CIOs Reveal Hiring Projections for Fourth Quarter: Robert Half Technology Survey Finds Business Confidence on the Rise

TORONTO, Sept. 18 /CNW/ - Chief information officers (CIOs) plan an increase in IT staffing activity in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to the just-released Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report. In the latest quarterly survey, 15 per cent of CIOs said they expect to expand their IT departments, and 3 per cent anticipate cutbacks, for a net 12 per cent projected increase in hiring activity. This figure is up six points from last quarter. Seventy-nine per cent of those surveyed plan no change in personnel levels.

In the same study, nearly all of the technology executives interviewed (91 per cent) said they are at least somewhat optimistic about their companies' growth prospects in the next three months; 44 per cent are very optimistic. Fifty-four per cent also rated the likelihood that their companies would be investing in IT projects a four or higher on a five-point scale, with five being the most confident.

The IT Hiring Index and Skills Report is based on telephone interviews with more than 270 CIOs from companies across Canada with 100 or more employees. Executives are asked whether their companies plan to increase or decrease the number of full-time IT personnel on their staff during the coming quarter. 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. Robert Half Technology has been tracking IT hiring activity in Canada since 1995.

Key Findings

    <<
    -   The net 12 per cent increase in anticipated IT hiring activity is up
        six points from last quarter's projection.

    -   Seventy-nine per cent of CIOs plan to maintain their current staffing
        levels.

    -   Windows administration, network administration and desktop support
        professionals are in greatest demand, according to survey
        respondents.

    -   Fifty-two per cent of CIOs said it's challenging to find skilled
        professionals today.

    -   Ninety-one per cent of technology executives surveyed are at least
        somewhat confident in their companies' growth prospects in the next
        three months: Forty-seven per cent of CIOs are somewhat confident,
        and 44 per cent are very confident. The total compares to 84 per cent
        of CIOs who expressed confidence in their firms' growth prospects in
        the third quarter.

    -   Fifty-four per cent of survey respondents expressed confidence that
        their firms would be making investments in IT projects in the fourth
        quarter, rating their confidence a four or higher on a five-point
        scale, with five being the most confident.
    >>

"As organisations gear up for the last three months of the year, they continue seeking IT professionals in certain specialty areas, such as Windows and network administration," said Lara Dodo, regional vice president of Robert Half Technology. "Confidence levels of CIOs continue to remain strong for the next quarter, as the majority of executives are optimistic about their firms' growth prospects."

Confidence in Business Growth and IT Investments

Ninety-one per cent of CIOs reported being somewhat or very confident in their companies' prospects for growth in the fourth quarter of 2012, up seven points from the third-quarter survey. Forty-seven per cent of CIOs are somewhat confident, and 44 per cent are very confident.

Fifty-four per cent of technology executives rated the likelihood that their companies would be investing in IT projects a four or higher on a five-point scale, with five being most confident.

Skills in Demand

Technology executives surveyed said it is most challenging to find IT professionals in the functional areas of applications development (15 per cent), security (11 per cent) and consulting and systems administration (8 per cent).

Windows administration is the skill set in greatest demand, cited by 65 per cent of CIOs. Network administration and desktop support followed, with 62 per cent and 60 per cent of the response, respectively.

Industries Hiring

Executives in the finance, insurance and real estate industry anticipate the most active IT hiring in the fourth quarter. A net 33 per cent of CIOs in this sector plan to expand their IT departments, followed by a net 31 per cent of technology leaders in the transportation industry who anticipate adding staff.

About the Survey

The quarterly IT Hiring Index and Skills Report was developed by Robert Half Technology and conducted by an independent research firm. First published in 1995, the study is based on more than 270 telephone interviews with CIOs from a random sample of Canadian companies with 100 or more employees. In order for the study to be statistically representative and ensure that companies from all segments were represented, the sample was stratified by industry and number of employees. The results were then weighted to reflect the proper number of employees within each industry. The margin of error for this study is +/-5.0 per cent at the 90 per cent level of confidence.

Information from the study is featured in the Robert Half Professional Employment Report, which was launched in 2010 and is the first study of its kind to monitor the hiring environment for professional-level positions exclusively. Based on more than 1,000 telephone interviews with executives throughout Canada, it provides insight on employment trends to help businesses and job seekers prepare for the upcoming quarter. To see how hiring within the technology profession has changed since last quarter and how it compares to other sectors, please visit http://www.roberthalf.ca/per.

About Robert Half Technology

With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at www.rht.com.

SOURCE: Robert Half Technology

TO SPEAK WITH A LOCAL EXPERT, CONTACT: Robert Half Technology Contact: Nadia Santoli, [phone], [email protected]