The IT industry's talent shortage, fierce competition and accelerating pace of change makes companies' hiring practices crucially important.

But like many business practices, hiring isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition. That's true among companies, and it's true within companies, according to a recent Inc.com blog by Lou Adler.

Adler argues that hiring practices should be different for the core employees that make up more than half of any organizations and the "A" players, the overachievers who consistently exceed performance expectations.

Adler has several solid recommendations for going after your "A-Team." Here they are: