Seattle CIOs Reveal Fourth-Quarter Hiring Plans

MENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Seven percent of Seattle-area technology executives surveyed recently 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 compares to 10 percent in the previous quarter. In addition, 69 percent plan to hire to fill open IT roles in the upcoming quarter, 19 percent plan to put hiring plans on hold, and 5 percent expect to reduce their IT staff in the fourth quarter.

In the same survey, 86 percent of Seattle chief information officers (CIOs) were optimistic about their companies' prospects for growth in the fourth quarter, and 64 percent felt confident in their firms' fourth-quarter investment in IT projects.

"Product developments and system upgrades are fueling considerable demand for IT professionals in the Seattle area," said Ester Frey, Seattle regional vice president of Robert Half Technology. "We're seeing increased IT hiring activity for professionals with business intelligence, web development and desktop support expertise."

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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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 (13 percent), data/database management (13 percent) and help desk/technical support (12 percent).

Confidence in Business Growth and IT Investments
The survey results suggest that Seattle CIOs are optimistic about their companies' growth and IT investments. Eighty-six percent of CIOs reported being somewhat or very confident in their companies' prospects for growth in the fourth quarter of 2013. This compares to 79 percent in the previous quarter.

Sixty-four percent of CIOs also said they were confident that their firms would invest in IT projects in the fourth quarter of 2013. This compares to 58 percent in the previous quarter.

Skills in Demand
Sixty-two percent of the Seattle technology executives surveyed said that desktop support is among the skill sets in greatest demand within their IT departments. Network administration and Windows administration followed, with 53 percent and 51 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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