IT Hiring Expected to Rise

A new survey of 1,400 CIOs predicts a six percent growth in information tech jobs during the fourth quarter of 2011.

CIOs expect IT hiring to continue to increase during the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a survey from IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology.

In the latest quarterly survey, 12 percent of CIOs said they plan to expand their IT departments, while six percent expected cutbacks, for a net six percent projected increase in hiring activity. This is up two points from the previous quarter's projections, the firm said.

The survey, called the IT Hiring Index and Skills Report, is based on telephone interviews with more than 1,400 CIOs from companies across the United States with 100 or more employees.

Among the other findings of the report, 92 percent of CIOs reported that they are confident in their companies' growth prospects in the next three months, up five points from last quarter. Eighty-five percent rated the confidence of their firms investing in IT projects in the fourth quarter a three or higher on a five-point scale. IT security and networking professionals are in the greatest demand right now, according to survey respondents. Additionally, Two-thirds of CIOs reported that it is challenging to find skilled professionals today, up 18 points from the previous quarter.

CIOs in the Mid-Atlantic region of the country plan the most IT hiring in the fourth quarter with a net 13 percent of executives anticipating adding IT staff.

Bryan Yurcan is associate editor for Bank Systems and Technology. He has worked in various editorial capacities for newspapers and magazines for the past 8 years. After beginning his career as a municipal and courts reporter for daily newspapers in upstate New York, Bryan has ... View Full Bio