Tech Recruiting Trends

Recruiting technical professionals has taken a bit of a hit recently with all the layoffs happening. I think I’ve seen numbers like 200,0000 of them have been let go in the last year or so. But this doesn’t necessarily mean its going to be easier to recruit them.

Tech job site Dice.com recently published a report on what these tech pros seek in a future employer. Here’s a quick summary of that research;

• More technology professionals are likely to change employers. Despite a less optimistic outlook on the economy, 52% of respondents indicated they are likely to switch jobs in the next year (up from 44% last year). This is great news for companies hiring tech talent where supply continues to outpace demand and concerning news for any organization currently employing tech professionals. The need for tech talent shows no signs of slowing and this increase in openness to opportunity means recruiters are more likely to get a response from both active and passive candidates.
• Fully remote work remains important to most technology professionals, surpassing interest in a hybrid working model. Sixty percent of tech professionals ranked 100% remote work as their most desired workplace setting compared to 53% in 2021. Understanding why they now prefer working remotely full time and what, if anything, would entice them to return to the office a few days a week will help employers navigate remote work policies and return-to-office initiatives in the new working world.
• An employer’s brand and company culture are driving factors in technology professionals’ decision to join a new employer. Nearly 90% of tech professionals feel an employer’s brand is important when considering a new employer and nearly 8 in 10 said they would not apply for a higher paying job at a company with a bad reputation. If you’re not investing in your brand and reputation as an employer and ensuring your company culture is one that supports employee morale and creativity, you’re already behind.
• Employers plan on employees returning to the office in the near future, but their return-to-office incentives don’t align with what technology professionals want most. Almost 70% of employers have future plans for a hybrid work environment, but only 30% of tech professionals indicated a preference for hybrid work. To entice employees to return to the office at least three days a week, employers are offering incentives like free food, casual dress codes and comfortable furniture.

For tech professionals, however, increased pay, or other monetary incentives are most likely to attract them back to an office environment. But the allure of fully remote will always be there.

Tech Recruiting Evolution

The tech recruiting landscape is constantly evolving, and tech companies need to stay up-to-date in order to keep their businesses competitive. One of the bigger tech recruiting trends that has recently emerged is an increased focus on candidate experience. Companies are putting more effort into providing a positive hiring process for tech candidates, seeking to create a respectful and welcoming environment in which they can evaluate potential job applicants.

Another tech recruiting trend that has been gaining traction is the use of AI technology in hiring processes. Utilizing AI allows tech companies to assess candidates quickly and accurately, while also streamlining the recruitment process. AI can be used to analyze resumes, gauge aptitude tests, and even conduct virtual interviews, helping tech companies find the right fit for their tech team.

Finally, tech recruiters are also increasingly leveraging data-driven tech recruiting strategies. By using data analytics to identify and target the most qualified tech talent, tech companies can improve their hiring process while ensuring they make the best hires for their tech teams. Leveraging data-driven recruitment methods helps tech companies attract the right tech professionals more quickly and efficiently.

Overall, tech recruiting trends show that tech companies need to stay ahead of the curve in order to remain competitive. To do this, they must embrace new technologies and strategies such as AI and data-driven recruiting in order to ensure a successful tech team recruitment process. By doing so, tech companies can find the ideal fit for their team faster than ever before.

It’s likely many tech companies over hired during the pandemic and now they have begun to realize they don’t need all these people to remain profitable. This era may also be the end of entitlements pioneered by the likes of Google to entice workers to remain at work for long hours. A global  pandemic and remote work have caused a sea change in recruiting and a new era of talent acquisition is upon us.