With the abundance of opportunities for IT professionals within the job market in Ireland, how can you tell if you are hiring the right person?
The IT professional is most definitely faced with both opportunity and competition. As IT is such a broad term, there are niches within this industry where the IT professional can specialize.
Niches include Software Programming, Software Testing, Website Design, IT Administration, Application or Technical Support, Business Analysis or Project Management but there are also further niches and some roles can even crossover. To establish the goals and interests of a candidate it depends on the questions you can ask at the initial meeting. The most important aspect in understanding an IT professional is to understand their ambitions, the culture they admire in the workplace and what they value from an opportunity.
The Values of an IT Professional?
The same factors are hugely important to IT professionals as in other areas such as Salary, Location, Benefits Package and Career Progression.
Along with the above, there are other factors to consider in the IT sector. Technology is rapidly transforming, and for an IT professional it may be important to join a company that is progressive and that keeps up to date with the latest technologies and trends. Staying current with technologies also means investing in training. IT professionals may favor companies who will invest in ongoing support and training for staff.
Company history and type of company can be hugely important to an IT professional. Is this an IT position in a tech company or a non-technical business industry? Is it a startup or a well-established company? What are the company’s plans? Are they expanding? These are questions for a HR Manager to be aware of at interview stage and, they may be important factors for an IT candidate in choosing a new position.
The Culture Fit
This year 11 technology companies made the list of the Top 25 companies with the best culture and values (more than any other industry). This shows the importance of culture in the IT industry and how it is vital for finding the right fit. Tips for this include asking some of the following questions:
- what do you enjoy
- where would you like to see yourself in five years
- what would be your ideal role/company/industry
These questions can really help an employer understand an individual rather than trying to put their recruitment needs in front of the individual’s best interests.
With the majority of IT companies choosing to adopt an agile culture while the majority of IT professionals being introvert in nature it is important to really understand the candidate’s personality traits before moving forward so questions like “how do you deal with pressure” and “what are your strengths and weaknesses” can give you some indication of the fit.
Having this conversation establishes credibility and shows the candidate that you firstly, understand their needs and secondly, know your market place and can offer advice based on their interests.
It is really in everyone’s best interest to ensure a great match between your company and candidates. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to hiring the best IT professional for your organisation.
Posted by Recruitment Consultant, IT on 7 December 2017
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