comfortable private rooms where families can get a good night’s sleep knowing that their child is close by. Happy 4th Birthday Optomi. It was a great way to spend the day!

The Detroit Team Packs Produce at Gleaners Food Bank for Opt2give Day 2016

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:36:11 GMT

Detroit was proud to head back to Gleaners Food Bank for Opt2give Day 2016.

Gleaners provides 33,000,000 pounds of food to those in need each year, with a focus on food insecure children and their families. It amounts to 79,000 meals EVERY DAY. Incredible.

Our team helped today with packing produce, to the tune of over 4,000 pounds that will provide meals this weekend for over 3,900 people.

With the generosity of Optomi we made a contribution to their current “Milk Drive” for local children in need. America’s Dairy Families is matching each contribution, so with our donation we were able to provide 300 gallons of milk for local children.

We always appreciate the opportunity to take a day and GIVE BACK!

Our Denver Team Packs Food for People in Need for Opt2give Day 2016

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:29:01 GMT

For our Opt2give Day 2016, the Denver team served at the Food Bank of the Rockies. Their volunteer efforts helped the warehouse get food to people who need it.

The homeless population represents only about 10% of the Food Bank recipients. The rest? Everyday people like low-wage workers, children, seniors on fixed incomes and individuals with health issues.

Our Atlanta Team Spends the Day Pitching In at the East Atlanta's Kids Club for Opt2give Day 2016

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:23:57 GMT

The East Atlanta’s Kids Club gives youth who otherwise have limited after-school and summertime options a safe and stimulating place to play, to learn and to express themselves under the supervision of caring adults. They offer out-of-school-time tutoring, mentoring and enrichment programs.

OPTOMI NAMED ONE OF “BEST PLACES TO WORK” BY THE DALLAS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 12:05:37 GMT

Optomi is pleased to announce it has been named one of the “Best Places to Work” in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex by the Dallas Business Journal.

“We are honored to be included in The Dallas Business Journal’s “Best Places To Work” 2016. Optomi is built on the core value of placing our people first, which I believe is reflected in this recognition. Our team has truly embraced the unique culture and philosophy of being genuine with our candidates and clients. We thrive on bringing passion to what we do every day”, commented Tim Gunn, Managing Director of the Optomi Dallas branch.

The Dallas Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” list recognizes 100 local workplaces that are committed to creating dynamic culture and investing in their employees’ careers and lives. The list is formulated from the results of an anonymous employee survey about job satisfaction, working environment, community service, employee engagement and more. The 2016 rankings for each business category will be announced at an awards ceremony September 15.

Optomi is one of the fastest growing tech staffing firms in the U.S. and makes a practice of implementing strategies that successfully surpass the competition as the most leading-edge.

OPTOMI NAMED ONE OF THIS YEAR’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR® IN CHICAGO

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 12:09:49 GMT

Every year companies throughout Chicago compete to be named one of “Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®.” Only companies that distinguish themselves as having the most innovative and thoughtful human resources approach are bestowed this honor. The Chicago branch of Optomi was named one of the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For®.

“This recognition is a tribute to the entire Optomi family. They have embraced and continue to build a unique culture that has resulted in a revolutionary staffing company”, commented Todd Black, COO Optomi.

Optomi is one of the fastest growing tech staffing firms in the US and makes a practice of implementing strategies that surpass the competition as the most leading-edge and successful.

About Best and Brightest
The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® is a program of the National Association For Business Resources that provides the business community with the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices and demonstrate why they are an ideal place for employees to work. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.

OPTOMI NAMED THE #6 FASTEST-GROWING COMPANY IN GEORGIA ON THE ACG 2016 LIST

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:13:54 GMT

The Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth® (ACG) today announced the 2016 Georgia Fast 40, recognizing Optomi as the #6 fastest-growing company in Georgia amongst those with revenues between $15 million and $500 million.

Optomi, in its fourth year of business, is achieving record-breaking organic growth within the tech staffing industry. To be recognized as an ACG Georgia Fast 40 company, applicants were required to submit three years of verifiable revenue and employment growth records. Optomi has experiencing triple digit growth year over year with an expanding client base to accompany it.

“We are delighted to be recognized by ACG as one of the fastest growing companies in Georgia. This is a tribute to the dedication of our teams across the country in our mission to bring a new disruptive approach to the industry and to raising the bar within the IT staffing world”, commented Michael Winwood, CEO Optomi. “As a tech staffing firm, was are in a business that begins and ends with people. Our people, the Optomi family, are the reason for our success. We founded a company based on a fantastic culture, strong core values that guide us every day and a philanthropic approach to measuring our success through our ability to impact the communities that we live and work in.”

OPTOMI NAMED ONE OF THIS YEAR’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR® IN ATLANTA

Wed, 22 Jun 2016 12:21:44 GMT

Roswell, Georgia | Every year companies throughout Atlanta compete to be named one of “Atlanta’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®.” Only those distinguishing themselves as having the most innovative and thoughtful human resources approach are bestowed the award. This week, Optomi was named one of Atlanta’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®.

“ Optomi is honored to be recognized as a top 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®. Our dedication to building a strong and unique company culture sets us apart in the tech staffing space”, commented Michael Winwood, CEO Optomi.

Optomi is one of the fastest growing tech staffing firms in the U.S. and makes a practice of implementing strategies that successfully surpass the competition as the most leading-edge.

About the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®
The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® is a program of the National Association For Business Resources that provides businesses the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices and demonstrate why they are an ideal place for employees to work. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.

OPTOMI RANKS #16 OF THE TOP 100 FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES IN ATLANTA

Wed, 27 Apr 2016 12:28:34 GMT

Optomi was honored with the 2016 Pacesetter Award® ranking #16 of the top 100 fastest growing privately-held companies in Atlanta. “The Pacesetter Award® honors Atlanta’s top fastest-growing privately held companies that are taking business to the next level. Their methods are unconventional and their growth is top speed,” according to The Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Optomi is one of the fastest growing tech staffing firms in the US and makes a practice of implementing strategies that stand out from the competition as the most leading-edge and successful. Michael Winwood, CEO commented, “We are very pleased to be recognized as the 16th fastest growing privately held firm in Atlanta. This is entirely due to the efforts of our team. Optomi’s people, core values, culture and strategy are disrupting the IT staffing industry. We want to raise the bar using unique recruiting processes combined with innovative technology to offer both our candidates and clients a better experience.”

IT STAFFING FIRM OPTOMI OPENS NEW OFFICE IN DENVER

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:58:09 GMT

Optomi, a leading tech staffing firm, continues to expand its national footprint by entering the Denver, Colorado market. Denver is ranked 11th in tech industry job growth. It has quickly built a reputation as a great place to live and work. By being well-positioned to serve Fortune 500 clients as well as mid-sized clients through its skill-set focused strategy, Optomi expects to be highly competitive in the region. The firm’s COO Todd Black remarked, “Denver has grown to be one of the most innovative cities in the U.S., so its fitting that Optomi would enter this thriving market.”

The opening marks the firm’s eighth IT staffing hub since the fourth quarter of 2012. This latest expansion continues Optomi’s momentum as one of the fastest organically growing tech staffing firms in the U.S. Headquartered in Atlanta, Optomi has offices in Chicago, Dallas, Baltimore/Washington DC, Orange County, Detroit, Charlotte and now Denver.

This expansion is not only the opening of a new office, but also the opening of opportunities within the organization.
Optomi is committed to offering location change and career advancement to its internal team. The company’s “promote from within” philosophy is foundational to its organic growth.

Optomi specializes in deploying project managers, business analysts and technologists in the ever-evolving spaces of mobile technology, information security, network engineering, business intelligence, cloud, mobile and application development. Optomi’s niche approach and dedicated focus on higher-end IT skills enables the firm to better identify candidates with these in-demand skills. Expansion into the Denver area increases the capacity for the firm to supply tech jobs.

STAFFING INDUSTRY ANALYSTS NAMES OPTOMI ONE OF THE BEST STAFFING FIRMS TO WORK FOR® 2016

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:02:55 GMT

During its Executive Forum award ceremony yesterday, Staffing Industry Analysts announced Optomi as a winner of the prestigious award “2016 Best Staffing Firms to Work For®”. Optomi’s first award occurred in its first year of business. Having been recognized all subsequent years, Optomi is unique in achieving this status.

“We believe corporate culture has a strong influence on a company’s performance. We foster an environment that allows our team to perform at their highest level. No matter how large Optomi becomes, we are committed to growing an organization worthy of the distinction ‘The Best Staffing Firms to Work For® every year”, says Michael Winwood, Optomi’s CEO.

Nearly 182 staffing firms took part in the survey given on behalf of Staffing Industry Analysts by an independent research firm specializing in employee engagement. Internal employees at each firm were asked to complete a 40-question online survey that measured 10 key engagement categories including teamwork, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued, manager effectiveness, compensation and benefits.

Optomi’s company culture is one that was carefully designed and implemented. Its core values encourage every employee’s business interaction with clients and candidates to be described as: passionate, dedicated, innovative, unique, connected and genuine. The firm is focused on an organic growth model, hiring exceptional talent and promoting top performers into leadership positions. Optomi is regularly expanding to incremental new markets. The company’s current markets include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Orange County, Baltimore/DC and most recently Charlotte.

“We attribute our growth to a strong company culture that values passion, innovation and dedication among others”, says COO Todd Black. “We’re genuine in our relationships and that’s a unique way to do business in this industry.”

IT STAFFING FIRM OPTOMI EXPANDS TO CHARLOTTE AND PROMOTES MARKET LEADER FROM WITHIN

Fri, 22 Jan 2016 13:07:34 GMT

As an organization dedicated to training, mentoring and promoting internal talent, Optomi is pleased to be expanding into the Charlotte, North Carolina market by promoting Matt Robinson (one of the firm’s first employees) to lead the new branch as Managing Director. As Optomi continues to expand its national footprint, it remains committed to offering new opportunities to the internal team.

Optomi CEO Michael Winwood remarked, “We could not be more thrilled to promote Matt Robinson into our Charlotte Managing Director role. Matt was one of our first hires in Atlanta and has been a consistent top performer. His passion for the industry and dedication has earned him this promotion. Optomi’s ‘promote from within’ philosophy is foundational to our long-term success.”

This latest expansion continues Optomi’s momentum as one of the fastest organically growing IT staffing firms in the US. Headquartered in Atlanta, Optomi also has offices in Chicago, Dallas, Baltimore/Washington DC, Orange County, Detroit and now Charlotte. Charlotte has a wealth of experienced people across the IT field ,making it an excellent market for Optomi’s niche skill-sets.

Optomi specializes in deploying project managers, business analysts and technologists in the ever- evolving spaces of mobile technology, information security, network engineering, business intelligence, cloud and application development. Optomi’s niche approach and dedicated focus on higher-end IT skills enables the firm to better identify candidates with these in-demand skills. Expansion into the Charlotte area increases the capacity for the firm to supply IT jobs.

By being well-positioned to serve Fortune 500 clients as well as mid-sized clients and start-ups through its skill-set focused strategy, the firm expects to be highly competitive in the region.

OPTOMI NAMED ONE OF THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR®

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 13:11:59 GMT

The National Association for Business Resources named OPTOMI as one of the 2015 Best and Brightest Companies To Work For® in the country. The award recognizes the most influential, trend-setting companies across the nation who display a commitment to excellence in their human resource practices and employee enrichment.

Optomi thrives on a culture of commitment to team, community and giving back. Passionate employees with innovative thinking and a dedicated work ethic have allowed Optomi to redefine the status quo of the staffing industry. Decades of successful leadership experience combined with the ingenuity and tech-savviness of the Millennial generation has helped the company achieve record accomplishments.

“We are honored to be one of the 2015 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®”, says COO Todd Black,. “It’s all about the people.”

Optomi encourages a creative environment for its employees to find a way to be unique as they relate with clients and consultants. This philosophy enables the firm to continually attract top talent. The IT staffing firm differentiates itself through its skill-set focus, technology-driven processes, consultant-centered philosophy and its spirit of giving back.

The Best and Brightest Companies To Work For® 2015 winning companies were assessed by an independent research firm which reviewed a number of key measures relative to other nationally recognized winners. They include Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions; Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention; Employee Education and Development; Recruitment, Selection and Orientation; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity and Inclusion; Work-Life Balance; Community Initiatives; Strategic Company Performance.

The Dallas Team Mentors Kids for Opt2give Day 2015

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 13:32:56 GMT

As an IT staffing firm, the employees of Optomi typically spend their day recruiting and selling its services, but not Thursday. During its annual Opt2give Day November 5th, the Dallas team partnered with the Amadi Guess Foundation to mentor children at the same school they served in 2014. Many of the children benefit from Optomi’s regular giving through our Opt2give program. Optomi believes in giving back to the extent that it devotes a full day every year to serving in the communities in which it does business. The founders believe in building a culture that genuinely meets the needs of others.

By the end of 2015, IT staffing firm Optomi will have fed over 1,500 children in the U.S. who would otherwise go to bed hungry every day. Meals given to these children total over 9,000. According to the organization Feeding America , one in 5 children struggles with hunger. Optomi is committed to alleviating this hunger epidemic. The firm is breaking new ground in the staffing industry with its giving back philosophy. Optomi’s fresh approach to philanthropy connects all the elements of the brand by not only defining it, but also propelling it to record-breaking revenues. Dedication to its people and the communities in which they live/work are central to the mission of Optomi.

OPT2GIVE DAY 2015 MAKES A HUGE IMPACT

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 13:19:15 GMT

By the end of 2015, Optomi will have fed over 1,500 kids 9,000 meals through its Opt2give program. The company’s philosophy of ‘doing good’ has been part of its culture since inception three years ago. On Thursday, November 5th (Optomi’s 3rd birthday), Optomi employees didn’t put on birthday hats or hand out cupcakes; instead, we rolled up our sleeves to serve in our neighborhoods.

Optomi devoted the day to giving back to children. Dedication to its people and the communities in which they live/work are central to the mission of Optomi. According to the organization Feeding America , one in 5 children struggles with hunger. Optomi is committed to alleviating this hunger epidemic. As Optomi uses its business as a driver for charitable contributions, it hopes to continue to make an impact. “The message is simple, when you do business with Optomi, you help children in need”, says CEO Michael Winwood.

We are making a difference in several ways. Optomi’s Opt2give program provides children with weekend bags of food through local food bank backpack programs. With each consultant hired, kids who may not have food in the fridge when they get home from school are fed because of Optomi’s efforts. During its annual Opt2give day, the company’s employees serve organizations in their communities. They host pizza parties for under-resourced children, serve in soup kitchens, feed and mentor at risk inner-city kids, collect food for local food banks and more. “Giving back is at the core of why we do what we do. As an organization in an industry focused on people, Optomi believes in investing in people’s lives”, commented Todd Black, COO.

Our Atlanta Team Mentors Young At-Risk Adults for Opt2give Day 2015

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 05:11:19 GMT

During its annual Opt2give Day on November 5th, The Atlanta Optomi team hosted a breakfast & lunch for a group of 17-21 year-olds who are at risk of getting drawn into sex trafficking. They helped the young adults build their resumes & improve interviewing skills to prepare them for finding jobs. They partnered with the Covenant House through Children’s Restoration Network based in Atlanta.

The IT staffing firm believes that a culture of “doing the right thing” is good business. The company chooses to use its business as a driver for charitable contributions.

Our Chicago Team Throws a Party for Under-Resourced Kids for Opt2give 2015

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 05:07:09 GMT

For many financially insecure children, the ability to be a kid gets lost in the weight of the stresses of life. During its annual Opt2give Day November 5th, the Chicago Optomi team hosted a pizza & games party for 30 kids who live in an under-resourced apartment complex outside of the city. In partnership with Riverworks of Fox Valley, Optomi created a night to remember for the children.

By the end of 2015, IT staffing firm Optomi will have fed over 1,500 children in the U.S. who would otherwise go to bed hungry every day. Meals given to these children total over 9,000. According to the organization Feeding America , one in 5 children struggles with hunger. Optomi is committed to alleviating this hunger epidemic. The company’s philosophy of ‘doing good’ has been part of its culture since inception 3 years ago. Dedication to its people and the communities in which they live/work are central to the mission of Optomi.

The IT staffing firm believes that a culture of “doing the right thing” is good business. The company chooses to use its business as a driver for charitable contributions. “The message is simple, when you do business with Optomi, you help children in need”, says CEO Michael Winwood.

Our Charlotte Team Runs a Mobile Food Bank for Opt2give Day 2015

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 05:03:02 GMT

As an IT staffing firm, the employees of Optomi typically spend their workday recruiting and selling its services, but not Thursday. During its annual Opt2give day November 5th, the Optomi Charlotte team worked with the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry Program. The Mobile Pantry is dedicated to providing families of children attending Berryhill the opportunity to shop for food items free of charge.

The IT staffing firm believes that a culture of “doing the right thing” is good business. The company chooses to use its business as a driver for charitable contributions.

Our Baltimore/DC Team Helps Out a Soup Kitchen for Opt2give 2015

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 04:56:54 GMT

You’d typically see employees of Optomi working the phones on a Thursday, but not on November 5th. Optomi believes in giving back to the extent that it devotes a full day every year to serving in the communities in which it does business. The founders believe in building a culture that genuinely meets the needs of others. During its annual Opt2give day on November 5th, the Baltimore/DC Optomi team donated the non-perishable food items they had been collecting for Paul’s Place (a homeless shelter) and they also served meals in their kitchen.

The Orange County Team Serves the Kids of Anaheim a Pasta Dinner for Opt2give 2015

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 04:51:22 GMT

Feeding children is at the heart of the GIVING philosophy of Optomi. The Optomi team in Orange County has been partnering with Caterina’s Club to donate food for its pasta dinners. The team gathers donations from all sorts of generous people that it does business with in the Orange County area. During its annual Opt2give Day on November 5th, the Optomi team of Newport Beach served a pasta dinner to the children of Caterina’s Club.

The Detroit Team Serves at the Inner City Soup Kitchen for Opt2give 2015

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 04:48:22 GMT

Optomi has a big heart for those in need, which is why we spent the day volunteering at the Inner City the Soup Kitchen. The company partners with food banks across the country that gather and pack perfectly good food and deliver it to hungry kids and families who need it most. The partnership demonstrates the GIVING philosophy of Optomi. During its annual Opt2give day on November 5th, the Detroit Optomi team served the morning at Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan by packing backpacks of food for children. They spent the afternoon serving at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

The IT staffing firm believes that a culture of “doing the right thing” is good business. The company chooses to use its business as a driver for charitable contributions.

OPTOMI HONORED WITH THREE STEVIE® AWARDS AT THE 2015 AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARDS

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 05:16:54 GMT

OPTOMI was presented with a SILVER Stevie® Award in the category of Fastest Growing Company of the Year, a SILVER Stevie® Award in the category of Management Team of the Year and a BRONZE Stevie® Award for Best Home/Welcome Page category in the 13th Annual American Business Awards in Chicago last night. Finalists that received a final average score of at least 8.0 out of a possible 10 were designated as Silver Stevie® winners. Bacardi Limited, IBM, AT&T and YouTube were among the winners of Gold Stevie® Awards.

“We are thrilled to have been recognized as a progressive, fast growing IT services firm. We really appreciate the amazing hard work and dedication of our entire Optomi family. Their passion to build a culture of performance is the key reason we have experienced unprecedented growth in the IT staffing industry. We are proud to have received these awards that serve as great external validation”, commented Michael Winwood, CEO of Optomi.

More than 3,300 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Management Team of the Year, Executive of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Fastest Growing Company of the Year, among others. OPTOMI was nominated in the Fastest Growing Company of the Year category for Up to 100 Employees, Management Team of the Year in Business Services Industries and Best Home/Welcome Page.

More than 200 executives worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners. “We are extremely impressed with the quality of the entries we received this year. The competition was intense and every organization that won should be proud,” said Michael Gallagher, president and founder of the Stevie Awards. “To those outstanding individuals and organizations that received Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards, the judges and I are honored to celebrate your many accomplishments. You are setting a high standard for professionals nationwide.”

ABOUT OPTOMI, LLC

Optomi is a high-growth, market-leading IT staffing firm well-positioned to serve Fortune 500 as well as mid-sized clients clients through its skill-set focused strategy and genuine approach to engaging with consultants & clients. Optomi is inspired by: optimum…being the best…the ultimate. It is an IT staffing firm with a unique approach. Optomi has developed fresh philosophies as cutting-edge as the technology we represent. With a revolutionary consultant-focused approach, Optomi is completely dedicated to genuinely serving its consultants, clients and employees. By utilizing innovative technologies and developing industry leading recruitment processes, we are able to deploy the best project managers, business analysts and technologists in the ever evolving spaces of mobile technology, network design, cloud and application development…making us a leader in the IT staffing world. Optomi was awarded, in 2014 and 2015, one of the BEST PLACES TO WORK by Staffing Industry Analysts… an accomplishment never before achieved by a company in its first years of business.

Led by co-founders Michael Winwood (formerly the President & COO of Technisource) and Todd Black (formerly the Senior Vice President of Technisource), Optomi is “DRIVING TOMORROW’S TECHNOLOGY WITH TODAY’S OPTIMUM TALENT.”

ABOUT THE AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARDS

The American Business Awards are the nation’s premier business awards program. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning “crowned,” the awards were presented to winners during a gala banquet on Monday, June 22 at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park Hotel. More than 400 nominees and their guests attended.

ABOUT THE STEVIE® AWARDS

Stevie Awards are conferred in six programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 60 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards here.

Sponsors and partners of The 2015 American Business Awards include BizTalkRadio, CallidusCloud, Engility, Fareportal, John Hancock, PetRays, and Softpro.

EY ANNOUNCES OPTOMI’S CO-FOUNDER/COO TODD BLACK IS A FINALIST FOR THE EY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR® 2015 AWARD IN THE MIDWEST

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 05:22:24 GMT

EY (a trusted global leader in business) announced that TODD BLACK is a Finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2015 Award in the Midwest. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. TODD BLACK was selected after a nomination and rigorous interview process by a panel of independent judges.

“This recognition is a tribute to the entire Optomi family and its leadership team for their passionate pursuit of building a revolutionary company in the IT staffing space”, commented Todd Black, COO Optomi.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

OPTOMI RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE “BEST STAFFING FIRMS TO WORK FOR” FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 05:27:06 GMT

For the second consecutive year, Staffing Industry Analysts announced Optomi as a finalist for their prestigious award “2015 Best Staffing Firms to Work For” during its Executive Forum award ceremony in Orlando, Florida yesterday. Optomi is the youngest company ever to achieve this recognition.

The firm thrives on a culture of passionate employees with innovative thinking and a dedicated work ethic. “The Optomi leadership is dedicated to cultivating a strong company culture that values passion, genuineness and innovation among other core values”, says COO Todd Black, “but our people are what make us one of the best staffing firms to work for.” Optomi nurtures a creative environment that encourages its employees to find a way to be unique as they relate with clients and consultants. The IT staffing firm differentiates itself through its skill-set focus, technology-driven processes, consultant-centered philosophy and its spirit of giving back.

Optomi launched in the fourth quarter of 2012 with two offices. It has since grown to seven branches in markets all across the country. The firm is focused on an organic growth model, hiring exceptional talent and promoting top performers into leadership positions and incremental new markets. The IT staffing firm specializes in deploying project managers, business analysts and technologists in the ever evolving spaces of mobile technology, network design, cloud and application development. Optomi’s niche approach and dedicated focus on higher-end IT skills enables the firm to better identify candidates with these in-demand skills.

Led by co-founders Michael Winwood (formerly the President & COO of Technisource – a $550 million+ IT services leader) and Todd Black (formerly the Senior Vice President of Technisource), the privately held firm opened its first offices in the Atlanta and Chicago markets and has since expanded into Dallas, Baltimore/DC, Detroit and Southern California.

ABOUT THE SURVEY

Over 100 staffing firms took part in the survey given on behalf of Staffing Industry Analysts by an independent research firm specializing in employee engagement. Internal employees at each firm were asked to complete a 40-question online survey that measured 10 key engagement categories including teamwork, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued, manager effectiveness, compensation and benefits. “The Best Staffing Firms to Work For” program recognizes staffing firms that have successfully built a workplace that has enabled employees to perform at their highest level,” said Barry Asin, president of Staffing Industry Analysts. “These companies understand the importance of a supportive working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth that encourages an individual to bring passion and energy to the office each and every day.”

IT STAFFING COMPANY OPTOMI EXPANDS – OPENING 7TH OFFICE

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 05:32:00 GMT

Optomi, a leading IT staffing company, continues to expand its national

footprint by entering the Detroit, Michigan market. The opening marks the firm’s seventh IT staffing hub since the fourth quarter of 2012. This latest expansion continues Optomi’s momentum as one of the fastest organically growing IT staffing firms in the US. Headquartered in Atlanta, Optomi has offices in Chicago, Dallas, Baltimore/Washington DC, Orange County, Los Angeles and now Detroit.

Expansion into the Michigan area increases the capacity for the firm to supply IT jobs. Optomi specializes in deploying project managers, business analysts and technologists in the ever evolving spaces of mobile technology, network design, cloud and application development. Optomi’s niche approach and dedicated focus on higher-end IT skills enables the firm to better identify candidates with these in-demand skills.

By being well-positioned to serve Fortune 500 clients as well as mid-sized clients and start-ups through its skill-set focused strategy, the firm expects to be highly competitive in the region.

Optomi CEO Michael Winwood remarked, “We are delighted to continue our national expansion into Michigan. We have been highly encouraged by the recovery we have seen in this market and have already established a client base that recognizes our unique approach to finding high-end in-demand IT talent. Our local team led by Laura Chevalier, our VP of National Accounts, is well positioned to establish Optomi as an IT staffing leader in the Michigan market.”

Laura Chevalier commented, “Detroit continues to grow as an innovative and high-growth IT market. We are excited to partner with consultants and companies that value our genuine approach, appreciate our core differentiators and recognize the importance of making a positive impact on the communities in which we live. We are looking forward to further expanding our chariatble efforts and take great pride in bringing our Optomi CARE program to Michigan as we partner with the Gleaner’s Foodbank to supply children with weekend meal bags.”

Led by co-founders Michael Winwood (formerly the President & COO of Technisource) and Todd Black (formerly the Senior Vice President of Technisource), Optomi is driving tomorrow’s technology with today’s optimum talent.

Employees of IT Staffing Company Optomi Spend Workday Helping Others

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 05:40:10 GMT

Optomi is hosting its annual charitable Opt-to-Give event, making a significant impact in communities nationwide on the anniversary of the business being established. On November 5th, the company’s employees go out into their communities to spend the workday serving charitable organizations. Dedication to its people and their local communities and compassion for those in need are central to the mission of Optomi.

In only its second year of business, Optomi now has a presence in seven locations throughout the U.S. including Atlanta (Optomi headquarters), Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Baltimore and Detroit. Optomi’s employees, now 55 strong, will be significantly impacting families and children on Opt-to-Give Day. “We’re delighted that our unprecedented growth in these first two years is enabling us to have an increasingly meaningful influence with our charitable efforts in the communities we operate in”, added Michael Winwood, Optomi CEO.

During last year’s event, with just 20 people, Optomi employees packed 11,000 lbs of food for those in need, helped feed over 18,000 kids and helped renovate a home for children ages 8-18 with their efforts. On November 5, 2014, over 50 employees will be feeding children, mentoring underprivileged kids, beautifying family shelters & schools and helping build a home. The organizations Optomi will be serving are: East Atlanta Kids Club, Parks and People Franklin School, Good Elementary School, Family Shelter Service and Habitat for Humanity. “We’re giving back in a tangible way because it is important to Optomi that we impact our communities. It’s one of the core beliefs of the company”, remarked Todd Black, Optomi COO.

As an organization in an industry focused on people, Optomi believes in investing in children’s lives. To learn more about Optomi’s commitment to enriching the communities in which it is involved, please visit www.optomi.com. Photographs are available at optomi.com/giving . #OpttoGive .

Led by co-founders Michael Winwood (formerly the President & COO of Technisource) and Todd Black (formerly the Senior Vice President of Technisource), Optomi is an IT staffing company specializing in high-end skill-sets within the software development life cycle. Optomi was awarded one of the Best Staffing Firms to Work for 2014 by Staffing Industry Analysts. The privately held company is trending to be one of the fastest growing national IT staffing firms.

OPTOMI EXPANDS INTO THE BALTIMORE/DC MARKET

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 05:43:49 GMT

Optomi continues it’s national expansion, opening a new operation in the Baltimore/DC market this week. The new branch is the fifth hub office to support Optomi’s growing national network.

In tandem with the new office opening, Optomi has appointed Anthony Petrelli as the Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic region. Anthony has over 14 years experience in the Technology Staffing and Solutions industry. Throughout his career, Anthony has successfully grown and managed multiple offices in the region for one of the largest IT staffing firms in the US. Anthony’s leadership, proven track record and drive to succeed will help Optomi expand within the Mid-Atlantic region.

Optomi is also promoting and relocating Harvey Brockinton as the new Recruiting Manager for the Baltimore/DC branch. Harvey has a successful track record as a senior recruiter in Optomi’s Atlanta market. By over-achieving his goals in 2013, he earned a place in the firm’s high performer Platinum Club.

Optomi CEO Michael Winwood remarked, “We are delighted to have Anthony joining the team. Anthony’s past record of success working with our team gives us great confidence for the future of our Mid-Atlantic operation. We are also pleased to be promoting Harvey Brockinton from our Atlanta office to lead recruiting for our Mid-Atlantic operation. As we develop internal talent, our goal is to reward their dedication and success with promotion. Giving our top associates the ability to be an integral part of expanding our footprint into new markets helps us create a consistent culture, a strategy core to Optomi’s long-term success.”

#OPTTOGIVE ANNOUNCING OUR PARTNERSHIP THE ORGANIZATION THAT’S CARING

Thu, 15 May 2014 05:50:36 GMT

We’re happy to announce a new partnership with the organization That’s Caring to help feed food-insecure children right here in the United States. Our program allows for a needy child to be given a weekend bag of food with every confection gift Optomi purchases for its corporate campaigns. We’re expecting to supply at least 400 children with bags of food in 2014! We #OpttoGive

Optomi’s reach with this charitable effort is nationwide, spanning from Southern California to Dallas and the Atlanta market to Chicagoland. Approximately 20% of US households with children experience food insecurity each year and that number is even higher for households with children under the age of 6. These hunger statistics translate to 16 million children living in food-insecure households according to feedingamerica.org.

The program being launched by Optomi allows for a food insecure child to be given a weekend bag of food with every confection gift Optomi purchases for its corporate campaigns. The gifts have been tailor made for Optomi with custom labels and even contains their own Optomi signature cookie recipe. That’s Caring CEO Jamie Pritscher commented, “We are very excited to be partnering and co-branding our product with Optomi. Our two companies’ beliefs (to give back and help the communities in which we work and live) are perfectly aligned. Together we will be able to not only increase awareness about the hunger crisis, but also to double our impact.”

Optomi has a big heart for those in need, especially those whose circumstances are beyond their control. So the staffing firm sought out a partner that mirrored its own commitment to giving. “We’re giving back in a tangible way because it is important to Optomi that we impact our communities. IIt’s one of the core beliefs within the company”, remarked Todd Black, Optomi COO.

In addition to its charitable work with children, Optomi dedicates one workday a year for its employees to donate their time doing charitable service in the communities they work in. Each quarter, Optomi recognizes both an outstanding employee and consultant for their efforts and achievements with a contribution to the charity of their choosing. More information about Optomi’s philanthropy is available at optomi.com/giving .

EXPANSION TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND NATIONAL PRESENCE

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 05:54:34 GMT

Optomi has opened a Southern California office and established a national accounts team to support its continued growth. The IT staffing firm’s next phase of expansion comes on the heels of a successful first year of business. Optomi is currently trending as one of the fastest growing national IT staffing firms and was recently recognized by the Staffing Industry Analysts for being one of the “2014 Best Places to Work”. The Newport Beach branch is the fourth hub office to support a growing national network of offices with plans to hire in excess of 70 employees by the end of 2014. Optomi is focused on an organic growth model, hiring exceptional talent and promoting top performers into leadership positions and incremental new markets.

To ensure a successful launch in the California market, Optomi has hired Tammy Hawkins, a proven sales leader with extensive IT staffing experience. Tammy comes with a strong track record of achievements within the industry. As a firm believer in giving back, Tammy appreciates Optomi’s charitable efforts and philosophy of networking in the local community. She is currently the Regional Alliance Chair for the Orange County chapter of WITI (Women in Technology International) and has been serving for numerous years as the Alliance Partner Chair for SoTeC.

In addition to adding a new office hub, the IT staffing firm has expanded its national presence by hiring Laura Chevalier as their new VP of National Accounts. Laura is tasked with building a world-class national accounts team to provide industry-leading service to Optomi’s clients. Laura has a background in strategic sales and large account management. Having previously managed an account portfolio in excess of $200 million, she brings a unique perspective on a diverse spectrum of IT services.

Optomi CEO Michael Winwood remarked, “This is the next phase of our planned growth and builds the platform for us to become a leading national provider. Having worked with both Laura and Tammy previously, we are thrilled to have them on the Optomi team. We are building a company that is and will be known for industry-leading philosophies. We believe the IT staffing industry will continue to be very responsive to our innovative approach.

OPTOMI IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO WORK 2014

Wed, 26 Mar 2014 06:00:22 GMT

During its Executive Forum award ceremony, Staffing Industry Analysts announced Optomi as a finalist for their prestigious award “ 2014 Best Places to Work “. Nearly 140 staffing firms took part in the survey given on behalf of Staffing Industry Analysts by an independent research firm specializing in employee engagement. Internal employees at each firm were asked to complete a 40-question online survey that measured 10 key engagement categories including teamwork, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued, manager effectiveness, compensation and benefits.

Optomi has been in business only 16 months and has already expanded into the Atlanta, Chicago,Dallas and Southern California markets. The firm is focused on an organic growth model, hiring exceptional talent and promoting top performers into leadership positions and incremental new markets.

“We attribute our initial growth to a strong company culture that values passion, innovation and dedication among others,” says COO Todd Black. “We’re genuine in our relationships with internal employees and our consultants and clients. It’s a unique way to do business in this industry.”

“The Best Staffing Firm to Work For program recognizes staffing firms that have successfully built a workplace that has enabled employees to perform at their highest level,” said Barry Asin, president of Staffing Industry Analysts. “These companies understand the importance of a supportive working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth that encourages an individual to bring passion and energy to the office each and every day.”

Optomi’s company culture is one that was carefully designed and implemented. The core values encourage every employee’s business interaction with clients and candidates to be described as: passionate, dedicated, innovative, unique, connected and genuine.

“We believe corporate culture has a strong influence on a company’s performance. No matter how large Optomi becomes, we are committed to growing an organization worthy of the status of ‘Best Places to Work’ every year,” says Michael Winwood, Optomi’s CEO.

Led by co-founders Michael Winwood (formerly the President & COO of Technisource) and Todd Black(formerly the Senior Vice President of Technisource), the firm opened its first offices in the Atlanta andChicago markets and has since expanded into Dallas and Southern California.

Optomi IT Staffing Company's Annual Charity Workday Makes An Impact

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 06:07:04 GMT

Optomi’s workday dedicated to serving event called Opt-to-Give made a significant impact in the Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas communities yesterday. Dedication to its people and the communities in which they live/work are central to the mission of Optomi. So on the day Optomi was founded, November 5th, the company supported its internal employees as they spent their workday serving those in need. Each of its three teams chose an organization within their own communities.

The corporate office in the Atlanta market helped the organization CHRIS Kids whose mission is to heal children, strengthen families and build community. Chris Kids takes in children from ages 8-24 with no place else to turn. The Optomi team began

renovations on the house by demolishing the kitchen. They also reorganized the Chris Kids storage unit and completed some much needed yard work. The Chicago region offices served at the Greater Chicago Food Depository packing 11,000 lbs of food for those in need. The Optomi Dallas branch packaged food for families in need at the North Texas Food Bank. Working along side 40 other volunteers, they were able to feed over 18,000 kids with their efforts.

As an organization in an industry focused on people, Optomi believes in investing in people’s lives. To learn more about Optomi’s commitment to enriching the communities in which it is involved, please visit www.optomi.com. Photographs are available at www.optomi.com/giving-back.

A few of our features…

Giving Hope to Job Seekers

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 06:19:29 GMT

From Roswell United Methodist Church:

The community is invited to a Job Networking “Mini” Job Fair on Monday, Aug. 26, to meet with employers such as General Motors (first time attending), ComCast Cable, award-winning CaraVita Home Healthcare, Northwest Exterminating, and Optomi, to name a few. The list of employers grows daily and can be found at www.rumcjobnetworking.com .

OPTOMI IT STAFFING COMPANY EXPANDS INTO DALLAS

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 06:22:17 GMT

The Dallas Location is Optomi’s Third Office Within Seven Months of Launch

Optomi’s expansion into the Dallas market comes on the heels of a successful first seven months of business, currently trending to be one of the fastest growing national IT staffing firms. The Dallas office opened today with a team of account executives, recruiters and a solid network of clients and consultant contacts. Clark Dorsey, a senior recruiter from the Atlanta headquarters has been promoted to Recruiting Manager and relocated to Dallas. The new Dallas branch will become the third hub office to support a growing national network of offices with plans to hire in excess of 70 employees by the end of 2013.

Optomi CEO Michael Winwood remarked, “We are delighted to be opening in Dallas, a market we know well and a great hub for our future western operations. As we have already seen in Atlanta and Chicago, our high-end skill set focus, pursuit of passive candidates, leading consultant care and innovative asynchronous video interviewing technologies will enable us to create real value with our clients and consultants. Every process we adopt for our business is geared towards high-efficiency with the goal of reducing time and costs for both our clients and consultants. We are building a company that is and will be known for industry-leading philosophies. We believe the Dallas market will be very responsive to our innovative approach.”

Led by co-founders Michael Winwood (formerly the President & COO of Technisource) and Todd Black (formerly the Senior Vice President of Technisource), Optomi is headquartered in Atlanta with branches in the Chicago and Dallas markets.

OPTOMI PIONEERS INNOVATIVE VIDEO INTERVIEWING TECHNOLOGY WITHIN IT STAFFING INDUSTRY

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 06:26:01 GMT

When Optomi launched in the fourth quarter of 2012, it focused on building new integrated technologies to significantly reduce the time and cost associated with hiring the best IT talent. Video interviewing is a cornerstone of the company’s immediate success. With it, Optomi continues to make its mark on the IT staffing industry, currently trending to be one of the fastest growing IT staffing firms.

Video interviewing technology gives the client a better sense of the candidate than a phone screen in less time and therefore uses less resources. From the candidates’ perspective, they appreciate being able to showcase more of their personality. Clients who are searching for a good cultural fit can also evaluate candidates more efficiently with this process. Video interviewing makes pre-screening candidates easy, no matter where they are, what the position or the time frame. Using a webcam, the interviewee can respond to customized questions set by the client or from our extensive library of pre-recorded soft and technical skill assessments. Video interviewing has been integrated into all of Optomi’s processes of sourcing and acquiring the best talent. The technology is at the forefront of Optomi’s new website, visible in the home page slideshow which links to a demonstration of the video interviewing process.

“We see this as a key differentiator for Optomi“, says Todd Black, Optomi COO. “We are nimble enough as an organization to adopt innovative practices we feel will streamline the hiring process. Video Interviewing is a perfect example.”

In a recent industry survey carried out by the Aberdeen Group on key drivers for improving the hiring process, video interviewing was cited as the leading technology in reducing both the time and cost of the search.

Led by co-founders Michael Winwood (formerly the President & COO of Technisource) and Todd Black (formerly the Senior Vice President of Technisource), the firm opened its first offices in the Atlanta and Chicago markets. Optomi has plans for additional market expansion to Dallas in the summer of 2013.

Optomi received a lot of media attention about the video interviewing process. Here is a sampling of them…

Optomi Honors a Veteran of Its Own

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:29:10 GMT

As an IT staffing firm founded on strong core values, Optomi’s principles align with military principles in many ways. The company’s philosophy of loyalty to Company, Team and then Self is reminiscent of the military dedication to God, Country, Corps, Family, Self. Veterans tend to value teamwork, thrive in fast-paced environments and have a unique ability to adapt to adversity. Optomi recognizes that no one understands these philosophies and is able to apply them to business challenges better than the veterans who have lived them.

This Memorial Day weekend, the entire Optomi team recognizes one of its own, Daniel Guelzo. Optomi is proud to honor his nine years of service in the Navy where Daniel earned a Navy Combat Action award as well as two Navy Achievement awards during his five deployments. The leadership, dedication, resolve and integrity of Mr. Guelzo has contributed significantly to the success of the company. On the Friday before Memorial Day, the Atlanta-based firm honored him with a catered breakfast.

Optomi Chief Operating Officer Todd Black remarked, “We wanted to recognize Daniel for his service to his country as well as to Optomi. We appreciate his character and commitment. I have no doubt his experience in the military helped make him the exemplary leader he is at our firm. We’re fortunate to have him as part of the Optomi family.”

Led by co-founders Michael Winwood (formerly the President & COO of Technisource) and Todd Black (formerly the Senior Vice President of Technisource), Optomi has a presence in the Atlanta and Chicago markets and will be expanding to Dallas, TX later this summer.

OPTOMI EXPANDS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:31:36 GMT

After only five short (successful) months…we’re expanding our corporate headquarters. Optomi’s relocation lays the groundwork to employ over 100 nationally by the end of 2013.

BESTFIRMS.STAFFINGINDUSTRY.COM/2014/OPTOMI/

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 06:34:25 GMT

Optomi, #5, Small (20-50 employees, 2014)

BEST PLACES TO WORK… ALL AROUND THE WWW

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 06:45:36 GMT

Just a sampling of the incredible exposure we received from making the Staffing Industry Analysts “2014 Best Places to Work”

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/prnewswire/press_releases/Georgia/2014/03/25/PH89865

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1809625

http://investor.wallstreetselect.com/wss/news/read?GUID=26770717

http://www.wall-street.com/hot-off-the-press/?doc=201403250830PR_NEWS_USPR_____PH89865&dir=0

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/optomi-named-2014-best-staffing-123000533.html

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/25065038/optomi-named-2014-best-staffing-firm-to-work-for-by-staffing-industry-analysts

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/prnewswire/press_releases/Georgia/2014/03/25/PH89865?ana=prnews

http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/prnewswire/press_releases/Georgia/2014/03/25/PH89865?ana=prnews

http://www.mediawebsite.net/danews/story/?catSetID=7007&catID=290812&nrid=252223941&page=1

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/prnewswire/press_releases/Georgia/2014/03/25/PH89865?ana=prnews

http://markets.financialcontent.com/mng-lang.pasadena/news/read/26770717/Optomi_Named_2014_Best_Staffing_Firm_to_Work_For_by_Staffing_Industry_Analysts

http://markets.financialcontent.com/mi.miamiherald/news/read/26770717/Optomi_Named_2014_Best_Staffing_Firm_to_Work_For_by_Staffing_Industry_Analysts

OPTOMI CAPITALIZES ON THE INCREASE IN TEMPORARY IT LABOR

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 06:50:47 GMT

The demand for Software Developers is projected to grow 32.4% by the year 2020 according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics. Within this broad spectrum of IT, demand for professionals with skills in Cloud Computing and Mobile Applications are projected to be particularly high. IT Staffing firm , Optomi, focuses on a finite set of skills within the software development life cycle including mobile software development, cloud and application development, network design, project management and business analysts. Understanding these technology trends, Optomi founders Michael Winwood andTodd Black intentionally aligned the company’s focus on these skill-sets.

“We fully intend to position Optomi to meet this projected increase in demand”, stated Michael Winwood, CEO of Optomi.

TECHNOLOGY STAFFING FIRM OPTOMI LAUNCHES

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:03:51 GMT

From:

Led by co-founders Michael Winwood (formerly the President & COO of Technisource) and Todd Black (formerly the Senior Vice President of Technisource), the company is launching this week in the Atlanta and Chicago markets. Optomi has plans for additional market expansions in 2013.

“Rather than follow the paths established in the industry, we are building a company dedicated to being unique and innovative in everything we do. We’re initiating some of the most cutting-edge technology and combining it with a service-oriented company culture founded on strong core values“, says Todd Black, Optomi COO.

IT STAFFING FIRM OPTOMI RAISES $8M TO FINANCE 300-JOB NATIONAL ROLLOUT

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 06:59:26 GMT

From the:

IT staffing startup Optomi LLC has raised $8 million and plans to roll out a national network of offices.

The Alpharetta-based company focuses on recruiting for the mobile technology, network design, cloud and application development sectors. (Read More)

OPTOMI LAUNCHES WITH $8 MILLION BACKING

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 07:15:38 GMT

Featured in…

With significant support from successful IT staffing industry veterans, Optomi is building an innovative staffing firm focused on simplifying and optimizing the client and candidate experience.

Optomi plans to utilize leading-edge technologies and proactive skill-set focused recruiting processes to redefine the level of service offered to clients and consultants. Optomi CEO Michael Winwood explained “We are passionate about finding the best passive IT candidates and building new levels of expectations around consultant care. We are also driving new technologies and processes to significantly reduce client time and cost associated with hiring IT contingent labor.

We believe our strategy is unique and will raise the bar within our industry.”

HIGH-LEVEL TECHNOLOGY STAFFING FIRM OPTOMI LAUNCHES

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 07:11:58 GMT

By deploying the optimum talent for IT projects, we enable our clients to define the technology of tomorrow. Our ability to position project managers, business analysts and technologists in the ever evolving spaces of mobile technology, network design, cloud and application development make us a leader in the IT staffing world.

OPTOMI LAUNCHES IN ATLANTA AND CHICAGO

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 07:09:46 GMT

From the Atlanta Business Chronicle… OPTOMI to fund 300+ jobs (read more)

FORMER TECHNISOURCE EXECS START NEW IT FIRM

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 07:06:52 GMT

Launched by two former IT Staffing Industry Executives

Co-founders Michael Winwood and Todd Black were inspired to create a company with a unique corporate culture founded on strong core values… an innovative company that is completely dedicated to its clients and consultants. With over four decades of industry success combined, they are passionate about applying their experience to produce a high-performance, reputable and industry-leading company. (read more)