8 Tech Hiring Trends to Be Aware Of in 2024

The IT business has transformed in recent years, with enormous layoffs and economic uncertainty. Despite the unfavorable headlines, the outlook on the ground is cautiously positive. Job opportunities are likely to increase, and recruiters feel like they've regained their footing after years of dealing with a competitive candidate market. From the changing employer-employee dynamic to the rise of AI, these are the top tech hiring trends to consider in 2024.?

Tech Hiring Trends Recruiters Can Expect This Year

1. Job openings grow

Despite global economic uncertainty, researchers predict robust job growth in the technology industry by 2024. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the IT sector is predicted to develop substantially faster than the average, creating approximately 377,000 jobs per year over the next decade.

With concerns about a recession fading, businesses feel more optimistic and increase hiring, at least modestly. A quarter of recruiters believe they will have more money to hire tech talent this year than in 2023. After a few difficult years, the outlook for startups has improved, with analysts predicting the growth of smaller, early-stage firms.

2. Changing dynamics between candidates and employers

For nearly a decade, the candidate market was overwhelmingly large. It was common for recruiters to believe that filling technical positions was impossible. In 2023, however, layoffs from Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta sent shockwaves through the industry, displacing hundreds of thousands of workers. The effect has been a pendulum swing in the opposite direction, with employers receiving a flood of applicants for tech positions that they haven't seen in years.

While this is wonderful news for firms trying to hire outstanding team members, the shift in the candidate-employer dynamic also carries some danger. Companies must be careful not to become complacent and put employee engagement initiatives on the back burner. Even if a prospect accepts a position today, it won't be long before they go elsewhere if your company culture and employee experience are lacking.

3. Technical skills are consistently in high demand

The need for technical talents has been consistent over the last few years. They promote growth and innovation, and recruiters are looking for them in 2024. According to Deloitte's 2024 Technology Industry Growth Outlook, organizations looking to expand prioritize cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity--and they're ready to pay for individuals with those talents.?

Unfortunately, the skills gap that has plagued the technology industry for years is not closing. If anything, it's increasing as new technology disrupts the global economy and transforms employment requirements in unforeseen ways. According to experts, the persisting skills gap is mostly caused by a lack of education, inadequate recruiting processes, and excessive entrance hurdles.

To overcome these hurdles and hire for the necessary abilities, consider including pre-employment evaluations into your tech hiring process instead of relying solely on resumes and interviews.

4. Soft talents have a larger significance

While technical skills are the backbone of the IT industry, soft skills are becoming increasingly crucial as the distinctions between conventional industries blur and every organization, in some shape or form, adopts the characteristics of a tech company.?

Soft skills are essential for team building, inspiring employees, and developing mutually beneficial external partnerships. According to a survey of corporate executives, 44% believe that soft skills, rather than technical skills, are more lacking in today's workforce.

Some of the most important soft skills that IT recruiters should look for in 2024 are:

·???????? Communication—Technology teams are continuously challenged to express complicated concepts to clients, colleagues, and the broader public. Companies want effective communicators who can express the message simply and without sacrificing meaning.

·???????? Problem-solving—The industry's primary value proposition is the use of technology to address problems. Employers require creative, results-oriented employees who can identify fresh paths for solutions and profitability.

·???????? Critical thinking—As more businesses shift away from top-down management and toward a more collaborative work style, teams with strong critical thinking skills become even more important for innovation.

·???????? Adaptability - In this age of rapid technological adoption, change is one of the few constants. Flexible people who can adjust to a changing environment will help firms position themselves for long-term success.

When screening candidates for soft skills, a combination of behavioral and situational interview questions might help you elicit what you're looking for.

5. AI enters the workforce

Artificial intelligence is a new team member who has disrupted the industry more than any other in the last 24 months, yet it does not require a cubicle or health insurance. Sixty-seven percent of computer professionals claim they utilize AI to conduct their tasks (with ChatGPT as a top tool), and this figure is expected to rise in the coming months.

It's worth noting that a big proportion of workers are positive about the influence of AI, rather than skeptical or afraid. However, not all employers share this sentiment. For example, 28% of engineers say their firm opposes employees adopting AI to assist with their work.

Forward-thinking firms must anticipate how AI will transform rather than simply replace roles. Successful businesses will embrace AI as a tool to help employees complete their tasks faster and more accurately, and they will highlight these benefits when recruiting.

6. Hybrid jobs provide a win-win

Aside from income, which is always a powerful motivator, work-life balance and remote work are the top objectives for IT candidates in 2024. However, the number of entirely remote employment has dropped significantly since its high in 2022, as more organizations want employees to remain in the office.

Hybrid positions are a good balance since they give individuals more flexibility while also providing employers with oversight and the capacity to form cohesive teams. Expanding your hybrid job offerings (or offering totally remote employment when possible) can allow you to reach a larger, more talented talent pool. Including the option to work from anywhere, some or all of the time, in your job postings allows you to reach individuals who may not have considered a position due to onsite constraints.

7. Increase in upskilling

Modern businesses lack the infrastructure and support systems required to keep existing employees' skills current. This not only undermines creativity, but it also jeopardizes retention. Up to three-quarters of millennial and Gen Z workers say they plan to leave their jobs next year owing to a lack of skill development opportunities.

Upskilling can help businesses stay up with operational needs while also providing valuable engagement opportunities for personnel.

Upskilling employs structured training programs to provide employees with new skills that will help them in their jobs, keep the organization competitive, and adhere to corporate best practices. PwC, for example, has dedicated $3 billion to its 'New World, New Skills' program, which provides digital skills training to all 276,000 of the firm's workers and encourages the development of digital products or time-saving methods. Lincoln Financial is pursuing a similar approach, providing hundreds of its actuarial employees with 'future of work' training to help them better understand emerging trends such as big data and predictive analytics.

8. Less focus on college degrees

It is no longer necessary to have an engineering degree to work in technology—quite the contrary. Employers are increasingly saying that four-year degrees are no longer a must-have for job searchers. Most recruiters now say they hire tech talent with non-academic backgrounds, which has quadrupled between 2021 and 2022.

This is consistent with developments in the workforce as a whole, as student debt continues to rise and public perception shifts away from higher education as the golden standard for future success. In a Gallup study of 2,000 Americans, barely half thought having a college degree is'very important.'

Reducing the emphasis on traditional degrees in favor of skills-based hiring for technical professions can assist organizations in broadening their talent pool and cultivating more diverse teams.

Adapt a Hiring Strategy for the Future with Help from HireOn

From changing technology to new post-pandemic standards, the contemporary recruiting scene is difficult to navigate. With the support of HireOn' IT hiring experts, you can remain competitive and demonstrate to prospects that you are prepared for the new normal.

Our headhunting experts will assist you in attracting, screening, and hiring the top individuals for your open technology positions, including developers, engineers, project managers, and more. Our extensive industry knowledge ensures that you'll locate the technical talents you need faster and employ the correct individual the first time, avoiding future difficulties and aiding smoother onboarding. Join us at hireon.cc

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