Author: Certes

With IT talent so coveted in the current job market, building a team of highly skilled employees that are the perfect culture fit can be hard work.

 

And, once you have attracted the talent you desire the work isn’t over. Keeping those employees engaged and committed to staying in the business is a whole other challenge. Moving jobs is often more lucrative than staying in one job for an elongated period, so you’ve got to find ways to make it worth staying for the best employees.

 

In this blog, we are breaking down the best ways to attract and retain sought-after IT employees.

 

 

How to attract top IT talent

 

1. Have a strong brand

 

It’s not enough to put a job listing on LinkedIn and wait for the applications to roll in anymore. Yes, you could still try this, but, it might not attract the talent you’re looking for.

 

You want the people applying for your jobs to want to work for you specifically. And, how can candidates to know you before they apply for a role? Through your brand.

 

The best way to demonstrate what working for your company is like is through social media. Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok are great places to celebrate your brand and culture. Show off your workforce’s passion for their role and you’ll attract people with similar enthusiasm.

 

2. Streamline your interview process

 

Interviews are not just for the employer to decide about the candidate, but equally, the place where the IT talent decides if they want to work for your company. Similarly, to how you can use your branding, make them want to work with you.

 

Make sure to show the best of your company and its unique qualities while also proving how valued the candidate is. IT talent is constantly in demand, so acknowledging this and their important role within your business is important. Explain how you will meet their needs in a workplace and it will help your company to stand out amongst competitors as truly understanding and appreciative of its workers.

 

3. Offer flexibility

 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a certain level of flexibility in work has become more commonplace – especially in technology jobs. Whether this is blended hours or remote working, having clear fluidity when it comes to working arrangements is preferred.

 

LinkedIn has found that though only 20% of jobs posted on the site are remote, they received 50% of job applications, demonstrating the move towards flexible working. Giving candidates the option of remote or hybrid work can help position your business as adaptable and understanding of the current working climate.

 

4. Update your tech stacks

 

To state the obvious – people in tech appreciate good technology. So, it’s important that you make sure that your technology infrastructure is up to date.

 

If candidates are being offered more advanced technology at their current job or other places they are interviewing, it could sway them against your company. Show you understand the importance of a strong tech stack by shouting about it in your job ads and at the interview stage.

 

 

How to retain top IT talent

 

1. Offer growth opportunities

 

When looking to advance their career and skillset, current employees can either search for a job elsewhere or take advantage of opportunities within your company.

 

If you make the opportunities to grow within your employee’s current role accessible and clear, then talent will be less likely to begin searching elsewhere for the chance to progress.

 

2. Have a great company culture

 

Make sure that your culture is at the core of your business. To put it simply, employees join for the job and stay for the culture. If your IT talent feels nurtured, respected, and enjoys coming to work then why would they not want to stay in the business long term?

 

This is extra important when large portions of your workforce work remotely. It’s easy for them to feel out of the loop and become disillusioned, so making sure that remote workers feel included and enjoy their work can be what keeps them in the business.

 

3. Let employees have their say

 

Having open communication with your employees is an easy way to find out if they are happy in their roles. Whether that’s through surveys or regular 1-1s, your IT talent is more likely to express their true feelings if they are prompted. Be sure to ask what they like in the role as well as what your company could be doing better in order to best understand their wants.

 

Find out regularly what your talent values in a place of work rather than as a last bid to keep an employee who’s already halfway out the door.

 

This goes for perks too. Ask your employees what perks they would like to receive rather than taking a stab in the dark for them. They will value the things they have chosen and appreciate their inclusion in the decision-making process.

 

 

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If you’re looking to recruit top IT talent, we can help!

Get in touch with our expert recruiters to find the IT professionals you need today.

As the digitisation of services continues to intensify around the world, so does the demand for high-quality IT talent across the UK. Here at Certes, our team of tech, digital and IT recruitment consultants are plugged in when it comes to the latest IT opportunities, tech trends and digital news. That’s why we’re bringing you the latest permanent and IT contractor jobs that are currently in demand across the UK in 2023.

Business Analyst

The role of a Business Analyst is to identify and collect data from a range of sources. Then, they translate it into valuable information that can be used to problem-solve, streamline processes and track business. To do so, business and data analysts often compile the data into graphs and reports to present to the business.

The need for talented Business Analysts is only expected to grow in the next few years as they are sought after in a wide range of industries, including finance, education, government, consulting, media, retail, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

Business Analyst roles can be flexible and often allow remote working. There are various specialisms and routes you can take in this field including data mining, data infrastructure, data visualisation and decisions analysis.

Here at Certes, we currently have a range of Business Analyst contractor jobs available. Click here to find out more.

Cloud / Data Architect

Cloud and Data Architects utilise computer science and design skills to review, streamline and manage the data infrastructure for businesses. The role can often include:

• Overseeing the implementation and development of a computer strategy
• Planning future databases
• Finding solutions to store and manage data for the company and their users

Since almost every company within the UK uses data and data management systems, Data Architects are in high demand in various industries. If you’re looking for a new challenge, take a look at our range of Cloud Architect jobs and Data Architect opportunities.

Infrastructure Manager

The role of an Infrastructure Manager involves building, maintaining and streamlining various IT systems within a company. They will often collaborate with other departments to build, develop and implement infrastructure strategy in other areas across the business.

However, like many other managerial positions, this role also involves supporting and developing a wider IT team. They need to ensure everyone, and every machine is running to the best of their ability. Due to the leadership aspect of this role, top talent in this area will boast a range of soft skills including problem solving, communication and building relationships. Check out our range of Infrastructure manager jobs to find out more.

Software developer

As the UK tackles a shortage of digital skills, the demand for software developers continues to reach new heights. But what does the role of a software specialist involve?

Software developers usually create and upgrade software to meet business needs and improve the customer journey. This typically involves:

• Producing and implementing computer programs and applications
• Mastering different coding languages such as CSS, JavaScript, and HTML
• Maintaining and improving overall system functionality

Software developer jobs are some of the fastest-growing and the most lucrative in the UK. So, if you’re looking for a future-proofed career in IT, becoming a qualified software developer is a smart career choice.

Cyber Security Specialist

As more and more businesses work to digitise their service offerings, the need for experienced cybersecurity professionals continues to skyrocket, with many high-profile opportunities popping up on the job market across the UK and around the world.

Cyber Security Specialists will use their IT and technical skills to help keep company data protected from potential hackers and cyber attacks. Due to the ever-changing digital landscape, it is vital that Cyber Security experts stay up to date with the latest technologies, developments and tools so they can always be on top of their game.

Essential skills for a role in cyber security include coding, networking and system Administration and cloud security on public and hybrid platforms such as AWS and Azure.

If you’re looking for new cyber security jobs, take a look at our current opportunities.

The demand for IT professionals and high quality IT resources in the UK will only continue to increase. Here at Certes, our team of IT recruitment specialists are committed to matching top tech talent with stand-out employers of choice.

If you’re an IT contractor, or a tech professional, looking for a new role in the IT and digital space, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can’t wait to help you find your next exciting opportunity.

UK Government shares its new UK Digital Strategy

With digital transformation and technology being key areas for the overall economic growth for the UK, the new UK Digital Strategy policy document could not have come at a better time. This article will cover key points of this new strategy and how this will affect the changing digital landscape within the UK.

 

UK’s current position within the world of digital technology.

The UK starts with many advantages. Critical building blocks of the digital economy, from super-fast internet access across the UK to cyber security capabilities, are already in place or being built. Compared to its European counterparts, the UK comfortably sits in first place within the world of technology, with more tech unicorns and more private capital flow than any other country in Europe in 2021. These are not just impressive statistics, they represent thousands of high-skilled, high-paid new jobs right across the UK.

 

Digital Foundations

The UK Government explains within this policy that the mission starts with strengthening the foundations of the digital economy. This will be done by harnessing world-class infrastructure, utilise the power of data and implementing light-touch, pro-growth regimes that protect citizens by investment and innovation.

Ideas and Intellectual Property

To help with innovation within the digital landscape, the UK government plan to invest up to £15 billion in research and development combined with enhanced R&D tax incentives. This will help ideas become more readily available for commercialisation in the academic environment.

Along with innovation, the UK will continue to develop the technologies already in place, which will help solidify the foundations for the UK digital strategy.

 

Skills and Talent

Gaining access to skills and talent to succeed in innovation and digital growth will be another key element for UK technology businesses. The UK Government will work with schools, universities and further education providers to deliver the digital skills that the real economy actually needs.

It is also vital that the best and brightest from around the world can quickly and easily come to the UK to help contribute to the digital skills and talent requirement. There is already a suite of visa routes already available to digital businesses, but an additional High Potential Individual visa and Scale-up visa will become available, so UK digital businesses can easily recruit from anywhere in the world.

 

Financing Digital Growth

The UK has already got in place venture capital investment incentives that have helped embed a vibrant start-up sector. To continue this development, any market failures inhibiting growth need to be addressed. This will help UK investors in taking an increasingly long-term view and understand that growth investing does not often generate short-term dividend flow.

The UK Government will continue to directly support innovation and growth financing through InnovateUK and the British Business Bank’s initiatives. This will be used to maximise investment by third-party financial institutions in the UK and internationally.

Spreading Prosperity and Levelling Up

To help improve productivity and inclusion in every area of the UK, the benefits of digital technologies will become widely available. An example of this is an investment of over £500 million by Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, aimed to boost small and medium businesses across the north of England.

The UK Government is also committed to working with the Devolved Government to ensure that the benefits of digital technologies are felt across the whole of the UK.

 

Enhancing the UK’s place in the World

Working with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department of International Trade, the UK Government plans to develop allies within the digital landscape, promoting global digital trade. The forthcoming International Tech Strategy will set a common set of democratic principles to frame the UK’s international engagement in technologies.

 

Summary

The UK should always enthusiastically celebrate the successes already created within the digital landscape. But the UK Government plans to use the UK Digital Strategy to aid economic growth. There is a sense of realism within the latest approach to transforming the digital landscape. For UK digital businesses, new investment opportunities will be welcome, but skills gaps and lack of talent could be a bottleneck to any future digital innovation. Through on-demand IT capacity, Certes IT Agility Ability can help deliver successful outcomes, with visibility and control at every stage of your project Lifecycle. Read here for more information.