The IT sector is among the fastest-growing industries globally, and this rapid growth has led to an acute shortage of qualified professionals. Simply having a solid education or completing professional courses is no longer sufficient to meet employers’ demands. Most employers are on the lookout for experienced professionals who can immediately contribute to the company. However, these expectations are not always met. So, what requirements do employers most commonly demand from IT job applicants?
First and foremost, ideally, companies seek employees with education in information technology or related fields. This could be higher education in specialties like “Software Engineering,” “Information Systems and Technologies,” “Computer Science,” and others.
Work experience also gives candidates an edge. This includes previous project involvement, internships, or IT-related experience.
Vage Zakaryan, Head of Development at Gem Space superapp, shares his criteria for selecting specialists:
“Firstly, we assess professional knowledge. To do this, we give specialists test tasks considering the field they will work in. They also need the ability to handle large volumes of information. In today’s world, big data is becoming increasingly important, and IT professionals must be adept at working with it. Another vital quality is ensuring data security: IT professionals should know how to prevent information leaks and protect data from hackers.
You can’t be a good IT professional without a propensity for continuous learning: technologies change rapidly, so IT professionals need to constantly update their knowledge and skills. Without the ability to work in a team, it’s also difficult to achieve high results: many projects require coordinated work among specialists from related fields. The IT sector often faces complex tasks requiring unconventional solutions, so a capacity for critical thinking is a necessary trait for an IT professional.”
It’s also worth noting that experience with specific programming languages is often a primary requirement and depending on the position. This includes languages like Java, Python, C++, JavaScript, among others. Additionally, the proficiency in database management systems such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle is essential.
Peter Walsh, CEO of digital agency FDB Digital Connect, focuses on the following qualities in his future employees:
“The ability for analytical thinking and problem-solving includes analyzing complex tasks, breaking them down into smaller subtasks, and then finding optimal solutions. Without these skills, managing large projects becomes very challenging. Working in a team is also crucial, sharing knowledge with other specialists and achieving common goals.”
As technology changes rapidly, the readiness for continuous learning and professional skill development involves a willingness to improve one’s abilities and knowledge. Adapting to rapidly changing conditions and requirements means needing to be ready to alter approaches and methods of work in line with the changing demands and conditions of the new reality we see today.
Finally, the willingness to work outside standard schedules, such as when implementing new systems or fixing breakdowns, offers a career advancement advantage — more reliable employees are always going to be preferred.
