When running a software development business, finding the right talent can be the difference between thriving and surviving. At the helm of talent acquisition at Caxy, a leading Chicago-based software development firm, is Matt Uremovich—a seasoned professional with a keen eye for potential and a deep understanding of what makes a successful hire. 

As the driving force behind Caxy’s recruitment strategy, Matt doesn’t just fill roles; he curates teams that embody the company’s unique blend of innovation, collaboration, and a culture that values creativity. This article delves into Matt’s hiring style, Caxy’s approach to building teams, and what the company looks for in new recruits to maintain its edge in the highly competitive tech landscape.

The Road to Recruitment

Matt’s career path is far from conventional. He spent much of his career in finance, managing sales teams across multiple branches in various states, which honed his recruitment skills. His grassroots approach to hiring was shaped by finding individuals fresh out of college eager to start their careers. Eventually, Matt’s long-standing friendship with Caxy’s founder and CEO, Mike LaVista, led him to join the company. The mutual respect they had built over years of business discussions made the transition to talent acquisition at Caxy a natural fit.

At the core of Matt’s success in recruitment is his commitment to giving people a chance to prove themselves, particularly those who may have been overlooked by others. He thrives on finding undiscovered talent, with the company’s annual intern class being his favorite recruitment project. For Matt, the rewarding aspect of his role is witnessing someone seize an opportunity and flourish.

Beyond the Resume: Unearthing Passion

In shaping his talent acquisition approach, Matt places as much emphasis on passion as on technical skills. A go-to interview question of his is: What’s your origin story? As this can be particularly revealing. Maybe some candidates have always enjoyed playing around with development but didn’t take it seriously until later in life. In other cases, candidates may have started a career they find unfulfilling and came to develop as a new way to express themselves. While others may have had a passion for software development since childhood, creating fun projects like video games for their younger siblings. 

Matt believes there’s more than one traditional past to a developer’s career. Therefore, he prioritizes hiring individuals who are skilled and deeply invested in what they create, ensuring they take pride in their work.

Culture as a Cornerstone

Caxy’s culture plays a critical role in its hiring process. It’s not just a buzzword for them; it’s a dealbreaker. While technical ability and qualifications are essential, Matt emphasizes that a candidate’s ability to fit into Caxy’s collaborative and supportive environment is critical. Their “camera-on” culture means employees frequently interact through standups and code reviews, requiring a team-centric mindset. Matt stresses that everyone at Caxy must be prepared to help one another and hold each other accountable to achieve success.

Several core values underpin Caxy’s culture:

Foxhole companionship: Team members are there for each other, offering support and holding each other accountable for success.

Ownership: Caxy empowers employees to make decisions, own their work, and be the driving force behind positive change.

Growth mindset: The company thrives on those with a “learning junkie” mentality, eager to tackle new challenges and stretch their skills.

Caxy actively supports employee growth by fostering a balanced work-life dynamic. While they expect their teams to deliver, late nights and overextended workweeks are not part of the program. Employees are encouraged to pursue interests outside of work, with musicians, opera singers, and clothing designers being some activities that current staff members enjoy outside of work. It’s clear to Matt that fulfilled employees bring a creative and positive attitude to the team.

Building for the Future

As Caxy enters a growth phase, Matt is focused on attracting experienced senior software developers ready to step into leadership roles and take on bigger projects. With his eye on the future, Matt’s goal is to build a team that can scale alongside the company, driving its continued success in the custom software development.

Learn more about Caxy’s distinctive company culture and recent recruitment drive here.

Published by: Josh Tatunay