In tech hiring, money talks – but it's not always the loudest voice.
We've seen it happen: two nearly identical offers, but only one lands the top developer. Turns out, developers have a mental checklist that goes way beyond the numbers on their offer letter. And if you're not ticking those boxes, you might find yourself ghosted faster than you can say "competitive compensation."
To avoid that, take a look at this checklist:
A Future They Can Believe In
The tech landscape has shifted dramatically over the past two years. Before 2022, we witnessed bloated developer salaries and lavish perks, thanks to the funding bubble.
However, the post-layoff period right now is marked by uncertainty and economic anxiety. There is a great shift in what top developers value in potential employers.
Now, more than ever, developers are prioritizing stability and longevity.
They're not just looking for their next paycheck; they're searching for a company with staying power. They want assurance that the organization they join today will still be thriving five, or ten years down the line. Hence, they're looking beyond the hype and asking tough questions about market fit, revenue streams, and long-term viability.
So, companies need to understand, accept, and prepare for this shift. Every talent touchpoint should keep this in mind.
The companies that can paint a compelling picture of the future – one that developers can see themselves in – will have a significant edge over competitors.
An Environment They Can Grow In
Developers are among the highest-paid professionals for a reason: they master technology, a field that intimidates many. But technology's rapid evolution makes their job uniquely challenging.
Yesterday's cutting-edge is today's legacy system.
And, developers know this better than anyone. They know their skills have an expiration date. No wonder they don't take upskilling lightly. They make it a habit.
Smart companies understand this and make learning a core part of the job. This might mean setting aside time for developers to explore new technologies, providing budgets for courses or conferences, or setting up internal tech talks. Some organizations even rotate developers across different projects to broaden their skill sets.
Companies that cater to this need are the companies developers have a hard time leaving.
A Profile They Can Be Proud Of
Developers live in two worlds. There's the daily grind - fixing bugs, maintaining code, and handling routine tasks. Then there's the thrill of creation - architecting new systems, optimizing performance bottlenecks, and implementing cutting-edge algorithms.
Both aspects are crucial. The best developers are pros at making ample room for this duality. They want roles that are challenging enough to keep them engaged and growing, but not so difficult that it becomes demoralizing. This might mean tackling a tough project, and then following it up with something more straightforward to recharge. Please note that this is not about switching between boring and exciting work. It's about creating an environment where both types of work are valued and feed into each other.
Companies that can consistently provide this balanced challenge stand out in the job market. They create an environment where developers feel continually stimulated without being overwhelmed – a key factor in both attracting and retaining top tech talent.
A Purpose They Can Care For
Developers want their code to make a difference. They're looking for projects that have a real impact. This is a broader trend towards purpose-driven work across industries. And developers, with their ability to create and shape digital experiences, are particularly obsessed with the impact of their work.
This doesn't mean every job needs to be world-changing. However, developers want to see how their work fits into the bigger picture. They're asking questions like: Does this product solve real problems? Will users actually benefit from what I'm building?
Companies that can articulate a clear, compelling mission are at a distinct advantage. Whether it's fixing healthcare, responding to climate change, or simply making people's daily lives easier via a grocery app, developers want to see how their code contributes at large.
A Workspace That Fits Their Lives
Developers want their code to make a difference. They want to work on projects that have a real impact. This trend toward purpose-driven work is everywhere, but it's especially strong among developers. With their ability to create and shape digital experiences, developers are focused on making sure their work matters.
Flexibility has shifted from being a perk to an expectation.
Developers are looking for companies that trust them to manage their time and deliver results, regardless of where they're working from. This doesn't always mean working from home full-time. Some developers still like coming to an office, at least sometimes. The key is choice.
They want to be trusted enough to get the work done no matter where they are. Companies that offer this trust and flexibility often find it easier to attract and keep good developers.
For those who offer neither hybrid nor remote, attracting top developers will be challenging. Just like we need developers to convince of a business impact for their new monitor, we have to give them a compelling reason to not be remote.
Basically,
The best developers aren't just looking for a job. They're looking for a place where they can shape the future. Make your company that place, and the talent will follow – even if your salary offer isn't the highest on the table.