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By Mel Duvall
The recession has cut into hiring plans for the second quarter of 2009 a survey released by Robert Half Technology reports, but the news isn't as bad as may have been feared.
According to the report, 8% of chief information officers anticipate adding more technology personnel in the second quarter, while 6% plan staff reductions over the next three months. That results in a net 2% hiring gain, compared to a net 8% increase in the previous quarter.
A strong majority of respondents, 83%, plan to maintain current staffing levels.
"Not surprisingly, companies are being more judicious when hiring in today's economic environment," Dave Willmer, executive director of Robert Half Technology, said in a statement. "Budgets must support critical IT projects, and companies are re-examining their staffing needs accordingly. Among the areas where demand remains stable are help desk and technical support, and networking."
Robert Half conducted a total of 1,400 interviews with companies across the country to conduct the survey. Among the key findings:
- Help desk/technical support and networking are the job areas experiencing the most growth.
- Desktop support is the technical skill set most in demand, overtaking network administration, which led as the top skill for the past two quarters.
- One in five IT executives who plan to add staff will hire a mix of full-time and contract workers.
- Reduced IT budgets were cited as the primary factor for reductions in IT personnel.
- CIOs in the Mountain region are most optimistic about hiring activity.
CIOs cited reduced IT budgets (40%) and the impact of the financial crisis on their company or industry (21%) as the reasons for reductions in IT personnel during the second quarter. IT projects being put on hold and companywide layoffs followed, each receiving 18% of the response.
When asked which technical skill sets were most in demand in their IT departments, 67% of CIOs cited desktop support. Network administration (LAN, WAN) and Windows administration followed closely, with 65% and 64% of the response, respectively. (Note: CIOs were allowed multiple responses.)
Next: Mountain Region CIOs in Best Shape
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