CIOs Have Strongest IT Hiring Plans For Fourth Quarter Since 2002, Poll FindsCIOs Have Strongest IT Hiring Plans For Fourth Quarter Since 2002, Poll Finds

CIOs plan to pump up their hiring in the fourth quarter to the highest levels in more than three years, according to a new report released by IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology.

Of the 1,400 CIOs polled, 16% expect to hire full-time IT staff in the quarter and 4% plan staff reductions. The net 12% boost in hiring is the biggest increase since the third quarter of 2002, the company says. The increase in hiring plans for the fourth quarter is up one point from the third quarter and up six points compared with the fourth quarter of 2004.

The strongest hiring is planned by CIOs in the Pacific states, with 21% of CIOs there saying they'll increase IT staff and only 3% planning to eliminate jobs. CIOs in mid-Atlantic states are running a strong second in hiring plans--20% say they'll increase staff, and 4% say they'll decrease it in the quarter.

Of CIOs who are building up staffing levels, 36% say corporate expansion is the main driver. Increased customer- and user-support needs were identified by 21% of the CIOs as the key factor for additional IT staff hiring.

"Microsoft Windows administration is among the most demanded expertise, and that's due to business growth. Companies are adding more users, so they need IT staff to support this," says Jeff Markham, a division director at Robert Half Technology.

Other hot talent being sought by CIOs includes network security experts and business analysts "who have strong knowledge and experience in business acumen and technology initiatives," Markham says. "Companies are looking for technology to fuel growth."