The most in-demand tech skills for 2023

Let’s take a closer look at the most in-demand tech skills from the second half of 2022, and what the future holds for 2023:

Business Analyst

A new addition to our list this year, Business Analyst was the top advertised role on our platform. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the role is set to grow by 23% from 2021, to 2031.

To attract Business Analysts, employers should focus on offering a competitive salary and compensation package. Our recent Tech Talent Trends and Expectations Report 2023 reveals that the most common detail tech candidates want to see in job adverts is salary (46%).

In a candidate-driven market, top business analysts will have their pick of roles, so companies need to stand out from the crowd by offering attractive financial benefits.

Java Developer

Whereas Software Developer was one of the most advertised roles on our platform in 2021, last year, we saw employers being more specific in their requirements.

Java Developer was the second most advertised role on our platform in the second half of 2022, and Statista reports that it was used by one third (33.27%) of developers worldwide.

Indeed, our Tech Talent Trends research finds that tech workers will be more selective in the roles they apply for in 2023, with one in five (20%) saying they won’t apply for a job if they don’t have more than three quarters of the requirements in the job advert.

Java development roles should therefore specify essential requirements like what platforms and architecture developers will be working with, and what development and operational tools they’ll use.

DevOps Engineer

As automation becomes a stronger focus for companies in the tech space, it’s no surprise that DevOps was the third most commonly posted job on our platform in the second half of 2022.

According to the DevOps Institute’s Global Report 2022, the framework is the top ‘must-have’ IT operating model for the future (47%). However, nearly half of the survey respondents indicated that a skills shortage is one of their top hiring challenges.

Companies can increase their chances of finding DevOps talent by ensuring that their employer brand reflects the values that matter to DevOps engineers. Given that DevOps is all about uniting people, processes, and technology, companies would do well to showcase a people-centric approach to business.

Data Engineer

Data Engineer was the fourth most commonly posted job on our platform, and we expect demand to continue as companies try to connect their data flows with their operational and business intelligence systems.

According to Zippia, 97.2% of business executives say their organisations are investing in big data and AI projects in 2023. However, 92.2% also say that integrating data-driven decision-making into their companies’ cultures has been difficult.

To attract data engineers, employers should try to reduce their time-to-hire. Our Tech Talent Trends research reveals that 26% of tech workers have dropped out of a job application because the recruitment process was too slow.

The quicker employers can interview data engineers and make a job offer, the less likely they’ll be to lose out on talent to competitors.

.NET Developer

.Net Developer was the fifth most in-demand role in the second half of 2022, and according to Intellectsoft, it was used by 34.55% of developers globally. We expect to see the same demand in 2023 as Microsoft frameworks and servers continue to increase in popularity.

As an open-source, flexible platform with varying levels of complexity and scale, employers should aim to recruit from as wide a talent pool as possible.

Many developers use the .Net framework outside of the tech industry, and so employers shouldn’t discount candidates because they haven’t worked in the tech sector before.

The most applied for roles in 2022

When we look at the most applied for roles on the CWJobs platform, compared to the most advertised, we see some differences between the skills candidates currently have, and those that employers are looking for.

The top five most applied for roles in the second half of 2022 were:

1. Business Analyst
2. DevOps Engineer
3. Scrum Master
4. Data Engineer
5. Java Developer

We might conclude then, that in 2023, employers will find it most challenging to recruit for .Net Developer roles.

To combat this, employers could focus on upskilling their existing workforce so that they’re able to meet their .Net framework needs.

Similarly, highlighting training opportunities on job adverts can encourage applications from .Net developers who are keen to gain more experience in the framework.

*Source: CWJobs internal data, 1^st July 2022 – 29^th November 2022.