The Role of Soft Benefits in Attracting Top Temporary IT Talent

Attracting top temporary IT talent goes beyond the allure of competitive salaries and conventional perks. As organizations continually adapt to the evolving needs of the industry, the role of “soft benefits” has emerged as a pivotal factor in the recruitment and retention of skilled professionals. These intangible, non-monetary advantages often play a decisive role in creating an appealing work environment, fostering employee satisfaction, and ultimately, positioning businesses as magnets for the brightest temporary IT talent. Let’s delve into the significance of soft benefits and explore how they contribute to the success of organizations in securing and retaining top-tier IT professionals temporarily.

What are soft benefits?

Soft benefits refer to non-monetary, intangible advantages that employees gain from their workplace, organization, or job environment, contributing to their overall satisfaction, well-being, and work experience. Unlike tangible perks such as salary or health benefits, soft benefits encompass a range of qualitative aspects that enhance the quality of work life.

Examples include:

• a positive company culture,
• flexible work arrangements,
• professional development opportunities,
• a supportive and inclusive work environment,
• recognition and appreciation,
• and work-life balance.

These intangible benefits are crucial in fostering employee engagement, loyalty, and motivation. Soft benefits are instrumental in creating a workplace that values its employees not just as workers, but as individuals with unique needs and aspirations, ultimately contributing to a more productive and harmonious work atmosphere.

Hard benefit vs soft benefit

Hard benefits vs soft benefits are two distinct categories used to characterize the advantages or perks offered by employers to their employees. Also, hard benefits refer to tangible, quantifiable performance rewards, that can be easily measured and assigned a monetary value. These often include traditional components of a compensation package such as:

• salary,
• bonuses,
• health insurance,
• retirement plans,
• and other financial incentives.

Hard benefits are straightforward and are typically outlined clearly and structured, providing employees with a concrete understanding of their monetary value.

On the other hand, soft benefits are intangible and non-monetary rewards that contribute to the overall well-being and satisfaction of employees. These benefits are more subjective and focus on enhancing the work environment, fostering a positive company culture, and promoting employee engagement. Soft benefits may include flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, wellness programs, and work-life balance initiatives.

Soft benefits are often aimed at improving the quality of work life, job satisfaction, and employee morale, factors that may not be easily quantifiable but can significantly impact the overall employee experience and contribute to a company’s attractiveness as an employer. In essence, while hard benefits address the financial aspects of compensation, soft benefits focus on the emotional and psychological aspects that contribute to a fulfilling and enjoyable work environment.

Why hard benefits are not enough anymore for employee satisfaction?

In the IT industry, a big salary is not enough to hire or retain software developers. Many developers are driven by a passion for continuous professional development and a desire for meaningful work. The tech industry is marked by rapid advancements, and developers thrive on staying ahead of the curve through ongoing learning and skill enhancement.

Companies that invest in opportunities for growth, such as training programs, conferences, and mentorship, demonstrate a commitment to nurturing their developers’ careers. Moreover, developers often seek workplaces that foster a collaborative and innovative culture, valuing a sense of purpose and autonomy in their projects.

Recognizing that job satisfaction extends beyond financial rewards, organizations that prioritize professional development and a positive work environment are better positioned to attract and retain top talent in the highly competitive tech sector.

Examples of soft benefits for employees

Let’s explore some examples of soft benefits that you can provide for your employees. Many soft and non-financial benefits may leave your software development team pleasantly surprised.

Workplace Flexibility

Workplace flexibility refers to the ability of employees to customize their work arrangements in terms of time, location, and work hours to suit their individual needs and lifestyles better. For software developers, this soft benefit holds particular significance as their work often revolves around project deadlines and creative problem-solving.

The nature of software development allows for tasks to be accomplished independently, making remote work and flexible hours feasible. This flexibility empowers developers to manage their time efficiently, fostering a better work-life balance. This, in turn, can:

• enhance job satisfaction,
• reduce burnout,
• and promote overall well-being.

Moreover, it recognizes the unique rhythm of creativity and productivity that many developers experience, allowing them to optimize their workflow and contribute their best work to the project and team. In a competitive job market where top talent is highly sought, offering workplace flexibility becomes a valuable tool for attracting and retaining skilled software developers.

Remote work

Remote work is a standard in tech and many developers look for the opportunity to work from home. It fosters a flexible and autonomous work environment, allowing professionals to tailor their schedules to peak productivity hours. This flexibility can lead to improved work-life balance, reduced commuting stress, and increased job satisfaction.

Therefore, ultimately contributing to higher levels of creativity and innovation in software development. Additionally, remote work enables access to a diverse talent pool, as developers can collaborate from different geographic locations, enhancing the overall effectiveness of a development team.

Professional development

Professional development for software developers refers to the ongoing process of enhancing and expanding their skills, knowledge, and capabilities within the rapidly evolving field of technology. It encompasses various activities such as:

• attending workshops,
• participating in training programs,
• acquiring certifications,
• and staying informed about industry trends.

This continuous learning program not only keeps developers up-to-date with the latest tools and technologies but also hones their problem-solving abilities and fosters a mindset of innovation.

In the context of software development, professional development serves as a good example of a soft benefit by contributing to job satisfaction, employee engagement, and overall career growth. It enables developers to:

• stay competitive in a dynamic industry,
• enhances their marketability,
• and positions them to tackle complex challenges with confidence.

Employers who prioritize and support professional development initiatives invest money in their developers’ skill sets and cultivate a culture of learning that can positively impact team performance and organizational success.

Gym membership

Another great soft benefit to provide is a gym membership. A gym membership is a great way for software developers to take a break from sitting at their desks. There are a few different plans that you can choose from based on your needs and goals.

Paid days off

Another soft benefit your human resource team can offer as part of the overall compensation package is paid days off. You can offer additional paid-offs from the normal, for things like birthdays. You can increase the number of days off based on employee loyalty. Perhaps, the longer an employee works, the more days off, he or she receives.

Co-finance home office furniture

Another great employee perk is to co-finance home office furniture. You can also co-finance computers or laptops for your software developers. This way they have a nice place to work with a great device, but without the full cost.

Language lessons

Another soft benefit that many businesses consider offering is language lessons. These language lessons can be in English to help with customer communication. Or they can be any language that the employee wants. This depends on you and your business case. These language lessons can take place remotely or in your place of business. It can be during working hours, or after. You choose, but it’s a great perk for employees. They can expand their skills to help better your business. Moreover, they have the opportunity for growth, which is a huge must-have for many software engineers.

Why attracting top talent is crucial for tech companies

Let’s go over some of the main reasons why attracting top talent is crucial for software development companies. Some of these reasons include gaining innovation, remaining competitive, and much more. Learn more details about these reasons and others below.

Gain innovation & creative

Hiring high-quality developers can make a huge difference in your projects. They can add innovative and creative ideas that may make your project even better. New team members can add new technology solutions to help your project be better. They may also add suggestions to improve your workflow.

Increased productivity

Adding experienced developers can help you increase the productivity of your team. A qualified developer can handle tasks quickly and with fewer errors. Many companies consider hiring regular or senior developers because they can get things done 1.5 times faster than let’s say a junior developer.

Enhancing Company Reputation and Brand Image

A team comprised of skilled professionals not only ensures the development of cutting-edge products and services. But also communicates a message of competence and reliability to clients and partners. As industry leaders, top tech talents contribute significantly to building a positive brand image. Thus attracting investors, and positioning the company as a forward-thinking and competitive player in the market.

Boosting Employee Retention and Morale

Attracting and retaining top tech talent fosters a culture of expertise and continuous learning within the company, creating an environment where employees are motivated to stay and grow. A team of top tech talent not only enhances the quality of work but also fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment among employees, leading to higher job satisfaction and increased retention rates.

Gain a competitive advantage

If you are looking to gain a particular project then hiring top tire talent might be the way to go. A dynamic skill set is crucial for staying ahead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Thus providing a competitive edge in developing innovative solutions and products.

Ways to attract top talent with soft benefits

There are two ways to attract top talent with soft benefits.

1. In-house recruitment
2. IT staff augmentation services.

You can use soft benefits to attract developers through an in-house recruitment process. Your HR can create job offers including soft benefits to attract coders, using traditional hiring. It’s important to note that soft benefits don’t have to be expensive. Also, you should think of them as an investment as opposed to an expense.

Or you can use IT staff augmentation services to help you hire top-notch developers. Typically, the vendor will cover the perks, so that you don’t have the hassle or the cost. Here at Swyply, we take care of things like professional development, laptops, etc. So our customers don’t have to when hiring temporary developers.

TL;DR: Summarising why soft benefits are important when attracting top temporary IT talent

The significance of soft benefits in attracting top temporary IT talent cannot be overstated. While hard benefits like salary and health insurance remain crucial, it is the inclusion of soft benefits that can truly set an employer apart in the competitive IT job market.

Some key soft benefits you may consider offering include:

• Offering professional development courses allows temporary IT professionals to continuously upskill and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
• Co-financing home office furniture demonstrates a commitment to creating a comfortable and productive remote work environment, enhancing overall job satisfaction.
• Language lessons not only broaden horizons but also foster effective communication within diverse teams.

The key distinction between hard benefits and soft benefits lies in their tangibility. Hard benefits are typically quantifiable and easily measured, such as salary and insurance, whereas soft benefits are more intangible, focusing on employee well-being, growth, and work experience.

In the realm of hiring temporary IT talent, emphasizing soft benefits can be a game-changer. It is the attention to these details that not only attracts skilled professionals but also retains them, creating a positive and dynamic work culture.

Ready to enhance your team with top-notch temporary IT talent without the hassle of managing soft benefits? Drop us a line and let’s discuss how IT staff augmentation can elevate your business to new heights. Your success is just a message away!