From about mid-2020 to now, it has been apparent that prior criteria for finding jobs doesn’t work in today’s society. The technological advancements, COVID-19 pandemic, and other small shifts in the IT industry contributed to the current system of remote functionality. Businesses have become solely remote over the past year in particular while still trying to maintain the quality and standards set before the pandemic.
When hiring, the entire process has changed on both sides of the spectrum—from the job seekers to the hiring managers and recruiters looking for valuable candidates. The eight characteristics below are considered some of the most beneficial characteristics to have in the IT industry:
- Committed to Long-Term Work
The pandemic put a lot of people out of jobs due to the work-from-home systems that were put into place. While most businesses adapted, some couldn’t, for a number of reasons, and closed permanently or limited staff. This meant that the number of job seekers increased significantly. However, most applicants were looking to get hired quickly and weren’t guaranteed to stay with companies that employed them for long. Hiring managers and recruiters needed people who would be interested in long-term work.
- Being Self-Sufficient & Self-Managing
Remote positions added a new vital skill to the workplace—the ability to be self-sufficient and self-managing. Since businesses couldn’t physically monitor their employees from a remote location, this became almost a requirement for them.
- Have an Independent & Analytical Mindset
In order to solve problems quickly from all areas of the world, having the skills to make the right decisions quickly is highly valued by companies. It generally goes along with being self-sufficient/self-managing as well.
- Fix Technological Issues Quickly
Any issues can arise and employees need to be capable to fixing those issues. They could also be responsible for helping others fix problems while still completing their daily assignments. Fixing technological problems such as loss of internet, uninstalling and reinstalling software, and more are included in that.
- At Least Decent Communication Skills
Communication has a direct effect on a company normally, but when its system is entirely remote, having good communication skills could quite literally keep a business from closing. Virtual meetings are a large part of this as they encompass a substantial aspect in communication and collaboration within a company or between several companies.
- Proficiency in Working from Home
Whether a business adapts in-person jobs again or remains remote, a useful characteristic is for people to be able to work from home. There is still uncertainty about how much of society will be returning to in-person jobs, staying fully remote, or adapting a hybrid system. Regardless, the skills to successfully work from home are certainly desired.
- Build Reliance and Trust
The lack of in-person supervision has made businesses more cautious when hiring. They often feel inclined to rely on a person’s professional experience as it provides some kind of credibility. Establishing a fast, solid relationship of reliance and trust between employer and employee is key.
- Having Actual Experience
Soft skills have become more popular as criteria for the hiring process. However, hiring managers and recruiters are still looking for people with quality experience in relevant fields. Experience can emphasize most of the characteristics in this list because it means employers have trusted the applicant before and decided to hire them. In the IT industry, experience and adaptability remain at the top of the criteria list for the hiring process.
