5 Tips for Hiring the Perfect IT Professional

Featured article by Russell Emmental, Independent Technology Author

IT is one of the fastest-growing fields in the modern world, which means more and more companies are looking to hire IT professionals. As with any search for new employees, it’s essential to vet your candidate pool so that you only consider the most qualified individuals for the job. An in-person or virtual interview is usually a great way to see if someone will be a proper fit for your company, but getting to this stage involves many steps to ensure you’re not wasting your time interviewing the wrong people. Read on to discover five tips on how to hire the best IT professional for the job.

1. Conduct a Background Check 

While a criminal record doesn’t necessarily mean someone won’t be a great employee, it is helpful to get a clear picture of your candidate. Websites like totallyfreepeoplesearch.org make it easy (and free!) to learn about the possible criminal history of someone you’re considering for a job. It’s also a great way to evaluate the honesty of your candidate. If they are honest about a minor charge from their past, that’s probably a good sign that they are aware they made a mistake and have learned a lesson. On the other hand, if they’ve faced some serious charges and didn’t disclose that on their application, you may consider their elusiveness a red flag.

2. Look Past a Resume 

Looking past a resume doesn’t mean you should disregard it altogether. Experience is a great thing to have, but sometimes candidates who are eager to learn can be a better fit. If you’ve had previous experience conducting interviews, you’ll know that an impressive resume doesn’t always mean that someone will be the best fit for your company. A candidate may know a lot on paper, but things like flexibility and other team work-related skills can’t always be conveyed through a resume. Remember that people can gain knowledge while on the job, but personalities are here to stay.

3. Take Advantage of Reference Checks 

Reaching out to every reference for a pool of candidates may seem daunting, so it’s not unheard of for companies to either make selective calls or skip this step altogether. However, speaking to people who have worked with your candidate can often give you much better insight than a resume or even an interview.

4. Use Behavioral Assessments

Behavior can often say more about a person than a professional resume. Someone may seem like a great fit for your open IT position. But if their behavior seems off during an interview, it may allude to how they’ll act once you hire them. Make sure to ask questions about difficult situations they may be put in on the job to get a clear picture of their personality. Nobody wants to work with someone rude or difficult, even if they have relevant IT experience.

5. Trust Your Instincts 

Lastly, trust your instincts. You are choosing someone you and your team will work with and who will represent your IT company. Feeling comfortable with your decision is important. If you have a negative gut feeling about someone, it’s usually for a good reason.

Final Thoughts

If you find yourself in the market for a new IT professional to add to your team, there are a few great ways to ensure you make the right choice. Trusting your instincts, using behavioral assessments, leveraging reference checks, looking past a resume, and even conducting a quick background check can all help you choose the best person for the job and your team.