IT departments have more and more work to do not only because IT infrastructure continues to expand and evolve but also because technology is increasingly becoming intertwined with all aspects of modern business so that besides being responsible for things like managing servers and overseeing data security, IT departments also have to align technology with business goals or strategies by collaborating with other departments to streamline processes and facilitate innovation.
So, hiring a manager for your IT department is a good idea. Here are some tips for hiring the right person to oversee IT operations.
Look for Technical Expertise
Of course, the first thing you want to factor in is relevant technical expertise; someone with knowledge of the latest industry technologies and trends as well as experience managing complex IT projects and troubleshooting technical issues.
Start by prioritizing candidates with a computer science or related education and years of relevant experience. Then during the interview process, you want to gauge their expertise as much as possible. Try:
- Asking technical questions, particularly ones related to the technologies and systems that need managing
- Posing hypothetical scenarios or case studies
- Conducting a technical assessment such as a written test, a coding challenge, or a hands-on exercise
Evaluate Leadership Skills
After technical skills, the second thing you want to evaluate when it comes to a management position is leadership skills because no manager is effective unless they’re able to motivate their team enough to get everyone to not only set goals and strategies but also achieve said goals with support and feedback. IT departments face many challenges – from integrating new technology to combating cyber attacks – and it takes a strong leader to navigate their team through such issues while maintaining productivity and morale.
To gauge leadership skills during the interview process:
- Ask for a description of management style
- Evaluate communication skills by paying attention to how relevant provocative interview questions are answered
- Discuss experience leading teams, such as strategies for change management
Consider Cultural Fit
Every organization has a culture; shared values, behavior, and practices that shape both internal and external interactions.
When hiring an IT manager, keep in mind that bad cultural company culture can be learned so that a person hired from previous employment in a business with a negative organizational culture can negatively affect your own, especially one who’s a manager. So, you want to prioritize candidates who share your business’s values with a track record of positive relationships with their team members and their colleagues.
Generally, the best way to assess this is by checking real references and gathering feedback from others who have worked directly with them.
Hiring a manager for your IT department should be done carefully and by diligently looking for things like technical expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit you can find the right candidate.
