Category: Recruitment

Gain expert perspectives on IT recruitment in Sri Lanka, including hiring trends, candidate evaluation, and best practices for employers.

Creative Job Titles Are Hurting Your Hiring Process

In tech industry, job roles are already complex. New technologies, evolving products, and shifting business needs make it challenging to define what a role should look like.

But some companies are adding another layer of confusion. Creative job titles. This mistake is common among new businesses, but even matured companies doing the same mistake.

Titles like “Code Ninja”, “AI Wizard”, or “Growth Hacker” might sound exciting and innovative. But, they do more harm than good.

People can’t find your job

Job seekers search using standard, widely recognized terms like software engineer, web developer, DevOps engineer, project manager, etc. When you replace these with creative titles, your job becomes harder to discover. Both on search engines and job boards.

People expect to see the next job designation they want to see in their profile/resume.

You attract wrong applicants

When the job title is unconventional and not a industry standard, people misunderstand your role. You’ll receive irrelevant applications and screening process will cost you.

Interviews become difficult

When candidates don’t fully understand the role beforehand, interviews turn into clarification sessions. You have to spend time explaining: How it fits into your team, what the role actually involves. Yet again increases the hiring cost with the time.

Managing employees gets harder

More problems appear after hiring. It becomes difficult to define responsibilities. Performance evaluation lacks consistency. Career progression becomes unclear for both the company and worker.

Deciding the salary becomes difficult

But with unclear job titles market salary comparisons become unreliable. Also, negotiations become harder.

Using recognized titles allows you to align with industry benchmarks more easily.

What Works Better

There are better ways of doing this.

Use standard titles with specialization

Combine familiarity with precision:

  • Software Engineer – AI/ML
  • Frontend Developer – React
  • DevOps Engineer – AWS

This helps candidates immediately understand the role.

Explaining role clearly in the job description, not in title.

A good title gets attention. A clear description closes the gap. Include team context, key responsibilities, required technologies and level of experience in the description.

Use levels instead of fancy titles

Structure your organization using recognized levels:

  • Junior
  • Mid-level
  • Senior
  • Lead / Principal

Keep creativity for employer branding – not in recruitment

If you want to showcase personality, do it in your company description or your social media presence. Not in the job title itself.

Tech hiring is already complex. Adding creative job titles doesn’t solve that complexity. It increases confusion. If your goal is to hire better and scale faster, clarity will always outperform creativity.

Ghost Job Posts in Sri Lanka

Job searching is already stressful. When candidates spend hours tailoring CVs, writing cover letters, and preparing themselves only to hear nothing back, it can be frustrating. One major reason behind this frustration is something called ghost job postings.

This is a growing global issue, and Sri Lanka is not immune.

What Is a Ghost Job Posting?

A ghost job post is a job advertisement published without a real intention to hire at that time.

The job may look real. The company name may be familiar. The role description may sound exciting. But behind the scenes, there is no active recruitment happening.

The post exists for other reasons, and not to actually fill a vacancy.

Why Ghost Job Posts Are Bad

Ghost job postings cause damage on multiple levels.

For job seekers, they:

  • Waste time and emotional energy
  • Create false hope and unnecessary anxiety
  • Distort the real job market and demand for skills

For companies, they:

  • Erode trust with candidates
  • Damage employer brand over time
  • Reduce response quality when they actually start hiring

At a broader level, ghost jobs:

  • Hurt the credibility of the entire industry
  • Create misleading signals about job trends
  • Push people to make poor career or learning decisions

The Situation in Sri Lanka

Studies in the U.S. estimate that around 27% to over 30% of job postings are ghost jobs. Many recruiters and companies have openly admitted to posting ghost jobs at least once.

In Sri Lanka, there is no reliable research or published data on this topic yet.

However, considering:

  • The project-based nature of the IT industry
  • Hiring driven heavily by client demand
  • Frequent “pipeline hiring” behavior

…it’s reasonable to assume that ghost job postings may exist at similar or even higher levels, especially in tech.

Why Companies Post Ghost Job Ads

Companies post ghost jobs for many reasons. Some are intentional, some careless, and some unethical.

Common reasons:

  • Signaling internal employees that the company is “growing”
  • Creating confidence among customers or investors
  • Sending a message that employees are easily replaceable
  • Researching the talent market and skill availability
  • Testing how many people apply for certain roles
  • Influencing trends by promoting specific technologies
  • Boosting engagement or followers on social media
  • Showing openness to talent without immediate hiring plans
  • Running scams (asking candidates to pay during the process)

Not all reasons are malicious, but still making problems.

How to Identify Potential Ghost Job Posts

Not every suspicious job post is fake. But ghost jobs often follow patterns. If you notice several of these together, pause and research before applying.

Common warning signs:

  • Very generic or extremely brief job descriptions
  • Reposting the same role frequently without updates
  • Social media posts asking people to “comment if interested”
  • Anonymous posts in job groups
  • Sudden floods of generic openings from the same source
  • No clear hiring timeline or process mentioned

How to Verify a Job Before Applying

If something feels off, trust your instinct and do a quick check.

Practical steps:

  • Cross-check the job on the company’s official website
  • Look for the same role on multiple trusted platforms
  • On social media, check the poster’s profile credibility
  • Message the recruiter politely and ask for more details
  • Use LinkedIn to:
    • Review the company page
    • Check employee count and growth
    • See if similar roles actually exist internally

If applying via email:

  • Prefer corporate email addresses over generic ones
  • If a third party is involved, verify their legitimacy
  • Confirm whether your CV goes directly to the company

General Safety Rules for Job Seekers

Some rules should never be broken. No matter how desperate the situation feels.

  • Never make payments during any stage of recruitment
  • Any request for money = scam
  • Do not include sensitive personal details in your CV
    • No NIC numbers
    • No full postal address
    • City is enough
  • Apply only to fresh job postings whenever possible

What to Do If You Find a Fake Job on ITPro.lk

If you come across a suspicious or fake job ad on ITPro.lk, please use the Report option on the job page.

This helps us protect the community and keep the platform trustworthy for everyone.

A Message to Companies. Why Ghost Jobs Are a Bad Idea

If you’re a company posting ghost jobs and believe it’s harmless. It’s not.

There are better, honest alternatives.

If you want to show openness to talent:

  • Create a clearly labeled Talent Pool or Open Applications page
  • Be transparent that it’s not an active vacancy

If you want to collect CVs:

  • Offer an email or form for speculative applications
  • Clearly state that responses are not guaranteed

If you want engagement:

  • Use social media content, employee stories, tech discussions, or learning initiatives

You don’t lose credibility by not hiring all the time.

Final Thoughts

Trust is the heart of any strong brand.

Companies don’t build trust by posting frequent job ads.
They build trust by being honest, transparent, and respectful of people’s time.

And for job seekers research is your superpower.

A healthier job market starts with honesty on both sides.

Talent Retention in IT Outsourcing Companies: A Persistent Myth?

“Talent retention” is one of the most frequently used phrases in the IT industry.

Company presentations highlight about it, HR policies built around it, leadership always talk about it in townhall meetings.

Yet, in reality true talent retention in many IT outsourcing companies feels more like a myth than an achievable outcome.

The Nature of IT Outsourcing

At its core, IT outsourcing is project-driven. Engineers are hired to work on client requirements, timelines, and budgets that are outside the company’s control. When projects end, change direction, or stop funding, teams are reshuffled or released.

This creates an environment where stability is promised, but uncertainty is built into the business model.

Unlike product companies, outsourcing firms rarely build something they fully own. Developers often short-term deliverables. Over time, this limits emotional ownership and long-term attachment to the work.

Skill Growth vs. Career Growth

Outsourcing companies often argue that exposure to multiple clients accelerates learning.

But is that a truth? Developers may gain surface-level exposure to many technologies but not always the enough depth to master.

Career growth is constrained by:

Flat role structures

Promotion cycles tied to headcount needs, not merit

Titles that change faster than responsibilities

The Market Works Against Retention

In countries like Sri Lanka, the IT talent market is highly competitive. Skilled professionals are approached with:

  • Better salaries
  • Remote opportunities with global companies
  • Product-based roles with clearer ownership

In such an environment, loyalty alone cannot compete with opportunity.

A Shift From Retention to Better Engagement

Keeping large numbers of engineers for the long term is seems impossible, especially in IT outsourcing. We should accept it as it is rather trying to protect what isn’t actually works.

Instead of asking, “How do we keep people for 5–10 years?” a better question might be

“How do we create a place where people do their best work while they are here?”

Shorter tenures are not necessarily failures. If an engineer leaves after a short period of time with stronger skills, positive experiences, and professional respect, that relationship has still delivered value on both sides.

Companies that focus on transparency, meaningful work, and realistic expectations may not retain everyone but will earn a stronger reputation, better referrals, and quality talent over time.

5 Modern Interview Questions for Software Engineers in the Age of AI

Assessing technical skills is never easy. A technical interview is useful not only because it tests coding ability, but also because it reveals how someone thinks, communicates, and approaches problems. That’s something you don’t always get from a written test or assignment.

Traditionally, interviews focused on algorithm puzzles, syntax, and textbook system design. But in today’s world, where tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT can generate code instantly. What matters now is how engineers use these tools wisely, review what’s produced, and make sound decisions.

Here are some types of interview questions that matter more in the age of AI:

1. Code Review

Q: If an AI assistant generated this code snippet, how would you check whether it’s safe, correct, and efficient?

A strong answer should include testing edge cases, checking for security issues, and making sure the code is clear and maintainable, and not just trusting the AI output blindly.

2. Debugging AI-Generated Code

Q: Here’s a function that works but is failing in one edge case. Walk me through how you’d debug it and identify the issue.

This shows how the candidate reasons through a problem, not just whether they can fix it.

3. AI in System Design

Q: Design a job recommendation system that uses an AI model. How do you handle cases where the AI gives irrelevant or biased suggestions?

Good answers mention fallback logic, monitoring, feedback loops, and awareness of fairness and bias.

4. Prompt Engineering / Problem Framing

Q: Imagine you need an AI to generate boilerplate code for a REST API. What would your first prompt look like, and how would you refine it if the output wasn’t good enough?

This tests whether the candidate can clearly frame problems and work with AI as a collaborator.

5. Critical Thinking Beyond AI

Q: An AI tool suggests a clever one-line solution, but it’s hard to read. Do you keep it or rewrite it? Why?

A thoughtful answer should focus on maintainability and clarity, knowing that humans will maintain the code.

Reverse Engineering and Critical Thinking Matter

These questions go beyond memorizing algorithms and simple coding drills. They’re about how candidates think, adapt, and make decisions in a world where AI can generate code instantly. They highlight skills AI can’t replace: reviewing and reverse engineering AI outputs, debugging edge cases, framing problems clearly, handling bias responsibly, and prioritizing readability over shortcuts.

Boilerplate may be automated, but judgment, problem deconstruction, and collaboration remain uniquely human, and that’s what modern interviews should uncover.

Cut through the noise and identify real experts who actually get things done

Many people struggle with this, especially now when everyone has a polished CV, LinkedIn title, a fancy website, or a polished social media profile claiming they’re a “guru” or “specialist.”

Here are a few ways to cut through the noise and identify real experts who actually get things done.

Track Record Over Talk

Look for results, not just words. Have they solved real problems? Delivered measurable outcomes? Helped others achieve success? You can ask questions such as “Can you show me examples of your work?” or “What did you achieve in your last project?”

What Do Others Say? (Reputation)

Trusted referrals are gold. What do clients, peers, or people from the industry say about them? Remember, true testamonials come from unexpected people in unexpected situations or places.

Do They Ask the Right Questions?

Real experts don’t jump to solutions instantly. They ask smart questions, dig deeper into your problem, and customize their solutions. They sometimes say, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out”.

Depth Over Hype

They speak with clarity and depth, not just buzzwords. If someone can explain a complex concept in a way that makes sense to you, that’s a strong sign they know their stuff.

Test Small, Then Go Big

If you’re hiring or working with someone, start with a small project or trial period. If they deliver value early, it’s a good sign.

They Keep Learning

Real experts are always learning, adapting, and improving. They stay current and aren’t stuck in outdated methods. You can ask questions like “What’s the latest thing you learned or tried in your work?”

These are just a few points. You can utilize the ones you prefer to strategize and succeed in your recruitment.

Video: How Elon Does It

Knowing the Status of Your Job Application: Is It a Right or a Privilege?

Have you ever applied for a job and waited weeks or even months without hearing back? You’re not alone. Many job seekers face this frustrating situation, and it often leaves them wondering: Do I have the right to know the status of my job application? Let’s break this down in simple terms.

Job Applications: A Free Commodity, Not a Paid Service

When you order food through Uber Eats or track a package from an e-commerce site, you expect updates. Why? Because you’ve paid for a service. But job applications are different. Applying for a job is free. Companies don’t charge you to submit your resume or attend an interview. Since it’s a free process, some argue that candidates can’t demand updates or transparency. After all, you’re not paying for the service.

But here’s the thing. Just because something is free doesn’t mean it shouldn’t come with basic courtesy. While companies aren’t legally obligated to share application statuses, doing so can create a positive impression and build trust with candidates.

Exposing Application Status: A Company Decision

Whether or not to share the status of a job application is entirely up to the company. Some organizations have automated systems that send updates at every stage, like “application received,” “under review,” or “position filled.” Others prefer a more personal touch, where recruiters or hiring managers communicate directly with candidates.

The approach a company takes often depends on its values and resources. Automated systems are efficient, but they can feel impersonal. On the other hand, human interaction takes more time and effort but can leave a lasting positive impression on candidates.

The Culture of Ghosting: A Sri Lankan Perspective

In Sri Lanka, ghosting, a suddenly cutting off communication without explanation is a common practice, not just in dating but also in professional settings. If someone doesn’t want to deliver bad news or feels uncomfortable saying “no,” they might simply disappear. This cultural tendency often spills over into recruitment, leaving job seekers in the dark about their application status.

While ghosting might seem like the easier option, it can harm a company’s reputation. Candidates who are ignored may share their negative experiences, which can deter others from applying in the future.

A Solution for Transparency

At ITPro.lk, we believe in the power of human connection. Our platform allows recruiters to manage candidate application statuses and notes internally, but we also encourage them to communicate these updates to applicants. Whether it’s through automated emails or personal calls, keeping candidates informed is a small step that can make a big difference.

What’s Your Opinion?

So, is knowing the status of your job application a right or a privilege? While it may not be a formal right, it’s certainly a matter of respect and professionalism. Companies that prioritize transparency and communication not only stand out but also build stronger relationships with potential employees.

What do you think? Should companies be more transparent about job application statuses? Or is it okay to leave candidates waiting without updates? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Outsourcing HR Processes: A Guide for Startups and SMEs in Sri Lanka

Managing HR can be challenging for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the software and IT industry in Sri Lanka. Balancing core business activities with HR responsibilities often strains limited resources. This is where outsourcing HR processes comes into play. Outsourcing can help businesses focus on growth while ensuring efficient HR management. But is it the right choice for your company? This article aims to explore the pros and cons.

What we can outsource?


Outsourcing HR processes can cover a wide range of activities, including:

Payroll Processing: Calculating salaries, deductions, and taxes, and ensuring timely payments.

Recruitment and Staffing: Outsourcing recruitment tasks such as sourcing candidates, conducting initial screenings, and coordinating interviews.

Employee Benefits Administration: Managing employee benefits programs, including enrollment, changes, and compliance.

Training and Development: Outsourcing training program design and delivery, skills development, and compliance training.

HR Compliance and Legal Support: Ensuring compliance with labor laws, regulations, and handling legal matters related to HR.

Performance Management: Implementing performance appraisal systems, monitoring employee performance, and providing feedback.

Employee Relations: Handling grievances, disputes, and fostering positive employee relations.

Pros of HR Process Outsourcing

Cost Savings

Outsourcing HR processes can be more cost-effective than hiring a full-time HR team. You only pay for the services you need, which helps manage budgets better.

Access to Expertise

HR outsourcing firms have specialized knowledge and experience. They stay updated with the latest HR practices and legal requirements, ensuring compliance and best practices.

Focus on Core Business

By outsourcing HR tasks, you can focus on your core business activities like product development, marketing, and sales, which can drive growth and innovation.

Scalability

Outsourcing allows for easy scaling of HR services as your company grows. You can adjust the level of services according to your needs without the hassle of hiring and training new staff.

Improved Efficiency

Professional HR firms have streamlined processes and advanced technologies to handle HR tasks efficiently, leading to quicker and more accurate results.

Cons of HR Process Outsourcing

Loss of Control

Outsourcing means giving up some control over HR functions. This can be a concern if you prefer direct oversight of HR activities.

Potential Miscommunication

Working with an external provider might lead to communication gaps. Clear and constant communication is essential to ensure they understand your company culture and needs.

Security and Privacy Risks

Sharing sensitive employee information with a third party can pose security and privacy risks. Ensure the outsourcing firm has strong data protection measures in place.

Dependence on External Providers

Relying heavily on an outsourcing firm can make you dependent on their services. If they fail to deliver or experience issues, it can impact your HR operations.

Customization Challenges

Outsourced HR services might not always perfectly align with your company’s unique needs. Customization can be limited compared to having an in-house team.

Outsourcing HR processes can offer significant benefits, especially for startups and SMEs. It can lead to cost savings, and access to expertise, and allow you to focus on core business functions. However, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Consider your company’s specific needs, potential risks, and the importance of maintaining control over HR functions. With the right approach, outsourcing HR can be a strategic move that supports your company’s growth and success.

Other Side: Things Job Applicants Never Tell You

While we’ve explored the less-discussed aspects of the recruitment process from the recruiters’ perspective, it’s equally important to consider the other side of the equation- job applicants. Just as recruiters have their unspoken realities, job seekers also have things they rarely disclose during the hiring process. Understanding these hidden truths can help both recruiters and employers build more authentic and productive relationships with potential employees.

The Applicant’s Unspoken Realities

Current Job Satisfaction

What They Say: “I’m looking for new challenges.”

What They Mean: “I’m unhappy with my current job, boss, or company culture.”

Why It Matters: Knowing this can help you understand their motivations better and assess if your company can truly offer what they are seeking.

True Career Aspirations

What They Say: “I’m excited about this position.”

What They Mean: “I see this job as a stepping stone to something else.”

Why It Matters: Recognizing their long-term goals can help in offering roles that align better with their career paths and increase retention.

Strengths and Weaknesses

What They Say: “My biggest weakness is that I’m too much of a perfectionist.”

What They Mean: “I’m mentioning a safe weakness to avoid appearing incompetent.”

Why It Matters: Digging deeper can reveal true areas for improvement and how they handle challenges.

Reason for Leaving Previous Job

What They Say: “I’m looking for growth opportunities.”

What They Mean: “I left because of conflicts, dissatisfaction, or job insecurity.”

Why It Matters: Understanding the real reason can help in assessing their fit within your organization’s culture.

Work-Life Balance Preferences

What They Say: “I’m flexible with working hours.”

What They Mean: “I need a job that respects my personal time and family commitments.”

Why It Matters: Being clear about work-life balance can help attract candidates who align with your company’s policies and culture.

Salary Expectations

What They Say: “I’m open to discussing salary.”

What They Mean: “I have a minimum salary requirement but don’t want to seem greedy.”

Why It Matters: Having an open and honest discussion about salary expectations can prevent future dissatisfaction and turnover.

Company Research

What They Say: “I’ve researched your company thoroughly.”

What They Mean: “I’ve skimmed through your website and read a few reviews.”

Why It Matters: Providing more information about your company’s culture, mission, and values can help candidates make more informed decisions.

Bridging the Gap

Just as recruiters try to understand and mitigate biases in their processes, job seekers often aim to present the best version of themselves, sometimes glossing over less favorable truths. To make better hiring decisions, both parties can benefit from open communication and mutual understanding.

For Recruiters

  • Encourage Honesty: Create a safe space for applicants to share their true aspirations and concerns.
  • Ask Open-Ended Questions: This can help reveal more about the candidate’s genuine motivations and experiences.
  • Provide Clear Information: Be upfront about job expectations, company culture, and growth opportunities to help candidates make informed decisions.

For Job Seekers

  • Be Transparent: Honesty about your career goals and expectations can help you find a job that truly fits your needs.
  • Research Thoroughly: Understanding the company’s values and culture can help you assess if it’s the right place for you.
  • Communicate Needs: Clearly express your requirements for work-life balance, career growth, and other important factors.

By recognizing and addressing the unspoken realities on both sides, we can work towards a more authentic and effective hiring process. After all, transparency and honesty are key to building trust and ensuring long-term satisfaction for both employers and employees.

The Unspoken Truths About Recruitment, What They Never Tell You

Listen to what people say, but understand them by watching what they are doing.

This golden strategy unlocks many opportunities in identifying needs. When applied to recruiters, it provides valuable insights into their processes and priorities.

Who Are the Recruiters?

We refer to the individuals within an organization involved in shortlisting your CV, conducting interview panels, and making decisions about your salary and hiring confirmation. They play a crucial role in matching candidates with job vacancies.

Job Vacancy Advertisements is The Tip of the Iceberg

Job vacancy advertisements often focus on the hard skills required for a role. However, there are many unspoken requirements and preferences. Understanding these can give you a significant advantage.

The Interview Focus

About 80% of interviews focus on evaluating the candidate, leaving very little time for the candidate to learn about the company and the team they will be working with. This imbalance can leave candidates unaware of the full scope of the company’s needs and culture.

Unspoken Factors in Recruitment

Profile Picture in Your CV: Including a photo on your CV is a debated topic. The general recommendation is to include a picture if your appearance is relevant to the role. However, it’s fine to have or not have a photo. If someone shortlists your CV based on a positive impression of your photo, that’s great. If they decide not to choose you based on your photo, it’s also fine, you likely wouldn’t fit well in their environment anyway.

Sexual Attractiveness: While it may be uncomfortable to acknowledge, physical attractiveness can play a role in hiring decisions. Studies have shown that attractive individuals are often perceived more positively and may have an edge in job interviews. This isn’t fair, but it’s a reality in many workplaces.

Your Personality: Your personality creates an emotional response in others, which can influence their decision-making process. This response varies depending on the personalities of the interview panel. Positive feelings during interviews can increase your chances of being selected. Interviewers document their feedback using factual information, but these facts often stem from their emotions, even if unconsciously.

The Realities of a Competitive Job Market

In highly competitive job markets, your CV might sometimes go unnoticed among many applications. This is not necessarily a reflection of your abilities but can be due to recruiters’ oversight or the sheer volume of applications.

Emotional Decision-Making

No matter how skilled you are, hiring decisions are often influenced by personal preferences and emotions. Recruiters tend to select candidates they feel a connection with.

Solutions

It’s important to acknowledge that not all recruiters fall into the pitfalls mentioned above. Many recruiters and hiring managers are aware of these potential biases and actively work to mitigate them in their processes. Probably we could discuss them in a new article.

Moving Forward

Understanding these dynamics can help you navigate the recruitment process more effectively. Stay true to yourself, present your best qualities, and remember that finding the right job is also about finding the right cultural fit.

Do you have anything in your mind? Feel free to share in the comments section, and let’s discuss!

Recruitment Success: The Equation

Developing a strong brand and effective advertising are both crucial for recruitment success. If either factor falls short, it significantly impacts the overall success of recruitment efforts. To illustrate this concept, I’ve created the following equation.

Recruitment Success = Strong Brand * Advertisement Reach

The Importance of a Strong Brand

Trust and Reputation: A strong brand builds trust with potential candidates. They are more likely to apply to a company that has a good reputation.

Attracting Top Talent: High-quality candidates often seek out companies with a strong brand as they want to be associated with successful and reputable organizations.

Retention: Employees are more likely to stay with a company that has a strong, positive brand. This also reduces recruitment costs over time.

Advertisement Reach

Visibility: Reaching a wide audience ensures that more potential candidates are aware of the job openings.

Targeted Recruitment: Effective advertising strategies can target specific demographics, ensuring that job postings reach the most suitable candidates.

Examples of Challenging Situations

Poor Brand, High Reach Situation

If a company has a poor brand, no amount of advertising can compensate for the lack of trust and reputation. Candidates may see the job posting but choose not to apply.

Strong Brand, Low Reach Situation

Conversely, even a strong brand will struggle to fill positions if job advertisements don’t reach enough people.

Balancing Both Factors

Building a strong brand should be a priority for companies looking to improve their recruitment success. Coupled with effective advertising strategies, it ensures that the right candidates are not only aware of the opportunities but are also eager to join the organization. Investing in brand building and reputation management, alongside smart advertising spend, will give the best results in attracting and retaining best talent.