Top 6 Strategies to Skyrocket Your Digital Talent Recruitment

It wouldn’t be far from reality if you said that digital talent is now on the top chart for the popular workforce. Between 2002 and 2020, the demand for high digital skills spiked from 9 to 26%. [1] And back in March 2023, there were almost 316,000 open tech roles across the economy. [2] This shows that digital talent is in extremely high demand, especially for digital marketing, data analytics, cybersecurity, and software development sectors. Tech workers change jobs every 2.7 years, which gives recruiters an opening window to engage with them. We will dive into six proven methods to help you attract, connect, and retain digital talent.

What is Digital Talent

Before we go to the best practices, let’s begin by learning the definition of digital talent. Digital talent includes professionals who work with technology, specifically information technology, digitalization, analytics, and automation. These workers are key players in helping companies transform their operations, systems, and processes to increase efficiency, productivity, and innovation.

Digital talent plays a big part in implementing technological solutions that drive business growth and success. They are skilled in coding, data analysis, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and Artificial Intelligence. These professionals possess a deep understanding of digital tools and technologies and can leverage them to solve complex problems and improve organizational performance. Digital talent also ushers companies’ journey towards evolving the digital landscape by implementing new technologies, systems, and processes that streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.

Top Strategies to Attract & Hire Top Digital Talent

1. Employer Branding

The first impression is a gateway to a strong connection with top digital talent. So, first thing first, put your focus on building a strong employer brand. This involves showcasing your company culture, values, and opportunities for growth and development. It’s a good idea to highlight your employee testimonials and success stories. It can help in reinforcing a compelling brand image.

As hassle as it sounds, you can leverage an Applicant Tracking System like Manatal to build and showcase a solid employer brand within a few clicks. Through its Branded Careers Page feature, you have the power to design your career site in any way you desire. You can pick colors to match your brand and easily upload videos, images, or blogs to highlight the best part of working at your company. You can also choose to design your career page using our ready-to-use templates. Once you’re done, you can integrate this career page with your main website, making it easily accessible.

{{cta}}

2. Competitive Compensation Packages

Competitive compensation packages are another element that helps draw the right talent to your front door. As 44% of workers prefer a hybrid working environment, consider offering it to job seekers alongside other benefits like performance bonuses. This would make you stand out from other employers who lack such perks.

3. Targeted Recruitment Strategies

Talent Acquisition strategy and digital transformation are two inseparable approaches to digital talent recruitment. So, instead of relying solely on traditional job postings or old-school methods, look for tools that can help you simplify and elevate your candidate sourcing game, such as hiring software that can push out job openings across platforms in one go. You can expand your network through industry events or partner with specialized recruitment agencies to speed up the process of identifying the right candidates.

4. Professional Development Opportunities

Top digital talent is constantly seeking opportunities for growth and development. You should study and invest in training programs, workshops, and certifications to let these future employees know that your company provides them with opportunities to enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest industry trends, crafting a solid career path.

5. Embrace Diversity and Inclusion

DE&I is not just a word, it’s one of the main pillars of Talent Acquisition. Over 39% of workers revealed they would leave their current company for a more inclusive one. At the same time, 78% of companies put their focus on diversity to strengthen company culture. [4] So, it’s safe to say that creating a diverse and inclusive work environment is key to attracting and retaining top digital talent. Go ahead and promote diversity in hiring practices, provide equal opportunities for growth and advancement, and foster a culture of inclusion where all employees feel valued and respected.

6. Continuous Feedback and Recognition

Don’t forget to provide regular feedback and recognition for top performers. This is one of the key factors in retaining digital talent. Recognize their achievements, provide constructive feedback, and offer opportunities for advancement. These things help motivate and drive your employees to perform at their best and stay engaged with your organization.

Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring Digital Talent

• Focusing solely on technical skills: Aside from technical skills, it is important to look at soft skills like communication, problem-solving ability, and adaptability. Ideal digital talent should be able to work well in a team, think creatively, and be open to learning new technologies and approaches. So, take all elements to help you spot the right candidates.
• Ignoring cultural fit: Hiring talent misaligned with your culture can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and a lack of motivation. Before you make a decision, consider how well a candidate will fit into the work environment and whether their values and work ethic align with your company’s.
• Overlooking diversity and inclusion: Building a diverse team brings different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to the table, enhancing creativity and innovation. On the other hand, ignoring all that can give you a lack of diversity of thought.
• Not providing opportunities for growth and development: Digital talent, especially in the fast-paced digital industry, values opportunities for growth and development. You will struggle to retain top talent if you never offer ongoing training, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities.

Conclusion

Digital talent is an important part of any business across all industries, especially in today's fast-paced tech landscape. Before you start your hiring campaign for tech candidates, don’t forget to clearly outline the specific skills and experience required for the role, while clearly defining the goals and objectives of the position. Also, establish a strong employer brand and company culture that appeals to digital professionals. Lastly, investing in ongoing training and development programs for digital talent can ensure they stay up-to-date with technologies and tools in their field.

—

Citations:

1. brookings.edu

2. McKinsey

3. hrreview

4. LinkedIn