Hays Information Technology, the UK’s number one IT recruitment consultancy, has conducted a survey targeting senior professionals to find out what the most desired personal and professional skills are from employees in the IT industry.
The survey, which was conducted with a number of companies throughout a diverse range of public and private sectors across the UK, found that candidates with a strong business awareness of both IT and non-IT issues, and leadership skills are the two primary factors looked for when recruiting middle and senior IT management. However, the ability to apply IT strategy to the wider business and possessing strategic focus, strong technical and industry knowledge also featured high up the list of desirables.
James Lloyd-Townsend, Managing Director of Hays Information Technology commented, “You need a proven track record and be up to date with the direction of technology. But you need to think strategically, give clear direction and engage with people.”
As to sourcing the talent to fill their senior IT and networking jobs, the survey from Hays revealed that businesses use a mixture of direct advertising, websites, internal promotions and recommendations. The survey also showed that while most employers are satisfied with their current IT management teams, more than a quarter are currently recruiting and as many as six in 10 plan to bring on board new talent during the next 12 months.
Hays Information Technology also confirmed that salary demands remain the number one obstacle to placing the right candidate. However, the timeliness of the recruitment cycle, the total reward offering and external competition are factors that can adversely affect a candidate’s decision. It was concluded that the hiring company’s brand has a negligible significance while the IT function is fairly or very influential in leading business transformation and driving business strategy, goals and objectives.
About Hays Information Technology:
Hays Information Technology is the UK’s number one recruitment consultancy specialising in IT jobs. Working across a nationwide network of offices Hays Information Technology offers clients and candidates a highly specialised IT recruitment service for permanent and contract positions across all vertical markets, skill sets and levels of seniority.
Hays Information Technology is a subdivision of Hays Plc, the FTSE 250 Company which employs 7,753 staff operating from 376 offices in 25 countries across 17 specialisms including marketing jobs, nursing jobs and legal jobs. Hays Plc placed circa 68,000 candidates into permanent jobs and paid circa 46,000 temporary workers weekly during the year ending June 2007.
