Gone are the days that working in tech means moving to Silicon Valley. According to Glassdoor’s “What’s Ahead for Jobs? Five Disruptions to Watch in 2018,” the biggest gains in software jobs come from non-tech sectors: retail, banking and financial services and manufacturing. Although information technology and internet and tech industries make the list, those are already expected. Other non-tech industries sharing an increase in software job posting include consulting and biotech and pharmaceuticals.
Industry Breakdown
Retail by far leads the pack with a 7.5 percent change in software job postings from 2012 to 2017. Driving this increase are e-commerce companies like Amazon, and the trend is not stopping anytime soon. According to the National Retail Federation, total retail sales are expected to grow between 3.8 and 4.4 percent in 2018, and online, and other non-store sales are expected to increase between 10 and 12 percent. So, the demand is there and predicted to continue to grow.
Additionally, banking and finance have seen a 2 percent increase in software job postings, which can be chalked up to the growing use of mobile banking and payment apps and electronic trading platforms. Manufacturing’s 1.7 percent increase is due to more automated production lines as well as the desire to operate more efficiently and focus on higher quality outputs.
While consulting and biotech and pharmaceuticals both show an increase less than 1 percent, the demand is still there. Technology roles in the consulting sector have increased because there is a general need for companies to become more technologically adept. Moreover, biotech and pharmaceuticals are seeking software engineers and other tech roles because of technology’s increasing entry into healthcare. It comes in the form of implementing electronic medical record and documentation, conducting advanced research and clinical trials and manufacturing medical devices and pharmaceuticals with 3D printing, for example.
For Employers
The increasing interest in tech talent from all industries means a tighter talent pool for your company. Because these candidates are accustomed to being courted, your approach to acquiring these individuals may have to adjust. There are a few things you can do to make an immediate impact on hiring tech talent:
- Shift your value proposition to ensure it meets in-demand candidates requirements.
- Look at pay and benefits to ensure it aligns with other tech opportunities, not just your industry standards.
- Adapt the hiring process to confirm it considers skilled candidates.
- Create flexible work options.
- Offer workplace perks, and market the benefits of your office environment.
For Job Seekers
The good news for job seekers is that tech opportunities are abundant and varied. With a need in many industries across different geographies, those with technology experience will have their pick of a job. Skills gained in the tech space will be useful elsewhere as technology continues to infiltrate every area of life and work.
Even if you are a non-tech employee, there are benefits to this technology boom. Employers are stepping up their game regarding company culture and employee relations as a method of attracting tech talent. Non-techies will benefit from these efforts with more perks and better benefits.
