In an increasingly competitive IT job market, recruiting and retaining IT resources has become a major challenge for many companies in Quebec.
According to the 2025 IT Portrait by NOVIPRO and Léger, 78% of organizations have faced difficulties related to IT human resources. The 2025-2028 Sectoral Diagnosis by TechnoCompétences reveals that 44% are struggling to attract qualified professionals, and 37% are having difficulty retaining key personnel.
To attract and retain the best talents, it is essential to understand their expectations and motivations. What benefits are important to them? What factors influence their decision to accept or reject a position?
“Understanding what IT talents are looking for is investing in a winning attraction strategy”
According to our recruiters who interact daily with IT candidates and listen to their needs, here are the elements that attract them the most:
✅ Flexibility, work from home, and work-life balance
Professional priorities have evolved, especially after the pandemic. Flexibility in terms of working hours and location is now a basic criterion.
According to a PSAC survey, 81% of respondents believe that remote working is beneficial for workers in Canada, and 66% believe it is beneficial for productivity.
Young professionals prefer employers who respect their work-life balance needs. In fact, according to a survey by Concilivi and Léger, the majority of workers say it is important for their employer to be open to work-life balance needs in order to: be satisfied at work (85%), be motivated at work (83%), and continue working for the same employer for a long time (82%).
✅ Continuing training and career development
Training is crucial for attracting and retaining IT employees.
An AON study cited in Facteur RH states that 94% of respondents would stay longer in a company that invests in their development.
Talents are looking for:
- Continuing training opportunities
- Learning opportunities
- Concrete career prospects
Employers who focus on professional development build more engaged and loyal teams.
✅ Team spirit and workplace well-being
A healthy work environment and team synergy are essential.
Candidates seek environments that are:
- Stimulating
- Collaborative
- Supportive
Promoting internal cohesion and a positive atmosphere helps attract and retain key resources.
✅ Organizational culture and values
Candidates seek companies whose cultures align with their values. From the recruitment stage, company culture can be a decisive factor.
Recruiters therefore have every incentive to welcome candidates with authenticity and transparency. The hiring process must be clear, compassionate, and efficient.
Management style also influences their decision: they want to grow in an environment focused on collaboration, recognition, and listening.
Also consider highlighting your culture on social media: it’s an excellent way to attract talent and make people want to be part of your team.
✅ Competitive compensation
Although salary is not the sole factor, it remains a significant element in an IT professional’s decision.
It should:
- Be competitive according to the market
- Reflect the skills, experience, and responsibilities associated with the position
- Include fair and motivating raises
✅ Distinctive employee benefits
Beyond salary, distinctive benefits can greatly influence a candidate’s decision.
Go beyond traditional insurance by offering attractive and personalized options such as:
- Telemedicine
- Flexible vacation weeks
- Holidays off
- Paid leave for birthdays or family events
- Summer hours
- Package for equipment or physical activities
- Social activities, team building, happy hours, etc.
Be creative! Involve your teams in creating these benefits.
All these factors are important because they contribute to the well-being and happiness of your current and future employees. Having happy employees is noticeable, it radiates happiness, and it helps attract and retain the best talents. According to a study on workplace happiness, the well-being of your employees contributes to overall happiness: the happier your employees are, the more likely they are to be resilient, motivated, creative, and therefore, they will stay with your company longer.
💡Explore here the 6 main reasons why your IT employees change jobs
Today, candidates know what they want and what they are worth.Therefore, companies must listen to them, adapt to their needs, and redouble their efforts in their recruitment strategy. If you want to stand out and attract the best talents, you must highlight the benefits of joining your company, but also put them into action to retain and build loyalty.
💡 Also discover in this article 8 effective strategies to attract top IT talent
Need support to accelerate your IT recruitment? Feel free to contact our team of specialized IT recruiters. We will help you find the perfect candidate and build a strong, fulfilling team.
💻 https://delan.qc.ca/contact/ 📞 514-744-3000 📲 info@delan.ca
