CIOs Expect Small IT Hiring Increase in Third Quarter of 2012

While there may be some job losses in IT, CIOs expect hiring in this field to remain steady.

Most chief information officers (CIOs) plan to maintain their current IT staffing levels in the third quarter of 2012, according to the just-released Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report. In the latest quarterly survey, 5 percent of CIOs interviewed said they expect to expand their IT departments, and 4 percent anticipate cutbacks, for a net 1 percent projected increase in hiring activity. Eighty-nine percent of those surveyed plan no change in personnel levels, up four points from the second quarter.

In the same study, 76 percent of technology executives said they are somewhat or very optimistic about their companies’ growth prospects in the next three months, and 82 percent feel confident in their firms’ third-quarter investment in IT projects.

Key Findings

• Networking, data/database management and help desk/technical support professionals are in greatest demand, according to survey respondents.
• Seventy percent of survey respondents said it’s challenging to find skilled professionals today, up five points from last quarter.

“Although most organizations are keeping staff levels constant, our research suggests larger companies may hire more actively in the third quarter,” said John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology. “Firms with 1,000 or more employees plan a net 10 percent increase in hiring next quarter, up from a net 5 percent increase projected for this quarter.”

Skills in Demand

Executives said it is most challenging to find IT professionals in the functional areas of networking (19 percent), data/database management (16 percent) and help desk/technical support (16 percent).

Data/database management is the skill set in greatest demand, cited by 55 percent of CIOs. Network administration and web development/web design followed, with 48 percent and 33 percent of the response, respectively.

Regional Outlook

CIOs in the Pacificregion plan the most IT hiring in the third quarter, with a net 7 percent of executives expecting to add staff; 9 percent forecast an increase in personnel levels, and  2 percent anticipate cutbacks.

 Industries Hiring

Executives in the finance and business services industries expect the most IT hiring in the third quarter. A net 5 percent of CIOs in each of these sectors plan to expand their IT departments. This is followed by the construction industry, where a net 4 percent of technology leaders anticipate adding staff.