Nearly One Quarter Of Philadelphia CIOs Plan To Increase Hiring During The Second Half Of 2017

PHILADELPHIA, June 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Philadelphia-area technology hiring is on the rise for the second half of 2017, according to the Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trend Report. Twenty-four percent of CIOs say they plan to add full-time technology professionals to their teams – up 7 points from the first half of the year. In addition to hiring plans, the report also highlights technology skills in demand, CIOs' top concerns and factors contributing to local hiring growth.

"In Philadelphia, the demand for top tech talent is high, and the supply is low," said Tim Mullane, senior regional manager for Robert Half Technology in Philadelphia. "Many of our clients are focused on migrating their desktops and adopting emerging technologies, specifically in mobile app development. And, of course, information security projects remain a top priority for companies. Finding the best fit for their organization can be a major challenge when hiring tech workers."

Hiring Plans and Challenges
In addition to the 24 percent of Philadelphia CIOs who plan to bring on more IT talent during the next six months, an additional 58 percent expect to maintain staff levels by filling vacant roles. An active hiring environment is contributing to a competitive market for IT talent: 72 percent of Philadelphia hiring leaders say that it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled IT professionals in today's market.

Factors Leading to Tech Hiring in Philadelphia
When asked what factors are most contributing to local hiring, more than a third (34 percent) of respondents said it was an increase in digital marketing initiatives. Other factors impacting tech hiring in Philadelphia include:

• More businesses moving to the area, creating more jobs in technology (24 percent)
• Increased cloud or big data initiatives (21 percent)
• Increased mobile initiatives (20 percent)

Skills in Demand
According to respondents, the skills in greatest demand within their organizations include:

1. Database management (57 percent)
2. Windows administration (54 percent)
3. Network administration (52 percent)
4. Wireless network management (51 percent)
5. Web development/website design (50 percent)

Top Concerns
When asked to name their top priority for the next six months, 36 percent of Philadelphia CIOs said they will be focused on upgrading existing systems for business efficiency. Other priorities will include:  

• Maintaining security of IT systems and safeguarding company information (22 percent)
• Staff retention (18 percent)
• Innovation or helping grow the business (17 percent)
• Technology innovation and investing in new technologies (6 percent)

"Many companies are taking too long to get through the hiring process. In that scenario, they end up losing top talent due to competitors," Mullane added. "With a low supply of candidates, companies not only need to do their best to identify top talent, but also need to focus on recruiting, onboarding and retaining them once they are on board."

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 roberthalf.com/technology. Visitors can also request a copy of the Robert Half Technology 2017 Salary Guide, which includes a wide range of IT job descriptions.

Survey Methodology
The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology and conducted by an independent research firm. To ensure that companies from all segments were represented in the study, the sample was stratified by number of employees. Robert Half Technology has been tracking IT hiring activity in the United States since 1995.

SOURCE Robert Half Technology

Related Links

http://www.roberthalf.com/technology