American technology companies are planning to hire more people in the next six months as many key positions continue to remain vacant due to shortage of skilled professionals, said a survey done by job portal Dice.com.
The study, which polled nearly 900 hiring managers and recruiters, found that 65% of respondents expect to hire more technology professionals in the second half of 2011, than they did in the first half.
The report said some key IT positions are staying open for months due to a shortage of qualified tech professionals.
Sixty-three per cent of the respondents sighted talent shortage as the primary reason for lengthening of time to fill a position, which compares to just 46% who felt that way six months ago.
Interestingly, more organisations would turn to external recruiters to find candidates, with 34% of companies surveyed saying they would use this option in the next six months, compared to 29% in November.
Besides, nearly half (47%) of the hiring managers and recruiters surveyed said pay is slightly or significantly increasing for new hires, up from 29% who said so six months ago.
"Now is the time to ask for more money," Dice Senior Vice President (North America) Tom Silver said.
"Negotiate hard at the outset of a new job because that initial salary may set the base for the next three years," Silver added.
In terms of seniority, tech professional with six to 10 years of IT experience are most in demand, followed by those with two to five years of experience, and then by professionals with 10 years or more of experience.
