Tech experts are avoiding job opportunities due to these warning signs during the hiring process. Here's how to attract top tech talent for your company:
Revamped Article:
Unable to grab the best candidates due to persistent talent shortages, employers are caught in a fierce battle. But many are failing to impress, according to recent findings.
In a survey of over 11,000 tech professionals and employers by recruitment firm Hays, it was found that nine out of ten tech pros believe interviews are crucial for landing a role – yet almost two-thirds have encountered bad interview experiences that have turned them off a potential job offer.
More than half of the respondents admitted this negative encounter has deterred them from joining an organization.
"Interviews aren't just a chance for employers to assess job seekers; they're an opportunity for tech talent to size up an employer too," said Amanda Whicher, tech director for UK and Ireland at Hays. "Employers need to reexamine their interview process and adjust it to attract and charm top tech talent."
So what should employers do?
Firstly, transparency is key, Hays suggests. Over eight in ten tech professionals wouldn't bother applying if the job ad didn't disclose the salary.
Almost three-quarters require proof of investment in personal development, while a majority demands clear explanations of the organization's products and services.
At the interview stage, roadblocks remain. A study highlights these 'red flags':
- Poor communication (41%) and unclear steps for the interview process cause concern.
- Unprepared interviewers (39%) and a messy, unstructured hiring process (37%) also put off potential hires.
- A culture that doesn't seem to align with their values discourages 35% of applicants.
A one-way interview process, where candidates have no opportunity to ask questions, deters a third of tech talent.
This year, a report by employment firm Morgan McKinley showed that tech hiring managers find recruitment extremely competitive in 2023, with a quarter flagging 'finding skilled candidates' as their biggest workplace headache.
With the pressure on, Whicher advises employers to avoid creating a negative first impression with prospective hires. "Creating a positive interview experience for job seekers is essential. This means being well-prepared, communicating clearly, respecting their time, and being transparent about important aspects such as pay and career advancement opportunities."
- Employers focusing on cybersecurity should prioritize educating candidates about the organization's commitment to technology, including cybersecurity measures, as part of their career development, to create a positive interview experience that can attract top talent.
- With the increased competition in technology recruitment in 2023, employers should back their education-and-self-development promises with actual investment in training programs and opportunities for career development, to show candidates their seriousness and earn their trust during the recruitment process.
