How to Hire Tech Employees When You Aren't an IT Expert?

Technology is essential to almost every business in today's fast-paced digital world. Whether developing robust software solutions or managing cybersecurity risks, having a skilled tech team is crucial for staying ahead of the competition and meeting client demands. However, recruiting tech employees can be overwhelming for business owners and hiring managers who lack IT and technology knowledge. The thought of making the wrong hiring decisions or not being able to evaluate candidates' technical abilities accurately can be daunting, but there are solutions, such as working with IT professionals, utilizing specialized hiring platforms, conducting informed interviews, and prioritizing soft skills and cultural fit. 

Partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) might also be an even better solution for you. Thanks to their comprehensive IT support and solutions, MSPs are an excellent alternative for businesses with limited or without in-house IT expertise. 

Assess Your Technology Needs

To ensure successful recruitment of tech employees, it's essential first to understand your organization's specific technological requirements. By identifying the vital roles and skills, you can make informed decisions and attract candidates with the right expertise.

Below are some steps to help you assess your technological needs:

1. First, identify the areas where you require support, such as web development, software engineering, data analysis, cybersecurity, or IT support. Once this is done, list the roles that will be required.
    
2. To identify the necessary skill sets for your technology projects, such as expertise in programming languages, database management, cloud computing, or emerging technologies, it's essential to evaluate current and future projects. 
   
   
3. When seeking to fill technology roles, it's vital to accurately gauge the expertise required for each position. This involves evaluating the specific responsibilities of each role and determining whether entry-level, mid-level, or senior tech professionals are needed to fulfill them effectively. 
   
   
4. When building an IT team, it's essential to consider how different roles will work together and complement each other on various projects. For example, if you need to create a web application, you'll require a front-end developer, a back-end developer, and a UX/UI designer who can work well together. 
   
   
5. It's essential to anticipate the future technology needs of your organization. Researching emerging technologies is very helpful in identifying which ones could be relevant to your business. Your team members need to share this mindset and be adaptable and eager to learn how to use new technologies as your business grows.

By conducting a comprehensive assessment of your tech needs, you lay a solid foundation for effective hiring. This process will enable you to create accurate job descriptions, target suitable candidates, and evaluate their suitability based on the specific tech roles and skills required.

Utilize Specialized Hiring Platforms

With the rise of the digital era, many specialized hiring platforms now cater to the tech industry. These platforms offer a targeted approach to finding and attracting qualified tech candidates, allowing you to tap into a pool of talented professionals with the specific skills and expertise you need.

Here are some practical ways to utilize these platforms: 

• Explore online platforms designed for tech recruitment: Take advantage of online platforms that connect employers with tech talent. These platforms often have advanced search filters and algorithms tailored for tech roles, making finding candidates with the desired skill sets easier. Examples of popular tech-focused platforms include LinkedIn, GitHub, Stack Overflow, and AngelList. 
  
  
• Use job boards and websites specialized for IT professionals: These platforms allow you to post job openings, search resumes, and engage with potential candidates. Websites like Dice, Indeed, and Glassdoor often have dedicated sections for tech jobs, which can be valuable resources in your recruitment efforts. 
  
  
• Leverage industry-specific communities and forums: Engaging with tech communities and forums can effectively find potential candidates. Platforms like Reddit, specialized tech forums, and online communities dedicated to specific programming languages or technologies can be valuable sources of talent. Participating in discussions, posting job opportunities, and networking with active community members can help you connect with skilled tech professionals. 
  
  
• Make the most of social media platforms: Social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, can be powerful tools for tech recruitment. Create a compelling company profile, post job openings, and engage with tech communities and groups. Building a strong online presence can attract passive candidates who may not be actively looking for jobs.

By utilizing specialized hiring platforms, you can tap into a targeted pool of tech talent and increase your chances of finding qualified candidates. These platforms are designed to cater specifically to tech roles, making it easier to connect with professionals who possess the skills and expertise your business requires. Stay active, engage with communities, leverage the search functionalities, and find the right tech employees for your organization.

Consider Skills Assessments and Technical Tests:

When hiring for tech positions without extensive IT knowledge, incorporating skills assessments and technical tests into your hiring process can provide valuable insights into candidates' capabilities. These assessments allow you to evaluate a candidate's technical skills and make informed decisions objectively.

Here's how you can consider skills assessments and technical tests:

1. Employ skills assessments and technical tests to evaluate candidates objectively. Skills assessments and technical tests provide a standardized way to assess candidates' abilities. Collaborate with IT professionals or utilize online platforms that offer pre-designed assessments tailored to specific tech roles. These assessments cover coding, problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and technical knowledge. Evaluating candidates based on their performance in these assessments provides objective data to inform your hiring decisions. 
   
   
2. Leverage online platforms or enlist the help of IT professionals for conducting assessments. Online platforms offer a wide range of tech assessments that can be administered remotely. These platforms often provide detailed reports and analysis, helping you compare candidates' performance and identify strengths and weaknesses. Alternatively, if you have IT professionals on your team, they can design and conduct technical tests tailored to your specific requirements. Their expertise ensures that the assessments align with the skills and knowledge necessary for the role.
   
   
3. Assess candidates' ability to apply their skills to real-world scenarios. While technical knowledge is essential, the ability to use that knowledge in real-world situations is equally critical. Consider incorporating practical exercises or coding challenges that simulate the type of work the candidates would encounter.
   
   
4. Combine skills assessments with other evaluation methods, such as interviews and reference checks. This comprehensive approach provides a more holistic view of candidates' abilities and ensures that you consider their technical proficiency alongside their soft skills and cultural fit.

You can objectively evaluate candidates' technical abilities by incorporating skills assessments and tests. Leveraging online platforms or IT professionals' expertise ensures the reviews align with the specific tech roles you're hiring for. Additionally, consider assessing candidates' ability to apply their skills to real-world scenarios. By combining skills assessments with other evaluation methods, you can make well-rounded hiring decisions considering technical proficiency and overall suitability for your organization.

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) as an Alternative

If you find it challenging to hire and manage an entire IT team due to a lack of extensive IT knowledge, working with an MSP can be an excellent alternative; here is why:

• Gain access to a team of specialized and experienced IT professionals. By partnering with an MSP, you gain access to a pool of skilled professionals who can handle diverse IT needs, from infrastructure management to cybersecurity and software development.
  
  
• MSPs offer flexible and scalable IT support tailored to your needs. They can scale their services as your business grows, ensuring you have IT support at every stage, whether you need ongoing IT management or assistance with particular projects.
  
  
• Save costs with a cost-effective solution. Hiring and maintaining an in-house tech team can be costly, especially if you need IT expertise to manage them effectively. MSPs typically work on a subscription or contract basis, allowing you to allocate your budget more efficiently. This is also a great way to avoid the expenses of recruiting, training, and retaining full-time employees. 
  
  
• Access advanced technologies and tools. MSPs invest in new technologies, tools, and infrastructure for you. Partnering with an MSP allows you to leverage their expertise and access advanced technologies that you couldn't implement or maintain otherwise. 
  
  
• Focus on your core business activities. Instead of dealing with IT infrastructure management, software updates, or troubleshooting, you can rely on the MSP's expertise and concentrate on driving your business forward. This allows you to optimize productivity and allocate resources where they matter most. 

In conclusion, working with an MSP offers a compelling alternative when you lack extensive IT knowledge and struggle to hire and manage a tech team. MSPs provide access to specialized IT professionals, flexible support, cost-effective solutions, and advanced technologies. By partnering with an MSP, you can offload the complexities of IT management, focus on your core business activities, and ensure that experts handle your IT needs. It's worth exploring MSPs as a valuable option for meeting your technology requirements.

Hiring tech employees can seem daunting, especially if you lack extensive IT knowledge. However, you can follow strategies to increase your chances of finding qualified tech employees by collaborating with IT professionals, utilizing specialized hiring platforms, and implementing skills assessments.

If managing a tech team sounds too challenging or if you prefer to focus on your core business activities, working with an MSP is a great alternative. MSPs offer various IT services and provide access to a team of specialized IT professionals, scalable support, cost-effective solutions, and advanced technologies. Don't hesitate to contact our team if you would like to learn more about how we could work with you.