How to Hook Creative Technical Employees

Hiring managers have discovered that most creative technical candidates they interview today have current or recent offers tucked away in their hip pocket and are very savvy about their market value. Potential employers may be surprised to find themselves being interviewed as thoroughly as they are used to interviewing.

Understanding what it takes to attract and retain star talent can give a firm a competitive advantage in today’s market. You may be surprised to learn that salary/benefits is not the most deciding factor in most offers.

Interesting and challenging projects: A recent survey of nearly 400 creative technical professionals found that interesting and challenging projects was the number-one factor 36% of the talent surveyed cited in determining their acceptance or refusal of a job offer. Creative talent are most interested in what types of projects they could be working on.

Are the projects challenging? Interesting? What does the client roster look like? Will their contribution and expertise be appreciated and their aesthetic style add value to a currently thriving creative environment?

Seeing is believing: The strongest selling points for creative technical professionals are the visual aspects of the job — projects and workspaces alike. To engage the creative technical applicants’ heightened sense of the visual, hiring managers should show them great examples of their company’s past and current projects.

They should consider escorting them on a walk-around tour of the workspace. Allow them to SEE the projects and work environments the company has to offer.

SOURCE: eMedia Staffing, Portland, Maine, February 2000.