Chicago CIOs Reveal Third-Quarter Hiring Plans
Robert Half Technology Survey Shows IT Hiring Projections
MENLO PARK, Calif., June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirteen percent of Chicago-area technology executives surveyed recently expect to expand their IT teams in the third quarter of 2013, according to the just-released Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trend Report. This is unchanged from the previous quarter. In addition, 52 percent plan to hire to fill open IT roles in the upcoming quarter, 28 percent plan to put hiring plans on hold, and 6 percent expect to reduce their IT staff in the third quarter.
In the same survey, 85 percent of Chicago CIOs were optimistic about their companies' prospects for growth in the third quarter, and 63 percent felt confident in their firms' third-quarter investment in IT projects.
Chicago IT Hiring Forecast |
Q2 |
Q3 |
CIOs adding more staff to IT departments |
13% |
13% |
CIOs planning to hire only for open IT roles |
55% |
52% |
CIOs who plan to put IT hiring plans on hold |
28% |
28% |
CIOs who plan to reduce their IT staff |
4% |
6% |
Don't know future hiring plans |
0% |
1% |
*Numbers may not total 100 percent due to rounding. |
"Competition remains intense for top IT talent in Chicago," said Randy Wolf, Chicago regional vice president of Robert Half Technology. "On the infrastructure side, employers are focused on unified communications projects, which are fueling demand for desktop support analysts and network security engineers, in particular."
The IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trend Report results reflect a two-quarter rolling average based on interviews with 200 CIOs from a stratified random sample of companies in the Chicago area with 100 or more employees. The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology and conducted by an independent research firm. In order for the study to ensure that companies from all segments were represented, the sample was stratified by number of employees. The results were then weighted to reflect the proper number of employees in the greater metropolitan Chicago area. Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis and has been tracking IT hiring activity in the United States since 1995.
Recruiting Challenges
In terms of recruiting, 65 percent of Chicago CIOs said it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled IT professionals today. It is most challenging to find skilled talent in the functional areas of networking (24 percent), help desk/technical support (15 percent) and software development (13 percent).
Confidence in Business Growth and IT Investments
The survey results suggest that Chicago CIOs are optimistic about their companies' growth and IT investments. Eighty-five percent of CIOs reported being somewhat or very confident in their companies' prospects for growth in the third quarter of 2013. This compares to 90 percent in the previous quarter.
Sixty-three percent of CIOs also said they were confident that their firms would invest in IT projects in the third quarter of 2013. This compares to 70 percent in the previous quarter.
Skills in Demand
Sixty percent of Chicago technology executives surveyed said that desktop support is among the skill sets in greatest demand within their IT departments. Network administration and database management followed, with 58 percent and 54 percent of the response, respectively.
About Robert Half Technology
With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at www.rht.com. Visitors can also request a copy of the Robert Half Technology 2013 Salary Guide, which includes a wide range of IT job descriptions.
SOURCE Robert Half Technology
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