From the qb³ February briefing
Finding the best IT experts? A checklist.
In the monthly briefings, qb³ provides its clients and partners with know-how and up-to-date information...
Finding the right IT employee
A company’s IT usually has over 40 different functions and an even greater range of technologies. This translates into a multitude of required skill combinations that need to be filled appropriately.
Any experienced leader knows that a suitable candidate on paper doesn’t have to be a strong team performer by a long stretch. That is why there is no way around taking a closer look. Anyone examining potential personnel carefully will realize fairly quickly how the wheat is separated from the chaff – and what their own position is in the competition over skilled workers.
Companies truly are increasingly facing challenges in employee recruitment. A long-established company is not going to do itself any favors by suddenly deciding to take the “hip” route and putting up foosball tables all over the office. Among the aspects that matter to employees are professional challenges, creative freedom, advanced training opportunities, work-life balance and the corporate culture.
So how does one find skilled IT personnel? qb³ has developed the following short check list from practical experience:
- Keep away from candidates who come to you for “better money!”
- Glorify your chief developer! Young developers are attracted by icons.
- Experiment with intrinsic motivations! For example, a freely usable time budget for employees’ own projects in the company’s interest.
- Ask yourself this: “Would the candidate only make the team bigger or would they truly improve it?” Make quality prevail over quantity! Otherwise, you will end up with the kind of huge IT projects that are famous for their tendency to fail.