There are many areas leaders should focus on when it comes to hiring. That is, at least, if they are focused on hiring truly top-tier IT talent.
The hiring and retention practices you follow tend to form a cycle—your current team affects who you hire, your new consultants then affect the current team, so on and so forth. When choosing what areas to focus on in terms of hiring, balance is the key. Your goal is to both create an environment that attracts only the best and hiring new team members who would build on it.
All leaders, regardless of being amateurs or experienced, should focus on the following areas when it comes to hiring:
Topics Covered
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Company Culture
- Communication
- Skills and Potential
- The Intangibles
1. Diversity and Inclusion
Leaders shouldn’t be focusing on diverse and inclusive hiring just to check a box or capitalize on a buzzword. They should do it because it’s a smart business decision.
According to a survey conducted by Glassdoor, 67% of job seekers feel that diversity and inclusion are a critical factor during the job search. Many will flat-out refuse to work for a company that doesn’t value sociopolitical or cultural differences. In order to attract and retain top talent, the employees should be convinced that they are working with a company that values not just the idea of diversity, but the people who bring it to the table too.
2. Company Culture
94% of executives believe that a distinct team culture is critical to their business success. That culture is either an asset or a detriment to your talent acquisition initiatives.
Having a strong, well-defined team and company culture creates engaged employees. Those same employees have their own personal networks, often related to the technical field they work in. Referrals and positive word of mouth are not only great for your product or service but work magic when it comes to finding passive candidates.
3. Communication
You already know how important effective communication is for candidates, but have you thought about how your internal communication relates to hiring?
Top talent aspires to work in an environment where their voice will be heard. They feel like a stakeholder, invested in the outcome of the project, and want it to succeed nearly as much as you. If they have an idea or suggestion, they need assurance that it won’t fall on deaf ears. Whether they voice this concern or not, rest assured that in the back of t