IT jobs: Hiring back to pre-recession levels

Linux and PHP developers in demand, along with iPhone and BlackBerry expertise…

IT recruitment has bounced back to pre-recession levels, according to a survey from recruitment consultancy Robert Walters.

The survey found that general hiring activity levels during 2010 were comparable with those in 2007 before the recession hit many tech jobs.

Chris Hickey, managing director of UK recruitment at Robert Walters, said in a statement that "firms particularly focused on recruiting for growth-focused roles, rather than those that were geared towards managing the bottom line, as they looked to take advantage of improving market conditions."

Application developers with expertise in Apple's iPhone and RIM's BlackBerry were found to be particularly in demand
Photo: Shutterstock

Application developers with expertise in Apple's iPhone and RIM's BlackBerry were found to be particularly in demand, with infrastructure specialists and professionals with strong enterprise backgrounds highlighted by the report as being the most consistently in-demand IT workers.

Linux and PHP developers were also sought after, according to the report, with businesses also focused on hiring IT staff with skills in open-source technology.

While the survey reported some growth in graduate-level jobs, most hiring activity occurred at the mid to senior levels, according to Jason Addicott, associate director of IT recruitment at Robert Walters.

Addicott added: "IT professionals who work in London continue to be among the best paid in the world" with IT salaries across the country "generally comparing favourably with those overseas". The study also found that most IT workers moving roles were able to negotiate salary increases of between three and five per cent.

A separate survey released last month also reported an increased demand for IT workers. The survey, conducted by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and professional services firm KPMG, reported that growth in IT employment was second only to transport, post and logistics.