The IT sector in the United States consistently attracts some of the brightest and most talented individuals from all over the world. The United States has maintained industrial, technical, and economic superiority over most of the developed world as a result of the competitive edge it possesses in IT and technology disciplines.
IT staffing needs are no longer confined to tech hubs like San Francisco, Austin, and Houston. Almost every type of business makes use of information technology to compete in its industry. As a result, the need for IT talent shows no signs of slowing.
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The 5 Most Needed Skills in an IT Candidate
IT in itself is a very broad field consisting of many sub-disciplines. In order to strengthen and maintain the health of their IT framework, many businesses look for specific skills that can add value to the organization. IT professionals possess many diverse skillsets, but those in demand over the preceding years have been the following:
Let’s examine these in more detail below.
Skill 1: Database Administration
A database forms the foundation of most information systems in use in modern businesses. Over the years, the technologies businesses use have evolved and become much more advanced. This has prompted the need for IT professionals with strong database administration skills to maintain and run the sophisticated databases of modern-day businesses.
Also Read: Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an IT Staffing Firm
Don’t forget, database administration requires someone to be managing the database around the clock, 24/7, all year round. Database administrators are not likely to be out of demand anytime soon.
Skill 2: App Development
App or software developers, also known as coders, are the people who turn a technological idea into a software reality. Ever since the business world embraced computers and IT, application development has been a very high-demand skill.
Unless businesses go back to the pen-and-paper lifestyle, it is safe to assume application developers will continue to be valuable resources for modern businesses. Within any staffing agency with a core background in delivering IT talent, the most demand for application development skills revolves around .Net and mobile development platforms.
Skill 3: BI Analysis
Data is one of the most valuable assets a modern business can have. Even the largest volumes of data are useless unless analyzed for actionable information that can help a business improve in various areas. Business intelligence analysts are IT professionals skilled at extracting useful and meaningful information from the raw data your business operations generate.
Of course, the field of business intelligence analysis is still in its infancy, but it is fast becoming a common skill in modern businesses and enterprises.
Skill 4: Network Engineering
Network engineering involves maintaining the health of a business’s IT connectivity and hardware. They are also skilled at maintaining network security, which is an invaluable skill given the frequency of cyberattacks on businesses of all sizes.
Network engineers ensure that the network that allows businesses to share information is always up and running. Since most businesses rely on information networks for smooth functioning, network-engineering skills aren’t going out of demand anytime soon.
Also Read: The Impact of Immigration Reform on IT Staffing
Skill 5: Solutions Architecture
Individuals skilled in solutions architecture often end up playing multi-disciplinary roles. The nature of their work involves detailed interaction with business functions like sales, marketing, and even finance and accounting. But what exactly does a solutions architect do?
These professionals are responsible for ensuring that a company’s data management capabilities meet its information needs. That includes developing synergy between the software a company uses for various functions and the IT infrastructure that it currently has.
A solutions architect is usually a mid-level position. Many start out as developers or project managers, acquiring in-depth knowledge about different business functions and activities. They also possess a strong problem-solving mindset, enabling them to devise solutions that keep workflows, information systems and the IT infrastructure at optimum performance.
Recruiting the right IT talent for a business can be very challenging for in-house recruiters. In-house recruiters are usually limited to a local talent pool consisting of individuals that have homogenized skills and experience. On the other hand, a key aspect of your talent acquisition strategies should be to partner with a professional staffing firm.
Professional recruiters have access to a much broader talent pool and use various tools and methods to ensure they deliver the best talent every time. This is bound to be a more efficient recruiting channel for your business and can drive down employee turnover in a high-demand industry.
