The reality of IT job ads – what really attracts IT specialists?
The IT job market today is exceptionally competitive. On one hand, there are thousands of students and graduates from computer science programs, and on the other hand, companies are increasingly determined to fight for experienced and specialized candidates. The best specialists are not actively looking for a job. They already have good conditions, exciting projects, and do not feel the need for a change. Therefore, IT recruitment increasingly means the need to reach out to passive candidates – those who need to be convinced that it’s worth reading the job ad at all.
Employment type and work mode
The type of contract and work mode are among the first factors candidates pay attention to. In 2024, over 62% of job ads included an employment contract, and B2B was featured in more than 58% of listings, according to inhire.io data. This means that more and more companies are offering candidates a choice, providing various cooperation models. B2B is dominant among mid and senior specialists, while junior roles tend to feature employment contracts more often. Additionally, for juniors, it is common to find contracts for specific tasks (around 18%).
Remote and hybrid work still dominate the IT sector, with job ads for fully on-site positions making up only 10.43% of the market. Interestingly, 57% of job ads offered hybrid work, which is becoming the golden mean between flexibility and team contact. Candidates have clear preferences: 67% prefer the hybrid model, and 30% prefer fully remote work. Employers who clearly define work rules – how many days in the office, working hours, and whether there is flexibility – gain trust and attention.
IT experience and tough times for juniors
Entering the IT job market is becoming more difficult, especially for those with little experience. According to No Fluff Jobs, in 2024, over 55% of job ads were aimed at seniors, while offers for juniors accounted for just 6%, a 2% decrease from the previous year.
Interestingly, it’s the mid-level specialists who have lost the most – their share in the market dropped to 38.4%, a 10% decrease from 2023. This means that even those with a few years of experience may struggle to find a new position – especially if they are expecting higher rates or more advanced projects.
Salaries and benefits
In the IT industry, money still matters – but it’s not the only factor. Transparency in salary ranges and the actual value of benefits are also crucial.
According to the inhire.io report, the median gross salary for employment contracts (UoP) in 2024 was PLN 16,935, and for B2B it was PLN 21,182 net. Seniors could expect an average of PLN 24,118 (B2B) and PLN 20,652 (UoP), while juniors earned PLN 9,846 and PLN 8,516, respectively.
However, candidates are increasingly expecting more than just an attractive salary. Benefits are gaining importance, especially those that directly contribute to work comfort and development.
Most common benefits in IT job ads:
- Private medical care
- Sports card
- Training budget
- Work in a small team
- Life insurance
Most desired benefits by candidates:
- 4-day work week
- Flexible working hours
- Additional vacation days
- Private healthcare
- Professional training and courses
It’s important to clearly describe what “flexibility” or “work-life balance” actually means. The more specific the messaging, the greater the trust of the candidate.
Technologies and requirements for IT specialists
In 2024, the largest percentage of job ads targeted specialists working with JavaScript (11.24%), Java (10.49%), and the broad field of Data (9.01%) – including analytics, Big Data, and data science. The most sought-after roles were backend developers, system administrators, DevOps engineers, system architects, and security specialists.
Job ads should specify technical requirements as precisely as possible. Instead of a long list of “nice to have” skills, focus on a few key technologies that the candidate will actually work with. Soft skills are also becoming more important – 69% of managers admit that they are now more crucial than ever. Therefore, it’s worth signaling that skills such as teamwork, communication, or independence are valued – especially if the team works in agile or distributed environments.
Who are companies looking to hire?
The most sought-after specialists in 2024 were backend developers, IT administrators, project managers, and DevOps engineers. As for technologies, JavaScript (11.24%), Java (10.49%), and Data (analytics, Big Data, data science) (9.01%) dominate.
Most popular programming languages:
- SQL
- Python
- Java
There is also an increasing number of job ads in the field of artificial intelligence – in Q4 2024, 1,496 AI-related job ads were published, marking a 63% increase compared to the beginning of the year.
It’s important for job ads to include specific technical requirements – instead of a long list of “nice to haves,” focus on real technologies and tools that the candidate will actually use.
Soft skills also matter – 69% of managers agree that they are more important now than a few years ago. Teamwork, communication, and responsibility – it’s worth showing that such traits are appreciated in your company. Want to know which soft skills are gaining importance? Read our article here.
What should a successful job ad include to attract top tech talent?
A modern IT job ad should be clear, specific, and aligned with market realities. Clearly defined employment type, salary, requirements, and technology description are an absolute minimum. Candidates want to know what the job will look like, who they’ll be working with, and what they can gain. A well-written job ad not only increases the number of valuable applications – it’s also the first step in building your company’s image as a professional and modern employer. In today’s IT market, your employer brand increasingly determines the success of recruitment.
Also, read our article on feedback in recruitment: The Importance of Feedback in the Recruitment Process
Looking to hire top talent? Get in touch with us to recruit the best tech specialists for your team!
Sources:
- No Fluff Jobs, IT Job Market in Poland 2024
- Inhire.io, IT Market Snapshot Q4 2024
- Bulldogjob, IT Community Research Report 2024
- SOLID.Jobs, European Transparent IT Job Market Report 2024