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Technical Sourcing Guide for Beginners to Find the Best Tech Talent

Updated on August 21, 2023

Hiring

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Are you on a quest to build a dream tech team? Navigating the vast sea of tech talent can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially if you’re new to the game. But fret not because we’ve got your back! In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through the exciting world of technical sourcing, helping you uncover the hidden gems of tech talent that can take your projects to the next level.

Defining Your Needs and Roles

Before you jump into the talent pool, take a moment to clearly define your needs. What roles are you looking to fill? Developers, data scientists, UI/UX designers, and the list goes on. Each role requires a specific set of skills. Collaborating with a company like TurnKey Labs can help you map out the skills and expertise required for each role, ensuring you’re targeting the right candidates.

Define Your Ideal Candidate Profile

Begin by clearly defining the skills, experience, and attributes you’re seeking in a candidate. Craft a detailed candidate persona that outlines the desired technical expertise, domain knowledge, soft skills, and cultural fit.

Leverage Multiple Sourcing Channels

Cast a wide net by utilizing various sourcing channels. Explore online job boards, social media platforms, professional networks (LinkedIn, GitHub), coding communities, and tech conferences to connect with potential candidates. Professional tech hiring companies like TurnKey Labs, a Silicon Valley-based offshoring company that specializes in hiring developers for companies looking for remote teams.

Tap into Employee Referrals

Leverage your existing tech team’s network by encouraging employee referrals. Incentivize referrals and communicate the value of bringing in like-minded individuals who align with your company’s goals.

Engage with Coding Communities

Participate in online coding communities and forums where tech enthusiasts share their projects, solve challenges, and discuss industry trends. Engage authentically to connect with potential candidates and showcase your company’s culture.

Attend Tech Meetups and Events

Tech meetups, hackathons, and conferences are prime opportunities to interact with tech professionals, learn about their projects, and establish connections. Participating in these events can help you identify talent and establish your company’s presence. Here’s the list of such events gathered by our specialist

Explore Technical Assessments

Promote Company Brand and Culture

Highlight your company’s mission, values, and culture to attract tech talent who resonate with your organization’s ethos. Showcase real-world projects, technological innovation, and opportunities for professional growth.

Utilize Talent Platforms and Agencies

Consider partnering with specialized talent platforms or recruitment agencies that specialize in tech talent. They can help you tap into a curated pool of skilled professionals efficiently.

Showcase Remote Work Opportunities

Incorporate remote work options to appeal to a broader talent pool. Remote work flexibility can attract tech professionals seeking work-life balance and the ability to contribute from anywhere. By the way, TurnKey labs can help you to choose the right location to hire from.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Stay updated on the latest tech trends, tools, and methodologies. The tech landscape evolves rapidly, and by staying informed, you can tailor your sourcing strategies to match emerging demands.

Streamline Interview and Onboarding Processes

Ensure a seamless and efficient interview and onboarding process to avoid losing top talent due to delays or cumbersome procedures.

Crafting Compelling Job Descriptions

Your job descriptions are your first impression of potential candidates. Make them stand out! Highlight the exciting projects they’ll be working on, the technologies they’ll be using (think Python, JavaScript, AI), and the impact they’ll have on your company’s growth. Be sure to include a glimpse of your company culture to attract candidates who resonate with your values.

Top Suggestion on Creating Job Descriptions

Lead with Impactful Openers:

Start your job description with a captivating opener that highlights the value and impact of the role. Instead of diving straight into a list of responsibilities, paint a picture of the exciting projects and challenges that await the candidate. For example:

“Are you ready to revolutionize the world of AI? Join our dynamic team and be at the forefront of creating cutting-edge machine learning solutions that transform industries.” This opener immediately engages candidates and conveys the significance of the role within your organization.

Focus on Growth and Learning Opportunities:

Tech professionals are often passionate about continuous learning and career growth. Highlight the learning opportunities and professional development paths your company offers. Showcase how the role allows candidates to expand their skill set, work on innovative projects, and contribute to their own professional advancement. For instance:

“As our Senior Software Engineer, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with cross-functional teams, attend conferences, and engage in regular hackathons to fuel your creativity and foster your expertise.” Emphasizing growth prospects can make your job description more enticing to candidates seeking personal and career development.

Use Action-Oriented Language:

Employ action-oriented language that conveys a sense of excitement and achievement. Instead of just listing responsibilities, focus on the impact of the candidate’s work and the value they’ll bring to the team. Use action verbs like “pioneer,” “drive,” “innovate,” and “lead” to inject energy into your job description. For example:

“Lead the development of groundbreaking mobile applications that will redefine user experiences and shape the future of our company’s digital landscape.” Action-oriented language not only makes the job description more engaging but also communicates the candidate’s potential contributions effectively.

Conducting Effective Screening

As applications pour in, it’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff. Screen resumes and portfolios meticulously. Look for projects that align with your needs and candidates who showcase a passion for continuous learning (a GitHub repository filled with personal projects is a great sign). TurnKey Labs can assist in the screening process, ensuring you only interview the cream of the crop. Here is our rest easy promise.

Major Tips on How to Organize Candidate Screening

Define Clear Screening Criteria:

Before you start reviewing resumes and portfolios, define clear screening criteria based on the specific skills and qualifications you’re looking for. Create a checklist of technical skills, experience levels, and any specific certifications that are essential for the role. This will help you objectively assess candidates and ensure consistency in your evaluations. Additionally, collaborating with TurnKey Labs can help you align your screening criteria with the global talent landscape, ensuring you don’t miss out on valuable candidates.

Assess Relevant Projects and Achievements:

When reviewing candidates’ portfolios, focus on their relevant projects and achievements. Look for projects that align with the skills required for the position. Assess the complexity of the projects, the technologies used, and the impact they’ve had. Candidates who have worked on projects similar to what your team is handling are more likely to be a good fit.

Incorporate Technical Challenges or Tests:

To gauge candidates’ technical competence, consider incorporating technical challenges or tests into the screening process. These challenges can be real-world scenarios or coding assignments that simulate the tasks they’ll be handling in the role. This step helps you assess their problem-solving skills, coding proficiency, and attention to detail. TurnKey Labs can provide guidance on creating effective technical challenges that accurately evaluate candidates’ abilities.

The Art of the Interview

Interviews are your chance to dig deeper. Beyond technical skills, assess communication skills, problem-solving ability, and cultural fit. Behavioral questions like “Tell me about a challenging project you’ve tackled” can reveal valuable insights.

The List of Main Questions You Need to Ask During the Interview

Certainly, here are seven main questions you can ask during an interview with tech candidates:

Technical Expertise:

Can you walk us through your experience with [specific technology/programming language]?
What projects have you worked on that showcase your technical skills? How did you contribute to the team’s success

Problem-Solving and Creativity:

Describe a complex technical challenge you’ve faced and how you approached solving it.
Can you provide an example of a time when you had to think creatively to overcome a technical obstacle?

Collaboration and Communication:

How do you typically approach collaborating with cross-functional teams, designers, and non-technical stakeholders?
Can you share a project where effective communication played a pivotal role in its success?

Learning and Adaptability:

How do you keep up with the latest trends and advancements in the tech industry?
Can you tell us about a time when you had to quickly learn a new technology or skill for a project?

Coding and Best Practices:

What coding practices do you follow to ensure the readability, maintainability, and scalability of your code?
How do you approach testing and debugging your code to ensure its quality?

Project Management and Time Management:

How do you manage your time when working on multiple projects simultaneously?
Can you share an experience where you successfully managed a project’s timeline and milestones?

Company Fit and Long-Term Goals:

What excites you about joining our company and contributing to our team’s projects?
Where do you see yourself in the next few years, and how do you think this role aligns with your long-term career goals?

Showcasing Your Company's Value

Top tech talent is in high demand, so what makes your company stand out? Highlight your unique value proposition. Is it a flexible remote work policy? Exciting projects? A culture of innovation? Collaborate with TurnKey Labs to showcase what sets your company apart and attract candidates who share your vision.

Making the Offer and Onboarding

Congratulations, you’ve found the perfect fit!

Now it’s time to extend the offer. Be transparent about compensation, benefits, and growth opportunities.

Once they accept, a seamless onboarding process is crucial. Set them up for success with the right tools, resources, and a warm welcome from your team.

Key Takeaways: Unlocking Tech Talent's Potential

Embarking on the journey of technical sourcing might seem overwhelming, but with the right strategy and support, you can find the best tech talent to fuel your company’s success. Collaborating with TurnKey Labs can be your secret weapon, helping you uncover exceptional remote developers and programming teams that will propel your projects to new heights. Happy sourcing!

Don’t Forget About Retention!

If you didn’t know, constantly looking for new developers is extremely expensive, so as soon as you find the right team, you need to learn how to retain it. Retaining a skilled and motivated tech team is crucial for long-term success and cost-effectiveness. Retention program from TurnKey labs.

FAQ

Why should I consider working with TurnKey Labs?

TurnKey Labs is a Silicon Valley-based offshoring company that specializes in finding developers and programming teams for companies seeking remote talent. Their expertise in sourcing global tech talent can streamline your hiring process and help you connect with skilled professionals from around the world.

How can I ensure cultural fit when hiring globally?

While cultural fit is important, focusing on shared values and a passion for your company's mission can bridge cultural gaps. Conduct thorough interviews to assess candidates' alignment with your company's vision and goals.

What are some trusted sources with tech hiring statistics?

For reliable insights into tech hiring trends and statistics, check out sources like the Stack Overflow Developer Survey and the LinkedIn Talent Blog.