In-demand tech jobs during the COVID-19 outbreak

From medtech, to logistics and the public sector, technology skills are in demand now more than ever. Tech professionals are proving essential in supporting businesses in the shift to remote working.

At CWJobs, we’re seeing job seekers actively looking for new opportunities on our platform. A high number of software developers, business analysts and network engineers have been active on our platform and have consistently been applying to roles over the last few weeks.

Let’s take a closer look at the most in-demand tech jobs during the coronavirus outbreak:

Infrastructure professionals

Infrastructure professionals are needed to ensure that IT systems operate as they should. Infrastructure engineers in particular, are in high demand right now as companies push to ensure their IT infrastructure is maintained to ensure business as usual.

Companies need their virtualisation platforms and storage area networks to keep functioning efficiently to maintain workflow and productivity.

We’re also seeing an increasing demand for infrastructure architects as businesses try to get their remote systems working at optimal levels to support system requirements.

Infrastructure architects are also responsible for analysing the IT requirements of the business and can identify what operating systems and software needs to be installed to allow maximum connectivity.

Browse our latest infrastructure engineer jobs

IT support

IT support is essential for companies with staff working from home. From monitoring and maintaining computer systems, to providing troubleshooting for employees, the need for IT support increases significantly with remote working.

Even companies who already have IT support in place may need additional assistance. Employees and customers who have issues with email access, forgotten passwords, or viruses need to have access to support quickly.

As well as troubleshooting, IT support is also needed to install and configure computer systems, diagnose software faults and log calls to spot patterns that could be causing underlying issues.

Check out our current IT support jobs

Cyber security specialists

CWJobs’ previous research into cyber security found that only half (50%) of UK businesses say they have the skills to combat a cyber threat. Only half (51%) of IT workers say that cyber security is included in their training, and almost one in four (23%) say they are not confident in handling a cyber security attack.

In the current landscape, it’s important for companies to have cyber security specialists on board to combat potential threats. Norton reports that Phishing emails in particular, are problematic at the moment, so staff need to be made aware of cyber security best practices.

Security controls that were previously in place to protect IT infrastructures may not have been applied to new systems required for remote working. Similarly, existing procedures may need rethinking as companies are faced with new security challenges.

Check out our latest cyber security engineer jobs.

IT administrators

In addition to IT support, administrators are also playing a crucial role in ensuring that companies operate as normal. They handle admin tasks that relate to networks, servers and security systems and ensure that documentation is up to date.

IT administrators are often the first people to notice network problems through the IT usage stats the collect. They’re also well-placed to make recommendations for implementing IT systems for remote working.

Managing backups is particularly important when staff are working remotely as lost files can be more challenging to recover outside of the office. Similarly, administrators are needed to set up user accounts and monitor internet and email use.

Take a look at our latest IT administrator jobs.

Programmers

In March 2020, we saw a 10% increase in jobs posted for full stack developer roles and a 14% increase for DevOps engineers. In particular, we’ve seen an increase in developer programmers for financial institutions and development companies.

Programmers are in high demand at the moment as the role is well-suited to remote working. Programmers can write code, test and fix bugs form home, as long as they have access to the company network and project boards.

We’d expect Java developers to be particularly sought-after right now, as it’s one of the most widely-used programming languages in the world. According to StackOverflow’s 2019 Developer Survey, it’s the 5^th most popular coding language, whereas the TIOBE index ranks Java as number one.

Browse our latest programmer jobs.

How to hire for these in-demand tech jobs

The companies that attract top talent during a downturn, are those that stay positive and visible. To encourage job seekers to apply for roles, businesses need to keep advertising their positions, so they’re stronger once the market picks up.

During this time, it’s important for employers to focus on building their brand and to keep an open dialogue with candidates. Companies need to engage with top candidates quickly before they get offers from competitors.

Employers who advertise on CWJobs can make use of our video interviewing tool to quickly get in touch with highly skilled candidates. They can also benefit from sending targeted job emails through our platform to 500 of the most recently registered candidates.

Our Eshots mailers have a conversion rate of 20% and have been used by companies like Sega, Sky and Deloitte. Businesses can also benefit from our homepage banner to attract and encourage active candidates to apply to their job openings.

This increased demand also presents employers with an opportunity to re-skill, or re-train staff to begin a career in tech. Re-skilling employees can help bridge the tech industry’s notorious skills gap and prepare companies for when the market recovers.