These are the top tech jobs that will be most in demand in the year ahead, internationally.

According to the 2018 Technology & IT Salary Guide, these are the jobs that will be most in demand in the year ahead, internationally.

These trends are bound to impact South Africa, with many global companies hiring locally to fill their large tech staffing requirements and enabling professionals to work remotely.

So if you’re qualified in any of these fields, you know you can set your price and choose your preferred company culture, because there will be no shortage of jobs on offer for you!

Here we briefly detail the roles, and also provide a few extra skills that will help you to stand out from other candidates.

Business intelligence analyst

As businesses rely more and more heavily on collecting and making sense of data, business intelligence analysts with experience in database technology, analytics and reporting tools will be highly sought after in 2018.

To get ahead you’ll also need:

·         Experience with database queries

·         Stored procedure writing

·         Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)

·         Data cube technology

·         Strong written and verbal skills

Data scientist

A data scientist helps gather, process and analyse data, and they are typically skilled in communicating those findings and offering recommendations to others in the business.

To get ahead you’ll also need:

·         Programming languages (specifically Python or Java)

·         Strong analytical skills

·         Strong mathematical skills

·         A masters or Ph.D.

Database developer

Database developers are responsible for developing and managing enterprise databases, and are analytical and have excellent problem-solving skills.

To get ahead you’ll also need:

·         Bachelor’s degree in computer science or database experience

·         Experience with enterprise database programs like Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle or IBM DB2

·         Certifications such as Microsoft Certified Database Administrator or Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional

Help desk or support desk technician

The help desk is key to running an efficient business. Help desk professionals need to have the right blend of technical and soft skills to succeed. Robert Half Technology breaks out the role of help desk technician into three tiers, since the job description and requirements can vary significantly based on the business.

To get ahead you’ll also need:

·         Tier 1: Entry-level positions that require less than two years of experience, an associate’s degree or coursework at a technical school.

·         Tier 2: Positions requiring two to four years of experience, a two-year or bachelor’s degree and relevant work experience.

·         Tier 3: Four or more years of experience in a help desk setting, bachelor’s degree in a related field and professional certifications.

Network administrator

Network administrators handle LAN/WAN protocol, software and hardware. They also often need to be on call in event of an emergency or failure.

To get ahead you’ll also need:

·         Troubleshooting and communication skills

·         Analytic and diagnostic skills

·         A willingness to be on call after hours

·         A bachelor’s degree or five-plus years of related work experience

·         Professional certifications

Data security administrator

Data security admins define network security requirements, and ensure all security measures are up to date. They monitor company-wide security practices and implement security strategies as required.

To get ahead you’ll also need:

·         Critical thinking and complex problem solving

·         Innovative and proactive thinking

·         A willingness to continue learning new skills

·         Strong programming, mathematics and general engineering skills

·         A bachelor’s degree, relevant certifications and a background in computer science

System administrator

What you do as a system admin will vary depending on the services, hardware and software the business uses, but a stand out professional will have strong problem-solving, communication and analytical skills.

To get ahead you’ll also need:

·         Experience with servers, backup and recovery and installing, patching and upgrading software

·         Experience troubleshooting and resolving hardware, software and networking problems

·         A bachelor’s degree in computer science, associate’s degree or technical training certificate

·         Certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or Sun Certified System Administrator (SCSA).

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