Survey finds increased IT hiring projections

Menlo park, Calif. -- Technology executives expect information technology hiring to increase in first quarter 2013, according to the just-released Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report.



In the latest quarterly survey, 17% of chief information officers (CIOs) said they plan to expand their IT departments, and 8% expect cutbacks, for a net 9% projected increase in hiring activity. This is up six points from the previous quarter's projections. Seventy-five percent of CIOs plan to maintain their current staffing levels.



The report is based on telephone interviews with more than 1,400 CIOs from companies across the United States with 100 or more employees. The survey is conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis.



Other key findings include:

• Sixty-three percent of CIOs said it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled professionals today, up nine points from the previous quarter.

• Eighty-seven percent of CIOs are somewhat or very confident in their companies' growth prospects in the next three months.

• Nearly half (49%) of technology executives expressed confidence that their firms will be investing in IT projects in the first quarter.

“CIOs report higher demand for IT professionals in the first quarter, especially for those with skills in hot areas such as applications development and IT security,” said John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology. “In the new year, we often see increased hiring as firms' budgets for 2013 have been approved and they are able to hire additional personnel.”