Non-Tech Skills to Look for in Tech Workers
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Being Accountable
Beware of employees who are always "asking for an extension" on a deadline. You can tell them that while this probably worked in college, it's not acceptable in the real world. -
Collaborating as a Team Member
Few employees succeed as solo acts. When interviewing, find out what candidates have done to add value to a group. Give bonus points if they did so for an initiative with the business side. -
Writing Emails/Memos That Look Professional
Well-rounded tech employees realize that attention to detail matters. Before sending an email or memo, they check spelling and grammar. They don't use texting 'shortcuts.' They're concise, while presenting clearly defined ideas. -
Staying Flexible
Given the rapid shifts of business and technology, IT pros must quickly shift gears on projects, immediately adapting to new concepts and goals. -
Interacting Pleasantly
We recognize that not all tech folks are social butterflies. But they should treat others in a civil–if not friendly or even engaging–manner. After all, you don't want an IT department full of moody, aloof hermits. -
Solving Problems
As a team exercise, you may want to introduce puzzle-based contests, to encourage IT staffers to come up with new ways to respond to intriguing challenges. -
Keeping Cool
Sure, a tech department can get tense when chaos ensues. But high performers understand how to lead by example by remaining calm and focused under duress. -
Observing Critically
It's not enough to gather and report on data–IT employees should 'see' the stories within the metrics which will reveal game-changing, actionable patterns and trends. -
Dressing the Part
Yes, there are plenty of days in which jeans and T-shirts are the norm. And that's fine. But when key stakeholders, outside partners and clients are in the office, team members should know they need to wear business-appropriate attire. -
Committing to Integrity
Without integrity, an employee will never acquire the most important 'asset' that CIOs and colleagues seek: trust, which is the mortar that holds an IT department together.
As a CIO, you want your IT employees to command a high level of hard skills–specifically their tech experience and know-how, as demonstrated by certifications, degrees and work history. But how much attention do you pay to the less tangible soft skills and traits that still prove so critical? Soft skills cover a wide range of essentials relating to communications, team work, creativity and overall professional comportment–qualities that are apparently in relatively short supply these days: More than nine out of 10 surveyed senior executives said they struggle with skill gaps within their workforce, and 44% said soft skills are missing. (As opposed to just 22% who cite a lack of tech skills.) Two out of five execs believe the skills gap is most prevalent in the tech sector–second only to the manufacturing industry. Given this, consider the following 10 "non-tech" skills and qualities that you should look for in job candidates, and help develop within existing team members. They were adapted from a number of online resources, including those posted by Monster.com and QuintCareers.com.
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