Candidates in the IT market: brief description

Recruiters sift through numerous CVs, conduct interviews, and engage with numerous candidates daily. The IT industry, with its specificities and unique qualities, distinguishes IT recruitment from other fields. In this newsletter, we'll delve into the distinctive qualities of IT candidates.

Choose me

We frequently emphasise that the IT market is currently candidate-driven. This trend is unlikely to change soon, given the high demand for IT specialists. Typically, candidates are in communication with multiple companies simultaneously.

Therefore, one of the features of candidates in the IT industry is selectivity.

Receiving offers from several IT companies at once, the candidate compares not only salary forks but also looks for more attractive bonuses and favourable conditions.

While junior specialists may prioritise gaining experience over a high salary, middle and senior candidates are generally not inclined to accept a salary based solely on the appeal of 'interesting projects.' Therefore, for companies to remain competitive in the IT market and quickly fill job openings, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest market trends and to have a well-rounded understanding of salaries and compensations.

Faster and faster

The second feature, characteristic of candidates in the IT field, is directly related to the first: they like efficiency in communication.

Again, due to the high demand and hunger games for almost every IT specialist, speed is essential for a recruiter: a candidate may be interested in a vacancy, but if recruiting processes are slow (for example, an interview is scheduled only in a week), they will prefer a company with which interaction will be faster.

Delay in communicating with IT specialists will lead to the fact that they will accept the offer of your competitors, who have acted more quickly.

No test assignment

Along with efficiency, another point characteristic of the IT industry is the absence of a test assignment.

While it stands to reason that some fields and professions involve the implementation of test assignments (for example, copywriting), today's IT candidates are more likely to favour companies that exclude such stages. They prioritiыe the speed of the recruitment process and value their time.

It is due, again, to the preference for quick interaction and unwillingness to spend time outside of the job interview to complete a test task.

Many IT companies have now found a compromise: if it is necessary to check the specific skills of a specialist, then live coding takes place during the interview. It is a win-win strategy for both sides: the employer assesses the candidate's level and skills, and the candidate avoids wasting time on test assignments.

Flexibility is everything?

Additionally, recruiters should be prepared to encounter candidates or clients who may not be the easiest to communicate with, as certain personal traits can vary among individuals.

That's why we often say that the profession of an IT recruiter encompasses several roles, including that of a psychologist. At times, it's necessary to find a personalised approach when dealing with a diverse range of individuals.

While this isn't an exhaustive list of characteristics found in IT market candidates, you now have an overview of the main points. We hope to have unveiled some of the secrets of IT recruiting for you, even if just a little.

Did you know that we don't offer only standard IT recruitment services? We also provide Executive Search, relocation services, and IT market research and analytics.?

Do you need to find out what is happening in the IT market right now and what conditions are optimal to offer candidates? Order analytics of salaries and compensations from us — Lucky Hunter analysts will conduct research and provide you with relevant information so that you fill job openings quickly and efficiently. Fill out the form on our website to discuss your case!