Remote working in tech: an untapped talent pool in a crowded market

Finding tech talent in the local market can be a challenge. Almost a quarter of hiring managers working in global markets say they can’t find the talent they need at home. The pandemic helped the transition to a remote working model, and more than a third of Dutch recruitment managers say it’s helped them to broaden their search for talent after work from home arrangements have become commonplace.

The Netherlands are global leaders

No-one has embraced remote working quite the way we have in the Netherlands. According to Remote’s survey of 250 hiring managers in 2022, just over half of Dutch businesses search for talent exclusively in this country. This is compared to the US at 68% and the UK at 63%.

When you look at global hiring practices, we are clearly leading the way. Dutch businesses are more open to hiring internationally compared to other countries by sizable percentages, with 35% of Dutch organisations responding positively to the question ‘Are you open to hiring international candidates?’, compared with the US at 30% and the UK at 27%. Only 26% of global companies surveyed say they’ll hire anywhere in the world.

What are the advantages of hiring remotely?

Over half of all talent acquisition professionals (54%) say that diversifying the team is the driving factor behind recruiting remotely. When you look at global hiring, the figure jumps to 62%.

Nearly half (46%) say it’s also about trying out new markets. As language skills can be an issue, 35% of companies report sourcing in regions with high numbers of English-speaking candidates.

Looking for tech talent in a crowded market

Despite our openness to looking outside national borders, Dutch hiring managers may be missing a trick when it comes to untapped talent pools as the majority (70%) are looking in established technology hubs that are crowded with competition.

The top markets to hire from currently include Berlin, Paris, and London but these established tech hubs can be expensive and logistically complicated. They also bring low supply-demand ratios and high salary expectations. A vast proportion say they are now sourcing in less popular areas including Helsinki, Mexico City, Poland and Hungary.

Why it really matters where you look for tech talent

Unsurprisingly, the most sought-after roles by Dutch companies are also in hot demand globally, so employers who are open to a remote working model can access top talent everywhere and many professionals want the flexibility and autonomy of working from home.

If your company is open to hiring globally, you can create a more diverse and inclusive culture at the same time.

Making an ethical impact in emerging tech talent hubs

Benefits cited by companies hiring in emerging tech talent hubs include giving people the chance to build a career without moving to another country and diversifying the workforce. This also comes with many challenges however, such as working across multiple time zones, language barriers and differing work and management cultures.

Undoubtedly the research shows Dutch companies are world leaders in recruiting international tech professionals and an overwhelming attitude to keeping all options open when looking for tech staff. To get the best talent, the future could lie in the remote working model and a truly global workforce.

Need help recruiting tech talent?

The approach Corecom Consulting takes as a specialist IT recruitment consultancy differs from that of other recruiters. As a Dutch technology recruitment company, we listen to our candidates and clients to ensure a cultural, skill, and development fit that leads to success and longevity.

We strive to support clients beyond the ‘traditional’ to be the best recruiters and employees in the industry through our commitment to sector-wide diversity and inclusion.

As a technology recruitment partner who prides itself in hiring exceptional tech talent into your team, contact us today to find out how we provide you with an incomparable service and solve your hiring challenges.