Almost one in three people still strive for a permanent profile, but temporary profiles are becoming increasingly popular.

An annual survey by Robert Half shows that almost one in three (30%) employers plan to search for permanent IT profiles in 2024. Despite the interest in permanent profiles, temporary and experienced profiles are also very popular, especially for technically complex positions. Almost one in four (24%) of the managers surveyed are interested in hiring temporary profiles.

The need for such profiles confirms the growing popularity and relevance of interim managers. The logistics industry, the chemical industry, FMCG, assembly and automotive in particular are eagerly looking for IT profiles.

The deep integration of the IT department into the entire corporate structure remains a focus. IT managers, among others, play an important role in this integration, making them the most sought-after IT profile. They are closely followed by system engineers, project managers, IT coordinators and ERP consultants.

Interim management

If employers cannot fill such permanent positions on time or the matter is too technically complex, they resort to temporary solutions such as interim management. Jeroen Diels from Robert Half explains:

“IT projects often require collaboration between different teams and departments. IT managers have the ability to communicate in a human manner, which facilitates collaboration, reduces misunderstandings, and promotes a positive work environment. However, the search for such a permanent profile can sometimes take a long time and some projects require very specific knowledge. The interim manager is excellent in situations like this.”

“These are temporary, flexible workers with in-depth specialist knowledge in a specific area. The strength of such temporary profiles is also recognized by employers, with only 2% of employers indicating they want to reduce their share.”

Rare cybersecurity profiles

As was the case last year, the hardest profiles to find are cybersecurity professionals. Their expertise remains crucial as they protect sensitive information and know how to handle it responsibly.

With the introduction of NIS2, this demand will only increase. October 17, 2024 is the deadline for the implementation of the directive into national law, although there will also be transition periods in this law.

However, don’t count on too much of a margin. The details still need to be worked out, but the basic principles are already in place. It’s best to start now, otherwise it may be difficult to meet future deadlines.