How can you attract the best in tech, transformation and beyond? In 2024, the hiring market is shifting. With more and more candidates on the market as a result of company cost cuts and layoffs, employers are increasingly finding themselves in a position of power. However, with the global tech skills shortage sticking around, demand for hard-to-find, highly skilled talent isn’t going anywhere. So, if you want to bring the best on board, here’s what you need to know:

1. Ensure flexibility is still on the table

Top tech candidates are still seeking flexibility from their employers, so it’s important that this is on offer. If you want to bring the best in tech on board, meeting your people’s needs when it comes to flex work is key. Where you can’t offer remote work, what else can you bring to the table to ensure your people feel supported? Think – flexible start and end times, school drop off and pick up times, and compressed work weeks.

Uncover more about what you can offer your people when it comes to flex in our blog that dives into all that’s happening with flexible work in 2024.

2. Offer opportunities for progression

One of the biggest things jobseekers are searching for when it comes to a job is the opportunity for career progression and development – in fact, a 2023 Talent survey of over 500 tech candidates revealed that it matters most to almost half (48%) of these professionals when looking for a job. Our recruitment experts have also noted that candidates are starting to ask about progression opportunities with prospective employers from the get-go. Talent Adelaide’s Taliya Lukeman notes, “employers are being asked about progression opportunities more directly in interviews or through us”, meaning if you want to attract the best, you need to be making these opportunities clear upfront. Highlight the journey a candidate can have with your company and the development opportunities on offer, to help them see a future with you.

3. Consider your ESG commitment

Tech candidates are more conscious of their environmental and social impact than ever, so much so that it even influences their working life, seeing jobseekers looking to align with companies whose values in this space match their own. In fact, 59% of tech candidates have said that a company’s commitment to environmental sustainability influences their decision to accept a job offer. If you want to attract the best, CSR and ESG initiatives should be a priority for your company for the year ahead.

Not sure where to start? Check out our Sustainability: Awareness to Action Insights Report to hear from jobseekers themselves on what they’re seeking.

4. Prioritise your company culture

Your company culture can make or break a candidate’s decision to work with you. According to a Talent survey, 76% of tech jobseekers cited that a positive company culture matters most to them when looking for a job. Building a strong and inclusive working environment is key to this – whether it’s delivering on perks that your people want, ensuring there’s transparent business communication, or making sure DEIB is prioritised, it all makes a difference to your people. Talent’s People & Culture Lead, Georgia Townsend, shares her advice on building a leading culture “what we’ve found is the best way to get the most out of everyone, driving engagement and keeping our culture alive, is to truly understand what drives our people. For example, what are they really looking for out of flexibility? How can we marry that to business needs to optimise business performance? The magic answer is that not one size fits all. And what works now didn’t work one year ago and may need to be revisited in a year’s time.”

Uncover how business leaders across the globe are leading the way when it comes to company culture in our podcast series here.

But remember: a strong company culture isn’t something that only extends to your permanent employees. Ensure your contractors feel involved too – after all, they are seeking connection with your company and a sense of belonging with permanent teams. A happy workforce is a productive workforce, so create this inclusive culture and you’ll be reaping the rewards.

5. Use a dedicated recruiter

At Talent, we’ve been working with top tech talent since the birth of Javascript. For over 25 years, we’ve placed thousands of professionals across almost every sector to the world’s leading companies – and we can help you too. Get in touch to uncover how we can find you the best tech talent for your teams.