Hays Information Technology - January 2009

Hotspots

Network engineers and architects have become a hotspot of demand due to new and existing cost saving projects in the telecommunications industry. In addition, there will be increased demand for consulting and business development professionals as well as consulting directors, as core sales staff are moved into combined sales and consulting roles.

The coming quarter

Companies are becoming more selective in their hiring decisions and are now looking for extraordinary candidates who have the ability to fill a customer-facing role. In addition, as indicated above there is a growing trend for companies to move from pure business development to a combination of sales and presales and consultancy.

There will also be an increase in demand for companies hiring contract and permanent roles and new jobs will be created on the basis of existing project needs.

Executive recruitment

The demand for executive recruitment is expected to slow over the next quarter, however will pick up again in the following quarter.

Salaries

Modest increases are expected over the coming quarter to a maximum of 10 per cent on base salary combined with an increased emphasis on performance-based bonuses.

Candidate trends

More senior level candidates but less entry to mid-level management candidates have become available for roles in network infrastructure. This will heighten demand, with a growing trend towards recruitment at the entry to mid-level.

Candidates have become more aware of market eventualities and a company's financial performance will become a more important factor in their employment decisions.