Tech companies succeed or fail based on the talent of their developers, but getting those talented developers in can be a challenge. Businesses are often competing for experienced, skilled developers, and they need to be able to identify these high quality developers as well. Here are a few of the leading tips for businesses looking to procure the best talent.
Hire Your Developers Slowly and Methodically
Don’t rush to hire developers even if the vacancies happen to be available; it’s always better to take your time when engaging new hires. Building a firm foundation for your development team will pay off later on; you need to make sure each individual member brings something valuable and unique to your business.
Avoid “Prima-Donna” Developers
It’s easy to try to procure rockstar talent, but it’s usually detrimental to your business as a whole. Prima-donna developers may be great at what they do… but the caveat is that you need to convince them to do things, first. Most prima-donna developers have their own ideas about what warrants their attention and what does not, and they aren’t interested in deviating from their personal plan.
Don’t Try to Hire “Forever”
Let’s face it: the hiring market has changed. In the good old days, it could be expected to hire employees that you’ll keep for life. Today, you need to be a bit more realistic about your prospects. Most of your employees will stay for an average of five years. Look for employees that are a good fit now, and don’t invest a significant amount of money in them without assurances.
When In Doubt, Look for a Good Fit
Rather than always looking for the most talented developer, you may want to look for the one that fits into your team best. A strong company environment is worth far more than raw skills in many situations. You can always find developers that have a relatively high aptitude in your development environment, but that doesn’t mean that they will be able to work well with your management or the rest of the team.
More Isn’t Always Better
A solid, small team is far more agile and effective than a larger group: think “strike team.” Most businesses simply don’t have the capacity to hire dozens of employees and they can’t compete with these larger enterprises. The good news is that you don’t have to. Smaller companies have their own benefits; streamlined operations, one-on-one customer care, and the ability to change course easily.
Remember: It Isn’t All About the Money
Small companies simply can’t compete against larger development firms when it comes to cash and benefits; it’s not possible. But many developers aren’t all about the money. They will be paid a reasonable wage either way. Many developers are looking for challenges; they don’t want to deal with mundane tasks or “putting out fires,” they want to be building something important and innovative. Focus on your project goals when trying to attract the top talent.
Of course, sometimes it’s best to just get a solid team from the beginning. Contact Software Specialists today to learn more about managed IT and development services.
