How to Find IT Help When You Know Nothing About IT

Technology plays a vital role in business these days—sometimes almost as vital as the roles people play. It’s virtually unthinkable to imagine a business that doesn’t rely heavily on computers, software, the Internet, complex algorithms, or other technology to store, transmit, manipulate, and use data and information.

It’s impossible to keep up with all the technological advances being made these days, which is why many companies employ Information Technology (IT) employees to make sure that everything related to technology keeps running smoothly. But how are you supposed to find great IT employees when you, yourself, know nothing about IT?

Here are some tips that will help you get the help you need in your IT department.

Be specific.

You can’t effectively fill a position if you don’t know what that position is. What IT needs do you have? Are you in need of security? Developers? Engineers? Do you simply need someone to call when the Internet goes down in the office? Think about the specific tasks you need performed, to help guide you as you write a job description.

Leverage your network.

Chances are, you know someone that has a successful IT department. Ask them to share what they know. Ask about the team’s strengths, weaknesses, and challenges. Ask about employees that have been successful, and about ones that haven’t worked out. The more data points you have, the more you’ll be able to develop a clearer picture of the kind of person you are looking for.

Write an outstanding job ad.

A great job ad is crucial for any type of hire, but if you know very little about the position you’re hiring for, that becomes even more true. Put a substantial amount of work into making sure your job ad is clear about what you’re looking for. Include the results you want from the hire and the tasks that will be performed, as well as what you’re looking for in terms of work habits, personality, and culture fit. When doing this, get help from outside sources. Look at other job ads for similar positions; talk to someone who currently holds a similar position; talk to your team about what responsibilities to include. In the end, getting the ad right will narrow the pool of candidates that apply, making the hiring process quicker.

Look for experience.

If you don’t know much about a specific field, it can be difficult to gauge a candidate’s level of expertise in that field. Asking industry-specific questions probably won’t get you far, since you don’t even know what the answers to those questions should be. That’s why experience is an important factor. Look at past positions the candidate has held, and how long they held them for. Ask about the tasks they’ve had to perform. Ask if they’ve pursued any kind of ongoing education or training. Learning about their experience can tell you a lot about their skill set, their loyalty to a job/company, and their drive to learn and grow.

Use a staffing agency.

The easiest way to avoid any kind of hiring mistake is to put hiring in the hands of the experts. Staffing agencies know what to look for in terms of education, skills, and experience to fill any given position. They can also help you find someone that will be a good culture fit for your company. With access to exclusive and extensive databases, a good staffing agency can make hiring so much easier—especially if you know little about the position.

Hiring well is one of the most important things you can do for your company. If you’re trying to make an IT hire, but you know nothing about IT, you risk making a mistake that would cost your company time and money. Follow these tips to increase your chances of making a good IT hire; the extra work is worth the effort!