The technology job market is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and businesses must adapt to stay competitive. Our What Tech Candidates Want 2025 report provides valuable insights into the motivations, expectations, and priorities of tech professionals. Here’s what these findings mean for businesses looking to attract and retain top tech talent.

Rising job seeking activity

The report highlights that 63% of permanent tech candidates plan to seek new roles within the next six months. This high level of job-seeking activity indicates a dynamic market where tech professionals are actively exploring new opportunities.

For businesses, this means there is a significant pool of talent available, but also fierce competition to secure the best candidates. Companies must be proactive in their recruitment efforts and ensure they stand out as attractive employers.

Shift in candidate priorities

One of the most striking trends is the shift in candidate priorities. Career growth and skill development now outrank salary as the primary drivers of job change. This shift suggests that tech professionals are looking for roles that offer opportunities for advancement and continuous learning.

How businesses can respond:

  • Create clear career progression pathways to support long-term employee growth.
  • Invest in learning and development programs to upskill and retain talent.
  • Showcase professional growth opportunities in job descriptions and employer branding.

Hiring challenges for employers

The report identifies several hiring challenges that businesses face, including prolonged hiring processes, skills shortages, and increased candidate dropout rates.

How businesses can overcome these challenges:

  • Streamline recruitment processes and reduce time-to-hire. Address skills shortages through upskilling and reskilling initiatives.
  • Enhance candidate experience with clear, engaging communication throughout the hiring journey.

Importance of work-life balance

Work-life balance has become a key decision-making factor for tech professionals. The report reveals that 46% of candidates prefer working 1-2 days per week in the office, while 22% prefer fully remote work. Businesses must offer flexible working arrangements to meet these preferences and attract top talent. Providing options for remote and hybrid work can enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

Candidate confidence in changing roles

Tech candidates are feeling confident about switching roles, driven by desires for skill development and career progression. This confidence is reflected in the high mobility within the tech workforce. Employers should ensure that job descriptions are comprehensive and transparent, highlighting the role and responsibilities, skills and experience required, and working arrangements. This transparency can help set clear expectations and reduces the risk of misaligned hires.

Key Takeaways for Employers

The report provides several key takeaways for employers:

  • Speed is critical: Reduce time-to-hire to stay competitive, as 35% of candidates drop out due to slow hiring processes.
  • Highlight career growth: Emphasise career progression opportunities, as salary alone isn’t enough to attract candidates.
  • Lack of flexible work is a dealbreaker: Offer remote or hybrid work options, as 53% of tech professionals would decline a job offer that doesn’t provide these options.
  • Invest in upskilling and retention: Closing the skills gap internally can help reduce reliance on external hiring.

 

In 2025, businesses must be agile and responsive to the evolving expectations of tech candidates. By focusing on career growth, flexible working arrangements, and efficient hiring processes, companies can build a compelling employer value proposition and secure the skills they need to thrive in a competitive market.

The insights from our What Tech Candidates Want 2025 report provide a roadmap for businesses to navigate the tech talent landscape and stay ahead of the curve.

You can find more insights and reports here, or you can contact us to discover how we can help your organisation attract and retain tech candidates.