How to motivate IT experts to work for your company
IT professionals are well aware of how much they are in demand they, and this is often reflected in their expectations. However, aligning them with the expectations of companies sometimes proves to be a challenge.
Naturally, the demands and requirements of IT professionals evolve. Knowing that there remains a significant need for their expertise, they have a clear idea of how an attractive job offer should look like. So, in addition to attractive salaries, they now expect a range of benefits that will support their willingness to make a career move: remote working, a well-equipped office and a company culture that supports their personal and career growth.
An endless supply of job opportunities?
What IT candidates should notice, however, is a slight decline in the number of available positions. Several employers, including startup firms, have withdrawn from the job market in recent months, and although many companies are recruiting very actively, others have put their hiring on hold in anticipation of further economic developments.
This means that the imaginary pie has shrunk slightly for IT candidates, while their demands remain high. This doesn't mean that job seekers should accept a lower financial offer, but it does mean that the chances of compromise have increased. Of course, the demands that candidates make above and beyond salary should also be monitored and kept in mind by employers.
What do IT professionals want?
As part of our data collection for the 2023 Salary Guide, we looked at what's important to IT candidates:
Salary level
Salary itself is very important, and since direct outreach is usually required when filling IT positions, respondents expect a change of employer to bring better financial terms. Thus, 68% of respondents expect a higher salary in their new job.
Company and work culture
A strong company culture is another deciding factor among IT candidates. A pleasant work environment that encourages collaboration and personal growth is indispensable for 55% of survey respondents.
Career opportunities
More than 70% of survey participants said that the opportunity to advance professionally and grow in their careers is important to them. IT employees are among the most ambitious professionals, and in most cases, long-term stagnation leads to the need to seek other careers that offer new horizons.
Professional training and further education opportunities
Career growth is closely linked to continuing education. All areas of the IT sector are undergoing rapid development, new technologies and new practices are emerging and ambitious people like IT professionals want to be there and keep up with developments. More than half of whom would turn down a job offer if they were not given the opportunity to further their education in the field.
All of the above figures are among the current trends we are also seeing in practice. Candidates and companies should therefore align their expectations and seek a match that benefits both parties.
IT contractors
In Information technology, you will always find many professionals who have decided to go their own way and work as freelancers or IT contractors. They are most often in demand for specific IT projects that need to be completed within a set timeframe, or also if the business seeks and need to bring a specific skill to the company. The motivation of these candidates tends to be different, given that they usually do not plan to stay with the company for the long term. Nevertheless, there are certain aspects to bear in mind in these cases:
Due to the time constraints on the contractor's time with the company, there is a need for increased emphasis on quality onboarding. The contractor should also feel like part of the team, because even if only temporarily, he or she must work together with your permanent employees.
Were you satisfied with the contractor? Great, in that case outline to him what are your plans for the future and what other projects you have coming up. Now that he knows your company, perhaps he can help you again with your upcoming activities?
Since the contractor will be working for you on a specific project and/or for a limited period of time, it is important to give him a realistic estimate of the work and deadlines. When unrealistic deadlines are set, it is frustrating for both parties.
Even though freelancers leave again after a period of time, you should still include them in the company culture. Consider them a real part of the team because that's what they are at the end of the day.
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