IT recruitment trends change from year to year. But never before have we experienced a year anything like 2020! So, what does that mean for 2021? As the ‘new normal’ continues to dominate our lives, what changes can you expect to see when it comes to IT recruitment?
Recruitment has seen lots of ups and downs over the last 12 months. But with recent reports showing that job vacancies are now above pre-pandemic levels, there’s lots of opportunities out there again. Great news for the UK jobs market, but it does mean that the war for talent is officially on again. The skills shortage hasn’t gone away and there’s only so much a salary can do.
With the rapid move to working from home and utilising more technology, the IT recruitment landscape has had to evolve very quickly. But what does the next 12 months look like? What trends are we likely to see?
Our consultants share their insight into the top 5 IT recruitment trends for 2021 and beyond.
Deliver a great candidate experience
When it comes to IT recruitment, the candidate is very much in control again. Strong candidates are likely to be in the process for multiple job roles and this is where you need to stand out to help you secure the very best talent.
Partnering with a trusted agency is the best first step. In times of a skills shortage, you need to an agency who will be an extension of your employer value proposition. Someone who reflects your values and creates a positive first impression of your company. It’s important that you trust your chosen IT recruitment company. You need them to spark interest and intrigue with their candidates. In an age where an acceptance isn’t just about a good salary, the candidate experience can and will make all the difference.
But it’s not just during the IT recruitment process that the candidate experience matters. Recruiting not only to skills, but to values too is highly beneficial to your company. You want your employees to be happy at work. You want employees who will stay with you for the long-term. And these are candidates that reflect your values. Studies show that greater employee satisfaction correlates directly to greater productivity and greater loyalty.
The remote revolution in IT recruitment
It’s no longer about the office location. The slide in the office, the table tennis table. This all now seems a little 2019. When we look back at the end of 2021 the traditional working environment may no longer be in existence for most. Some companies were already embracing flexible working before the first lockdown. But other had to quickly adapt!
Now, flexible working has become an expectation across many industries. Candidates are looking for a better work life balance, or to be able to optimise their time. This can be a huge benefit to you in the current climate. No longer does location dictate your candidate pool. You can reach further than before and focus on the best available talent, not just locally, but nationally too.
Soft skills
Whilst technical skills will always come first in IT recruitment, it is becoming increasingly important to also recruit with soft skills in mind too. Lots of IT jobs, whilst highly technical, heavily rely on soft skills such as communication and emotional intelligence. With the increase in remote working driving a new distance between employees, your new hires need to be able to still work collaboratively. In a recent study by LinkedIn looking at the most in-demand hard and soft skills creativity and persuasion came out on top.
How we can help
If you would like advice on your IT recruitment for 2021 and beyond, we can help. Our expert team have been recruiting for over 20 years and we love to share our experience. So whether its advice on salaries, benefits or utilising technology to recruit, get in touch.
