You Can Never Be Too Much Of A Techie

You Can Never Be Too Much Of A Techie

Keeping pace with new technology is the biggest source of stress for New Zealand IT professionals – according to a recent international survey by recruitment specialist Robert Half Finance & Accounting.

Financial and general managers in charge of recruitment in nine countries were asked to state the greatest cause of workplace stress faced by people in the IT industry.

The Robert Half Finance & Accounting survey showed it was increasing workloads that caused the greatest stress for IT specialists globally – but New Zealanders showed a different result. Although similarly affected by growing work schedules, New Zealanders, like their Australian counterparts, felt more stress from the pressure to stay abreast of technological developments.

Kim Smith, manager of Robert Half Finance & Accounting, said: “When we asked IT specialists in New Zealand what caused their greatest stress, nearly 60 per cent said it was the need to keep pace with escalating changes in new technology, with only 21 per cent stating workload increases. This result was the opposite of that in other countries, where in general people felt the greatest stress from their workloads.”

She added: “The development of new technology is rapidly accelerating. If business professionals are looking to get ahead they can never be too much of a techie."

“The fast pace of technological change makes it essential for all professionals to regularly update their skill set to be able to advance. Individuals who proactively pursue continuing education and on-the-job training increase their potential for career advancement."

Overall, 40 percent of the international managers interviewed said the rise in workloads was the biggest contributor to stress. This was partly attributed to hiring freezes worldwide, resulting in extra work for IT employees.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Finance & Accounting and carried out in New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands and United Kingdom. The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 1100 HR, financial and general directors in charge of recruitment.

Expertise in project management is also critical as organisations focus on keeping IT initiatives on schedule and within budget. Ms Smith explained: "Businesses seek professionals who can assess technology needs, communicate their recommendations to senior management effectively and oversee the implementation of new projects successfully.”

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