“When it comes to specific skillsets, our data indicates there aren’t enough candidates with the preferred skills for all open roles, which is fueling competition for top talent. In this case, employers are having to adjust their approach to hiring to attract the right talent, and that includes remaining competitive with salaries, flexibility, and other perks,” says Vick.
The impact of AI adoption on hiring
AI is a double-edged sword for IT careers — will it replace jobs or aid workers in being more productive and efficient? The jury is still out, but it does seem to be impacting entry-level workers, as generative AI tools increasingly take on organization’s entry-level responsibilities. Forrester’s Mark points to this trend in which entry-level and early-career roles are being reduced, leaving less-seasoned candidates struggling to find work and gain more experience.
“AI is a top focus for organizations, and tech talent with AI skills are much more in demand than those without AI related skills. As we look to the future — skills that relate directly to AI, such as NLP [natural language processing], working and training LLMs [large language models], as well as skills related to AI such as cloud architecture and engineering, data science, and management skills — these are continuing to see demand, at the expense of other IT skills,” says Mark.
