Unique Perspectives Blog

What Is Agile Software Development?

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 19:04:03 GMT

Agile is a term used in software development and project management that allows a company or team of individuals to deliver faster, higher quality results to the end customer. The agile approach has four key differences compared to a traditional approach of developing software for customers.

1. People & Collaboration Driven

The Agile process is people and collaboration driven rather than the traditional approach that is process and tool driven. There is collaboration in every step. Engineers on the service-end collaborate within a team, and the engineering team collaborates with the customer during the process. In a traditional approach to software development, there is little involvement from the customer, and engineers utilize tools along with the software itself to get the job done.

2. Customer Involvement

An Agile approach involves the customer in every step along the way; starting at project inception to project launch. The traditional approach sticks to the original plan and shows the customer a finished result at the end. When a customer is involved with each step of the project, it leads to a higher level of satisfaction with the end results as their questions and concerns are addressed by the engineers as they arise.

3. Welcomed Changes

As customers work with developers using an Agile process, changes along the route are welcomed which leaves little room for error upon completion of the project. The customer has flexibility and control to change their mind mid-process after reviewing requirements before launch. The customer’s vision is ensured by the engineers with each party working closely together and communicating effectively.

4. Tracking Software

Software is used to measure success in the Agile approach instead of the rigorous document storing and rewriting used in traditional developments. This provides more time to focus on getting the project done rather than worrying about the documentation.

An Example of Agile Software Development in Simple Terms

You have a vision for your office to have white paint on the walls. You hire a team of painters get the job done by the end of the week. You realize on the third day after they start painting the walls that your vision is different than the real-time results and would like to change the color. You bring your concern to the painters’ attention before they are finished. They give a recommendation for a new color based on what previous customers have used in the past. Together, you decide on blue, and they begin painting the walls blue instead of white.

A traditional response in this situation would be the painters completing the walls with white paint, only showing you the walls upon completion, and offering no changes or alternatives in color no matter your response or feeling about the result. They may start a new project with you for the walls to be painted blue, however, the white walls and blue walls will always be different projects billed separately.

Similar to the paint analogy, the agile software development process involves a team collaborating to complete your request, allowing you to see steps in the process, and is flexible and helpful when you want to change paths. Instead of deciding between the colors of paint, it would be different elements of software design that is changed along the route.

Stand Out from the Crowd with Our Complimentary Resume Review Service

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 14:20:35 GMT

Your resume is the very first impression that you make on an employer, so it must be rock solid. Here at USDI, we have reviewed thousands of resumes over the last 30+ years, so we know what works and what doesn’t. Now you can take advantage of our complimentary resume review and editing service – it might lead to your next career opportunity. We will review and edit your resume for free! In the meantime, here are some tips to get started writing a solid resume.

Keep it Brief

Hiring managers don’t have a ton of time and they are looking for key information quickly. Make sure your name and contact information is very prominent and at the top of the page. The length should be from one to three pages. Do not include every job you’ve had going back to high school. Focus on the last 10 years and show a progression of advancement.

Keep it Organized

Instead of starting with a section titled “Career Objective or My Objective” which was a trend years ago, start with a “Summary of Qualifications” that highlights your qualifications for the job in 3-5 short bullets. After the Summary of Qualifications, include a section called “Professional Skills” or “Technical Skills” depending on how technical of a position you are applying. After this, your education should be listed. This way, the hiring manager is seeing a summary of some of your most important attributes at the top of the very first page.

Next start listing your career experience. The most common resume format is the traditional chronological format, with the most recent job listed first, and then going back in time. Try to align your experience and skillset with the job you are applying for. Include the keywords that the employer has listed in the job description. Yes, it’s time consuming to customize each resume for each different job, but it is time well spent.

Keep it Simple

Unless you are applying for a more creative/graphic design position, we find that a simple format is best. Most of the complicated formatting and charting is lost on the applicant tracking systems that most employers use. So a straightforward format is best and then follow it up with consistency. If you are putting the company name in bold for one position, put it in bold for all positions. If you are right justifying the dates for one position, do it for all of them. Also don’t assume that everyone knows the same acronyms that you do. Spell out anything that may be misunderstood with the acronym following and then use the acronym afterward. (For example, “I have 5 years’ experience with Component Functional Technical Specifications (CFTS). Taught CFTS to a team of 5 engineers…”)

Demonstrate Results

Did you knock it out of the park at your current or recent job? Use strong words that emphasize that including: Developed, Managed, Implemented, Achieved, Created, Migrated, Deployed, Completed etc. Also, make sure you are using the correct and consistent tense. If this was a past position of yours, then you should use past tense. If it is a current position of yours, then use present tense. Be careful to represent your experience as accurately as possible. It does not do anyone any good to misrepresent your background either by leaving your qualifications out that should be there or having qualifications included that shouldn’t be. This is all about finding a good fit for you so the better your resume reflects your true skillset, the better a recruiter or hiring manager can find the right opportunity for you!

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

Sorry to be repetitive, but yes, proofreading is really important. If you are applying for a job that involves any level of detail and you haven’t taken the time to see if your resume is accurate, that does not reflect well on your capabilities on the job! Try reading your resume backwards too and you will be surprised at the typos you can find! Have a friend review it for a fresh set of eyes too. Do not underestimate the value of a “clean” error-free resume. Again, this is your first impression to prospective new companies that may hold the perfect opportunity for you!

Take advantage of our Resume Review now! Click here.

Spotlight on USDI Senior Engineer, John Klaus

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 18:50:51 GMT

One of USDI’s employees, John Klaus was recently honored for his 20 years of service! I caught up with John recently to talk about his career with USDI, and the changes over the years.

Denise Bahs: Congratulations John on your recent award! What was your role when you were hired 20 years ago, and how has it evolved?

John Klaus:

I was hired as a Software Engineer when I first started working at USDI, and that has been my primary role for most of my time at the company. When I first started, USDI only had about 6 employees, most of whom worked onsite at Chrysler and Greg Mason, CEO, worked part time onsite at Chrysler. I would quite often be the only person in the office. The majority of my time was spent working independently on the projects that were assigned to me. I would work with the customers to capture the requirements, then design, write, test and document the software. Back then, the development process was not formalized and would tend to change with each project.

USDI has grown a lot since I first started working here, and now USDI has a much more formal development process and team orientated work environment. Now, I work closely with other members of the engineering team, working to solve problems, contributing in software architecture design, code reviews and engineering planning. I still work on software; but my skills have expanded to also include hardware development, which is one of my main responsibilities.

Denise: What do you like the most about your job and USDI?

John:
I like the variety of projects that I get to work on and the opportunities to learn new things. At USDI you are able to work on a variety of projects for different customers and that keeps things interesting!

Denise: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

John:
I spend many of my weekends in Harbor Beach, MI, where I like to kayak on Lake Huron. I also like working on home improvement projects.

At USDI we enable technical professionals to find new career opportunities, and we deliver fast-to-market technical solutions to our customers. To learn more about USDI, visit our website www.usdi.com .

New Hires at USDI - Welcome to the Team!

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 15:10:11 GMT

Greg Dufour
Greg is working the corporate office as a Program Manager for our internal engineering projects. For the last several years Greg worked as an Account Manager liaison between auto suppliers and their customers for plastic injection molded components. Prior to that, Greg was an Account Manager for Visteon developing new business in powertrain, chassis, and electronics components.

Greg received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Michigan and his MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Yusuf Dilawar
Yusuf will be working internally with the Engineering Department for the fall semester. Yusuf is currently studying for his Bachelor’s degree in Robotics and Mechatronics Systems Engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy. In previous internships Yusuf has served as a Software Developer working on a web app for Children’s Healthcare Automation Support Services, and also as a Mechanical Designer designing 3-D parts for an outdoor self-supported wheelchair lift.

A big welcome to the USDI team to both Greg and Yusuf!

Interviewing Tips

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:31:27 GMT

Follow these interviewing tips from the pros.

Interviews are very challenging for both sides of the table. The Interviewer is trying to get to know you enough, in a very short amount of time, to be able to make a wise decision about whether or not to recommend you for the position being considered. For the Interviewee, it is a stressful time of trying to make a good impression with the goal of either gaining more information, being invited back for another interview and ultimately, getting a job offer. Hiring the wrong person does not do anyone any favors. It can cost time, money, and credibility for all parties involved.

In order to make the most of each interview, preparation is the key. Take some time before the interview, follow these easy tips and you will be one step closer to having the job of your dreams.

Research the Company

The more you understand the company you are interviewing for, the better. Do your research and make sure you understand what the company does, the products and services they offer, and the company’s competitors. That way, if the hiring manager asks you why you want to work there, you will be prepared with a solid answer which includes an accurate description of the organization and how you can help them.

Be Ready for Typical Interview Questions

Many interviews include the following prompts:

What can you tell me about yourself?

Have a “2-minute elevator pitch” ready that describes your professional self. “I am a software engineer specializing in managing and executing software development from project beginning to end…”

Why are you interested in this position?

Looking for a more challenging role, Job moved off shore, etc.

Describe a challenging situation and how you resolved it or

Give an example of a recent success you have had

For any prompt like this, remember the STAR approach which includes Situation or Task, Action you took, and Results you achieved.

What is your greatest weakness?

Describe one that you know is not a job requirement and follow it with what you are doing to improve it.

What is your greatest strength?

Look for one of the Job Description requirements that is one of your strengths.

Time spent at home preparing for these topics will help you be more comfortable the day of the interview. Also remember to carefully listen to the question, answer clearly and concisely, and try to stay on topic.

Have 3-5 questions prepared to ask about the job and/or company

Again, do your due diligence in researching the job and company first, but then ask questions like the following:

What do you feel are the necessary skills required to do this job?
How would you describe a successful candidate?
What would define an unsuccessful candidate?
What is the most difficult part of this job?
Why is this position open?

Be On Time

Other than a major catastrophe, there is no excuse for being late to an interview. Plan to be at least 15 minutes early for your interview allowing for unexpected traffic and any other unexpected delays. This will give you time to use the restroom, check your appearance and collect yourself before the interview. If for some reason you cannot make the interview, let them know as soon as you can and reschedule.

Dress for Success and to Impress

Dress professionally no matter what you think the everyday attire will be for the job. Suits and ties for men and business professional wear for women is always appropriate. Wrinkly shirts and stains do not portray an optimal candidate for any position. This is time to look your best. Do not overdo the accessories, cologne or make-up.

Let Your Personality Shine

Be yourself! Make eye contact, smile and firmly shake hands. You want to be perceived as professional and approachable. You also want to show energy and enthusiasm. People want to work with others who are energizing and a positive influence. Make sure your body language shows that you are engaged in learning about this position and company as well. (Slouched down in your chair with your leg crossed over the other one and your hands clasped on the back of your head does NOT exude engagement.)

Be Honest

Remember your interviewer is trying to assess whether or not the opportunity on the table is a good fit for you or not. There are no right or wrong answers. Just answer or explain yourself to the best of your ability. It does not do anyone any good to oversell or undersell your skills.

Be Confident

Exuding confidence in an interview situation is sometimes easier said, than done. That’s where all the preparation you have done will help you. With the company research, timeliness and practicing answers to the topics mentioned above, you will have the best chance of feeling confident and relaxed. Then the rest will fall into place.

Follow-up with Email or Phone Call

After the interview, follow-up with an email or phone call thanking everyone who you interviewed with and ask them what their time-line for decision making will be.

Remember that each interview is as much about your job specific hard skills as it is about your soft skills! And smile and enjoy!

For tips on interviewing over the phone, check out our blog post, Top Tips for Phone Interviews .

9 Tips to Keep in Mind for a Phone Interview

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:31:27 GMT

There are advantages and disadvantages to having a phone interview. When you meet someone in person, your eyes meet, you shake hands and it really helps provide a foundation of getting to know that person. So, talking on the phone can lack the opportunity to really connect with the other person. In order to overcome that disadvantage, you can leverage the fact that you are on the phone (which has its advantages). Here’s how:

Research the Company

Just like for an in person interview, the more you understand the company you are interviewing for, the better. Do your research and make sure you understand what the company does, the products and services they offer, and the company’s competitors. That way, if the hiring manager asks you why you want to work there, you will be prepared with a solid answer which includes an accurate description of the organization and how you can help them.

Be Ready for Typical Interview Questions

Many interviews include the following prompts:

● What can you tell me about yourself?

● Why are you interested in this position?

Looking for a more challenging role, Job moved off shore, etc.

● Describe a challenging situation and how you resolved it or

Give an example of a recent success you have had

For any prompt like this, remember the STAR approach which includes Situation or Task, Action you took, and Results you achieved.

● What is your greatest weakness?

Describe one that you know is not a job requirement and follow it with what you are doing to improve it.

● What is your greatest strength?

Look for one of the Job Description requirements that is one of your strengths.

Time spent preparing for these topics will help you be more comfortable the day of the interview. Also remember to carefully listen to the question, answer clearly and concisely, and try to stay on topic

Be Honest

Have 3-5 questions prepared to ask about the job and/or company

Again, do your due diligence in researching the job and company first, but then ask questions like the following:

· What do you feel are the necessary skills required to do this job?

· How would you describe a successful candidate?

· What would define an unsuccessful candidate?

· What is the most difficult part of this job?

· Why is this position open?

Be On Time

Even though this may seem like a casual phone call, be punctual. Find a quiet, distraction-free spot and be ready a few minutes prior to the scheduled time.

Keep your Laptop Handy

So far this list of pointers may look a lot like the tips for an in-person interview. This is where the advantage comes in. During an in-person interview it is not usually possible to have your laptop open. On the phone, however, you can and should have it in front of you for referencing your notes from all of the research and preparation you have done. Have all of your notes in nice easy-to-read bullets so you can refer to them as needed.

Smile

Even on the phone, people can tell if you’re smiling and people are drawn to happy, upbeat, energetic people. It’s difficult to show energy on the phone, so sit up straight, get your professional-self on and smile.

Listen Carefully

Try your best to be in a distraction-free space for the phone call. Listen to the questions and answer to the best of your ability.

Follow Up

· Before the interview is over, inquire as to what are the next steps in the process.

· Send a follow-up thank you email to everyone involved in the interview.

· Put a question in the email which will encourage them to reply.