Name: Arthur Lozinski
Company: Oomnitza
Job Title: CEO
Location: San Francisco, CA
Arthur Lozinski is the CEO and Co-Founder of Oomnitza. Arthur is focused on scaling the company's reach, evangelising ETM and spearheading the mission of providing key business process automation for IT across all enterprises, ranging from fast-growing companies to Fortune 500 giants.
What was the most valuable piece of career advice that you received? Be nice. We can spend 70% of our awake hours with co-workers - ideally, it's with folks we like.
What was the worst piece of business advice you received? Technology first, then people. That’s wrong. It’s all about people. Even the technology is about people.
What advice would you give to someone starting their career in IT/tech? Follow your curiosity and learn as much as you can about topics in IT/tech that interest you. It is hard to know everything, so hone in on what interests you.
Did you always want to work in IT/tech? I always thought professional soccer would be my profession and computers would be my hobby. Safe to say it's the reverse.
What was your first job in IT/tech? I landed a summer internship at SAP when I was 14 years old along with six other kids. SAP took a liking to me and asked me to keep coming back after school. I ended up there for nearly five years.
What are some common misconceptions about working in IT/Tech? One common misconception I see is that you need to be highly technical.
What tips would you give to someone aiming for a c-level position? Leadership is about serving others. Learn and exercise that skill. The opportunities will arise.
What are your career ambitions, and have you reached them yet? To found and build a publicly traded company. Not yet. Getting closer!
Do you have a good work life balance in your current role? I do not. Suggestions welcome.
What, if anything, would you change about the route your career path has taken? No regrets. I am blessed for the journey and all the teachings it provides.
Which would you recommend? A coding bootcamp or a computer science degree? Depends on the person, and there are so many personal variables. Time is one consideration, but ultimately what it comes down to is one's skill set and your career. What's most important is the experience, which can be gotten in many ways. The best experience is garnered on a team, working and building, hands on.
How important are certifications? Again, it depends on the track, role, skillset. Sometimes they can be incredibly useful, other times they serve no purpose other than acting as a window dressing to establish credibility. Either way, spending energy of attaining them does reflect a person’s ambition and commitment to their career path.
What are the three skills or abilities you look for in prospective candidates? Honesty, Open Mindedness, and Creativity
What would put you off a candidate? Negative outlook and perspective. Talking negatively about past jobs or former colleagues. Long, drawn-out answers that require concise response.
What are the most common mistakes made by candidates in an interview? How can those mistakes be avoided? Long run on sentences. Don't get nervous and start talking. Answer questions concisely. Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your skills, perspective and interests.
Do you think it’s better to have technical or business skills – or a mix of both? Depends on the role, company and person, but a strong mix of both is best.