ParrotJobs: Robert, your company, CodeYourBrand, takes a different approach compared to traditional hiring practices by focusing on young professionals who may not have extensive experience. What drives this strategy??

Robert: At CodeYourBrand, we prioritize hiring young people who may not have extensive experience but have the drive to learn and grow. We believe that a person’s passion, motivation, and foundational knowledge can be far more valuable than years spent in the industry. These individuals often develop their skills at a rapid pace, making their progression much more efficient than those who simply complete tasks and clock out at the end of the day.

ParrotJobs: How do you identify promising candidates without commercial experience?

Robert: One of the key indicators is personal projects. These non-commercial endeavors showcase their dedication and skillset, providing insight into their technical abilities before they have official industry experience. We always check GitHub portfolios or project samples attached to resumes. Additionally, participation in conferences, hackathons, and voluntary coding events is a strong positive sign—it shows that a candidate is genuinely interested in development and is willing to invest in their growth.

ParrotJobs: How important is culture fit when hiring new employees?

Robert: For us, culture fit is even more important than hard skills. Our company values—growth, proactivity, engagement, and attention to detail—are the foundation of everything we do. When someone aligns with these values, their technical skillset will naturally develop over time.

That’s why we dedicate a significant portion of our interview process to assessing culture fit. We want to ensure that a candidate shares our mindset and will contribute positively to our team. To foster a Culture Add, we maintain an open and flexible environment where everyone can express their opinions and suggest new ideas. We frequently conduct surveys and discussions to gather feedback, and in most cases, we implement the ideas proposed by our team members.

ParrotJobs: Do you prefer technical tests or problem-solving interviews?

Robert: As mentioned earlier, our hiring process prioritizes culture fit and mindset. A person who is proactive and engaged will naturally grow stronger in their technical abilities over time, making our initial investment in their potential worthwhile.

While we do include technical discussions in our interviews, these are primarily to verify authenticity—to ensure that the candidate genuinely understands the work they showcase on their GitHub or resume. These technical checks serve as a legitimacy check, rather than a strict evaluation of their coding ability.

ParrotJobs: Should candidates apply even if they don’t meet all the requirements listed in a job post?

Robert: Absolutely! As we’ve emphasized, what matters most to us is your mindset and ability to grow, not just your technical skills. Hard skills can always be learned, especially in today’s world where AI tools assist and accelerate the learning process. If you have a strong foundation and the right attitude, we encourage you to apply.

ParrotJobs: Finally, what are your top tips for candidates preparing for an interview?

Robert: Here are some key tips to help you stand out:

1. Research the company – Learn about its projects, case studies, and mission. This shows genuine interest beyond just salary expectations.
2. Showcase your personal projects – Add links to your GitHub, hackathon participations, or blog posts on platforms like Medium.
3. Maintain an active LinkedIn presence – Engaging with the industry and sharing insights can set you apart.
4. Optimize your resume – Avoid overwhelming recruiters with too much information.
   • Keep it one page long.
   • Focus on projects, not just technologies.
   • Mention your contributions, the impact of the project, and any measurable results (e.g., “Handled X number of users”).
   • Instead of simply listing technologies like Java or Kubernetes, demonstrate how you applied them effectively.

By following these steps, you can improve your chances of landing a role, even if you don’t meet 100% of the listed requirements. At CodeYourBrand, we’re looking for hidden gems, and we believe that potential is more valuable than just experience.