Top 5 IT Hiring Trends from the First Half of 2025

As we hit the halfway mark of 2025, it's a great time to take stock of what’s been happening in the world of IT recruitment. From shifting expectations around hybrid work to the ever-increasing influence of AI, it’s clear the industry is evolving fast, and both clients and candidates are adapting quickly.

At Certes IT Recruitment, we’ve been working closely with organisations and talent and here are the top five IT hiring trends and things we’ve learnt so far in 2025 about where IT recruitment is heading, across both contract and permanent hiring.

 

1. AI Skills Are No Longer Niche, They're Now Business-Critical

We’ve seen explosive demand for AI-related skills and not just in traditional data science or research roles. Companies are now embedding AI into every corner of their tech stack, roles like:

• AI integration engineers
• Prompt specialists
• AI governance and ethics consultants
• Devs who can apply LLM tools in real-world apps

These are now in high demand. Candidates who can work with AI, not just understand it, are quickly becoming essential hires across permanent and contract teams.

 

2. Contracting Is Strong But Clients Are Getting Smarter

The contract market is healthy in 2025, especially in cybersecurity, cloud, and digital transformation. But there’s a shift: clients are becoming more strategic with their contractor engagement. Many are:

• Embracing Statement of Work (SoW) to manage IR35 risks
• Prioritising outcome-based project delivery
• Expecting contractors to hit the ground running and fast

Meanwhile, top contractors are picking roles with clear scopes, flexible working models, and tech-forward teams. It’s a two-way street and both sides are being more selective.

 

3. Permanent Hiring Has Rebounded But With a New Focus

We’ve seen a resurgence in permanent hiring, but it’s far from a hiring spree. Employers are looking for candidates who offer:

• A blend of technical depth and adaptability
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Long-term potential in hybrid and agile setups

Roles like platform engineers, cloud architects, and team leads are in demand, but what’s changed is the focus on fit, not just CV checklists. Value-based hiring is very real.

 

4. Hybrid Work Is Here to Stay But Expectations Are Clearer

We’re well past the “figure it out” phase of hybrid working. A IT hiring trend in 2025, we saw clients and candidates alike want clarity and consistency:

• Employers want to know you can work autonomously and contribute in a hybrid setup
• Candidates want upfront detail on policies not vague promises

As a result, remote/hybrid experience is no longer just a “nice to have”, it’s a must-have. Candidates who can demonstrate how they’ve worked across distributed teams have a real edge.

 

5. Soft Skills Are the Deciding Factor

Yes, tech skills still matter, but in a competitive market, it’s soft skills that are separating the best from the rest. Across both contract and perm roles, hiring managers are saying the same thing:

"We need people who can communicate, collaborate, and lead."

Emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and stakeholder management are now core to landing top roles, especially in cross-functional or client-facing environments.

  Looking Ahead

Whether you’re hiring or job-seeking, understanding these trends can help you stay ahead of the curve. At Certes, we’re here to support you in navigating the evolving world of tech recruitment with insight, integrity, and a long-term view.

Get in touch today and let us support your recruitment requirements.