Asia Tech Talent confident in job prospects despite signs of softening in job Market

Tech talent’s confidence level was measured based on the strength of their perceived negotiation power and high frequency of being approached with job opportunities, says a study, titled "What Tech Jobseekers Wish Employers Knew: Unlocking the Future of Recruitment".

The report, published by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and The Network, a global alliance of recruitment websites of which SEEK’s JobStreet and JobsDB are a part of, revealed that 71% of tech talent in the region feel that they have a positive negotiation power. Almost half of them (46%) are approached with job opportunities on a weekly or monthly basis, making them a highly sought-after talent category.

Peter Bithos, Chief Executive Officer, Asia, SEEK, said, “It’s no surprise that we see a decline in the year-on-year demand for tech talent as we’re now coming down from the peak of 2022’s job boom. However, it’s important to recognise that the volume of tech job ads on our platforms is still 42% higher than pre-Covid levels, indicating that the demand for tech talent remains strong despite the easing of tech hiring activities.” 

He added, “Many traditional tech companies are now scaling back after over-hiring during the pandemic, and the cooling hiring rate may persist as businesses are faced with higher interest rates and a possible recession. Nonetheless, the need for strong tech talent won’t be going away anytime soon.”

According to the World Economic Forum, it is estimated that 150 million new technology jobs will be created over the next five years, and 77% of jobs will require digital skills by 2030. However, businesses currently face a tech talent shortage as only a third (33%) of technology jobs worldwide are filled by workers who possess the necessary digital skills.

The data from SEEK’s platforms shows that the average number of applications per tech job ad in Asia has increased by over 40% YoY, which could indicate that tech talent affected by layoffs are actively applying for jobs, or they are optimistic about their chances of finding a better job elsewhere.

Understanding what tech talent wants is key for companies who are looking to either attract new talent or retain existing employees. According to the "What Tech Jobseekers Wish Employers Knew: Unlocking the Future of Recruitment" report findings, tech talent's top three motivations for changing jobs are looking for a more interesting position or higher seniority at a new job (55%), lack of opportunities for upward career progress at their current place (31%), and unsatisfied salary and benefits at their current job (26%). 

Tech talent also prefers a stable job with a good work-life balance, which 68% of them see as their ideal career path, giving them time for family, friends, and hobbies. Moreover, only 18% of tech talent are willing to go back full-time to the office, while 64% prefer hybrid models.

Duangporn Promon, Managing Director of JobsDB Thailand, said, “Entrepreneurs in Thailand can effectively attract skilled tech talent by understanding their needs and the factors that impact candidates. This could include aspects like salary, bonuses and benefits as well as the development of corporate culture in keeping with modern people's lifestyles, such as focusing on work-life balance and work flexibility, as well as making candidates a priority throughout the recruitment process. Therefore, JobsDB, with the commitment to become the "No.1 Trusted Talent Partner", is dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs in their search for tech talent and helping tech talent from a diverse range of industries secure the best possible offers. We conduct surveys and analyse insights that enable entrepreneurs to establish close connections with today's job market, as well as being able to put these insights into practice.”

What Employers Can Do
Providing a smooth and timely process is the number one way for an employer to stand out during recruitment, according to 65% of tech respondents, and 47% would refuse an attractive job offer if they face a negative experience.

The report provides in-depth details about key actions to consider when recruiting tech talent. For example, employers are advised to indicate a salary range, a precise and clear job description and flexible work options when creating a job ad. 

During the application and selection stage, employers should offer face-to-face personal interviews with future managers and recruiters as these are valued highly by tech talent, along with having an honest and open conversation with the hiring managers.

When making an offer, employers should be open to further negotiation of bonuses or benefits. Tech talent also appreciates if they are provided sufficient time and space to consider an offer.