Seattle CIOs Reveal Third-Quarter Hiring Plans
Robert Half Technology Survey Shows IT Hiring Projections
MENLO PARK, Calif., June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten percent of Seattle-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 compares to 13 percent in the previous quarter. In addition, 52 percent plan to hire to fill open IT roles in the upcoming quarter, 27 percent plan to put hiring plans on hold, and 12 percent expect to reduce their IT staff in the third quarter.
In the same survey, 79 percent of Seattle CIOs were optimistic about their companies' prospects for growth in the third quarter, and 58 percent felt confident in their firms' third-quarter investment in IT projects.
Seattle IT Hiring Forecast |
Q2 |
Q3 |
CIOs adding more staff to IT departments |
13% |
10% |
CIOs planning to hire only for open IT roles |
67% |
52% |
CIOs who plan to put IT hiring plans on hold |
16% |
27% |
CIOs who plan to reduce their IT staff |
3% |
12% |
Don't know future hiring plans |
1% |
0% |
*Numbers may not total 100 percent due to rounding. |
"While Seattle employers continue to be very selective in their hiring, many are beginning to increase compensation and add employee perks in an effort to acquire and retain top IT talent," said Ester Frey, Seattle regional vice president of Robert Half Technology. "We're seeing continued demand for business systems analysts, web developers and software engineers."
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, 64 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 (17 percent), data/database management (15 percent) and help desk/technical support (13 percent).
Confidence in Business Growth and IT Investments
The survey results suggest that Seattle CIOs are optimistic about their companies' growth and IT investments. Seventy-nine percent of CIOs reported being somewhat or very confident in their companies' prospects for growth in the third quarter of 2013. This compares to 84 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 third quarter of 2013. This compares to 72 percent in the previous quarter.
Skills in Demand
Sixty-one 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 database management followed, with 57 percent and 52 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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