Lecture Notes: Red Hat Talent Acquisition at KubeCon 2021

Introduction

• Speaker: Jan
• Purpose: Insights into joining Red Hat, understanding values and hiring process.
• Themes:
  • What it means to be a Red Hatter.
  • How to become a Red Hatter.

Red Hat Values and Culture

Core Values

• Freedom: Free exchange of opinions and ideas; foundation for positive change.
• Courage: Essential for expressing freedom.
• Commitment: Focus on goals and follow-through.
• Accountability: To customers, shareholders, community, and each other.
• Balance: All values are equally important and interdependent.

Mission and Brand

• Mission Statement: Be the catalyst in communities, creating better technology the open source way.
• Open Source Philosophy: Beyond software, it’s about culture and operations.
• Balance and Tension: Conflicting values contribute to Red Hat's dynamic nature.

Red Hat Purpose

• Open Unlocks Potential: Sharing knowledge and collaboration.
• Customer-Centered Mindset: Building relationships aligned with customer needs.
• Red Hat Culture: Unique open culture, commitment to open source.
  • Respectful interactions, open debates, and idea generation.

Hiring Process

Candidate Sources

• Applications, Referrals, Headhunts: Equal source mix.
• Pipelining: Proactive recruitment for future roles.

Steps in the Process

1. Initial Chat with Recruiter:

   • Discuss experience, motivation, job prerequisites (e.g., location, authorization).

2. Technical/Business Interview:

   • Role-dependent interview with team/business member.

3. 'Write for Red Hat' Panel:

   • Competency-based behavioral interview.
   • Evaluate cultural fit and job performance potential.

Competency Evaluation

• Defined Across Organization: Knowledge, skills, behaviors for job success.
• Red Hat Multiplier Competency:
  • Open leadership and culture reinforcement.
  • Behaviors include collaboration and promoting inclusive meritocracy.

Onboarding

• Successful Candidates: Onboarding, Fedora provided.
• Pre-COVID Tradition: Dinner in Munich.

Additional Information

• Feedback Importance: Integral part of candidate experience.
• Communication: Open channels for candidate questions during KubeCon.
• Opportunity to Connect: Join talent community, sign up at KubeCon landing page.

Conclusion

• Previous Success: Hires from KubeCon.
• Encouragement to engage and sign up for future opportunities.