Hiring for Technical Positions

Hiring for technical positions can be challenging for some hiring managers.  While it is recommended that you have your technical managers involved in the hiring process, some companies do not have that luxury.  So how do you handle the acronyms, jargon, and “geek speak” to find that perfect fit? 

While all technical positions have different requirements, there are several simple steps you can take to help you when you are hiring for these positions.  These steps include: 

• Understand the department and the job description you will be hiring for.  You will look at different job candidates based on the roles of the position.  For example, is it a position in the marketing department, where the candidate will be building websites and apps, or will the candidate be working in the product division writing code and developing software?  The more you know and understand about the department and the actual position, the easier it will be during the hiring process. 
• Once you understand the department and the position you will hire for, it is best to have an open dialogue with the team members of that department.  Gain a deep understanding of the team, the technology that will be utilized, and the skillset of the hire they desire.  Perhaps they are missing a certain skill set that is needed, or they need someone that has a new certification.  You will have better success when you understand the exact needs of the department. 
• Now that you have all of the requirements of the position, you can start to match resumes to the skills and the role needed.  This is not easy by any means, as a resume only tells part of the story.  Start by matching the skill sets you require and other overall duties that the job will entail.  Again, it may be beneficial to have the department team review these before moving to the next step. 
• Once you have narrowed down your candidates, then you will invite them in for an interview.  This can often be the hardest part for a hiring manager with no technical experience or background.  Regardless of your role, you can ask good questions by gleaning questions from your department team.  Often times it is best to create a sort of cheat sheet that you can use during the interview.  In addition, after your initial interview, most hiring managers will schedule a second interview with several key members of the department team. 

While hiring for technical positions can be difficult for a hiring manager with no technical experience, there are ways in which you can get the necessary information to make the best decision for the company and the team.  Consider the steps above when hiring for these positions.