Top Skills Every IT Professional Needs in 2024

Technology doesn’t stand still.

It’s constantly evolving, with new discoveries and technologies emerging at a rapid pace.

This means - as IT professionals - you need to keep ahead of the curve too. You need to learn the latest technologies that companies are embracing, and identify the gaps in your knowledge and how you can bridge them.

But how can you be sure you’re focusing on the right skills?

In this blog, we explore the top technical and soft skills that every IT professional needs to succeed in today’s job market.

Technical Skills:

• Cloud Computing: Cloud adoption is soaring, with the global public cloud services market expected to grow by 20.4% ($675 billion) in 2024 [source: Statista, Cloud Computing Market Size]. This means there is a growing demand for cloud computing skills including configuration, deployment, security and the management of cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform.
• Cybersecurity: Cyberattacks are on the rise, costing businesses trillions globally each year [source: Cybersecurity Ventures, 2021 Digital Cybercrime Report]. As a result, cybersecurity skills are more critical than ever. In-demand cybersecurity skills include risk analysis, intrusion detection, vulnerability management, and incident response.
• Data Skills: More and more businesses are data-driven. This requires IT professionals who can understand, analyse and interpret data. As a result, there will be an increased demand for skills including data analysis, data visualisation using tools like PowerBI and Tableau, and also data science for the more specialised roles.
• Coding Languages: For software engineering, understanding the coding languages that are in-demand is key. Python remains high on the list, a versatile language used for everything from web development to data science. Java is also up there – a popular choice for enterprise applications. And JavaScript is still in demand, essential for web development and front-end interactions.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is rapidly transforming industries, and IT professionals with expertise in AI are highly sought after. This can involve both understanding how to adopt AI within your area of specialisation, the ability to train and manage AI systems, and teaching users how to adopt AI effectively (e.g. what prompts to use). This might include skills in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.

Soft Skills:

• Communication: IT professionals are often required to bridge the gap between technical concepts and non-technical audiences. You need clear and concise communication to be able to explain these complex problems, solutions and the technical jargon to stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Essential for any IT professional is the ability to identify, analyse and troubleshoot complex IT issues. Many interviewers will assess your ability to approach technical problems – often it’s not about solving the issue there and then, but about how you’ll tackle it.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: In most businesses the IT department will have to work alongside many different teams. The ability to work well with others and collaborate effectively is crucial for a successful project.
• Project Management: It’s not uncommon for IT professionals to find themselves leading or participating in IT projects. Understanding the basic principles of project management can help ensure projects stay on track and meet deadlines.
• Adaptability and Lifelong Learning: As mentioned above, the IT industry is constantly evolving. This means you need to be able to adapt and pick up new technologies. Continually upskilling will give you long term success in your career.

Ready to Level Up Your Skills?

As the job market continues to pick up into the second half of 2024, it’s important to position yourself for success. Online training, certifications and courses will help you develop these skillsets and keep you ahead of the curve.

Remember: keep both your CV and LinkedIn profile updated as soon as you undertake any courses/certifications or learn new skills. Not only does it showcase your relevant experience, but it also saves time for when you next apply for a job – you’ll have an up-to-date CV/LinkedIn ready to go immediately!

If you’re interested in exploring what the market is currently like, take a look at our website for the latest jobs. You can also contact our consultants directly to find out how they can help you progress your career.

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