The IT Staffing Market Is Poised for Growth in 2025
And why that's good for job seekers
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First, I’d like to take a second to remember a good acquaintance, Ed Han. For those who don’t know, Ed recently passed away due to cancer. He was one of the very first people who welcomed me on X, formerly twitter, specifically to the #RecruiterTwitter Community. He had a good following, and welcomed me with opened arms, engaged with me, and encouraged me to grow. He also posted amazing advice for job seekers, known for his #EdTalks on LinkedIn.
Please take a moment to remember Ed. Although we never met in-person, he had a big impact on this account, and is a big reason why I’m even here today.
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A Market on the Rebound
The IT staffing market is expected to grow by 5% in 2025, a welcome change after two years of double-digit declines in 2023 and 2024. For comparison, the market grew by 3% in 2019, a year that was widely regarded as a solid one for tech hiring.
This means we’re not just bouncing back; we’re outpacing prior benchmarks like 2019 and leaving the downturns of 2023 and 2024 behind us. What does this tell us? The IT staffing market—and tech hiring more broadly—is stabilizing and heading into a healthier, more sustainable growth phase.
Let’s unpack what this means for you as a job seeker.
Why a 5% Growth Rate Is a Good Thing
The last few years of volatility in tech hiring have been challenging for everyone. Double-digit growth followed by double-digit declines created a rollercoaster of uncertainty. But now, with a steady 5% growth rate projected, we’re entering a market that’s poised to reward consistent, strategic efforts—both for companies hiring and candidates searching.
The IT staffing market serves as a crucial economic indicator for tech employment. We only generate revenue when companies are actively hiring. When our market projects 5% growth after two years of decline, it signals a meaningful recovery in tech employment - more substantial than what you might see in general employment reports or corporate announcements.
Think about it this way: Companies don't engage recruiters unless they're serious about hiring. They don't pay placement fees unless they have real positions to fill. This makes our market data a particularly reliable indicator of actual hiring intentions.
Here’s why this matters to you:
IT staffing reflects real hiring activity. Unlike broader economic reports like the JOLTS report, which can be lagging or abstract, IT staffing numbers directly correlate with hiring trends in tech.
A sustainable market favors candidates. When the market grows at a measured pace, companies have clear, strategic hiring plans. That means fewer panic hires and more opportunities for job seekers to find the right roles.
Of course, not every skill set will benefit equally. Some areas of tech will see increased demand, while others may plateau. But the overall picture is clear: opportunity is returning to tech hiring in 2025.
The Recovery Timeline: Why Q2 2025 Is Your Sweet Spot
Through years of placing tech professionals, I've observed a consistent pattern in hiring cycles that becomes especially important during market recoveries.
Q1 typically starts slowly. Companies are still:
Finalizing their renewed budgets
Adjusting their hiring plans
Getting teams aligned after the holiday season
Making strategic decisions about growth
But Q2, particularly March and April, is when we historically see significant movement. By this time:
Annual budgets are firmly in place
Teams have clear visibility on their needs
Projects are greenlit and funded
Hiring managers have authorization to build their teams
This pattern becomes even more pronounced during recovery periods, as companies move from cautious planning to active execution.
Understanding Your Competition in This Recovery
Here's what makes this recovery phase unique - you're entering a market with several distinct candidate pools:
First, there are those who've been impacted by the downturns of 2023 and 2024. But you're also competing with:
Professionals who took "safety" positions during the decline
Those who reluctantly accepted RTO mandates but want remote work
Tech workers whose career growth stalled during the downturn
People who took pay cuts to maintain employment
Individuals who stayed put during uncertainty but are ready to move
So although hiring will pick up next year, you’re still facing tough competition. It’s not going to be the cakewalk 2020-2022 (1H) was where you can spell javascript and land a fully remote offer at 30%+ increase.
There will be more roles, the hiring process will be a little easier than the last 2 years, but at least in the short term, you’re still going to have to compete for your offers because of the amount of active, yet passive candidates in the marketplace.
For those open to fully onsite roles, you’ll have the easiest hiring experience. For those open to hybrid roles, you’ll likely have an experience mimicking the 2010s. For those looking for only remote roles, you’ll likely still deal with a market as competitive, or slightly less competitive than today’s.
How to Prepare Now
Whether you’re actively job searching or just passively exploring, now is the time to lay the groundwork for success. Here’s how:
Build or Rebuild Your Network
Reach out to former coworkers and managers who know your work. These are the people who can vouch for your skills.
If you don’t have a strong network, start building one online (LinkedIn, Twitter, Slack groups) and through in-person events.
Work on Your “Brag Book
This is a document that lays out all of your accomplishments, not just the ones to fit on your resume.
Think about it as a brain dump for everything you’ve achieved.
This will help you not only write your resume, but come time to interview, tailor your STAR stories as much as possible while interviewing.
Update Your Resume
If you’re actively searching, post your updated resume to job boards today.
If you’re employed and passively seeking, have it ready so you can act quickly on opportunities. In a competitive market, speed matters.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
Recruiters rely heavily on LinkedIn to find candidates.
Make sure your profile is optimized with relevant keywords, measurable accomplishments, and an updated headline.
Start Preparing for Interviews Now
Even if you don’t have interviews lined up, get ready. Brush up on technical skills, practice behavioral questions, and refine your elevator pitch.
The market may be improving, but it’s still competitive, and preparation gives you a major edge.
The Bottom Line
A 5% growth rate in 2025 signals a return to stability and opportunity in the IT staffing market. Compared to the double-digit declines of 2023 and 2024, and even the 3% growth of 2019, this is shaping up to be one of the best hiring markets in recent years.
But make no mistake—competition will remain high. The candidates who succeed in 2025 will be the ones who prepare early and position themselves strategically.
Call to Action
Start preparing today.
• Reconnect with your network
• Update your resume and LinkedIn profile
• Begin interview prep before opportunities arise
The market is on your side, but success comes to those who are ready. Take the first step now, and let’s make 2025 the year you land your dream role.
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