5 Myths about Recruiting in the SF Market
We all know that good talent is hard to find. Is good talent in the San Francisco/Bay Area impossible to find? Never. Here are 5 common myths of recruiting in this competitive marketplace and the truths about them:
“San Francisco employees are high maintenance! All employees in the bay area tech space want high ticket perks and benefits!”
While many employers in the bay area offer fancy perks and benefits such as massages, after hour cab rides, gourmet chefs, and even covering commuting costs, research has shown that the number one reason people change jobs is to pursue the work they find meaningful and challenging —where they can work with people they feel connected to.
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“There is no employee/candidate shortage. Qualified candidates are really not that hard to come by.”
San Francisco is one of the best places to live and work. Unfortunately there is no magical closet of qualified candidates. In the bay area there are more jobs than qualified candidates, resulting in a candidate vacuum. Companies have resorted to guerilla recruiting tactics, such as hosting technical talks, happy hours, and even hosting hack-a-thons with huge cash prizes in hopes of attracting the best and the brightest.
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“Companies that pay the highest salaries hire the best candidates.”
While some candidates can be bought, they often do not stay long. Surveys suggest that pay ranks below advancement opportunity, management, passion for the role, and politics all as reasons for changing roles over a fat paycheck. Companies that create a positive work environment with little red tape will attract talent better than a company that pays very well but limits the opportunities and creativity of its employees.
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"Posting on all the known job boards is all companies need to do to attract qualified candidates.”
Also known as “post and pray”, this recruiting tactic may result in candidate volume but it will not net the best hire. It is almost certain that your ideal candidate is not actively looking. This candidate will most likely be found via referral or by your recruiting team. Most successful hiring teams employ an “it takes a village” approach, utilizing a combination of active employee referrals and a team of recruiters to facilitate the process.
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“San Francisco tech workers live in hoodies and flip-flops 365 days a year.”
Whether it is January or June, we have all seen the quintessential SF engineer strolling down the street in an oversized hoodie, wearing flip flops. Yes the bay area has a much more casual working environment than somewhere like Manhattan. Bay Area Tech has a bit of dress code but it runs the gamut. From jeans and hoodies of engineers all the way to button down dress shirts and slacks of VC’s. Our dress code is fueled by long hours, an entrepreneurial spirit, and glorious predictable weather. After all, who wants to work through a marathon hack-a-thon in a suit and tie?
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Recurly is committed to hiring top talent in order to solve the tough technical challenges that we are facing in the recurring billing space. While all of the described myths above are part of recruiting in the SF/Bay Area, we wouldn’t have it any other way! Check out our Careers page to learn more about Life & Opportunities @ Recurly. www.recurly.com/careers/
