Given shortages in qualified IT professionals in many of the major business markets, legacy planning for IT is a strategy that invites innovation and new ideas, while providing stability and proven performance. It is a resourceful balance that is essential for corporations to compete in the global marketplace.
The technology recruitment team at reesmarx has identified four trends that we feel will continue to dominate IT hiring practice internationally.
1. Consulting to Full-Time Hire
Given economic factors, many corporations are re-thinking immediate salaried hires when it comes to IT positions. A growing trend with medium and larger sized businesses is to seek out technology talent on a subcontract basis first, to evaluate performance and cultural fit.
As technology professionals are in high demand, many are already self-employed full-time or part-time within the industry. Consulting during evenings and weekends is an excellent way for IT professionals to expand their professional network, and gain valuable experience and a meaningful project portfolio that can segue into advanced careers with leading multinational organizations.
It is advantageous to both the IT professional and the employer to consider a contract to full-time hire, as it gives both parties the opportunity to fairly evaluate corporate culture, the team environment and the scope of the role. If it is a good fit, the employer will feel confident about a long-term contract or offering a formal, salaried hire.
2. Legacy Hiring of Millennial Staff for IT Positions
Employers who wish to remain competitive recruit a good balance of age diversity in all key roles; in the field of technology it is no different. Fostering an environment that places well-experienced, senior IT professionals with younger, less experienced (but educated) staff allows for workplace mentoring. It also allows employers to ensure that they are developing the next generation of senior IT leadership and management.
Ambitious young millennials who are building a career in IT value the opportunity to work with other professionals who have more experience. Hiring technology professionals with less experience (and training them) is also a cost saving measure that allows the organization to build the talent rather than rely exclusively on recruiting them.
3. Increased STEM Hiring
The demand for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) personnel continues to exceed availability around the world. Engineering, research and development, bio-engineering and green technologies are leading the way to exciting opportunities for STEM professionals.
The competition to recruit IT professionals who are specialized will remain strong, with emphasis placed not only on salary, but lifestyle benefits and employee perks. In some markets, corporations have gone as far as to recruit talented potentials before college and university.
4. Certifications as a Benchmark
IT professionals who possess more than one official certification are highly coveted by brands and corporations. In most cases the certifications are provided by non-profit career organizations who confirm standards of practice and knowledge base, before conferring a designation.
What are some of the most coveted non-security IT certifications?
- Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
- Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA)
- Citrix Certified Professional – Virtualization (CCP-V)
- Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate (JNCIA-Junos)
- Certified Novell Engineer (CNE)
The top paying IT positions serve the network security industry. For a survey on salary and certifications, download the ‘2015 IT Skills and Salary Report’, a good resource provided by Global Knowledge Training LLC.
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