Why CIOs Struggle to Hire Tech Talent

Published: Jun 20, 2016
Updated: May 12, 2021
2 minute read

Why CIOs Struggle to Hire Tech Talent

Why CIOs Struggle to Hire Tech Talent

Why CIOs Struggle to Hire Tech Talent

IT execs can’t find candidates whose skills match requirements for open positions, and the recruitment struggles are impacting business performance.

Bigger Burden

Bigger Burden

89% of IT decision-makers admit that they struggle to find candidates whose skills match requirements for open positions, and 79% said it is more difficult to find and hire quality IT talent than it was a year ago.

Outbound Employees

Outbound Employees

71% said they are more concerned about turnover this year than last.

Business Liability

Business Liability

55% said they struggle to find needed, skilled talent has created one of the biggest internal threats to meeting revenue or business performance targets.

Most Common Lacking Qualities of IT Job Candidates

Most Common Lacking Qualities of IT Job Candidates

Relevant on-the-job experience: 46%, Tech skills: 41%, Soft skills (like communications): 31%, The “right” culture fit: 26%

Corrective Action, Part I

Corrective Action, Part I

45% of IT decision-makers are using a wider range of recruitment channels (such as social media) to improve hiring effectiveness, and 37% are offering higher salaries.

Corrective Action, Part II

Corrective Action, Part II

29% are developing relationships at local colleges and universities to boost recruiting success, and 23% are providing better benefits.

Customized Approach

Customized Approach

65% said their organization tries to tailor retention programs to the specific needs and preferences of workers from different generations.

Money Talks

Money Talks

94% said their organization’s IT salaries are either higher or the same as they were a year ago.

Extra Incentive

Extra Incentive

Among IT decision-makers who said salaries are increasing, 37% reward employees for exceeding revenue goals.

Top Recruiting Resources

Top Recruiting Resources

Staffing/recruiting company: 52%, LinkedIn: 37%, Traditional Job Boards: 37%

Pivotal Product

Pivotal Product

83% of IT leaders who use skills assessment solutions said the tools are “critical” to the hiring process.

Dennis McCafferty

Dennis McCafferty

Content Writer

Dennis McCafferty, a writer for eWeek, Baseline and CIO Insight, has more than 20 years of experience as a writer. He has covered a variety of technology and business topics for a number of publications, including those of Ziff Davis. Dennis was also an editorial staffer for USA Weekend, the nation’s second-largest magazine, with more than 22 million readers.

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