News

Survey Indicates Strong Demand for Networking Talent

In a survey of CIOs, network admin skills -- particularly, expertise with Cisco, Nortel and other networking technologies -- continue to be in strong demand.

Last month, IT staffing specialist Robert Half Technology published the latest edition of its quarterly CIO survey. Every three months, Robert Half queries North American CIOs to determine their hiring plans for the coming quarter.

Past surveys have had particularly good news for Cisco certified professionals, and Robert Half's most recent study -- which does suggest increasing pessimism on the part of enterprise CIOs -- is no different.

According to Robert Half officials, for example, network administration skills -- and particularly expertise with technologies from Cisco Systems Inc., Nortel Networks, and other networking high-fliers -- continue to be in strong demand.

"Companies are being judicious with their hiring plans, evaluating economic conditions and business demands before adding full-time IT staff," said Katherine Spencer Lee, an executive director with Robert Half Technology, in a statement. "Organizations are directing recruitment efforts toward professionals who can provide essential services -- such as help desk and networking -- and support the launch of Web 2.0 based functionality."

Overall, Robert Half found that networking skills were most in demand, with 70 percent of CIOs citing a need for additional or enhanced networking expertise.

The survey also suggests that enterprises are having difficulty finding networking talent to address their current growth needs -- i.e., there's a networking skills shortage, with the result that existing jobs are unfilled or unaddressed.

For example, nearly one in five CIOs singled out help desk or tech support as the job segment that's experiencing the most growth. The networking segment -- a perennial growth leader (according to Robert Half, networking had generated the most job growth for more than a year) -- slipped to No. 2, at 14 percent.

About the Author

Stephen Swoyer is a Nashville, TN-based freelance journalist who writes about technology.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.