Q1 IT Job Levels up on Q4 2010

United Kingdom

IT recruitment levels at the start of 2011 were higher than in quarter four 2010 but were lower than the same period last year, according to the latest Market Update from Robert Walters.

Despite this, financial services firms continued recruiting IT staff with front office development experience, business analysts and project managers in quarter one, while some commercial businesses were hiring developers with specialist smart phone application knowledge.

The report also reveals that IT professionals' moderate expectations going into this year's pay review proved unfounded as most received salary increases of between 3 - 5%. However, there was a notable change in the way bonuses have been structured with bonds and options tied to long-term service often incorporated.

Jason Addicott, Associate Director of IT Recruitment at Robert Walters, says:
"Fewer new IT projects were signed off within the financial services sector compared to last year when firms came out of the downturn with more money to spend. Delays to compensation reviews at some institutions and general uncertainty surrounding bonuses also led IT professionals to be less keen to explore new opportunities and employers were less willing to recruit.

"However, a number of financial services firms started projects to change trading platforms and/or order management systems. We expect this to drive demand for IT people - and contractors in particular - throughout the rest of the year.

"Where they have recruited, there has been an increasing emphasis on softer skills. Technical staff are having to demonstrate that their personality attributes fit with the culture of the recruiting organisation."

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