Following the wave of IT industry layoffs, nearly 60% of affected employees have yet to secure a new job after a year. This rate is 1.5 times higher than that of employees who voluntarily resigned in 2023, according to a recently published report from VietnamWorks.
The global and Vietnamese IT job markets have undergone significant transformations in recent years, reflecting the rapid advancement of technology and shifting employer demands.
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Beyond the widespread layoffs driven by economic fluctuations, 2023 marked the explosive rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As AI became a mainstream trend, it garnered significant attention and inspired innovation across the tech industry.
Stepping into 2024, AI remains at the center of discussions, promising groundbreaking advancements in the near future. With its automation capabilities and efficiency enhancements, AI is not only driving productivity and economic growth but also compelling millions worldwide to reskill or transition into new careers to remain competitive.
Amid this dynamic tech landscape, multiple reports predict that AI may replace certain IT roles while simultaneously creating new job opportunities. Previously, building research and development teams for AI solutions was time-consuming and costly. However, with the emergence of Generative AI, even small teams can drive groundbreaking changes for businesses within a short period—provided they leverage its full potential effectively.
This evolution presents opportunities not only for companies seeking to integrate AI to enhance operational efficiency but also for businesses developing innovative solutions based on Generative AI technology.
Amidst the IT sector’s turbulent phase, VietnamWorks inTECH—the IT-focused job and recruitment brand under VietnamWorks, Navigos Group—has released the report “IT Workforce and Recruitment Trends in the Age of AI (2024 – 2025).” Based on a survey of 1,500 job seekers and nearly 500 companies, the report reveals several noteworthy insights.
According to the report, nearly 60% of IT professionals laid off in 2023 have not yet found new employment this year. This proportion is approximately 1.5 times higher than that of employees who voluntarily left their jobs in 2023.
Meanwhile, in a bid to secure new roles more swiftly, many IT professionals are willing to take on heavier workloads and multitasking responsibilities. This figure has increased by 10% compared to the previous year, highlighting the intensifying competition in the job market.
One emerging trend worth noting is the rise of the social media platform Threads as a job search and recruitment tool. Despite being relatively new, 4.4% of job seekers have already used it for job searches, while 2.4% of employers reported leveraging the platform to approach potential candidates.
Product Owner / Product Manager: The Most Challenging IT Roles to Recruit
From the employer perspective, Product Owner and Product Manager positions are the most difficult to fill, accounting for 25.6% of survey responses. The primary reason cited by companies is that candidates often fail to meet job requirements.
As the tech landscape evolves at an unprecedented pace, AI-powered chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini are becoming indispensable tools for IT professionals, particularly for coding-related problem-solving. These AI assistants ranked as the second most frequently referenced resources when IT professionals were asked, “Which platform or tool do you first think of when seeking solutions to coding issues?”
Regarding compensation, survey results indicate that most companies are willing to offer higher salaries for AI-related positions compared to other IT roles. Specifically, 43.7% of businesses stated that AI professionals receive salaries 10% to 20% higher than their peers, while 18.4% reported offering 20% to 50% higher wages for AI specialists.
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Vietnam’s Digital Technology Industry Revenue Surges Nearly 18% in Nine Months
According to Mr. Phan Thanh Hiền, Product and Technology Director at Navigos Group, Vietnam’s IT sector continues its strong growth trajectory in 2024. Over the first nine months of the year, Vietnam’s digital technology industry generated approximately $118 billion in revenue, marking a 17.78% increase compared to the same period last year.
AI, particularly Generative AI, has made remarkable strides in recent years, facilitating automation and intelligent processes more seamlessly than ever before.
Thanks to Generative AI, even small teams can achieve groundbreaking innovations for businesses in a short time—if they harness its potential effectively.
Mr. Hiền believes that, in the short term, AI cannot entirely replace any IT role. Currently, AI solutions still require a close synergy between human expertise and machine intelligence to achieve optimal efficiency.
However, AI is expected to significantly enhance productivity across most job functions, particularly for developers, software testers, and UX/UI designers. Those who successfully integrate AI into their workflows will gain a competitive edge in productivity, while those who cling to traditional methods may face obsolescence.
“AI will accelerate automation, but human oversight, evaluation, and optimization remain crucial,” Mr. Hiền emphasized.
Furthermore, he advised job seekers to tailor their CVs to align with AI-driven screening processes. With the assistance of Generative AI, resume screening has become faster and more precise in assessing candidate-job fit.
Thus, thoroughly analyzing job descriptions and highlighting relevant skills and experience can improve candidates’ chances of being shortlisted by AI systems and attracting employer interest.
(According to Nghe Nghiep & Cuoc Song E-Magazine)
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