Top Traits That IT Candidates Are Looking For in Their Leaders

In today’s labor market, job seekers are evaluating and developing opinions around the companies where they interview just as employers are evaluating candidates. As great as a job opportunity might be, if a hiring manager comes across in a bad way, candidates are going to look around for something better, especially highly-qualified candidates that can provide real value to a company. Company leaders should have certain qualities if they want to draw in and retain talent. It’s essential to identify these attributes and work to develop strong leaders that create a feedback loop of talent and success inside the organization.

The following are traits that IT professionals are looking for in hiring managers when they browse their profile on LinkedIn or sit down for an interview.

Trait #1: Strategic vision

Strategic vision is the capability to think long- term and outside of one’s immediate area. It involves three essential dimensions: business understanding, critical thinking skills and the capacity to produce a detailed strategy.

Trait #2: Client-/Customer-focused

Business leaders who are focused on clients and customers know how to build relationships with these stakeholders and manage those relationships for mutual benefit. This requires being able to offer useful assistance and see a situation from another stakeholder’s point-of-view. Leaders who are focus on clients and customers are also proactive in shaping these relationships.

Those who truly excel at building these valuable relationships can also form high-impact bonds with one or more key client, resulting in a mutually beneficial long-term partnership.

Trait #3: An understanding of the market

Good leaders don’t just have the head down, working hard on their narrow purview. These women and men understand the forces acting all around them, including the labor market and regulatory environments.

Company leaders should understand markets to the point that they can identify trends and capitalize on changes.

Trait #4: Results-driven

Being a results-driven person means focusing on processes and the outcomes of those processes. People who are focused on results want to constantly improve and do things better tomorrow than they did today. These folks are regularly introducing new ideas and process, some of which result in greater efficiency.

Those who excel in this area can find new revenue streams or uncover new markets for existing products.

Trait #5: Adaptability

Leaders need to be able to change with circumstances and adapt to changing times.  More than that, company leaders should also be pushing for change and regularly questioning the status quo. The most adaptable individuals can motivate other to change and coordinate change across a department or an entire company.

Trait #6: Ability to collaborate

Top IT candidates don’t want a boss – they want a mentor and a collaborator. Great collaborators in leadership positions help if they are asked and can provide competent support. They can also spread this spirit of collaboration across an organization by fostering partnerships and mutually-beneficial relationships.

Are you looking for top IT talent?

At Software Management Consultants, we support managers at our client companies through managed services and custom staffing solutions. Please contact us today to find out how we can help your organization succeed.