What tech skills are hiring managers looking for most as we head into 2017?
Programming and application development -- always perennial favorites. Security, of course. Even help desk, which doesn't always get the respect it deserves. But wait, there's more.
Those are just some of the in-demand tech skills that emerged from Computerworld's exclusive Tech Forecast 2017 special report, which asked senior IT executives about hiring plans and talent needs for the year ahead.
In this episode, Senior Features Editor Tracy Mayor details the top 10 skills survey respondents said they plan to hire for in 2017: programming/app dev, help desk/technical support, security/compliance/governance, cloud/software-as-a-service, business intelligence/analytics, web development, database administration, project management, big data, and mobile applications/mobile device management.
Mayor and Contributing Writer Mary K. Pratt, who reported our in-depth article on skills, join Executive News Editor Ken Mingis to delve into the results and discuss what they mean for IT workers. While some hiring managers are bullish on the upcoming year, the survey also uncovered data that could signal a rocky road ahead for rank-and-file IT employees.
Pratt discovered, for instance, that even organizations with robust plans to increase head count aren't hiring quickly, so walking into a new IT job quickly won't be easy even with in-demand skills. Sure, hiring managers want those skills, but they also want top candidates to bring a lot more to the table -- strategic thinking, communications skills and a customer-centric mentality.
After all, what good are top-notch skills if no one can work with you?
Another issue to ponder: Whether the best IT jobs are now outside of the enterprise. Some tech pros might work for an IT service provider or a cloud computing company where projects are varied. Others may try to make a go of it in the burgeoning IT gig economy.
Whatever path they take, the survey results underline the main task for job-seekers: "Do your homework!"
A PDF with complete survey results is available as a free download. And as the Tech Forecast 2017 package rolls out in the coming weeks, there's even more to look forward to:
- Tech Forecast 2017: IT sharpens its focus
- Video: Hiring, budgets, disruptive tech and more
- 5 disruptive technologies to track
- 10 hottest tech skills for 2017
- 5 tech trends to double-down on now
- Slideshow: Facts and figures for the year ahead
- Slideshow: IT leaders' boldest predictions for 2017 and beyond
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