PROVIDENCE – In a new survey from Robert Half Technology, the IT division of staffing agency Robert Half International Inc., 44 percent of chief information officers in the tech industry cite their inability to meet applicants’ salary expectations as the most common barrier to hiring the best talent.
Access to a limited pool of qualified candidates and not being seen as an employer of choice also ranked highly as a problem for talent recruitment, cited by 33 percent and 21 percent of CIO respondents, respectively.
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The report, released Aug. 22, surveyed more than 2,500 CIOs in 25 metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. An additional survey of 1,000 U.S. workers was recently conducted by Robert Half International to provide the job applicant’s perspective on the hiring process. Both surveys were developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm.
Among the workers surveyed, 57 percent said waiting to hear whether or not they got the job is the most frustrating part of the job-search process.
Even though 69 percent of IT workers said they’d only wait two weeks for a status update from the employer before losing interest in a position, the Robert Half Technology survey of CIOs showed the hiring process takes an average of 4.5 weeks to fill a staff-level IT role, and 41 percent of tech leaders said their hiring process takes longer than they would like.
“The hiring process is often the first impression a candidate has with a company and can set the tone for the relationship,” said John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology, in a statement. “Don’t let a long and complicated hiring process or lower-than-market compensation package leave an unfavorable impression with a job seeker. Keep the experience positive by presenting a competitive salary and moving quickly to make an offer.”
Robert Half Technology offered the following tips for managers eager to streamline the hiring process:
- Be prepared. Before posting a job opening, managers should communicate with the rest of the team to determine the skills and experience needed. Industry resources, such as the Robert Half Technology & IT Salary Guide, can provide the latest information about salaries, benefits, incentives and perks that top talent will expect.
- Work with a recruiter. If a company is short of time and resources, Robert Half suggested working with a staffing firm to gain accurate insights into the local market and ensure a smoother hiring process.
- Move quickly. Companies shouldn’t let too much time pass between interviews, internal discussions and the final offer. Hiring managers should arrange for key staffers to meet with top candidates, to reach consensus quickly on a final decision.
- Communicate openly and often. Employers should be transparent throughout the interview process. Robert Half advised companies to be clear in describing the role, responsibilities and compensation package that come with the position, and update top candidates frequently on their status and next steps.
- Make an offer. Once the company decides to extend an offer, hiring managers should make sure compensation is fair and competitive by holding internal discussions about any salary limitations prior to negotiations.
With more than 100 locations worldwide, including an office on Promenade Street in Providence, Robert Half Technology helps place technology professionals in jobs ranging from web development and systems integration to network security and technical support.
For more information or to request Robert Half’s 2017 Technology & IT Salary Guide, visit www.roberthalf.com.
Kaylen Auer is a PBN contributing writer.
