At this point, it’s safe to say that the ServiceNow Training program is a staple here at Devoteam ALPS. After two successful runs in March and June – and with two more coming this fall – we’ve quickly caught up with the key players who make it all happen: our HR Manager Zuzana Cmuntová and our two great coaches, Jan Braniš and Tomáš Sýkora. Let’s have a look at their insights regarding the course.
The ServiceNow Training program has been one of the main HR topics on Devoteam Alps social media since 2020. Let’s go back to the beginning – what compelled you to launch it in the first place?
Zuzana Cmuntová: This program just fits perfectly with the Devoteam concept of being a learning organization. We wanted to create something efficient, with high value both for the business and participants, and a tool to meet our ambitious hiring targets.
We wanted to create something efficient, with high value both for the business and participants, and a tool to meet our ambitious hiring targets.
Could you provide some essential information for those who have never heard of the program before? What is it all about? What is the usual schedule, and how many people are you hiring on average?
Jan Braniš: What we are doing here is a condensed, 4–5 week-long training program, where our goal is to prepare attendees, who never heard about ServiceNow before, to work on projects with us and to complete their first certification. The first two weeks are trainer-led classes and the other two consist of cooperative work combined with self-study. We can train up to 20 people at once.
What is the usual success rate of the program?
Zuzana Cmuntová: At this moment, we have trained approximately 45 consultants in four runs with a dropout rate of 16%. Joining the program means joining the company, so we do the interview process before the program to ensure the candidate meets the criteria. We are aware of the value of our program and we want to make sure we select the right candidates; it helps to keep our success rate high. We have a transparent assessment system and a support system around to help everyone succeed.
Fitting into a new community might be difficult, but the program also breaks the ice.
What happens to the program’s alumni once they pass the course? Do they immediately start working on projects? Is there any support system to help them learn the ropes of working at Devoteam?
Tomáš Sýkora: In the later stages of the program, participants are introduced to their Devoteam mentors, leaders, and project managers. After they pass, those roles will help them find a well-fitting project and provide regular feedback. The typical starting point for a participant is collaborating with a guiding senior colleague or shadowing.
This year, Devoteam is holding the program four times instead of just once, like in 2020 and 2021. The first two courses took place in March and June – how did they go? Would you say they were a success?
Jan Braniš: I would like to think that each run is better than the previous one. We are trying to improve between each course and implement new techniques and topics based on feedback from students who have already completed the course and the certification exam. What is different each time are the people attending, and if I should rate the success, I would say it went great because we have many new colleagues already fitting in and working on projects.
I would say [the previous runs] went great because we have many new colleagues already fitting in and working on projects.
What would you say is the most significant benefit of the program from the perspective of its attendees?
Tomáš Sýkora: The program puts heavy emphasis on practical assignments and labs. Participants will get their first hands-on experience with ServiceNow. Trainers will help them with the concepts and assignments that would be too difficult to understand alone. Fitting into a new community might be difficult, but the program also breaks the ice. Participants will meet their colleagues, and we even run introduction parties!
What are your future plans with the ServiceNow Training program? Are you planning any changes to the concept, maybe expanding the program to other Devoteam entities?
Zuzana Cmuntová: After each run, we do a retrospective and evaluate what can be improved in the next training. Overall, the concept proved to work well as a hiring tool and incubator for ServiceNow professionals. And yes, although we cover mainly the onboarding needs of Devoteam Alps, we always offer a few seats to other entities hiring ServiceNow juniors.
In order to guarantee quality and comfort, the number of seats is limited, so, unfortunately, we can not accommodate all of the demand. We are open to discussions on how we can support onboarding across Devoteam. We learned that ServiceNow Pillar had just started the same initiative, and we offered our help and to share our experience.
Looking to get another perspective? See what two of our program graduates, Pavol Tilňák & Milan Šťastný, had to say about their experience!
Want to read more about the course? Looking to apply? Check out this page!
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