Remote work, flexibility and interesting projects are the main issues which are currently under focus by the representatives of IT Contracting.
Nothing has changed in the job market: the IT industry is still dominated by the employee market. As demand in this sector grows, specialists are literally ‘hunted’ and pampered by their employers. Many companies try to attract specialists with non-standard benefits. Project themes, technologies or brand prestige are weighed up against competitive remuneration, opportunities for development and/or remote work.
Why IT Contracting?
Research conducted by HRK S.A. shows that as many as 88% of contractors choose this form of collaboration due to high remuneration, 52% appreciate its flexibility and the possibility of rotating projects, while 24% of the respondents see better opportunities for development in, for example, large organisations. Do we know what they value and pay attention to when choosing their employer? Contractors focus mainly on financial issues (88%), clearly defined responsibilities (52%) and the duration of the contract (24%). Factors such as brand reputation or benefits offered just miss the podium. By analysing our survey data, readers could conclude that money is paramount for contractors. However, some respondents expressed their willingness to forsake a higher salary in favour of working on top technologies or interesting projects. An important tip for employers is that they do not necessarily have to offer high salaries in order to recruit the best candidates. Companies should support development and give their employees an opportunity to work on interesting and technologically complex projects.
Diversity of benefits
There is currently much talk about flexible working time (IT Contracting also appreciates this form of cooperation) and as many as 96% of respondents see it as the basis for an attractive job offer. Second place is private medical care with an attractive training package equal second (60%). Free parking and team-building events come third (24%). In what other ways do companies compete? Many companies try to attract candidates with incentives such as, for example, game consoles, chill out zones or meal subsidies. Often, non-standard needs are met, such as a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad, or a private fridge with drinks.
Constant assistance of consultants is essential
For 12% of respondents, an important advantage of IT Contracting is the constant assistance of a consultant because the consultant provides support not only at the stage of recruitment and negotiation of the terms and conditions of employment, but also assists in so-called difficult situations. According to Krzysztof Kobyliński, Senior IT Consultant at HRK, market competition is so fierce that IT outsourcing companies must already stand out at the stage of first contact. People who decide to work with an agency pay attention to the first contact, including how the recruiter speaks with them, or whether he or she plays with open cards. Here, the recruiter’s role is very important: he/she is the person who leads the applicant along the entire recruitment process, from the first interview, through all the individual stages, to the signing of a contract. It is important that the candidates have a sense of partnership in the recruitment process, which makes them feel safe. The knowledge shared also plays an important role. It is not professional, for example, to confuse the names of technologies. Opinions about the agency, as well as its size and experience in the market, are another important issue. Candidates will appreciate flexible cooperation, proposed benefits and the agency’s customer portfolio.
As we can see, IT Contracting does not boil down to a few factors or to remuneration itself, the human factor plays and important role. We work with people and for people and we should remember that.