Attention Hiring Managers: There is a shift in IT hiring…
Candidates are back in the driver’s seat!
By Steven Quarles
As little as three months ago, the market was an employers market in the IT and Creative hiring space. Things have changed dramatically. Overall unemployment has dropped from 9.2% to 8.9% in the past two months-the biggest drop in unemployment in 28 years. Furthermore, IT unemployment is hovering around 5% with many regions of the country in the 2-3% range.
Last year employers on the IT hiring side could have their pick of the litter and wait around to negotiate the best deal for the one they chose. Things have changed dramatically since then. Candidates are now getting multiple offers and demanding higher wages or being offered higher wages from their current employers to stay. In addition, candidates are accepting positions only to not show up for their first day of work in addition to not showing up at all.
If you find someone that you are interested in, move quickly. I would also suggest not nickel and diming them. Candidates in IT and Creative will find another position and they will find it quickly. Also, be realistic about what you want. Make a list of everything you want your ideal candidate to be and if you get 70% of that out of a candidate you have a winner.
