What Happened To The US IT Sector In 2023?
Did you know that a whopping 3.7 million IT jobs were created in 2021? It comes as no surprise because the US IT sector is always a bubbling cauldron of activity. This industry has witnessed hiring trends that have transformed the demand for key skills and salary expectations.
However, things changed in 2021. The pandemic forced IT recruiters to ramp up their talent acquisition models if they wanted to stay afloat and on top of the game. As digital realities took over the working processes, the IT industry witnessed a huge demand for candidates with technical skills. In 2021, the industry saw a big shift in hiring trends as the demand for technically skilled candidates gained momentum.
As 2021 draws to a close, we have compiled a list of hiring trends that caused ripples in the IT sector. The trends predict how IT hiring will change in the coming years and how you can utilize this information to revamp your recruitment processes.
IT Hiring Trends 2021: The Big Change
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| WHAT HAPPENED TO THE US IT SECTOR |
1. It's remote hiring all the way!
If 2020 was the year for remote working, 2021 was for remote hiring, and the trend is here to stay. The pandemic's unabating waves forced organizations to hire beyond geographical proximity- something that was unthinkable a decade ago. Recruiters for tech USA jobs say that almost one-fifth of the workforce will be working remotely even after the pandemic. This is exactly why remote hiring is fast replacing traditional hiring processes.
Besides, it's a good opportunity to use the available technology to assess and hire recruits from any corner of the world. With the amount of time and money saved, it's unlikely that organizations will turn back to old recruiting strategies.
2. Rolling out the red carpet for AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a top buzzword in 2021. Over 80% of IT companies are using AI in any one form, and more are expected to join the bandwagon very soon. Organizations cleverly levered AI to streamline their time-consuming recruiting processes. Here's how they used AI:
• To sift through online applications- Companies use AI's Applicant Tracking System to sift through thousands of online applications. With the help of AI, recruiters easily sort and analyze candidate information to shortlist their candidates.
• To improve candidate experience- In 2021, AI-powered recruiter chatbots will enable real-time interaction with candidates. They help by replying promptly and providing guidance for those who applied for the job.
3. Cybersecurity for WFH environment
Cybersecurity gained prominence as Work From Home (WFH) became the norm and will continue to dominate all the avenues of the IT industry. The use of personal devices for work and increased online collaboration shaped the new security perimeters. This year, the IT industry witnessed the implementation of:
• Robust cybersecurity tools
• New security policies
• Refined contingency plans
• Improved data backup systems
Since cybersecurity is evolving, there will be an increased demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals in the forthcoming years.
4. Augmented Reality (AR) in the mainstream
Augmented Reality is slowly establishing its foothold in the IT industry. Currently, AR technology is used to create experiences in the automobile industry, gaming, interior design, and education. With more businesses adopting AR in businesses, the demand for employees with AR-specific skills will grow over time.
Marketers will use this technology more often to engage potential customers or users. As AR continues to grow in the IT sector, employers are seeking workers with these skillsets. In the forthcoming years, AR will become mainstream, resulting in more job opportunities.
5. Soft skills are in demand
According to LinkedIn, 2020-21 saw a surge in demand for the following skills:
• Emotional intelligence
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Persuasion
• Creativity
In an industry where data literacy and technical knowledge are top priorities, the importance of the human touch is gaining momentum. Recruiters are inclined towards candidates with imagination, creative and analytical thinking, and any other soft skill.
Besides that, with AI, Machine Learning and Augmented Reality slowly taking over the IT sector, soft skills are considered valuable assets in the future workplace.
6. Educational qualifications take a backseat
An engineering degree is no longer the passport to having an IT job. Hiring practices have changed for the better. Corporate giants like Google, Apple, and Netflix are open to welcoming candidates with innate and developed skills instead of college degrees.
With expanding remote teams, recruiters are emphasizing skills to widen their talent pools and foster diverse teams. In hiring processes for IT jobs South Carolina, recruiters are using gamification to identify technical and analytical talent. This trend spells a win-win situation for both recruiters and candidates alike.
7. More upskilling, fewer perks
Many companies in the IT industry are drawing the curtain for over-the-top perks like VIP tickets, holiday sponsorships, and elaborate gourmet dinners. The spotlight is now on upskilling their staff, which they consider a more worthwhile investment. That said, perks do exist. Employees can now choose designated telework days according to their convenience. Organizations also offer stipends to but WFH equipment.
8. More mobile and social media jobs
IT companies are tying the welcome banner for top candidates from mobile traffic as mobile beats desktop by an increased 10% market share. What's surprising is that a majority of these mobile job seekers are not Millennials or Gen Zers. They are Gen Xers!
According to Glassdoor, 55% of candidates search for jobs from their mobile devices. Another big source for candidates is social media platforms. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn are where the skilled candidates are. Therefore, recruiters will have to change their job listings strategies and build their social media presence.
Gear Up To Embrace The New IT Trends
The evolution of the IT industry will be dictated by worldwide changes that will inevitably happen over the years. The ongoing pandemic, however, has been a significant catalyst that has induced many trends. It has expedited the demand for many disciplines and abilities across the IT sector.
Hence, the best way to survive the change is to know the trends and embrace them until new ones come along!
Welcome to our blog “CYBER SUGGEST“. Debmalya Datta is a professional Blogger, Developer, Social Media Influencer, Digital Marketer and Entrepreneur. He loves doing work which makes him happy, that’s why he choose Blogging and Educate people. You will love exploring educational stuff on our blog. Live your dreams as much as you can. Be a SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTER
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