* IT hiring plans for the third quarter are optimistic
CIOs in the wholesale industry are a busy lot. Staffing research shows 24% of IT leaders from this sector anticipate adding IT staff in the third quarter, while none foresee cutbacks. That’s according to the Robert Half Technology IT Hiring and Skills Index Report.
Across industries, the 1,400 CIOs polled on their IT hiring plans for the third quarter are optimistic, with 17% of those surveyed planning to add IT staff and 2% forseeing cutbacks. The result is a project 15% increase, which is the highest since the fourth quarter of 2001.
In terms of regions, IT leaders in the Pacific States are most bullish about hiring. A full 21% plan to add staff, while only 1% anticipate IT personnel reductions. The net 20% gain is up five percentage points over the national average. Health growth for the summer months is also expected in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states with a net increase of 19% in each.
Corporate growth or expansion is driving demand for larger IT teams, according to 39% of those CIOs polled in the survey. Another 27% cited demand for increased customer service or end-user support, while 12% attributed the need to installation of new enterprise applications or systems upgrades.
What skills are IT leaders seeking? Microsoft Windows administration remains highly sought-after, followed by network administration and database management.
“There is competition for individuals with skill sets such as Web and software development, business systems analysis, and database management,” notes Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology.
