Cleveland CIOs Reveal Fourth-Quarter Hiring Plans

MENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Eleven percent of Cleveland technology executives recently surveyed expect to expand their IT teams in the fourth 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, 63 percent plan to hire only for open IT roles in the upcoming quarter, 19 percent plan to put hiring plans on hold, and 7 percent expect to reduce their IT staff in the fourth quarter.

In the same survey, 87 percent of Cleveland chief information officers (CIOs) were optimistic about their companies' prospects for growth in the fourth quarter, and 58 percent felt confident in their firms' fourth-quarter investment in IT projects.

*Numbers may not total 100 percent due to rounding.

"Competition remains intense for top IT talent in Cleveland," said Terry Phillips, Cleveland metro market manager of Robert Half Technology. "Employers are moving fast to obtain sought-after candidates, especially in the areas of software development, help desk and database administration. Hiring activity has been strongest in the healthcare and financial services sectors."

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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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, 64 percent of Cleveland 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 (17 percent), help desk/technical support (13 percent) and applications development (12 percent).

Confidence in Business Growth and IT Investments

The survey results suggest that Cleveland CIOs are optimistic about their companies' growth and IT investments. Eighty-seven percent of CIOs reported being somewhat or very confident in their companies' prospects for growth in the fourth quarter of 2013. This compares to 86 percent in the previous quarter.

Fifty-eight percent of CIOs also said they were confident that their firms would invest in IT projects in the fourth quarter of 2013. This is unchanged from the previous quarter.

Skills in Demand

Fifty-two percent of the Cleveland technology executives surveyed said that network administration and desktop support are among the skill sets in greatest demand within their IT departments. Next in line was Windows administration with 49 percent of the response.  

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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