Technology is a crucial component of any modern, competitive business. With technology becoming a necessity for businesses, having a workforce that can manage advanced technology is vital.
While many professionals were laid off from their jobs in recent years, things are beginning to turn around. IT professionals are in high demand today, and businesses are in competition over those with the right skills. Whether you are an organization seeking new talent, or a professional looking to leverage your skills, these are the most difficult-to-fill (and high in demand) IT jobs of 2022.
Skills Shortage
Companies today are experiencing the struggles that come with a global skills shortage. While the pandemic cost thousands of professionals their jobs, these roles are opening up again, and companies are looking to hire - especially in IT.
Whether looking to upskill, reskill, or hire, companies are in need of experienced and skilled IT professionals to manage the technology necessary to keep them competitive. Certain IT jobs, in particular, are in higher demand than others. But, because skills are scarce, especially concerning complex IT skills, many companies struggle to fill these roles. The eight jobs that we have outlined, in particular, are some of the most difficult-to-fill IT jobs today.
1. AI Architect
AI has been booming lately, and it’s obvious why. Automation and AI provide companies with faster and more accurate insights, enabling them to make better business decisions in less time. Still, they need a professional with experience in AI to fully utilize these technologies, which is why so many organizations are looking to hire an AI architect.
In this role, AI architects are responsible for overseeing all AI initiatives. These individuals need skills in programming, AI, machine learning, and a basic understanding of advanced technologies.
2. Cloud Architect
With the growing popularity of cloud computing, there is no wonder that cloud architects and specialists are in high demand. With so many organizations migrating to the cloud and looking to optimize their cloud usage, it is essential to obtain an expert in cloud infrastructure. Still, because cloud computing is still relatively new and constantly evolving, finding an experienced cloud architect is no small feat - making it one of the most difficult jobs to fill today.
A cloud architect’s primary role is to manage an organization’s cloud computing strategy and manage and support its cloud infrastructure. Cloud architects should have a thorough understanding of programming, networking, and security skills regarding the cloud. In addition to this, they should have familiarity with cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services, a background in IT engineering, and experience with common programming languages.
3. Cybersecurity Consultant
If cloud architects are in high demand, cybersecurity consultants are in even higher demand. In today’s society, hardly a day goes by without a cybersecurity breach occurring, ranging from cloud misconfigurations all the way to ransomware. As a result, companies worldwide are looking to step up their cybersecurity, and they’re hiring cybersecurity experts to help them do so.
Cybersecurity experts, and consultants, in particular, help organizations develop cybersecurity plans and assist them in encrypting their equipment and data. Such measures help mitigate the risk of cyberattacks, protecting an organization’s data. Many professionals with experience in cybersecurity become certified in information security to verify their knowledge and add some accreditation to their company.
4. DevOps Engineer
Since its establishment in 2012, DevOps has become a widespread software development practice. Still, organizations are in need of professionals highly experienced in this methodology to guide other team members.
The primary role of a DevOps engineer is to facilitate the development operations team in collaboration network operations to increase productivity. They are also in charge of overseeing coding, scripting, and processes development to ultimately design and update deployment infrastructure.
5. Network Engineer
Network engineers and administrators are responsible for dealing with all of an organization’s software and hardware. As an organization’s operations depend on the function of its network, having an expert in this role is crucial.
This also means that much of this role is spent troubleshooting, so network engineers need to be available on-call in case of unexpected emergencies. Necessary skills for this position include analytic and diagnostic skills, general knowledge of business IT, and typically some certification in network administration.
6. Software Developer
Software developers and architects are especially hard to come by today, as companies in every industry, including government, IT, healthcare, and financial services, require software development. In the U.S. today, nearly forty thousand software developer and engineer positions are open, meaning that professionals with these skills have their pick of jobs.
Software developers are responsible for designing, developing, and installing software systems within an organization’s infrastructure. As such, the role requires experience in coding, designing, and building applications.
7. Systems Analyst
While systems analysts have been overlooked in the past, they are highly sought after today. A systems analyst is responsible for contributing to the development of a business-oriented and technology-based approach for problem-solving. Additionally, they will manage their company’s network, deploy servers, test programs, and databases, and develop software for an operating system as needed. Overall, systems analysts serve as a problem solver for an organization, using technology to fix issues cost-effectively.
8. UX Designer
User experience design (UX) is a critical component of software development. It ensures that the software not only meets basic user needs such as function but that it is also easy to use and mauver and delivers value to customers. As a result, many organizations are looking to bring on professionals with UX design experience.
UX designers can be hard to come by as they require both creative and technical skills. In this role, designers utilize their expertise to overcome technical challenges with software while ensuring that the product will deliver value to users. As such, design thinking is a significant aspect of the development process, which is not a skill that all IT professionals possess.
Alternatives to Hiring
Companies worldwide are on the lookout for IT professionals with these niche skills. Unfortunately, as these skills are so complex, experts in these areas are few and far between, and they have their pick of jobs. Still, companies need these skills gaps to be filled, so how do they obtain these skills when there aren’t enough experts available?
Many companies are choosing to address this challenge by outsourcing. While it may seem preferable to possess these skills internally, it could take months to find the right talent, and even then, the right person may not come along. By outsourcing your IT needs, companies can obtain the niche skills they need immediately - and cost-effectively.
Managed service providers offer organizations a team of experts with skills ranging from AI, cybersecurity, cloud migration, software development, and more. By partnering with an MSP, organizations can fill all of their skills gaps, equipping them with the skills and expertise they need.
Not only will an MSP provide organizations with the skilled workforce they need, but they also have all of the technical tools that a company could need - without having to invest internally. As a result, businesses can skip the time-consuming and expensive recruitment process and get the skills they need immediately, helping them stay competitive in a world where new technology and skills are needed every day.
