Your guide to applying and interviewing at Kentico—Notes from our recruiter
Life at Kentico, Work at Kentico, Interviews

Your guide to applying and interviewing at Kentico—Notes from our recruiter

Landing your dream job at Kentico starts with knowing how to put your best foot forward, and who better to guide you than one of our very own recruiters Landing your dream job at Kentico starts with knowing how to put your best foot forward, and who better to guide you than one of our very own recruiters?

We had the pleasure of chatting with Monika Králová, our go-to expert on finding the perfect fit for our team, about what it takes to catch Kentico's eye.

In this interview, Monika shares her top tips on how to present yourself in the best possible light, from crafting a standout resume to nailing the interview. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just beginning your career journey, Monika's advice will help you shine and feel confident as you apply to join our amazing team.

What key advice would you offer to someone crafting a resume for a position at Kentico?

I’m genuinely excited to see your applications and learn more about each of you! Every resume is an opportunity to discover new talent and unique stories. For me, having a photo is important—it helps me connect a face to the name. Even a simple link to your LinkedIn profile works just fine.

I’d recommend you keep your CV concise—1 to 2 pages is usually enough to highlight the key points. And first impressions do matter, so take the time to polish your resume with a template. Canva is a great tool for this. But remember, less is more—stick to around four colors (including the photo) to keep the focus on what really matters: you.

Make sure to describe who you are, including your hobbies. These details help us get a better sense of you and might even help us figure out which benefits you'll appreciate or who in the company you might click with.

When it comes to your previous experiences, don’t just list your job titles. Expand on them with a few bullet points. What did you enjoy about the work? How did you function within the team? How did you organize your tasks? What were your key responsibilities, and why did they matter to you?

If I send you my CV, will you really read it?

Absolutely, I’ll definitely read your CV. I’ll also check out your LinkedIn profile. Designers often send their portfolios, and some people have personal websites, so I’m interested in exploring all that.

I start by scanning your resume and taking note of your photo to better remember who you are. Then, I dive into your work experience, paying close attention to the technologies you've worked with, especially for development roles. I also take a look at your hobbies—they often provide extra insights about you. 

Monika’s resume tips:

  • Keep it short, 1-2 pages max.
  • Use a template, but keep it simple. No more than four colors.
  • Include a photo or link to LinkedIn.
  • There is no need to put your age.
  • Do not include marital status or number of children.
  • Tell me about your hobbies. I learn a lot from this section.
  • Be specific. “I enjoy reading and sports” tells me nothing.
  • List more than job titles. Tell me what you’ve loved doing and why.
  • Remember to share your online profiles/portfolios.

Here’s what we’re looking for in the ideal candidate:

Experience: At least three years of hands-on experience in human resources and employee recruitment within the IT industry.

Skills: Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities, coupled with a strong ethical mindset.

Problem-solving: Strength in problem-solving and conflict resolution.

Tech-savvy: Familiarity with HR software and a willingness to acquire new skills as needed.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Legal knowledge: A solid understanding of HR-related laws and regulations.

In what language should the CV be?

Please send your CV in the language of the job posting. 

When it comes to languages, honesty is key. People often either underestimate or overestimate their language skills. If you claim to be fluent in English but only have strong writing skills, it could lead to unnecessary challenges during the oral interview. Being accurate about your proficiency helps us better understand your abilities and ensure a smoother process.

How crucial is English proficiency for roles at Kentico?

It really depends on the role but as a rule English is essential, even for technical positions. While you don’t need to speak like a native, you'll need to be comfortable with English because our documentation and tickets are in English. Additionally, you'll often communicate with colleagues in our international offices.

But don’t worry. If you want to improve your English skills—we support our team members with certifications and language courses. We're here to help you grow and succeed in a global environment.

What if I’m interested in Kentico but there’s no current position that fits me?

Feel free to reach out and send me your resume even if we don’t have a perfect match right now. New positions open up regularly, and if we’re already familiar with your background, we’ll be sure to contact you when something suitable comes along. In fact, we've had cases where we created a role specifically for a candidate who reached out proactively. So, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

You can reach out to me via email, LinkedIn, our online form, or we can arrange a call. I always aim to find the best way to communicate with each person and adapt accordingly.

How does the interview process work?

Here's a rundown of how our interview process goes: 

  • Your resume first comes to me. If it’s a good fit, I'll pass it on to the team and prepare your portfolio in our internal system for the hiring manager to review.
  • For developer roles, Marek, our Principal Technical Leader, will join the interview, along with the Team Leader of the development team and me from HR. We prefer to meet candidates in person at our Brno or Prague office if possible.
  • The first round of the interview typically lasts about 70 minutes. We’ll start by introducing you to Kentico and getting to know you better. Then, we dive into the technical questions.
  • Following that, you'll tackle a practical section—working through a code sample in English. You’ll have time to think it through, and this part usually takes around 20 minutes.
  • In the final segment, we’ll discuss any additional questions you might have and align on expectations from both sides.

Will I get a take-home assignment?

For some positions, yes, you will receive a take-home assignment. For example, QAs might need to find bugs in a test app, marketers could be asked to create a campaign, and copywriters might write an article. 

You'll have the flexibility to choose how much time you need to complete it. However, here's a tip: try to finish it as promptly as possible—it demonstrates your genuine interest in the role. 

How many interview rounds will there be in total?

If the first round goes well, we'll schedule one additional meeting, which we call the ‘social round.’ This is where you'll get to meet the whole team, perhaps over coffee or lunch, and discuss any details that didn’t come up earlier. It’s an informal opportunity for us to get to know you better.

In some teams, like UX, the process might be spread over two days, with a third round involving a group meeting.

We always provide feedback and strive to make the interview process as pleasant as possible. Even if things don’t work out this time, we appreciate the time you’ve invested with us and want to ensure it was valuable. And who knows, maybe our paths will cross again in the future!

How long will I wait after completing all the interview rounds?

The timing can vary depending on the position, but we always aim to provide feedback as quickly as possible. On average, you can expect to hear back from us within about three days. During busy times, like around Christmas or summer holidays, it might take a bit longer, but we’ll keep you informed so you’re not left wondering.

Thanks for all these tips, Monika! To  close the discussion, can you share something that caught your attention during the selection process recently?

Certainly! Recently, a young candidate applying for Kentico Academy submitted their resume in the form of code. It was a creative and humorous approach that really stood out and showcased their enthusiasm. It’s always refreshing to see such unique and engaging applications!

So, what do you think? Would you like to give it a try? Check out our open positions—one of them might be the perfect fit for you. 

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