Introduction:
At Kubatana Online, we specialize in providing exceptional outsourcing and recruitment services that cater to the unique needs of our clients. Recently, we had the opportunity to assist a leading operator of multiple dental practices across the USA in filling a newly created Data Engineer role. This case study details how we leveraged our expertise and innovative recruitment strategies to find the perfect candidate, optimizing the process for speed, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
1. Background Information:
Client Information:
Our client is a prominent operator managing over 50 dental practices across the USA. To drive business growth and enhance operational efficiency, the client sought better insights into their daily operations across multiple locations. By leveraging their data, they aimed to compare the performance of individual practices and make data-driven decisions to maximize growth opportunities. To achieve this, they needed a full-time Data Engineer who could extract and analyze data, creating insightful dashboards and reports for management and the wider business.
Role Details:
Kubatana Online was tasked with recruiting a Data Engineer for this standalone role within the client’s organization. The candidate needed to be highly skilled and confident in performing all aspects of the job independently, including data extraction, pipeline management, database administration using AWS services, and data visualization with Power BI. Additionally, the ideal candidate needed strong commercial acumen to identify trends and patterns that could provide valuable insights for the business, enhancing growth and identifying new opportunities.
2. Objectives and Requirements:
Hiring Objectives:
The primary objective was to find a highly qualified candidate capable of independently handling the responsibilities of a Data Engineer. The role required extensive experience in AWS services, Power BI, and data warehouse management—skills typically distributed across a team rather than a single individual.
Candidate Requirements:
Key Responsibilities:
- Data Ingestion and Processing: Develop and maintain scalable data pipelines using third-party solutions to ingest data from various dental systems.
- Data Storage and Management: Design and optimize data storage solutions using Amazon S3, Amazon RDS, and Amazon Redshift while ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility.
- Data Transformation and Querying: Utilize AWS Glue, AWS Lambda, and Amazon Athena for data transformation and querying, and develop data models and schemas to support business intelligence.
- Data Visualization Integration and Development: Collaborate with the BI team to integrate data with Power BI, develop interactive dashboards and reports, and optimize them for performance.
- Performance and Optimization: Monitor data pipeline performance and optimize storage costs, implementing best practices for data engineering.
- Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with data analytics, operations, and other stakeholders to understand data requirements and provide technical guidance.
- Security and Compliance: Implement data security measures in compliance with HIPAA and other regulatory requirements using AWS IAM and AWS CloudTrail.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience in data engineering or a related role.
- Proficiency in AWS services (AWS Glue, Amazon Kinesis, AWS Lambda, Amazon S3, Amazon RDS, and Amazon Redshift).
- Hands-on experience with Power BI for data visualization.
- Strong understanding of ETL processes, data modeling, and data warehousing concepts.
- Experience with SQL, Python, R, and other programming languages.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Familiarity with data security and compliance best practices.
- Preferred: AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty, experience with big data technologies (Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark), and knowledge of machine learning.
Unique Challenges:
While the client preferred to hire a Data Engineer based in Zimbabwe, we anticipated a challenge in finding candidates with the necessary qualifications and experience within this location. To overcome this, we expanded our search to include South Africa and India, tapping into a broader talent pool to ensure we identified the best candidate for the role.
3. Recruitment Strategy and Process:
Strategy Overview:
Our recruitment strategy focused on leveraging our extensive networks, partners, and platforms to market the position effectively. We utilized social media, LinkedIn, and job boards, alongside our existing talent pool, to attract the best candidates from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and India.
Screening and Selection:
The screening process was rigorous. We meticulously reviewed all incoming CVs and shortlisted candidates based on their qualifications and experience. Shortlisted candidates were then asked to complete a 2-3 minute video introduction and an assessment to demonstrate their technical skills and capabilities. These elements helped us further narrow down the list to candidates suitable for interviews with senior members of Kubatana Online.
Assessment and Interview Process:
Candidates underwent a 90-minute assessment covering various modules such as MySQL, Power BI, coding (intermediate-level algorithms), data wrangling, database management and administration, and clean code practices. Senior executives at Kubatana Online, who have a deep understanding of the industry, conducted the interviews. This thorough process allowed us to identify and recommend the most qualified candidates to our client.
Use of Technology:
We used award-winning assessment tools that monitored several parameters, including webcam-enabled proctoring, full-screen mode, and mouse tracking within the assessment window, to ensure a fair and cheat-proof evaluation.
4. Challenges Encountered:
Challenges Faced:
One of the main challenges was the large volume of applications received, which made it difficult to give every applicant an opportunity while also focusing on extracting the best talent for the position.
Solutions Implemented:
To manage this challenge, we invested extra hours in vetting applicants to ensure that only the most qualified candidates were considered. Our commitment to securing the best candidate for our client—based on their specific requirements and company culture—meant going the extra mile was both necessary and rewarding.
5. Outcome and Results:
Final Selection:
We presented our client with over 20 shortlisted candidates within three weeks of receiving the brief. Each candidate was evaluated based on their experience, qualifications, video introduction, and assessment results. Our client was highly impressed with the quality of candidates and the swift turnaround.
Client Feedback:
The client shared positive feedback, noting their satisfaction with how quickly Kubatana Online was able to deliver and the thoroughness of our process. They appreciated the quality of the candidates and the competitive salaries we secured, which demonstrated our deep understanding of their requirements.
Candidate Success:
The selected candidate has successfully transitioned into their new role, supported by the client’s third-party contractor. She has quickly integrated into the team and is now leading efforts to streamline data processes and systems in-house.
6. Metrics and Success Indicators:
Key Metrics:
- Over 300 candidates applied across three countries.
- The hiring process was completed within three weeks.
- Significant cost savings were achieved for the client compared to hiring third-party contractors in the USA.
Value Added:
By translating data into meaningful insights, the new Data Engineer has helped the business make informed decisions that are driving growth and increasing profitability.
7. Conclusion and Learnings:
Summary of Success:
The success of this recruitment highlights the importance of casting a wide net when sourcing talent and utilizing a thorough vetting process. Optimizing our recruitment ads and actively engaging with candidates was key to attracting top-tier talent.
Future Opportunities:
Following this successful placement, we have opened new opportunities with our client in the IT sector, an area we had not previously covered for them. This success positions Kubatana Online as a one-stop solution for all their recruitment needs, further reducing their costs compared to hiring within the USA.
8. Visuals and Supporting Content:
Due to confidentiality agreements, we have not included any client-specific visuals or testimonials.
Conclusion:
At Kubatana Online, we are committed to delivering exceptional recruitment services that align with our clients’ unique needs. This case study demonstrates our ability to navigate complex recruitment challenges, leverage global talent pools, and deliver high-quality candidates efficiently. Contact us today to learn how we can help your business find the perfect fit for your next role.
