AST - FAQs

Where can I learn about career openings at AST?

As a result of our continued growth, we find ourselves in the position of having to add new full-time salaried staff at all levels. All current available positions are listed on the Open Positions page where you can view detailed job descriptions and apply online. We also utilize online job board services such as Dice.com, and we invite prospective employees to follow our company on professional networking sites such as LinkedIn.com.

What should I do if AST does not have an opening that matches my skills?

As AST continues to grow, so too does our need for talented professionals. Even if we do not currently have an opening which matches your skills and background, chances are we will in the near future. We invite you to email your resume to hiring@astcorporation.com. We will keep your resume on file and contact you when a suitable opportunity arises.

I really want a job at AST, how can I get hired?

AST looks for talented people with a wide range of interests. Most new hires have degrees and/or advanced degrees or significant experience working in Oracle. And we also seek highly motivated, creative individuals who are eager to develop innovative solutions for our clients. Great AST candidates will also be comfortable and have experience working in a team environment. All AST projects are highly collaborative, with project teams that are typically made up of AST employees, clients, and partners. As part of our due diligence during the interview process, we will spend time to get to know you, understand your professional goals, and provide opportunities to learn more about our corporate culture and professional development environment.

How is a typical interview process conducted?

AST's Recruitment Team will coordinate the interview and offer process. Typically, the first interview will be a 'get to know you' session which is conducted over the phone. Subsequent interviews will be conducted with various AST employees and managers. These interviews may also be conducted over the phone. Once the Recruitment Team determines that your candidacy is a strong fit, you will be invited for a final interview to meet with AST employees and managers.

How long is the interview process?

We want to ensure that all prospective employees are not only a good fit for us, but that AST is a good fit for them. Therefore, we do our due diligence in our interview process. The length of time from first contact-to-hire can vary on a case-by-case basis; but, on average, the process takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Does AST require years of Oracle consulting experience?

AST's greatest strength is the depth and breadth of our consultant's Oracle experience. Our unmatched record of performance and continued success depends on our recruitment and retention of seasoned Oracle professionals. We typically require our consultants to have 2-3 years of Oracle-related experience, but we also value the talents of those who can show the ability to be creative, entrepreneurial and flexible in developing solutions for our customers. AST's solid, supportive professional network and commitment to career development help our consultants grow and thrive regardless of their level of experience.

Where does AST rank itself in the consulting marketplace in terms of corporate culture and employee retention?

AST has achieved a leadership position in the professional services industry by attracting, hiring and retaining top quality personnel. Our exclusive focus on Oracle technologies has distinguished us in the market place as a premier integrator of Oracle solutions. We provide an environment that respects and rewards our employees' unique perspectives, provides balance between professional and personal obligations, and encourages employee participation in our future strategic direction. As a result of this commitment to our employees, AST was recently listed as one of the 2011 Top Small Workplaces to Work For by INC. Magazine and Winning Workplaces.

How does AST distinguish itself from other Oracle Applications consulting firms offering similar services?

Our single greatest strength and what differs us from other Oracle consulting firms is our people. At AST, you will be joining a team that is recognized among the most experienced and knowledgeable Oracle consultants in the industry. AST's commitment to our employee's professional development has resulted in an average retention rate which is better than any other Oracle systems integrator. This gives our clients the comfort of knowing AST consultants will be there to provide long-term Oracle support and advice, not just for the duration of the project. We are proud of our client retention rate and the fact that our entire client base is reference-able.

I am concerned about establishing some long-term objectives that might effect my skills down the road. What can I expect in the way of client assignments?

Our goal is to provide you with the most challenging and rewarding work to help you stay ahead in your field. We seek to give you every opportunity to apply your skills to a wide range of projects in a broad spectrum of industries. We rigorously evaluate all opportunities to ensure that the client's needs and expectations align with our direct experience, expertise, and capability to provide the right resources. This central philosophy sets our consultants up for success and has resulted in our unmatched 100% on-time, on-budget project performance record.

Are there advancement opportunities for experienced Oracle consultants, and what should I expect in the current consulting environment?

Everything we do - individually and collectively - focuses on at least one of our four Strategic Drivers: Growth, Customer Focus, Operational Excellence, and Leadership Development. It is the blending of these capabilities into a tailored and differentiated business culture that set us apart from our competitors and uniquely positions AST to emerge as a market leader in professional services.

Other than salary and promotions, how does AST reward its employees for their commitment to AST and its clients?

We value the hard work our consultants provide to our clients and to the growth of our business. In addition to our world class benefits package, we also offer compensatory time off, overtime pay, sabbatical leave, and a performance based bonus to our employees. We also provide monthly employee recognition awards, conference paper bonuses, project team celebration events, and company events that include spouses and families.

How much will I have to travel to client sites?

AST serves clients across North America, and travel is a requirement for most consulting positions. However in order to minimize costs to our clients and ease the impact on our employees' personal and family lives, we try to place consultants on projects that are as close to their home base as possible. Work weeks when on client-site are typically Monday-Thursday in order to provide our employees ample time to travel home over the weekend.

What is AST's dress code?

We are business casual at all AST's offices; however, we follow the client's dress code while at their site.