Every business needs IT professionals, but sometimes there is a lack of knowledge around IT, both within SMEs and in large enterprises. Five common mistakes may cause you to miss out on the ideal IT profile.

In this blog, we list them and explain how to increase your chances in the search for the right IT profile.

1. The job vacancy does not match what the organization is looking for

There is no such thing as an “IT professional”. IT is a vast field, with various roles requiring different skills, experience and education. To create a strong job vacancy and attract the right talent, you need to clearly define the type of person your organization is looking for.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be a technical expert yourself, but having a basic understanding of IT is essential. Are you looking for someone in ITOps to handle the operational side? Or for a developer to program applications? Perhaps you need to fill in a position for a security specialist, or you are searching for a database management expert?

Before drafting a job vacancy, it is worth assessing which IT-related tasks your company handles internally, and which are outsourced. Be sure to consult the department heads to confirm that your vacancy fully aligns with the actual needs.

2. There is too much emphasis on degree and experience

One of the biggest challenges in IT is that existing educational programs do not always align with the skills needed in the market. Traditional criteria – such as degrees and experience – often don’t apply to IT roles. For example, if you are looking for an expert in containers and Kubernetes, you cannot expect the right candidate to have ten or more years of experience. After all, Kubernetes has only existed since late 2014.

The most talented IT professionals have trained themselves to work with the latest technologies. As a result, those skills often will not be listed on their diploma. However, you can uncover them by looking at the projects they have recently worked on. During an interview, ask a candidate how they acquire new knowledge. For your organization, it’s crucial that an IT professional is constantly learning and upskilling. A degree should therefore never be a dealbreaker.

3. It lacks the necessary flexibility

IT professionals know their skills are in high demand. They also have learned to solve problems independently and understand where to find the right solutions. This mindset requires freedom. Over the years, IT professionals have grown accustomed to the flexible work environments offered by large companies.

To attract IT talent, you must offer sufficient flexibility. No IT professional signs up for a strict 9-to-5 office job. Listen carefully to the expectations of candidates you are considering, provide remote work options, and create an inspiring work environment. This increases the chances that a candidate will choose you over the competition.

4. There is no focus on internal talent

It’s perfectly possible that the ideal candidate for a job is already working within your company. While this colleague might not yet have the right knowledge and skills, targeted training can bridge that gap. Given the rapid pace of change in IT, continuous learning is essential for everyone. That’s why it is important to map out existing skills and align training accordingly.

Due to the scarcity of IT talent, large companies are already investing in training their own hidden gems, allowing them to grow into the roles the organization needs. You can easily apply the same strategy. For example, by promoting a promising junior profile to a senior position after training and hiring new talent to fill the junior role.

5. There is not enough focus on female talent

As an HR professional, you understand the importance of promoting diversity in your teams. In IT, however, this remains a challenge. A striking 87% of IT professionals believe that women are still underrepresented in the industry, yet only 41% of businesses actively invest in initiatives to recruit more female talent.

This presents a significant opportunity to proactively attract women, potentially combined with training programs. Moreover, this approach broadens the talent pool from which you can recruit.

A tailored strategy for IT

IT recruitment is a specialized field, but with the right skills and experience, you can successfully attract talent. Collaborate with experts who can bridge the gap between HR and IT. By crafting a clear job description, ensuring you target the right profiles, offering an attractive benefits package, and recognizing internal talent, you can significantly enhance your recruitment strategy.

Of course, you can also rely on the recruiters at CHRLY. They have profound knowledge of the IT market and help you find the perfect fit for your organization. Find out more!