How to Land Top Talent – Before Someone Else Does
Found any purple squirrels lately? If so, you’d better move fast. “Purple squirrels” (techies with very specific, very hard-to-find skills in technologies that are in extremely short supply) are never on the job market very long. And, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that technical and math occupations are expected to add over 785,000 new jobs through 2018, chances are that the window for snapping up any high-quality IT professional is going to shorten dramatically. Here’s what you need to do to beat others to the best candidates – and keep them once you’ve got them.
Know:
The Competition: There are two types of competitors – those in your field nationwide (or worldwide), and those who are in your immediate area. Both affect how you recruit and retain employees.
The Score: Keep current on candidate salary expectations, what your competitors are paying (see above) – and be willing to pay for top talent.
The Technology: Premium professionals thrive on new challenges and the latest innovations, so you must know what the hottest technologies are, and give your people the opportunity to use them.
Your Audience: What motivates your workforce – is it work-life balance, free food, creativity, telecommuting, excitement, or recognition/respect? Chances are, this will vary by generation, and the best way to find out is to ASK!
Your Limits: Purple squirrel or not, the hiring process can be tough and time-consuming. For maximum results with minimum effort, consider using a specialized recruiting firm.
Show:
Trust: by giving employees freedom to succeed on their terms.
Respect: by giving employees a voice, and actually listening to them.
Value: by tying specific projects to overall company goals, and making those goals exciting and/or socially relevant whenever possible.
Investment: by supporting training, professional development, mentoring and more for your employees.
Leadership: by acting as an example of the work ethic and values you hold as an organization.
The final bit of advice for beating others to the hiring punch? Don’t hold out forever waiting for the “perfect” candidate to come along. “Use the 80/20 rule,” says Bob Waldo, Senior Recruiter at LiquidHub. “If a candidate has 80% of the skills the job requires, they are qualified. Hire them! They will learn the 20% and be 100% whole in a shorter period than it will take you to find the perfect fit.”
If you’re searching for the rare purple squirrel, or just the most qualified tech professional for the job, contact the IT staffing specialists at Triumph Services today. Whether it’s contract, contract-to-hire or direct placement, our mission is to connect the right person with the right position, every time.
