The IT hiring market – like every other major labor market – has its ups and downs, and the constantly changing demands of the marketplace have remained the industry’s only constant. Tech hiring trends will continue to fluctuate along with the overall economy, especially with tech and IT making up a significant portion of the S&P 500 index.
This guide provides a systematic overview of the major tech hiring trends, the labor market outlook, and how emerging technologies will affect hiring trends in technology and adjacent industries.
Key Trends in the Tech and IT Hiring Market
Experts are starting to see significant hiring trends in technology developing. It’s expected that these trends will extend well into the future. These trends include:
- AI, Machine Learning, and Automation: While it’s tempting to buy into all the AI help coming from major tech companies such as OpenAI, hiring is picking up in other areas. Robotic process automation plays a key role in every major piece of IT infrastructure at the corporate level, and companies continue to build their rosters for these types of AI professionals.
- Remote and Hybrid Work Flexibility: While some backsliding has occurred, many companies continue to offer hybrid work arrangements. Remote has become a bit less common, but the trend of hybrid work should continue, and many companies will need to continue to offer benefits such as these to entice workers to join, and to stay.
- DEI: As companies continue to focus on the soft skills side of the equation, they are also looking to meet their DEI initiatives. This factor is especially important because many public companies have boards of directors heavily focused on DEI initiatives.
- Cloud and Cybersecurity: Lastly, as seen by the ongoing hacks and leaks of personal and sensitive information, companies need to bolster their security infrastructure. Both cloud and cyber security represent huge growth areas in the recruitment market, and the demand continues to rise as companies incur additional regulatory burdens on the personally identifying information protection frontline.
These aren’t the only hiring trends in technology. Companies may also find that they need to compete more aggressively for a limited pool of tech talent as interest rates continue to fall and investments across the economy pick up – especially investments that fall along more speculative lines.
Roles in Demand and Future Projections
It’s not exactly straightforward to project tech hiring trends, but clearly, the need for information technology professionals of all types, including AI professionals and full-stack engineers, won’t be dying down any time soon.
Some of the most likely contenders for in-demand roles include:
- AI and RPA Specialists: Most reports indicate that the AI sector will continue to grow, as will the demand for talented engineers, software programmers, and other specialists, especially those with advanced credentials in natural language processing and process automation.
- Cybersecurity Experts: Cybersecurity continues to be a top priority for companies. The demand for talent in this field is high, particularly for roles related to threat intelligence and data protection. As companies adopt more AI and machine learning technologies, cybersecurity and data governance become even more critical.
- Data Scientists and Data Governance Roles: Data scientists and data governance professionals are in demand as companies strive to leverage data more effectively to enhance their business operations and serve their clients better. There is an increasing need for experts in data analytics and data protection.
- Full-Stack Software Engineers: There is a shift toward hiring full-stack software engineers with a well-rounded skill set. Rather than focusing solely on front-end or back-end development, companies are looking for software engineers with a comprehensive understanding of the entire development process. This is a key aspect of current technology hiring trends.
Trends in the Labor Market
It’s fair to anticipate that both the tech and IT markets will be cautious yet hopeful. Two points appear to stand out the most from the vantage point of the recruiting industry:
- A State of Flux: The market is ever-changing, with a focus on filling key skill roles that have been open for some time. Hiring trends in technology will likely continue following the larger economy.
- Retention and Attraction Strategies: Amid market uncertainties, businesses are re-evaluating their attraction and retention plans to remain competitive. This involves creating a stable brand image and preparing for future hiring upticks.
On the bright side, many economists have found that the U.S. economy has appeared surprisingly resilient, which may lead to additional investment. So, while growth may level out, looking ahead offers a brighter view. Companies should not try to time the labor market so much as they should strive to have the right team in place before times of opportunity. That way, they’ll be well-positioned for success no matter what happens in the broader economy.
IT Hiring Practices – How To Get The Job
Advice for Tech and IT Job Seekers
If you’re a talented worker looking for a new job in the tech industry, you’ll be facing both headwinds and tailwinds from the perspective of economic hiring trends in technology.
You should focus on both your technical skills and your soft skills, including emotional IQ and interpersonal ability. Companies continue to emphasize these types of skills alongside regular coding tests and computer science knowledge. Rehearse your employment pitch and engage in mock interviews for maximum effectiveness.
You should also stay competitive by engaging in continuous learning and acquiring new certifications that demonstrate your tech chops. All the major firms, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, have certificate programs with fairly rigorous exams. Learning skills such as Tableau data analysis can also go a long way toward securing your spot on the hiring roster.
When crafting your resume, keep these points in mind. Emphasize how you can solve problems in the soft skills space as well as in the hard skills space by dually focusing on your ability to navigate team-related activities as well as the technologies the role requires. If you’re a software engineer, maintain an updated GitHub or other portfolio to demonstrate your competence by showing off your latest and greatest personal projects.
Finally, LinkedIn should be kept professional. Your LinkedIn profile should feature a professional photo and create an appealing persona that highlights your skills and expertise. You should also ensure that each of your prior roles listed on the platform accurately portrays the work you did for your previous employers.
Remote and Hybrid Work Models
The future of tech hiring trends is expected to continue, with remote and hybrid models being the norm. This is especially true for roles that do not require face-to-face interaction, such as development and technical positions, although some infrastructure and ops roles – particularly those in data centers – will most likely remain shift-based or on-call, depending on the firm.
Nevertheless, the tech industry has demonstrated that many roles can be performed effectively in a remote or hybrid setup. Employers and employees value flexibility, and this trend is likely to persist. Companies are also finding that remote and hybrid models can reduce costs by minimizing office space, allowing them to reinvest savings into new tools and hiring.
While a full return to a five-day in-office workweek seems unlikely for most companies at this time, many companies are moving back to that scenario. At the time of this writing, Amazon has reintroduced a five-day workweek for all employees at its corporate headquarters and other office locations. Other companies that have introduced significant return-to-office mandates include investment banks such as JP Morgan Chase.
At the same time, many companies continue to offer significant flexibility to their employees and likely will continue to do so. This is also a useful strategy for companies that want to attract talent who may choose to exit from firms that have opted against hybrid employment. It’s especially true for smaller companies, which may have struggled to match the total cash compensation offered by the bigger players.
Read More: The Future of Flexible Work and Employee Retention
Looking Ahead
As we move into the future, the tech hiring trends landscape is evolving with a focus on AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. The demand for skilled professionals in these areas is high, with companies emphasizing a balance of technical and soft skills. The market outlook is cautious, with minimal growth anticipated, but companies are investing in strategies to attract and retain top talent.
For job seekers, the emphasis is on continuous learning, developing a well-rounded skill set, and presenting oneself effectively through a well-crafted resume and professional online presence. Remote and hybrid work models are expected to remain the norm, offering flexibility and opportunities for many tech roles.
Staying informed about tech hiring trends and being adaptable is crucial in this dynamic market, helping candidates and employers alike navigate the challenges and opportunities. At Daley And Associates, we’re here to help with solutions for job seekers and employers on the market for new talent. Get in touch with us today to get started!
