Finding the best tech talent

The Hong Kong job market is seeing a high demand for tech talent in 2018. What are the most in-demand technology skills, and how can employers find the right candidate for the job?

Technology recruitment remains one of the major challenges for Hong Kong enterprises as they embark on their digital transformation journey. As calls for tech professionals continue to rise, employers may want to rethink their recruitment methods to attract top tech talent in a tight candidate market.

Stiff competition

According to the latest insights from recruiting expert Hays, a number of industries in Hong Kong have a growing thirst for certain tech talents. The construction, property and infrastructure industries are all hunting for candidates equipped with skills across the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, apps, wireless, cloud and software. Skills shortages have been observed in the banking sector, with candidates familiar with machine learning, big data talent, web developers and developers experienced in full-stack JavaScript in high demand. Figures from the Robert Walters’ Salary Survey 2018 show that employers are happy to increase their investment in the search for ideal candidates – this is great news for technology job-movers in 2018, who can expect a pay rise of up to 15 per cent. Similarly, a lack of IT talents within the financial services sector means that candidates can drive companies to pay higher salaries (up to a 20 per cent increment) when changing jobs.

Sought-after tech skills

The survey also identifies a number of essential technology skill sets that are crucial to Hong Kong companies who want to implement a digital strategy and maintain business competitiveness. Apart from emerging skills such as DevOps and cybersecurity, programmers with strong quantitative skills and programming expertise in Python and/or C++ will be of particular interest to recruiters with the growth of big data projects in Hong Kong firms.

Hiring the right employee

As competition for high-calibre tech professionals continues to intensify, here are some tips to enhance your talent acquisition strategy and workplace culture to attract top tech candidates:

• Set priorities: Be clear and flexible with the skill sets you are looking for, as an exact match-up of job requirements is often very rare. Instead of focusing on hard technical skills, consider soft skills that potential candidates may have which may lead to long-term benefits for the company. Take software developers as an example: strong problem-solving skills, interpersonal communication skills, collaboration skills, a good cultural fit and proven practical experience are as important as solid programming skills. Furthermore, tech talents with a sound learning capacity will be more likely to be able to cope with steep learning curves, and keep up with ever-changing technology trends. Hiring the right personality is crucial, as skills can be learnt and developed to fit work requirements. Recruiters should not overlook the potential of fresh graduates – despite having less work experience, they are usually ready to tackle new challenges and are often enthusiastic about experimenting with innovative ideas.
   
• Provide opportunities for growth: Money is a major motivator but many tech talents also seek career advancement. They want to be able to shine in a role. Recruiters can show candidates a clear path of how they can grow their career, and give them training prospects.
   
• Allow for impact:Share your company’s vision with potential candidates. Let them know they are part of something exciting, and how their work objectives can contribute to the wider business. Tech talents are usually motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible difference at work. Firms with simple structures, such as small businesses, usually allow passion-driven employees to make prominent contributions and realise their growth goals at the same time.