IT recruiter launches awards

National IT recruitment firm, Veritas IT, is tired of the ëgeekyí image perpetually attached to its industry and in an effort to disprove the perception has launched the ëBest dressed IT director and manager of the year awardsí.

ìTen years ago our sector came in for a lot of flack for its interpretation of ëdressed down business causalí and even up until a couple of years ago we were still accused of being the worst dressed sector,î says Jason Giller, managing director of Veritas IT.

ìThese awards arenít frivolous and we arenít saying that candidates should be judged for their fashion sense rather than their capability. We want the image of the profession raised to the ranks of legal or accountancy sectors and weíd like to see greater Board representation of IT and if achieving that more quickly requires more IT workers consider their appearance then they must rise to the challenge.

ìSmarter working isnít just about acquiring skills to help in continuing professional development, it should also be about the way in which we come across to people,î says Jason.

ìThe IT sector is changing, and both from a candidate and client side we are seeing evidence of increased professionalism and these awards have been introduced to not only acknowledge that evolution but also to change public perception,î he says.

ìLetís get people aspiring to join our profession. Why shouldnít we be stylish, smart and glamorous? If these awards help change just a few peoplesí perceptions and encourage them to train in IT it may not only reduce our skills shortage but also get the industry taken more seriously,î concludes Jason.

The shortlisting for the awards will be done over a series of breakfast briefings that Veritas IT is running this summer in Milton Keynes, London and Bristol. Delegates will benefit from a presentation by a professional image consultant who will be offering advice on the importance of styles, colours and accessories and discuss what todayís ambitious IT professional should be wearing.

Anyone wanting to get involved in the Veritas campaign of ësmarter workingí and attend one of its three free seminars should email bestdressed@veritas-it.co.uk stating which location is best. Numbers are limited but every delegate will be considered for the awards. The prize is a welcome addition to the wardrobe.