As we wrap up the first quarter of 2025, the tech hiring landscape has shown some clear trends that are shaping the market. From increased competition for specialist talent to the continued evolution of remote and hybrid work expectations, Q1 has given us strong indicators of what to expect moving forward.
So, what did we see in Q1, and how can businesses and candidates prepare for Q2? Let’s break it down.
Key Hiring Trends from Q1
1. AI and Cloud Roles Still Leading the Way
The demand for AI, machine learning, and cloud computing specialists has remained strong. Companies are investing heavily in automation, data science, and AI-driven solutions, making professionals in these areas highly sought after.
📌 What This Means for Q2: Expect continued competition for engineers and data scientists with expertise in Python, TensorFlow, AWS, and Azure. Employers may need to offer competitive packages to secure top talent.
2. Contract Hiring on the Rise
Uncertainty around economic conditions has led many companies to lean more on contract and interim hiring rather than making long-term commitments. This shift allows businesses to remain agile while accessing the skills they need.
📌 What This Means for Q2: Candidates open to contract work may find an increase in short-term, high-paying opportunities, especially in software development, DevOps, and cybersecurity.
3. A More Candidate-Driven Market
Despite layoffs in some tech sectors, the best candidates still have options. Employers are seeing longer notice periods and counteroffers becoming more frequent as competition for top talent remains fierce.
📌 What This Means for Q2: Companies need to move quickly in their hiring processes and ensure they have compelling employer value propositions, including competitive salaries, strong benefits, and clear career growth opportunities.
4. Hybrid and Remote Work Expectations Have Settled
At the start of 2024, many companies attempted to bring employees back to the office. However, Q1 has shown that hybrid work is here to stay. Candidates expect flexibility, and businesses that resist may struggle to attract top-tier talent.
📌 What This Means for Q2: Offering at least a hybrid model will be key for attracting experienced professionals, especially in software engineering and data roles.
5. The Rise of Skills-Based Hiring
More companies are shifting away from traditional degree requirements and focusing on skills-based hiring. Certifications, bootcamps, and experience-based assessments are gaining traction, particularly in cybersecurity and cloud engineering.
📌 What This Means for Q2: Candidates should invest in certifications and hands-on project experience, while employers can widen their talent pools by focusing on skills rather than just degrees.
What’s Coming in Q2?
🔹 A Spring Surge in Hiring – Q2 typically sees an uptick in recruitment activity as companies move forward with hiring plans that were delayed in Q1. Expect increased demand, especially in fintech, SaaS, and cybersecurity.
🔹 Salary Adjustments in a Competitive Market – With rising competition, we could see companies increasing salaries and offering better perks to attract and retain top talent.
🔹 More International Hiring – Businesses struggling to find local talent will continue expanding their search across Europe, making remote and relocation packages more attractive.
🔹 A Focus on Retention Strategies – As hiring remains competitive, companies will prioritise keeping their existing employees engaged, with investment in learning and development, career progression, and well-being initiatives.
Final Thoughts
For employers, agility will be key. The most successful companies will move quickly, streamline hiring processes, and offer competitive packages to secure the best talent.
For candidates, now is a great time to upskill, refine your CV, and explore new opportunities. The demand for tech professionals isn’t slowing down—it’s just evolving.
Need help navigating the Q2 hiring landscape? Get in touch with Ocho today. Whether you’re looking to hire or find your next role, we’ve got the insights and network to support you.
