Anyone recruiting for tech jobs in 2023 will be aware of the difficulties we face. Skills shortages, low candidate availability, intense competition, and an uncertain economic landscape all mean that securing the right hire can be challenging.
Tech professionals were once the domain of the tech sector. Today, digital transformation projects across all areas of industry have extended the requirement for tech skills. IT has become increasingly crucial for businesses across sectors.
This means that the war to attract and secure the best tech talent is no longer being fought between tech businesses. Other industries have also jumped into the race to win their fair share of tech talent.
Recruit for the future.
With organisations undergoing complex digital transformation projects, hiring managers are requiring a different set of skills from tech professionals. They need candidates that not only have the desired technical expertise, but who also have qualities that bring a diverse and unique perspective to the organisation. The ideal candidate needs to be the whole package. Their technical ability must blend with personality, values, and soft skills.
According to Korn Ferry research, the labour skills shortage in the tech sector could reach heights of 4.3 million workers by 2030.
As the demand for tech professionals grows, many tech and non-tech companies have widened their talent pool. By seeking those with a broader set of desired skills, they can recruit for traits such as business acumen, an innate curiosity, integrity, and teamworking.
What are the key traits to look for in top tech talent?
Curiosity.
Innovation and progression never stop in tech. Candidates with a curious mind will never stop learning and will strive for improvement. New tools and technologies will be exciting and welcomed with open arms. They will also be adaptable to change and want to take on technical tasks outside their comfort zone.
A desire to learn and improve.
The rapid changes in technology mean an IT professional must be motivated to learn and upskill continually. This goes beyond just learning new things. It also means being adaptable within changing circumstances and systems.
Tech employees who take an interest in continuous improvement are not just those who will stay at the top of their craft. They will also continue to improve in all areas, including their soft skills and qualities.
Contributions to open-source, structured training and community involvement are all activities expected from top-tier IT talent, especially within emerging fields such as ML, AI, and robotics.
Creativity.
Professionals with creative minds will see problems as challenges. They will offer out the box thinking and are more likely to come up with ground-breaking solutions. Companies that succeed are those that innovate and progress. The fresh perspectives that creative individuals bring add ideas to the table. They act as a motivating force for colleagues and help boost morale within an organisation.
Great communication skills.
Today, many tech jobs lie at the intersection between business and technology. Great IT professionals should be able to translate technology into the business domain.
In many cases, IT professionals also need to act as an intermediary between the company, the clients, external stakeholders, and users.
They should be able to express their ideas clearly, answer questions and clarify tasks. Crucially, they must make the complex simple – especially for non-technical colleagues.
Teamwork.
Most tech jobs require collaboration with others. Even those that are considered to be self-contained, such as software development need individuals to be able to work as part of a team.
Team players are more likely to collaborate with others. They are more likely to engage in problem solving behaviours and engage in a shared vision. They are more likely to share their technical knowledge and help out when needed to ensure projects run smoothly.
Nearly 75% of all employers rate this quality as “very important” and eagerly recruit those that can demonstrate this quality.
A passion for their domain.
Technology is constantly evolving, so you want to hire someone who can keep up with the latest tech devices, networks, and software on the market.
Someone passionate about technology will stay up to date with emerging tools and trends, and they will breathe positivity into the workforce. Individuals who are passionate about their jobs are also more eager to contribute, deliver better quality work, and foster better team dynamics.
Initiative and self-motivation.
Self-motivation is a key trait for success. It is the intrinsic desire to succeed. Those with self-motivation enjoying what they do and want to do well no matter what external rewards they receive.
Often, self-motivated people demonstrate a curiosity to find creative solutions to problems. They push the boundaries and are resourceful. Moreover, candidates who exhibit this trait are typically strong problem-solvers and will become invested in the company’s success.
Cultural fit.
This is a condition that is dependent upon each organisation. Each business will have its own parameters here. In addition to technical capability, a potential tech hire should fit with the company culture.
As a hiring manager, you will be looking for an individual who you believe will embrace the workplace and its mode of work. You will be confident they will adapt to the company’s core values and engage in its vision and purpose.
Your best-fit candidate has displayed attitudes and aptitudes that sync with the team’s vibe. When you’re looking to make an addition to an already winning tech team, bring in your candidates and make sure the team would be happy with the new hire.
In sum.
Tech roles still require tech skills. But today’s tech workforce is changing. Tech jobs are being filled by those with qualities that can support their technical knowledge. The tech skills shortage and tight candidate pool mean that hiring managers are now thinking harder about what skills are truly essential and which are trainable.
They have begun to acknowledge that if they find a candidate with some relevant technical skills, the qualities which drive success, and who align with the organisation’s values, a lot of the other deliverables can be taught.
Can we help you find your next tech hire? Reach out today.
