​When specialist recruiters and employers are on the hunt to find a candidate, they look for a professional with the right experience and background. While culture fit and soft skills are amongst the things recruiters look for, technical skills are equally important.

When searching for IT, finance and engineering candidates, one of the challenges facing most specialist recruiters and hiring managers is finding those who are technically capable of doing the work. Candidates' knowledge and ability to perform specific tasks could be the deciding factor on whether a job offer is extended or not.

Here are three recommendations that hiring managers and recruiters can implement to find qualified candidates.

Join niche-focussed social media groups

Niche-focused social media groups are the perfect tool for recruiters to connect with potential candidates. By joining these groups via your personal Facebook or LinkedIn accounts, not only will you be tapping into a new pool of candidates, but you will also be kept up to date with industry news. Founder of Tech Ladies, Allison Esposito, points out that since people joining these communities want to connect, support one another and share resources, they're often more trusted platforms for candidates to consider new career opportunities.

Understand the technical requirements of the job spec

According to Senior Finance Specialist Recruiter, Sunette Roccon, in order for specialist recruiters to deliver the best candidates, employers need to do the following:

1. Have an internal briefing session before they approach a specialist recruitment agency. "This will enable the HR team to answer any technical questions posed to them and in return assist the specialist recruitment agency in finding the right candidate for the role," Roccon explains.

2. Take the time to speak to your specialist recruiter. Roccon suggests that employers take some time to articulate the job requirements so that recruiters can find the best candidate for the role - someone who will not only meet the technical requirements but who will also fit in with the organisation's culture. Understanding the core of the role is, therefore, essential in finding the right candidate.

Ask for a portfolio

Recruiters and hiring managers can update their technical evaluation process by asking candidates to provide a portfolio. Professor Bob Sutton from Stanford University, says portfolios, amongst other documents, demonstrate the kind of work that a candidate has done. As a result, recruiters can get a better understanding of the candidate's technical ability and this should carry weight in the hiring process.

Recruiters can widen their candidate search by implementing these methods to stand a better chance of finding their next best hire.

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