Is He or She Really the Best IT Fit For Your Company? - TEM and Call Accounting Technology Blog - TeleManagement Technologies, Inc.

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in a tight employee market. In many ways that’s great news because the economy is booming and unemployment is low. But for organizations seeking fresh IT talent, the competition has become fierce. And managers are bending over backwards to get the best and brightest on board. Some of the perks now being offered to new IT hires, according to The DHI Group, are things like flexible work environments, stock option plans, an annual training budget that sets aside time to attend conferences and training seminars and (here’s an interesting one) unlimited personal time off!

While it’s tempting to go all out to bring young, energetic talent on board, it is also prudent to make sure you are getting the right skill set and experience needed for the job. Here are five basics that should go into the process of attracting and hiring IT talent. We base these on our own experiences working with IT professionals as well as on recognized best practices sited by respected search firms suchas Robert Half Technology and The DHI Group. 

Do your homework

Make sure you are aware of the latest salary guidelines and understand what a “fair offer” is in today’s markets.​

Make sure that the skills you hire for match the skills you actually need

Don’t rely on simple keyword matches over the internet. You will certainly come across applicants with basic knowledge across a wide range of apps and technology. However, if you need a deeper skill set in a narrower range of applications, that might not be the best fit.

Experience counts

Don’t be blinded by an “exciting” resume. Sometimes it’s the workhorse that will get the job done, not the racehorse. Make sure you know the difference and what kind of employee you want and need.

Bring them in for a screening

This is where you will be able to see the individual in your environment, among your current team. It is also where you can get a better idea as to how close of a culture match you have. As an example, someone coming out of a start-up environment and wearing many hats may not fit in well with a larger organization that has a more formal approach.

Act quickly

When you find the right person, be prepared to move quickly. Chances are he or she already has offers on the table. Make sure you have crafted an offer that fits the individual’s needs. A one size fits all approach no longer resonates with today’s talent.

The bottom line is that today’s IT talent know they are in demand. They have all the momentum and know it. That doesn’t mean, however, that you have to break the bank to get them on board. Plan in advance, know what you actually need and stick to your guns. Downstream, you will be glad you did!

Our team at TTI is comprised of industry veterans who understand, not only today’s technologies, but what makes them work better. Let us know about your hiring concerns. We will be happy to share some of our hard earned wisdom, based on our years of experience.