IT hiring picture improves

Information technology hiring is expected to increase in the first quarter as chief information officers are increasingly looking to add employees, according to a survey from Robert Half.

Robert Half said that 11 percent of CIOs plan to add IT workers in the first quarter. Meanwhile, 3 percent see cutbacks ahead. That 8 percent spread between hiring and cutbacks is up 5 points from the fourth quarter.

In addition, 84 percent of CIOS are at least a bit confident about their companies growth prospects, on par with the fourth quarter.

Robert Half's IT Hiring Index and Skills Report is based on interviews with 1,400 CIOs (statement, previous results).

Other key details include:

• CIOs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas are most actively seeking workers.
• 54 percent of CIOs see hiring challenges in the first quarter.
• Network admins are the most in demand and have been that way for four quarters.
• Networking, security and software development positions are the three areas that CIOs say are most challenging to fill.
• The health services industry has the most IT jobs.