Research Data Collection
Our market reports are centered on two main groups: IT professionals and IT employers. We make sure our sample is broad and representative, capturing insights from a wide variety of professionals and organization’s.
The surveys we conduct include both qualitative questions, such as identifying in-demand skills, and quantitative questions, like organization size. While we’ve added new elements to our reports over time, many of the core insights remain consistent, allowing us to track long-term trends reliably.
All data is rigorously analyzed and undergoes thorough quality checks before being included in our reports. This ensures the information you receive is accurate, dependable, and actionable.
Demographics of Job Seekers
The IT sector has changed significantly over the past decade, and ongoing challenges like the gender pay gap and the need for greater diversity remain important. Our job market reports include demographic insights such as age, gender, and ‘right to work’ status, which is increasingly relevant as the sector relies on skilled migrants to fill critical talent gaps.
Size and Scope of IT Employers
Our surveys provide insights into the types of organization’s represented, including public versus private sectors, geographic location, and overall workforce size. We also gather information on social impact and corporate responsibility initiatives, helping to understand how IT companies contribute to their communities. As professionals place more value on ethical and socially responsible workplaces, this information is especially useful for both employers and job seekers.
In addition to total employee numbers, we analyze the number of full-time tech staff. This helps indicate how central technology is to a business and whether tech teams are growing. For job seekers, working in a larger, skilled tech team can offer motivation, collaboration, and opportunities to develop professionally.
Understanding Employee Turnover
Knowing why IT professionals leave roles is vital for employers looking to reduce attrition. Our reports include questions about the factors that drive staff departures, offering actionable insights.
Common reasons include:
- Career Development: Employees may leave if opportunities for growth are limited or if they want to explore new industries or specializations. Employers can help by clearly communicating career paths and supporting skill development.
- Contract or Project Completion: IT work often involves project-based contracts. Organizations can retain valued contractors by engaging them in new projects before existing ones conclude.
- Salary Considerations: Compensation is a frequent reason for leaving. Staying informed about market pay rates is crucial. Our remuneration reports help employers ensure salaries are competitive, while performance reviews, raises, and career development initiatives can help retain top talent.
By understanding the reasons behind staff departures, employers can identify strategies to improve retention and align with market trends. Likewise, IT professionals can compare their own motivations to industry standards to make informed career decisions.
What Influences a Candidate to Accept a Role
As recruiters, our main focus is helping employers hire the right person for the job. To do this, it’s important to understand what drives professionals to commit to a new role. Our job market reports reveal the main factors that lead IT professionals to accept a job offer, such as:
- Increased salary or financial benefits
- More stimulating or challenging work
- Flexible working arrangements
- Skills that aren’t being fully used in their current role
- A desire for a change or new opportunity
These motivators, much like the reasons employees leave, often highlight areas where employers can make a difference. While it’s not always possible to address every factor, understanding them can help businesses retain their best people. With staff retention being a persistent challenge in the IT sector, these insights provide practical guidance for reducing turnover and keeping teams engaged and committed.
Adapting to the Evolving Needs of the IT Industry
For tech professionals aiming to stay competitive and enhance their employability, our job market reports are an invaluable resource. Each report—whether national or regional—provides insights into the skills currently in highest demand.
Skill requirements can vary by region. While many disciplines face a nationwide shortage, understanding local trends helps IT professionals priorities the skills that will have the greatest impact in their area.
The IT sector is constantly changing, with new roles emerging in areas such as data security, project management, development, and architecture. This enables professionals to align their career interests with market demand. Our reports highlight the skills employers are seeking, offering guidance for IT professionals to grow their capabilities and potentially increase their earning potential.
Remote Work Trends
Although remote work existed in IT before 2020, the pandemic accelerated its adoption. Organizations have transitioned to cloud-based systems and flexible work arrangements to ensure continuity. Even as pandemic restrictions have eased, remote work remains highly valued for the flexibility it offers.
Our reports examine why employers offer remote work, the benefits it provides, and the challenges it can bring, such as maintaining team dynamics. Many organization’s now offer fully remote or flexible arrangements, which not only appeal to employees but also allow businesses to reduce overheads and attract talent from a wider geographic pool. For employers struggling to fill roles, embracing remote work can be a significant advantage.
Regional IT Market Insights
The IT job market in USA differs by location. Auckland is heavily weighted towards the private sector, Wellington has a strong public sector presence, and smaller cities often have more small business activity.
To reflect these differences, we conduct regional research each year. This helps IT professionals and employers better understand local opportunities and challenges. As more people consider relocating for lifestyle or career reasons, our regional insights can guide decisions about where to live and work while aligning with career goals.
