How To Beat The Tech Talent Squeeze In 2023: 6 Proven Strategies

In the current economic climate, with rising costs and increased job turnover, one of the biggest mistakes a company can make in Talent Acquisition is neglecting the potential of its internal workforce and sticking to outdated methods. To remain competitive and adapt to digital acceleration, adopting a flexible, agile approach and exploring new strategies is crucial. While the shortage of skilled workers in specific fields is expected to continue, some steps can be taken to stay ahead of the curve and effectively fill the talent gap.

Current Challenges In Talent Acquisition

As new technologies continue to emerge and evolve, companies face significant challenges in finding and acquiring the necessary talent to implement them. In a recent survey by KPMG, executives cited a shortage of capable talent, high recruiting costs, and skills deficits as their primary obstacles. These challenges have been further exacerbated by rising inflation, unfavourable interest rates, and increasing cyber risks.

While the looming recession may add additional pressure to the talent acquisition landscape, it’s important to note that the fight for talent has always been competitive, with many professionals being passive candidates. However, the current climate of uncertainty may lead some individuals to prioritize stability over new opportunities, making it more challenging to attract top talent.

On a positive note, the large-scale layoffs in the tech industry in the latter half of 2022 may lead to a reshuffle of talent in the job market, providing companies with new opportunities to fill their talent gaps. It’s essential to keep in mind that the Talent Acquisition landscape is constantly evolving, and companies must remain adaptable and open to new strategies to stay competitive.

Navigating The Talent Squeeze: Strategies For Hiring And Retaining Top Talent

Hiring and retaining top talent can be a significant challenge for businesses as the job market becomes increasingly competitive. But with the right approach, finding and keeping the best employees is still possible. Here are six essential areas to focus on when developing your talent management strategy.

1. Emphasize Internal Talent Development

One of the most crucial areas to focus on is internal talent development. As Manjuri (Global Director of Talent Acquisition, Employer Branding & Onboarding at OLX Group)and Sérgio (Director of Engineering at Delivery Hero) noted during a recent panel, many businesses have overlooked the importance of internal talent during market stability. Instead of focusing solely on the acquisition, shifting your focus to retention is essential. This means not only considering business goals and KPIs but also employee growth.

People often leave organizations due to a lack of career development and opportunities. To prevent this, companies should invest in upskilling internal talent, creating an internal mobility marketplace, and encouraging employees to try new things or pursue different career paths. This approach helps retain top talent and nurtures company culture and overall employee growth.

2. Select And Develop Strong Leaders

Leadership plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining talent. According to recent research by McKinsey, uncaring and uninspiring leaders are one of the top five reasons why people leave their jobs. Choosing leaders carefully and guarantee they have the skills and wisdom required to lead and motivate their teams effectively is essential. Good leaders understand how to approach projects that may be harder to staff, can bring the team together around a clear mission, and help people find purpose in their tasks. Additionally, investing in ongoing leadership training and development is essential to ensure that leaders are equipped to handle the ever-changing business landscape.

3. Enhance Digital Environment

Creating a top-notch digital environment is another crucial aspect of attracting and retaining talent. As our CEO, Marek Talarczyk, pointed out, optimizing digital work is one of the top five trends that will push digital acceleration in 2023. Whether employees are working remotely or in the office, providing them with efficient and user-friendly digital tools is essential to ensure they can collaborate and complete tasks efficiently. This includes tackling technical debt, automating mundane tasks and processes, and providing employees with the digital tools they need to succeed. It’s also essential to gather feedback from employees on the digital tools they would like to see implemented and see if you can accommodate their needs.

4. Embrace Remote Work And Diversity In Talent Pools

Expanding the scope of your talent search and embracing remote work can be crucial in today’s competitive job market. This could involve opening offices in new locations or allowing remote work in existing areas. While there may be challenges, such as legislation that has yet to catch up with the modern job market, the benefits can be significant. By embracing remote work, organizations can tap into diverse talent pools and open up new growth opportunities. Some leaders may need help with trust in remote work, but as Manjuri highlighted, remote work has proven to be a viable and successful option for many organizations.

5. Implement An Internal Project Marketplace

An internal project marketplace is a growing trend in talent management. Using intelligent digital platforms, managers can match unique skill sets and expertise with specific projects while enabling professionals to find the most fulfilling tasks. This approach can lead to more efficient talent management, improved growth path planning, and greater transparency across the organization, which can boost employee engagement and satisfaction.

6. Be Flexible And Adapt To Changing Needs

Flexibility is critical to attracting and retaining top talent in today’s fast-paced business environment. It’s essential to get to know your employees and candidates as well as possible, respond to their signals and needs, and create an environment built around their experience. This flexibility accommodates the different needs of workers, such as freelancers who may wish to transition to a regular contract. Flexibility and adaptability can help organizations create a culture that values employees and promotes long-term retention.

Exploring New Avenues For Talent Acquisition And Retention

As we approach 2023, the tech talent shortage continues to be a pressing concern for many organizations. To stay competitive, it’s essential to consider new and innovative approaches to Talent Acquisition and retention. By thinking outside the box and adopting a holistic strategy, it’s possible to attract, retain, and develop the necessary talent to capitalize on digital acceleration and outshine competitors stuck in traditional methods. A vital aspect of this approach is to adopt an employee-centric strategy that focuses on nurturing internal talent, developing strong leaders, and utilizing cutting-edge technology. This will enable organizations to stay ahead in the upcoming year’s global battle for tech talent.

Don’t let the tech talent shortage hold you back in 2023. Contact WTA Studios to learn more about our proven strategies for hiring and retaining top talent and outshine the competition!T

Manish Surapaneni

A Visionary & Expert in enhancing customer experience design, build solutions, modernize applications and leverage technology with Data Analytics to create real value.

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