Dive Brief:

• Most employers' 2020 tech talent strategies will include interim hires, according to the results of a Robert Half survey released Dec. 10.
• In fact, nearly all IT managers polled (96%) said they were likely employ interim professionals next year. Of those, 60% said their strategy already includes bringing project-based workers on board. Fifty-eight percent also said they will turn to temporary staff if they're having trouble filling a vacancy.
• "Savvy organizations are shifting their hiring strategy given the growing demand for IT professionals and adapting to the increasing challenges brought on by talent shortages," said John Reed, an executive vice president with Robert Half, in a press release. To attract such workers, Reed said employers will need to offer a competitive salary, attractive organizational culture and development opportunities.

Dive Insight:

The talent shortage looms large in many industries and tech is no exception. But as was the case nearly a year ago, employers still plan to increase tech teams' headcount.

Respondents to the Robert Half survey said they're specifically looking for professionals in cybersecurity, cloud, business intelligence and reporting services, database management and DevOps. But both employers and employees agree that worker skills are lacking. Employees say they're willing to upskill and learn these fields, however, demonstrating the importance of Reed's recommendation that employers offer development opportunities.

The findings on interim talent reflect trends from other industries, too. Many employers say they're increasingly relying on independent contractors in an effort to remain agile in an uncertain economy — although other reports dispute that characterization. Still, a recent MBO Partners report said that the nation's 41 million freelancers, contractors, consultants, temporary and on-call workers added $1.3 trillion to the economy last year; if employers continue to shift their talent strategies, that number may well grow.