Almost halfway through 2025, a few key tech hiring trends have begun to emerge, even as economic Almost halfway through 2025, a few key tech hiring trends have begun to emerge, even as economic uncertainty weighs on the hiring market. Low IT unemployment, fueled by crucial skills gaps in critical areas like cybersecurity and AI implementation, means qualified IT professionals have excellent job prospects. That also means finding qualified candidates is more challenging than ever for hiring teams.
In this post, we will examine these trends more closely and discuss how a staffing services provider like Pomeroy can help you overcome these challenges and build a dream team, no matter your hiring situation.
Key market movers
1. Economic uncertainty
Many companies exhibit a cautious “wait and see” attitude in their current hiring strategies. This trend in tech hiring is mainly attributable to the prevailing economic uncertainty, amplified by ongoing trade tariffs and their complex impact on various sectors. While widespread hiring freezes or layoffs, particularly within non-governmental organizations, have not yet materialized, there is also a noticeable absence of significant hiring surges. This hiring environment suggests we’re in a period of cautious stability rather than an aggressive expansion in workforce numbers.
Current shifts in tech trends and the economy may increasingly lead organizations to access flexible hiring options. Contract hires provide employers with specialized skills and team augmentation without long-term commitments, giving the organization valuable agility during uncertain times. By leveraging contract professionals, companies can address immediate needs, evaluate new technologies like AI, and maintain an adaptable workforce strategy in a fluid economic environment.
Also read: How Technology Is Driving Customer-Centric Banking Experiences
2. Low unemployment
The information technology sector currently faces an exceptionally tight labor market. While starting to creep upward in early 2025, when factoring in error rates, unemployment for the IT sector is incredibly low. This near-total absence of available talent creates a highly competitive environment where organizations aggressively vie for experienced IT professionals. The scarcity of qualified candidates fuels intense poaching as companies seek to attract and retain the skilled personnel necessary to maintain operations, drive innovation, and achieve strategic objectives. This relentless competition for talent presents challenges and opportunities for IT professionals and the organizations that employ them.
3. Hybrid is the new normal
Understandably, many IT professionals are searching for 100% remote positions, which have become more common in recent years. However, while some industries have fully embraced remote work, IT inherently involves some on-prem functions to ensure success. Indeed, almost all jobs Pomeroy fills today are hybrid, requiring at least one day per week in the office. These varying expectations have created a noticeable disconnect: employers seek in-person collaboration—valuing on-site presence for security, team cohesion, and hands-on support—while many tech workers have adjusted to the flexibility and autonomy of remote work and are hesitant to compromise. Our role is to bridge the gap. We work closely with tech candidates and hiring managers to align expectations, clarify role-specific requirements, and find practical solutions that respect business needs and changing employee preferences.
Skillset hiring trends
4. AI
AI dominates many conversations about tech hiring trends, with 48% of organizations planning to expand hiring AI-related roles. However, significant AI investments may cause CIOs to adjust hiring timelines as the impact on organizational structures and required skills becomes clearer. Integrating AI could lead to reassessing staffing needs and future skills, potentially changing the speed and direction of recruitment.
Additionally, the current understanding and application of “AI” within the hiring process is often more accurately described as advanced data analytics. AI encompasses Business Intelligence (BI) tools and machine learning algorithms employed to extract meaningful insights from the vast amounts of data generated throughout an enterprise.
Many customers struggle to leverage this data effectively. They require assistance in harnessing the power of data analytics, including machine learning techniques, to gain a deeper understanding of their data. This need for guidance highlights a significant opportunity to provide solutions and expertise in navigating the complexities of data-driven insights.
Also read: Retail IT Service Desks: The Power and Impact of Quality Assurance
5. Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity landscape faces a critical shortage of skilled professionals, with demand far exceeding the available talent pool. According to estimates from ISC2, the global cybersecurity workforce is currently understaffed by a staggering 5.5 million individuals. This gap underscores the urgent need for organizations to address the growing skills deficit in this critical area.
The implications of this talent gap extend across industries, highlighting the pervasive nature of cybersecurity challenges.
6. DevOps
Increasing AI adoption across industries has had a profound and multifaceted impact on talent acquisition, particularly within the DevOps domain. One significant area where AI’s influence is evident is in the realm of infrastructure management. The rise of AI-powered virtual server farms presents a compelling shift from traditional on-premises data centers. These virtualized environments, driven by intelligent automation and orchestration, are not merely replicating the functionalities of physical infrastructure; they are often augmenting or completely replacing them. This transition necessitates a workforce with a distinct skillset to manage and maintain these complex, AI-driven systems effectively.
Consequently, the demand for DevOps professionals with expertise in cloud computing, automation frameworks, infrastructure-as-code, and AI/ML operations has grown substantially. The ability to design, deploy, monitor, and troubleshoot these sophisticated virtual infrastructures has become a highly valued competency in the current job market.
How Pomeroy helps you navigate tech hiring trends
On average, companies working with a specialized recruiting firm like Pomeroy can enjoy an onboarding process that is two or three months faster than traditional HR. We are a focused team of dedicated, technology-aware recruiters with strong, established networks. In essence, we know how to find the people who can help your business thrive.
Other standouts of Pomeroy’s technical staffing services include:
- 100% domestic recruiting team
- A network of qualified candidates built on referrals (instead of poaching)
- Access to Canadian assets through our subsidiary, Soroc
With our recently launched Connect for Success Program, two dedicated recruiters check in with recent consultant hires after their first week, second week, and then every 30 days. This regular communication helps ensure that consultants and their employers are satisfied and that any issues are addressed promptly.
As the tech hiring landscape evolves in 2025, companies that want to stay agile and proactive must attract the right talent, especially in areas where the demand for specialized IT professionals outpaces the available supply. With the emergence of AI and the continual evolution of strategies to support Business Intelligence, DevOps, cybersecurity, and other initiatives, organizations require partners who can help navigate trends and turn awareness into action.
That’s where Pomeroy comes in. With a wealth of industry insights, a commitment to client and consultant success, and a proven tech recruiting and hiring system, we’re here to help you overcome challenges and build a resilient and forward-thinking workforce.
Get in touch to learn more.
