St. Louis CIOs Plan To Increase Tech Hiring From 2017

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology hiring in St. Louis should start off strong in 2018, according to the Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trend Report. Nineteen percent of CIOs surveyed here said they plan to add full-time technology professionals to their teams in the first half of the new year, up six percentage points from a year ago. Another 72 percent expect to maintain staff levels by filling vacant roles. In addition to hiring plans, the report also highlights technology skills in demand and CIOs' top priorities for the first six months of the year.

"Companies throughout St. Louis are feeling optimistic and taking steps now to prepare for growth in 2018," said Elizabeth Ledbetter, metro market manager for Robert Half Technology in St. Louis. "At the top of their priority list is the need to hire in-demand technology professionals in the areas of security, database and network management and desktop support. Professionals in these areas, with the right skills, are definitely in the driver's seat right now."

Hiring Challenges and Skills in Demand
It continues to be a competitive hiring environment: 60 percent of CIOs in St. Louis said that it's challenging to find skilled IT professionals in today's market. The skills in greatest demand within their organizations, according to respondents, include:  

1. Desktop support (45 percent)
2. Wireless network management (45 percent)
3. Database management (45 percent)

Top Priorities
When asked to name their top priority for the next six months, 25 percent of St. Louis CIOs said they will be focused on maintaining security of IT systems and safeguarding company information. Other priorities will include:  

• Upgrading existing systems for business efficiency (22 percent)
• Innovation and helping to grow their businesses (18 percent)
• Staff retention (18 percent)
• Technology innovation and investing in new technologies (16 percent)

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 2018 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

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