Six Hot IT Skill Sets For 2016

Few sectors of today’s economy have experienced the breakneck pace of change seen in technology. While information technology leaders were once tasked with keeping utility functions up and running, IT has now become a critical driver of business success. Here are six hot tech skill sets that will put your team ahead of the competition in 2016.

IT Architecture

IT leaders know that architecture is a fundamental skill at various levels of the organization, but it rarely makes anyone’s list of the hottest jobs. However, CIOs are putting more focus on architecture this year, and companies that make it a priority will see real differences in their efficiencies and bottom lines.

Pros with a firm grasp of architecture can help create uniformity among standards and frameworks, and high-potential employees with architecture chops can help drive IT projects forward. Team members with these skill sets are a great asset to IT teams, because they possess strong business foundations and can communicate effectively between executive leaders and the technology team.

Software and Application Programming and Development

These skills are nothing new. What is new? The way IT leaders should be thinking about these critical positions. For years, development has been viewed as a commodity, and many companies outsource these tasks to inexpensive offshore workers. With a focus on bringing those jobs back into the firm, companies will be able to bring products to market and manage existing programs much more efficiently. It is developers and programmers who make things “go,” and as the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand, a strong internal development team ensures a company can keep pace with change.

Web Development

Websites are a primary means of connecting with customers, prospects, partners and even employees. Web developers are no longer used as a means of establishing an online presence, instead, they are utilized to create efficient channels of communication with relevant stakeholders. Websites today must be mobile friendly, search compliant, simple to navigate, and showcase products and services in ways that drive sales.

Project Management

Technology budgets are expected to grow significantly in 2016, thanks to investment in new projects. More projects mean more people to manage those projects end-to-end. In order to execute more efficiently, look for project managers who have experience in agile DevOps environments, as well as candidates who possess soft skills like prioritization, expectation management, and the ability to set a sustainable pace in workflow.

Big Data, Business Intelligence and Analytics

Investments in these areas have experienced a steady uptick in recent years, and many companies are now feeling the pinch of the very real data science skill gap. According to a recent study by the McKinsey Global institute:

“By 2018, the United States alone could face a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 people with deep analytical skills as well as 1.5 million managers and analysts with the know-how to use the analysis of big data to make effective decisions.”

Companies investing in big data, BI and analytics will have to think strategically about the way in which they recruit talent. The shortage is global, and only those firms who are able to attract and retain the best and brightest will win the battle.

DevOps

The IT landscape is much more complicated than it was just a few years ago. Companies must focus on agility in delivering systems while balancing reliability and cost. DevOps helps teams break down barriers and navigate conflicting priorities between development teams and operations teams. Making DevOps skills a priority can eliminate – or at least reduce – fighting over project spend, app performance and functional requirements, and will help teams deliver projects more efficiently and effectively.

If you are looking for highly skilled and experienced IT professionals with these skills, you need a recruiting expert on your side who can connect you with a pipeline of vetted talent that will add value you to your team. The award-winning staffing experts at Talon can help you attract and retain top-tier active and passive candidates with an eye for increased performance and effectiveness. Contact us today to start building a recruiting strategy for success.