The supply and demand of information technology candidates is an issue that is very stressful for hiring managers. In many areas of the country, there are more job openings than there are people to fill them, which makes hiring incredibly competitive. So, how should your company go about hiring IT staff so they don’t lose the most qualified applicants to the competition?
Don’t be a stickler.
When you’re writing a job description, make sure that you focus on the skills that are necessary for the job and resist the temptation to add to them. Extra programming languages can come in handy, and five to ten years of experience make for a confident candidate, but listing these as requirements for the job will scare away applicants who feel underqualified, even if they would be able to perform the tasks effectively. Make sure you determine what is essential for your next IT hire and don’t get carried away with a list of extras.
Position yourself as a dream employer.
You need to sit down and answer for yourself a question that all the IT candidates you interview will be asking themselves: what makes your company special? One great thing you can offer is a generous compensation package, but if this is out of your reach, there are other things that appeal to job seekers. Stability is a big plus in the IT market since many candidates may be used to working on temporary projects. A casual work environment is always a plus as well. If you’re in the nonprofit or healthcare sector, many candidates will enjoy the feeling of working toward the greater good. Determine your company’s strengths and promote them to your candidates in job descriptions and during job interviews.
Set up a referral program.
Recruiting is difficult, so why not let your current employees make the process a little easier for you? Your employees are one of the best recruiting tools you have. Why? Because they already know your company’s culture, which is one of the most difficult things to explain to a potential hire, and they know it on a day-to-day basis. They know what kind of person does well at your company, and they most likely went to school or socialize with other information technology candidates. Offer a reward to the employee who brings in the most new hires, and you’ll probably see a lot more resumes on your desk.
Looking to tap into a pool of qualified IT candidates to fill the information technology positions at your company? Look no further than Contemporary Staffing Solutions – we have a deep pool of qualified tech job candidates who could be the perfect fit for your position. Contact us today!