Client Server Market Report Q1 2024

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Our tech market report dives into the hiring market within the technology sector, shedding light on emerging trends, challenges and salaries across various technical roles.

All data has been sourced from Client Server’s placement and database figures.

For more information about available roles or how we can grow your tech team, visit our website: www.client-server.com

CEO snapshot

“With the uncertainty of the UK market in the past 12 months and a noticeable decline in hiring in Q3 and Q4 of 2023, thankfully, we have seen several promising signs in Q1 this year that indicate a more positive market in 2024.

It has been a quarter of two trends. While major tech companies continue to undergo restructuring and redundancies, the overall sentiment pointed towards recovery. Fintech and other non-traditional tech sectors emerged as bright spots, offering a multitude of opportunities for skilled professionals.

Despite the lingering effects of layoffs, the technology industry remains a magnet for talent and growth, hopefully pointing towards continued growth in Q2.”

Nick Boulton

“Q1 has largely brought us positive news in the development market compared to 2023. A number of companies have started hiring again and we’ve seen a 75% increase in Software Engineering roles compared to December 2023.

Companies are largely asking Developers to come back into the office, with most requesting 2-3 days a week. This does give companies who are able to accommodate remote or nearremote an advantage when recruiting and has meant that they’ve been able to offer slightly lower salaries.

Key skills continue to include Cloud based experience (AWS, Azure or GCP), knowledge of a Micro Services Architecture and a commitment to Test Driven Development.”

Tom Kemp Team Lead

Data, Infrastructure & Cloud

“There has been a steady increase in hiring across DevOps, Security and Data over the past quarter which suggests that things are improving as we move into the new financial year. Prior to this companies had typically been releasing budget for replacement hires, whereas of late, it seems to be that growth is driving the increase in vacancies.”

Gavin O’Reilly Principal Consultant

“We noticed a slow increase of vacancies becoming available from clients over the last quarter, potentially a sign of things improving going into the new financial year and companies starting to spend some the budgets they held back, a lot of the hires tended to be growth hires at a Senior level, mainly within C#, Python and JavaScript.”

David Loubser Team Lead

Non-Development

“We have seen a steady rise across roles in Testing, DevOps and Infrastructure this quarter, however, client expectations remain high.

Salaries have corrected after the post-pandemic boom and passive candidates are hesitant to move from the security of their existing jobs.

Counter offers are still commonplace and with talent still being in short supply, speed of process is as important as ever.”

Mike Gilmour Team Lead

All European roles

“European recruitment is seeing a resurgence as interest rates drop and UK companies look for low cost options to scale out their engineering teams. Although fully remote roles are becoming rarer across Europe, UK companies are looking to set up satellite offices in a number of locations to make the most of the highly skilled (low cost) Eastern European markets. We are seeing tech hubs spring up in places like Budapest and Prague whilst Spain and Portugal remain attractive options for companies looking to scale.

Salaries across Europe have also started to flat line and it appears that the recruitment bubble across the continent of 2022 is well and truly over!”

Nick Heath Team Lead

Australia.

“As we move into Autumn, the Australia tech jobs market is still not quite out of first gear following the long Christmas/Summer break, but there are some green shoots.

Although several companies are requiring employees to be in the office 3-5 days per week, candidates are still prioritising genuinely flexible working arrangements, almost above all other requirements.

Although far from over, mass job cuts seem to be decreasing in frequency. If you’re hiring, there are some great candidates in the market, particularly in Data Science. And the general sentiment is hiring will start to ramp up once the UK and Aus new financial years start (in May and July respectively).”

David Leadbitter Managing Director

18% of our placements in 2023 were female

Our Commitment to DEI

Client Server has been building technology teams since 1999 and the challenge of sourcing, attracting, engaging and securing diverse talent has never been more important.

Diversity & Inclusion is something we are passionate about. We see first-hand the benefits of hiring a diverse team and encourage our clients to have regular conversations around diversity to ensure their attitudes reflect our own.

Our Suggestions to Clients

1. Diverse interviewing panels

2. Female imagery on websites and social platforms

3. Consider hybrid, remote, or flexible working models

38% increase in female placements from 2022 - 2023 panels about female

4. Shout about your culture, flexibility, female friendly benefits, enhanced maternity and returnships

Women in Tech

“In 2018, 9% of our placements were female, that number sat at 18% in 2023. Now 18% is still a long way off parity, but hopefully shows how much we’re progressing.

In 2018, the bulk of that 9% were candidates in the Product, Project, BA, and Quality/Testing space. However, that gap is also closing.

In last year’s 18%, there was a nearly 50/50 split, with 48% being hands-on software engineers, and 52% covering other technical skill sets.

We also feel that’s encouraging.

However, the question remains; how do you give yourself the best chance of hiring a diverse team?

There’s no magic formula, and we certainly don’t have one, but we do have some tried and tested methods that can offer tangible improvements.

There’s no one size fits all. But looking at your benefits package, what your outward-facing presence says about your business, and how you go about advertising your roles, are all good places to start.

Hiring

5. Hiring females into leadership

Give us a call - we’ll tell you all about it!”

- Nick Caley, Sales Director

MATT

FRANK with

Talking Tech is Client Server’s video podcast streamed on LinkedIn.

Every episode we focus on a particular trend in the UK’s tech scene. We’ve had shows about women in tech, the hiring market, career development, and more.

Keep an eye on our LinkedIn page for episodes or get in touch if you want to be on our next one!

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