Job Seekers: Salary Trends & Market Intelligence, IT & Telco Industry – Singapore

Industry Insights

Already at the forefront of change, the ITT sector has risen to assume the role of pioneer when it comes to addressing the pain points brought on by the COVID pandemic. The industry has developed rapidly, and we see IT creep into other functions due to the nature of digitalisation as organisations realise the need to upgrade their processes.

Automation-related roles that aim to improve business workflow, reduce manpower, and improve cost savings are largely popular and projected to remain crucial even in a post-COVID world.  In the era of Big Data, data analysts and scientists are also needed to make sense of the human behaviour patterns that can be gleaned from collected data.

Flexibility and change are two keywords that are increasingly relevant in today’s market. This is seen in the way new roles are created to cater to the shifts in global and local IT needs, as well as in the structure of roles offered.

While companies and job seekers have come to realise the benefit of contract, project-based, and temporary assignment, these roles are still not easily filled, due to the traditional preference for permanent positions, which were the norm until a few years ago. However, the pros to contractual work cannot be ignored: they provide job scope and payroll flexibility to the organization, and give the job seeker opportunities to explore different functions and responsibilities in short stints so that they can build on their skills and network.

In-Demand Skills

• Blockchain Technology
• Cloud Technology
• Big Data Know-how
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Technology

Key Applications and Software

• Python
• Excel Macros
• SQL
• Tableau
• Qlik
• Jenkins
• Docker
• Kubernetes

In-Demand Roles

• Data Analyst
• System Engineer
• DevOps Engineer
• Blockchain Engineer
• IOS/ Android Developers
• Cloud Architects
• Artificial Intelligence Engineers

Setting Yourself Apart

The trends observed in hiring in the ITT sector have shown that professionals will be hired based on a remote work or hybrid work model as companies find it unnecessary for employees to be 100% back in office. A candidate who can work well in both the home and office setting will be highly favoured.

As technology takes over the running of the world, tech candidates are no longer seen as just operational or support staff. Instead, they are the ones who drive business change, and an increasing emphasis is placed on a candidate’s flair and soft ability during the hiring process.

Similarly, the years of experience one has under one’s belt might not take up as much precedence as one’s portfolio. It is more important to have extraordinary skill sets that can set you apart from the rest. It would be helpful to emphasise the skills accumulated from attending various coding camps or courses. Portfolio, the certifications obtained, and self-made applications will show interested companies that you are worth the investment they plan on putting into you.

Being open to contract roles will greatly expand the number of positions one can apply for. Many ITT companies, especially start-ups, hire on a contractual basis to manage long-term risk exposure. While it was the norm to prefer permanent roles, contracts offer the employee flexibility and the opportunity to learn a range of different skills.

Work with a Recruiter

The ITT sector presents a wealth of possibility, and it might seem difficult to know where one fits into it all. With connections to the movers and shakers of the industry, recruiters will be able to help with matching your strengths with the demands of the industry, and recommend the appropriate steps to take in order to advance your career.

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