A bad hire is expensive. That is why the candidate selection should be balanced and well-thought. What tests to conduct, what criteria to define, what competencies to emphasize – there are different approaches in recruitment. But which of them is the most suitable for selecting programmers?
Main approaches for selecting software engineers
The main feature of this approach is the “one-way process.” A company decides what it needs for specific business goals, clearly prescribes the requirements, and looks for someone who can meet them. The top management makes all the hiring decisions. At the same time, an employer almost does not focus on candidates’ needs and wishes.
Unlike the previous one, this approach involves a “two-way” hiring process. It means that a candidate becomes an equal party in decision-making. And an employer has to fight for them.
So, a company does not only look for a suitable candidate but also tries to become an appealing employer. A company works on brand development and offers appropriate bonuses and compensation packages, including potential severance pay.
At interviews, recruiters try to understand the candidate’s needs and establish a psychological connection.
This approach involves a detailed analysis of a candidate’s professional and personal qualities. One of its main features is multi-level interviews, which can turn into 2-3 and, sometimes, even more stages of selection.
On the one hand, it allows you to identify candidates who are the best match for the position and the team. On the other hand, the process can become too long and exhausting for both parties.
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the competency-based approach
This approach focuses on key competencies and experiences that a future team member has to demonstrate.
Depending on the role, these competencies include technical expertise, communication skills, the ability to work in a team, respond to stress, and other less obvious soft skills.
It is one of the most popular approaches in the tech sector because it allows you to create a detailed candidate profile with all the details and create a flexible recruitment strategy for each position in each company.