What are the top barriers to firms bringing in technology talent? The most common is not meeting salary demands, according to a survey of CIOs by Robert Half Technology.

It was cited by 44% of the more than 2,500 CIOs surveyed in the US. The next most-common was not finding enough qualified applicants, cited by 33%; that was followed by “not being seen as an employer of choice” with 21%.

Another hindrance: lengthy hiring process. Robert Half Technology found it takes an average of 4.5 weeks to fill a staff-level IT role, and 41% of technology leaders said their hiring process takes longer than they would like.

“The hiring process is often the first impression a candidate has with a company and can set the tone for the relationship,” said John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology. “Don’t let a long and complicated hiring process or lower-than-market compensation package leave an unfavorable impression with a job seeker. Keep the experience positive by presenting a competitive salary and moving quickly to make an offer.”

Robert Half Technology also surveyed more than 1,000 technology professionals and found the most frustrating part of the job search is the long post-interview wait to hear if they got the job, according to 57% of workers.

Five tips for keeping the hiring process efficient for companies:

1. Be prepared.
2. Work with a recruiter.
3. Move quickly.
4. Communicate openly and often.
5. Make an offer.

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