As Houston technical recruiters, Murray Resources knows when it comes to IT, hiring isn’t easy. While you may have a good amount of candidates apply for a position, spotting the strongest ones can be a challenge. And, as you know, a high performer is going to have a far more positive impact on your bottom line than someone who’s just mediocre. So how can you recognize great IT talent next time you’re looking to hire for your tech team? Here are some tips to help you:

Tip #1: Define Your Ideal Candidate

Don’t start the hiring process without knowing precisely the kind of candidate you’re looking for. Before you begin, define their role and the skills, experience and personality that best fit it. Identity not only the tasks, duties and responsibilities associated with the position, but think too about goals and how success will be measured. The more you can define the role and who your ideal candidate is, the better chances you’ll have of spotting them.

Tip #2: Don’t take a hard line on experience.

For example, if you’re looking for a candidate with at least five years of programming experience, but you find a great candidate with only three years, don’t overlook them. If they’re smart, passionate and eager to learn, they may become a more valuable asset to your company than someone with more experience. Hard skills can always be learned; attitude usually cannot.

Tip #3: Don’t focus on imperfections.

It’s true that some of the best candidates don’t have the perfect resume, a flawless GPA, or a degree from a prestigious university. But don’t let these details get in the way of you finding the best candidate. Strong candidates don’t always come in neat packages with perfect resumes; some may have a more unorthodox background. Don’t overlook these “diamonds in the rough” when you’re hiring.

Tip #4: Perform your due diligence.

That said, don’t skip important steps in the hiring process just because you like a certain candidate. It’s always important to check references, verify credentials, and performs skills and personality testing to ensure you make the best hiring decision.

Tip #5: Promote the opportunity.

Once you have a handful of candidates you’re interested, it’s up to you to promote the position and your company to get them excited about coming on board. Some ways to do that include talking about the interesting and challenging work, the company’s commitment to investing in the latest technology, opportunities for advancement, and any other perks and benefits you think would appeal to them. Get them excited about working for you.

If you’d like more help hiring tech talent for your IT team, call Murray Resources. Our Houston technical recruiters are highly experienced at identifying and placing world-class information technology (IT) talent. Our in-depth technical knowledge allows us to pinpoint even the most highly-specialized IT professionals for a wide range of companies and projects throughout Houston. Whether your needs are full-time / direct hire or temporary / contract, we can help. Contact us today.