Compare the most sought-after IT skills for 2013. View web version and extras at http://www.itcareerfinder.com/brain-food/blog/entry/top-ten-it-skills-in-demand-2013.html Jumpstart your IT Career!

1. Top 10 IT Skills In Demand for 2013

2. Summary
A survey of IT hiring managers indicates the top 10 IT skills in demand for 2013.
IT managers & executives reveal their 2013 hiring plans in Computerworld's
annual IT Forecast. Of the 334 respondents to this year’s survey, over
33% plan to hire new IT personnel in 2013 – that’s up from 29% in last
year's Forecast,23% in 2010 and 20% in 2009.
2013 promises to be an exciting time in the information technology job
market, as the most demanded IT skill sets focus on the development,
deployment & management of new technologies to grow the business!
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

3. Methodology
ITCareerFinder Analyzes the Computerworld Survey to Identify 2013’s Hottest Skills.
Computerworld polled 334 IT managers and tech executives about their hiring
plans for 2013 in their annual IT Forecast. The survey results offer valuable
insight into the IT skills and job roles that will be in demand in 2013.
Active IT practitioners and employment experts from ITCareerFinder.com
organized the survey responses into this concise breakdown of the most
in-demand IT skills, certifications & career paths for 2013 and beyond.
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

4. #1 Programming and
Application Development
60% of the IT executives plan to hire programmers and software/app
developers through 2013. Businesses are playing catch-up on systems
and website upgrades that were put off during the recession, driving
record demand for skilled web developers, computer programmers and
software engineers to develop new and innovative solutions.
Hot Programming Languages for 2013: Java | J2EE | .Net | PHP | Objective-C
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

5. #2 IT Project Management
40% of the executives surveyed plan to hire project managers in 2013. A
large number of technology upgrades, plus increased project complexity
(due to the enhanced connectivity of modern applications) is feeding the
demand for experienced project managers.
Hot PM Skills for 2013: Systems Development | Business Analysis | PMP Certification
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

6. #3 IT Help Desk and
Technical Support
35% of the executives plan to hire help desk/IT support technicians in
2013. New systems deployments means more help desk techs will be
needed to handle the increase in service calls. Demand for technical
support jobs in 2013 will get an added boost as businesses upgrade to
Windows 7 before the XP support cycle terminates in 2014.
Hot IT Support Skills for 2013: Mobile Device Support | Windows 7 Deployment | Soft Skills
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

7. #4 IT Security
27% of the IT managers plan to bring on new IT security specialists in
2013. Cyber attacks continue to increase in number, scope & complexity.
Add this trend to the inherent risk of integrating new systems and it's no
surprise that computer security will remain a top concern for IT decision
makers in 2013 and beyond.
Hot Security Skills for 2013: Enterprise/Enclave Security | Securing Virtual/Cloud Environments
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

8. #5 Business Intelligence
26% of respondents will hire BI specialists in 2013. Proliferation of cloud
storage solutions means businesses have more data than ever before.
Professionals with the combination of technical & business acumen to
analyze and transform this data into actionable intelligence for smarter
business decisions and increased performance will be in high demand.
Hot BI Skills for 2013: Big Data Analytics | Math Skills | Technical + Business Acumen
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

9. #6 Cloud and SaaS
25% of the IT managers surveyed plan to hire cloud computing and
SaaS (software as a service) specialists through 2013. As businesses
continue to establish and expand cloud-based solutions for increased
productivity and reduced operating expenses, they will pursue new
talent in this fast-growing IT domain.
Hot Cloud Skills for 2013: Cloud Architecture | SaaS Agreement Negotiation | Cloud Security
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

10. #7 Virtualization
24% of the IT executives will hire desktop and server virtualization
specialists in 2013. Improved technology ROI (return on investment),
better efficiency and easy availability of IT resources make virtualization
a critical part of modern IT strategies.
In-Demand Skills for 2013: Virtualization Administration | Virtual Security | VCP5 Certification
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

11. #8 Computer Networking
19% of the hiring managers plan to hire IT pros with networking skills in
2013. Regardless of external economic and social conditions, there will
always be demand for skilled and experienced network administrators,
managers and engineers, leading many employment experts to dub
network administration a “recession-proof” career.
In-Demand Skills: Cisco Networking | VOIP Admin | Standard to Virtual Network Conversion
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

12. #9 Mobile Applications /
Device Management
19% of IT managers will take on mobile computing specialists in 2013.
Rapid technological advancements in the capabilities of mobile devices
has led to increased use by businesses and consumers. Organizations are
seeking talented IT professionals and developers who can handle the
demands born from the proliferation of smartphones and tablets.
Hot Mobile Skills for 2013: Mobile App Development | Device Management | Mobile Security
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

13. #10 Data Center
16% of the IT executives plan to bring on personnel with data center
skills through 2013. Numerous, respected IT organizations and staffing
companies, including CompTIA and Robert Half Technology, report a
substantial skills gap in data center employment - meaning there are
many more job openings than qualified professionals to fill them.
Hot Data Center Skills: Database Management | Data Center Ops | Systems Integration
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

14. #11 Soft Skills
Soft skills weren't part of Computerworld’s IT forecast, however they are
critical for IT pros seeking serious career advancement and upward
mobility. While IT employs some of the brightest individuals – IMHO –
there is a shortage of IT professionals and developers with the business
acumen and communication skills to drive smooth interdepartmental
collaboration, and rise up to the highest levels of the organization.
Hot Soft Skills for 2013: Oral & Written Communication | Intra-Office Collaboration
Team Leadership | Communicating Technical Topics to Non-Technical Employees
Sources: Computerworld 2013 IT Forecast • ITCareerFinder Top 10 IT Skills for 2013

15. Source Materials
Resources used in the creation of this report.
 Top 10 IT Skills in Demand for 2013
(Q4 2012)
 2013 Computerworld IT Forecast
(Q3 2012)
 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2012-2013 Occupational Outlook Handbook
(Published March of 2012)

16. About the Author
Subject Matter Expert at ITCareerFinder
Daniel Greenspan is a technical training consultant & sought-
after keynote speaker working and playing in New York City.
He is a self-driven entrepreneur and the founder & CEO of
Informed Decisions Inc. "Working closely with students,
trainers and technology executives since 2005 gives me a
unique perspective into the IT job market, and the skills &
credentials IT pros need to succeed. I am honored to share my
experiences to help IT professionals advance their careers."

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