Information Technology Skills Employers Want

A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at AIU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.

The IT field is growing as technology changes and advances. Job titles, descriptions, and expectations in the field are also evolving. As such, there are skill sets employers seek when hiring. But how do know what specific technology skills employers desire?

Burning Glass, a labor market analytics company, analyzed job postings from over 40,000 job boards, Websites, and other online sources in 2016 for professions seeking candidates with technology degrees, and created a list detailing what employers want in their new hires.¹ Additionally, a report on baseline skills or soft skills applicable across industries was issued, as well as job titles in high demand by employers that comprised more than a quarter of all skill requirements in highly technical positions.²

Consider these specialized and baseline skills desired by employers seeking IT job candidates.

The Skills Employers Want

The top 10 specialized tech skills desired by employers include:¹

• Cloud Security
• Jboss Application Server
• Metadata Design
• Integration Architecture
• Distributed Computing
• Information Architecture
• Apache Kafka
• Web Services Security
• Salesforce Integration
• Cloud Computing

Furthermore, the top 10 baseline information technology skills employers seek in IT candidates are:²

• Communication skills
• Writing
• Organizational Skills
• Problem Solving
• Planning
• Comp Skills + Typing
• Research
• Word + Office
• Customer Service
• Microsoft Excel

How Do I Use This Information to Pursue a Career?

Once you are aware of the IT skills employers’ desire, you can then use the information to work to develop your skills and pursue your goals.

Draft Your Résumé to Highlight Desired Skills

Play up your strengths to better match a company’s needs by using the above information to list your related experience and skill sets on your résumé.

Further Your Education to Build and Develop Your Skills

Look for a quality, accredited bachelor's or master's IT degree program that meets your needs and fits your schedule. Furthering your education may offer more knowledge and experience in your chosen field and help develop the confidence you need to pursue job openings in your desired occupation.

Take on More Responsibility at Work

Volunteering for extra projects at your current job may open the door to enhancing your technology management skills and soft skills. Don’t be afraid to take on the extra work – your boss may notice and it could lead to future career opportunities.

Be Proactive and Find a Mentor

Connect with someone you admire in the IT field who has followed a career path similar to the one you envision for yourself. Explain your goals and ask if he or she will be your career mentor. This connection may lead to gaining advice on entering the field, improving your résumé, or searching for job openings.

Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates faster than average growth in employment of computer and information technology occupations from 2016 through 2026 and these occupations are projected to add about 557,100 new jobs.³

Pursue an Information Technology Degree at American InterContinental University

1. “The Top 10 Hard-to-Find Tech Skills.” Burning Glass Technologies. Retrieved from: https://www.burning-glass.com/wp-content/uploads/tech_top10_brief_final_16.10.26.pdf (Visited 11/5/18).
2. “The Human Factor: The Hard Time Employers Have Finding Soft Skills.” Burning Glass Technologies. Retrieved from: https://www.burning-glass.com/wp-content/uploads/Human_Factor_Baseline_Skills_FINAL.pdf (Visited 11/5/18).
3. “Computer and Information Technology Occupations.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm (Visited 11/5/18). Conditions in your area may vary.

American InterContinental University cannot guarantee employment or salary. For important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended these programs, go to www.aiuniv.edu/disclosures. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
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