How Hiring for IT roles with WFH model contributes to the job Market

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost all the industries globally, especially the tech industry, switched to work remotely. As a result, work from home (WFH) model has been adopted, which will continue even after post-pandemic. As WFH has accelerated digitalisation, hiring for IT roles with WFH model is expected to pick up further pace in 2021.

According to HR consultants, recruiting for roles in fields of cybersecurity, augmented reality (AR), blockchain, user interface and user experience is estimated to go up by 20-25%.

With the increase in remote working environment, the security of data and information has gained prominence more than ever. Considering the demand, there will be a need of cybersecurity professionals across industries.

Other than banks, financial institutions and eCommerce platforms that indulge in a financial transaction, there is a rise in need for cybersecurity because people are remotely exchanging files and working on various platforms. Besides, professionals in blockchain technology will also be in demand as it is a secure system of maintaining ledgers and financial transactions.

The increase in the use of AR and mixed reality (MR) by eCommerce platforms and virtual gaming indicates that there will be more professionals needed in this space. With access to better devices with upgraded processors increasing, e-gaming is catching the fancy of users fast. Additionally, UI/UX skills will get more importance and acknowledgement in 2021.

2021 will be a great year for tech professionals who possess data-related skills in terms of salaries too. The current salary ranges from Rs 20 lakh per annum for a talented person with 5-7 years of experience.

There are job roles like Database Administrator, Software Developer, Network Engineer that already ruled the hiring market in 2020 are also expected to dominate 2021. Apart from these, React JS Developer, Java Full Stack Developer, Android Developer etc. are digital skills that are currently dominating the hiring market, according to Quess IT Staffing. Between March and October 2020, the role of React JS Developer witnessed a hike of 184% in the total number of open positions compared to the same period in 2019. Similarly, the role of Java Full Stack Developer rose by 62%, while the skills of Android Developer saw a slight dip. Therefore, these roles remain among the top niche skills in demand currently.

With the overall demand levels for tech roles improving to close almost pre-COVID levels, the tech industry, precisely the IT sector is optimistic of further improvement in the coming years.

IT and Business Process Management (ITBPM) will see more hiring as new deals are getting signed and more IT deals are in the pipeline among the top 20 ITBPM service providers," opines Saran Balasundaram, Founder and CEO at Han Digital. "To fulfil the compelling demand, reactive and proactive hiring is soaring 3-10 years of experience will contribute to over 80% of overall hiring volume.

EY recently announced that it would be inducting almost 9,000 new hires in India in various technology roles across all member companies including the global delivery centres to expand its digital capabilities in the calendar year 2021. These hires will be in areas including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cybersecurity, data Analytics and other disruptive technologies, offering WFH.