The challenge of hiring proficient software developers has intensified, raising concerns among industry professionals. The struggle to attract and retain skilled developers has been a persistent issue, gaining attention since the 2010s.
Despite its longevity, the problem has grown more acute in the face of evolving global dynamics, compounded by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing shifts in the economy.
As tech sectors grapple with a surge in demand for talent, filling developer positions with suitable candidates has emerged as the foremost concern for HR departments worldwide.
Notably, a survey by CodinGame underscores this, highlighting the escalating difficulty in matching job openings with qualified individuals.
Major tech hubs, such as New York City and San Francisco, echo this trend with thousands of unfilled positions, signaling a deep-seated challenge in the realm of developer recruitment and retention.
Why It’s so Difficult to Hire Developers
Finding and hiring developers has become increasingly challenging due to a rising shortage in the IT sector. The digitalization wave sweeping across various industries, coupled with the pervasive impact of technology in our lives, has intensified the demand for software developers.
As businesses strive to adapt to technological advancements, the need for IT specialists has surged annually. This surge has created a situation where companies from disparate industries are vying for the same pool of IT talent.
The scarcity of software developers stems from the rapid pace at which digital transformation is occurring. As more businesses transition to digital platforms, the demand for skilled IT professionals continues to escalate. This high demand has transformed software engineers into a precious resource sought after by nearly every type of company.
Consequently, the competition for these professionals has become fierce, making the process of hiring developers exceptionally challenging for organizations across different sectors.
Impact of Skilled Shortages
1. Implementation
Effective project execution relies heavily on skilled professionals. From launching new products to streamlining operations and introducing efficient workflows, the shortage of skilled workers can cause significant delays or even project cancellations. As a consequence, companies may experience diminished operational efficiency and financial setbacks, making it challenging to keep pace with industry competitors.
2. Integration
While the adoption of cloud-based services can alleviate some implementation challenges, the integration of these solutions with existing systems demands skilled professionals. In the face of a shortage, companies may encounter difficulties harmonizing diverse technologies, hindering the smooth flow of operations.
This shortfall in integration expertise may impede the seamless transition between new and legacy systems, affecting both internal processes and user acceptance of new technologies.
3. Innovation
Innovation thrives on the expertise of skilled developers. With a shortage of such talent, companies face barriers to adopting and integrating emerging technologies. The scarcity of skilled personnel makes it harder for organizations to meet customer expectations for cutting-edge and interconnected experiences.
As a result, innovation may stall, putting companies at a disadvantage in an ever-evolving market where staying ahead is essential for sustained success.
Contributing Factors: Why Skilled Developers Are Hard To Find
The persistent shortage of skilled developers has become a longstanding challenge for companies. The following factors shed light on the widening gap in the availability of proficient IT professionals:
1. Supply and Demand
The number of skilled developers companies need is growing faster than the number of developers available. Even though more people are learning about IT in colleges and training programs, businesses still don’t have enough qualified professionals to meet the increasing demand for their services.
To address this, some companies are partnering with educational institutions to create a direct path from learning to employment, connecting with the next generation of developers.
2. Time and Effort
Hiring skilled IT staff takes more time and effort compared to other roles. There are two key reasons for this. Firstly, the number of available developer candidates is smaller than the number of applicants for other positions. This means it often takes longer before companies receive any interest in their job listings.
Once potential candidates are found, extra effort is needed to ensure they are the right fit for the role and the company. Since developers have access to sensitive business data and resources and are under pressure to meet business goals, companies invest time in making sure they find the best match. This careful approach is crucial for long-term success, even if it means a more prolonged hiring process.
3. Retention and Churn
In the aftermath of the Great Resignation, where many tech workers are open to switching jobs for better prospects, retaining skilled developers has become a critical challenge. It is not just about paying competitive salaries, companies must also offer extra perks and benefits to keep their tech staff happy.
Crafting job roles and advertisements that stand out is essential for preventing skilled employees from leaving for brighter opportunities elsewhere. In a nutshell, keeping talented developers satisfied is as important as attracting them in the first place to bridge the ongoing shortage in the IT talent pool.
4. Work and Life
Developers often face burnout due to the intense demands of IT projects. As companies prioritize these projects, developers feel pressured to swiftly deploy, integrate, and manage new services. The constant high-stakes nature of their work, coupled with tight deadlines, contributes to a challenging work environment, making it crucial for companies to address and manage the well-being of their skilled developers.
6. Competition with Other Companies
The challenge here is that there aren’t enough skilled developers to go around, creating a kind of talent tug-of-war. Imagine lots of companies vying for the same skilled individuals. This gets even trickier when big tech giants join in—they have more resources to attract the best candidates.
Smaller companies find it tough to compete and consistently bring in top-notch developers. It’s like everyone’s reaching for a limited supply, making it a real struggle for companies to make successful hires.
7. Fickle Loyalty
In the world of tech hiring, some job seekers can be a bit unpredictable. For instance, they might receive a job offer from one company but use it as a bargaining chip to get a better deal from another. This behavior is more common among millennials, who tend to switch jobs more frequently than older workers.
This constant job-hopping can be a challenge for companies because they might spend months training an employee, only to see them leave after a couple of years. This turnover can be quite costly, with the company potentially losing up to nine months’ worth of the employee’s salary when they have to find a replacement.
8. Limited Flexibility
Sometimes, companies need to add people to their teams quickly, especially for specific projects that demand unique skills. However, hiring a full-time employee can be a slow process, and there is a risk that the needed skills might not be necessary once the project is finished. To address this challenge, having the option to hire on a project basis provides valuable flexibility.
This means companies can bring in experts for a specific duration without committing to a long-term employment relationship. It is like getting the right help at the right time without the complications of a permanent hire. This approach is useful for adapting to changing project needs efficiently.
9. Lack of Skills to Evaluate Candidates:
In tech hiring, one major challenge is that many team members or HR departments lack the technical know-how to properly assess developer candidates. Understanding the complexities of technology is important for evaluating potential hires, and when this expertise is lacking, companies may make wrong choices.
This gap in technical understanding can lead to hiring decisions that don’t align with the company’s needs, resulting in missed opportunities and challenges in achieving business goals. Without the right technical insight, companies risk overlooking the skills and potential of developers, contributing to the difficulty in finding and retaining skilled professionals.
According to Statista, recruiters faced a significant challenge in hiring developers: the primary concern was identifying qualified candidates. Concurrently, 12.36 percent of respondents encountered difficulties in conducting technical interviews.
Solution
Here are some practical tips to streamline your hiring process and find the right IT professionals:
- Create Your Ideal Candidate Profile
Before searching for the right person, clearly define the qualities you want. This includes technical skills (like coding languages), and soft skills (like communication). This profile will guide your job ad, help you ask the right questions in interviews, and ensure you find the best fit for your team.
- Don’t Rely Entirely on Resumes & Qualifications
Don’t just focus on resumes and degrees when hiring IT professionals. Many talented developers are self-taught and might not have traditional qualifications. Experience often matters more than formal education. By broadening your search to consider skills and accomplishments, rather than just academic background, you can tap into a diverse pool of highly skilled candidates who might be the perfect fit for your team.
- Don’t Skip the Interview
When hiring, it is not just about technical abilities. While it is crucial to make sure candidates have the right skills, it is equally important to assess their soft skills like teamwork and communication. Even if you have already tested their technical know-how, consider having a chat with them.
This helps ensure they’ll not only contribute to the work but also gel well with your team and fit into your company’s vibe. So, interviews, especially those focusing on behavior, are key to finding the right match for your team.
How to Hire a Developer – How to find a developer
Conclusion
Hiring skilled developers can be a challenging process due to various factors such as identifying the right skills, facing tough competition, dealing with unreliable candidates, and lacking effective evaluation methods. Despite these challenges, companies can enhance their success by acknowledging and addressing these obstacles.
Exploring solutions like premium tech talent platforms proves to be a valuable strategy for effortlessly discovering reliable candidates. By proactively addressing these challenges, companies can assemble a proficient team that propels them toward achieving their goals.
Recommended Reads
Things Companies Must Consider While Hiring Remote Developers
Why Ellow Is The Best Platform To Hire Freelance Developers?
FAQs
- Why is hiring good developers considered a challenging task?
Hiring good developers is challenging due to the difficulty in identifying candidates with the right skills, intense competition in the job market, and unreliable candidates.
- What are some common obstacles in the process of hiring developers?
Common obstacles include the struggle to evaluate candidates effectively, a shortage of candidates with the required skills, and the overall complexity of the hiring process in the tech industry.
- How does competition impact the hiring of developers?
The intense competition for skilled developers makes it harder for companies to attract and retain top talent, often leading to extended hiring processes and increased demand for qualified candidates.
- What role do unreliable candidates play in the hiring challenges?
Dealing with unreliable candidates adds another layer of complexity, requiring companies to implement thorough screening processes to ensure they select candidates who are skilled, reliable, and committed.
- Can technology platforms help overcome hiring challenges for developers?
Yes, exploring options like premium tech talent platforms can significantly ease the hiring process by providing access to a pool of reliable candidates, streamlining the search for skilled professionals, and improving the chances of building a successful development team.
