As wonderful as the world of IT is, not everyone grew up wanting to work in the field. Many of us started elsewhere within the technology industry or entirely outside. Someone with a different background may not only be a good fit for your current opening, but they have a skillset or experience that positions them well to move into other roles in the future, perhaps even management.
Here are some upsides to hiring someone whose working experience goes beyond IT.
They’re open to learning new things and embracing change. If not, they wouldn’t be applying for the job. The skills you’re looking for may not require a computer science degree. There are well-run boot camps and programs that may equip them to perform needed tasks. If you need someone comfortable handling a variety of demands, someone open to change may be a good choice.
They may switch careers because the opportunities may not be what they hoped for. They may have grown bored in an industry that boxed them in. They want a new challenge that better fits their goals. They may have stayed where they were if they just wanted to punch a clock or do enough to get by.
Compare them to other candidates with a more traditional IT background. They may have far more experience working with customers, communicating, and managing people. High-stress job you’re filling? It might not seem too bad if you worked as an EMT, saving accident victims’ lives, or you defused explosives in the military. A career changer may have become a master of handling unhappy customers while working in restaurants or learned how to sell in retail positions. Might those be valuable skills now or in the future?
Your business may be set in its ways and need a different perspective. A company filled with IT “lifers” may be set in its ways. Work is organized, and employees are managed in a certain way. You may be missing opportunities to cut costs, boost revenues, and improve productivity because you’re in an IT echo chamber. Maybe someone who managed mechanics at a car dealership or was responsible for re-stocking a Walmart on the overnight shift may have some good suggestions.
Career changers are probably older than the average person seeking an entry-level position or one that doesn’t require extensive experience. They’re not only battling biases against career changers, but some employers might shy away from candidates who aren’t young. The typical job seeker should be grateful for the opportunity, but it may just be another job for them. If you hire someone hitting headwinds in getting an IT job, they may be far more appreciative and loyal. If you use an outside-the-box approach to hiring them, they may go the extra mile to excel and show that you made the right decision.
Take the Next Step. Contact Skill Connect 360
We want your business to succeed. That’s only possible when the right people are matched to the positions you need to fill. Skill Connect can help you attract the best job candidates to help your business grow. Call us today at 212-507-9350 or fill out our contact form so we can start the conversation.
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