Hiring trends in technology software & services

One consistent trend we have seen over the past twelve months is a huge increase in new business development and revenue related roles. As the industry faces slowed growth and a fundamental shift in operating models, everyone is growing their sales teams and rethinking the kinds of people they have in revenue roles. We have seen an increase across all revenue roles, but especially go-to-market roles, vertical leaders, Client Partners, and business development.

AI has massively changed the way that IT services organizations deliver results for their clients and it is reflected in their hiring trends. Nearly every technology role that has come to us in the past year from tech services companies has been AI or data related. Roles for product managers and engineers have also emphasized a need for AI fluency and knowledge. Facing high competition and a finite talent pool in AI, many companies are focusing on training efforts to  create the kinds of talent they need. We are also seeing a big increase in forward deployed engineers - customer facing engineers embedded in client organizations working on AI related initiatives.

Another trend we have seen in technology services is an increased demand for candidates with strong soft skills and consulting skills. Especially strategic thinkers and those with strong stakeholder management skills. We’ve seen a boom in demand for roles like relationship managers and chief of staff as well as an emphasis on these skills in job descriptions for other roles. 

Lastly, we are seeing a meaningful increase in confidential roles in the industry. This tells us that companies are really rethinking the kind of talent they need to meet the current moment. A large number of roles with incumbents doesn’t point to poor performance so much as a desire from companies to move in a different direction or shake things up. IT services and software companies are increasingly willing to hire outside their industry or cross functionally in order to bring in disruptive, creative talent to key roles.

In conclusion, the industry is facing stagnant growth and trying hard to shake things up. The future is moving towards AI but the need for people with strong human skills is greater than ever.