IT job trends are constantly in flux. 2023 is no exception, as it promises to bring a host of new ones for employers to consider.
As technology continues to rapidly advance, it’s important for employers to stay on top of what’s new and what is rapidly expanding in the near future.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the most important IT job trends to take advantage of in 2023 and how employers can capitalize on them.
Hiring will continue but at a slower pace
As one of the most thriving tech hubs in the world, the US has seen a steady increase in the number of IT roles being created across various sectors.
Despite the economy being afflicted by high inflation and what many believe is an impending ‘mild’ recession, the growth in the tech sector persists. Last month, US tech companies added 14,400 employees, and tech jobs in all sectors of the industry grew by 137,000 positions, according to the latest report by CompTIA.
The report tells us there are still many more organizations hiring tech talent than firing it, which is reassuring for the tech workforce.
In November, several big-name companies, like Cisco, Amazon, and HP, announced layoffs. But industry experts believe these are ongoing targeted layoffs possibly resulting from the established hiring strategies at each organization.
Companies are now focusing on improving productivity by eliminating non-essential staff and hiring developers, coders, programmers, blockchain processing, security experts, and other valuable IT professionals.
Although hiring in the IT industry fell back in November, it still totaled nearly 270,000. Openings for software engineers and developers accounted for 27% of all tech postings. The demand for system engineers, network engineers, IT project specialists, and IT support specialists is also solid.
We can conclude that the IT job market opportunities in 2023 should stay positive for many industry experts and even rookies, however, it will not be as broad in scope as in 2022.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning job opportunities are on the rise
A simple examination of the current technological scene reveals the pervasive influence of AI.
These technologies, which range from voice assistants that power smart speakers to high-tech coffee machines, are rapidly becoming staples in people’s daily lives.
AI is also becoming increasingly important in the workplace, as it can be used to automate processes, enhance customer service, and provide more insightful data analysis.
This evolution has resulted in a positive shift in AI and machine learning career trends. As businesses continue to adopt AI, demand for professionals who can design and maintain these systems is on the rise.
For forward-thinking IT professionals, machine learning concepts such as computer vision provide doors to some of the most exciting career options available today.
But computer vision is merely one of many new AI developments driving current machine learning employment trends.
AI and machine learning roles have jumped over 75% over the past four years. With the global machine learning market expected to reach $209 billion by 2029, it’s no wonder that machine learning engineering is one of the rising positions in the industry.
According to Ziprecruiter.com, the outlook for AI employment is excellent, citing the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts a 13% increase in computer-related occupations between 2016 and 2026. While not all these jobs perfectly fit the machine learning market, many do.
As the demand for qualified AI professionals has already surpassed that of data scientists, we can safely predict this trend will continue for the foreseeable future.
Cybersecurity jobs and the demand for cloud-computing skills are on the rise
94% of major enterprises are predicted to adopt a multi-cloud approach in 2023 as the focus turns away from network-centric security and toward data-centric security.
Intriguingly, the current shortage of cybersecurity workers means 43% of businesses are having trouble finding qualified talent, which has led to an increased dependence on automation and managed security solutions.
As more companies look to secure their data and networks, investing in professional staff who can help protect valuable information from malicious attacks is more important than ever.
Since cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses operate, it is also becoming increasingly important to have employees who are knowledgeable about this technology.
Companies should look for staff with strong cybersecurity and cloud computing background to ensure they remain secure, competitive, and up-to-date with the latest advancements.
Acceleration of Web3 blockchain technology adoption will increase the demand for Web3 developers
Experts also predict that Web3 blockchain technology will hit an adoption tipping point in 2023, becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors over the following decade, adding $6 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
While cryptocurrency now dominates the sector, the expansion of Web3 and its demand for blockchain applications will cause the technology to permeate retail, media, education, entertainment, and even the energy industry.
As decentralized finance grows in prominence, Market Research Future predicts the insurance, financial services, and banking sector will further propel Web3 into a new era.
As Web3 development continues, the demand for its developers is at an all-time high, and the need for such professionals is only expected to increase as the Web3 ecosystem matures.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) will also accelerate as more immersive modes of communication and consumption become more prevalent.
According to research from GlobalData, the augmented reality market will be worth $332.60 billion by 2028, up from an estimated $60 billion in 2023.
Similarly, Statista predicts that there will be 1.4 billion mobile augmented reality users in the world by 2023, which is an increase of one billion from the 44 million reported in 2019.
Remote work is here to stay
Even though the number of advertised remote jobs seems to be going down, and the news is full of stories about a backlash against remote work, employees still want to work remotely.
This is backed by Ladders research, as their data scientists predict 25% of all North American jobs will be remote by the end of this year and will increase through 2023.
Even Elong Musk changed his position on remote work, saying that managers can decide whether an employee can work remotely, possibly recognizing that 14% of the jobs a candidate can do remotely attract more than half of all job applications in the United States.
Remote jobs also have a high demand in the United Kingdom, Germany, and India, with the rest of the world following suit.
TalentLMS data shows that over three-quarters of the youngest workers demand mental health days and access to hybrid or remote work, so companies who wish to attract and retain top talent would be wise to take note of this trend.
Conclusion
The IT job market is changing rapidly, and it is up to employers to stay ahead of this curve.
In 2023, companies should be prepared to invest in professionals who can help manage security solutions, develop Web3 applications and technologies, and offer remote work options to attract top talent.
With these trends in mind, organizations will stay competitive and benefit from the latest advancements in IT.
Hundreds of new candidates are looking for job openings every day, and CIBR Warriors is here to help you find the right one for you.
For more help in advancing your career or finding a qualified candidate in IT and Cybersecurity, contact us. We’d be happy to answer your questions and provide you with the best advice for getting started.
