Demand for Microsoft 365 skills is jumping in IT jobs marketplace

Rabia Noureen

If there is no doubt that some countries have eased their lockdown restrictions, it seems unlikely that we will return to the pre-coronavirus world anytime soon. The crisis has been changing our working conditions across the world, and hundreds of companies and small businesses are now fast-tracking digital transformations in order to become more resilient to future disruptions.

The pandemic has also been providing new opportunities for companies developing collaborative solutions, such as Microsoft with its Microsoft 365 suite of tools. According to an analysis of ITJobsWatch data conducted by the TeleWare Group (via TheHR Director), professionals with Microsoft 365 skills are even more appealing to prospective employers than ever before.

The study showed that Microsoft’s productivity suite has gained six places in a list of the most in-demand IT job titles. The analysis also found around 5,174 permanent job advertisements in the UK that cited Microsoft 365 during the past 6 months, representing 6.25% of all permanent IT jobs, compared to 4.1% for the same period in 2018. Moreover, the median annual salary for IT professionals with Microsoft 365 skills in the UK has now reached £44,500, up 11% compared to 2018.

According to Steve Haworth, CEO of the TeleWare Group, most companies today are not a position to hire more people, but mastering Microsoft 365 has become a very valuable skill for the remote workforce. “Technology solutions should incorporate Microsoft 365, better connectivity through network provision, hardware, and AI solutions to set workers up for success,” said Haworth. “Tapping into the Microsoft talent on the market right now – or working with a trusted partner – will deliver better connectivity, collaboration and productivity to drive a strong bounce back.”

The good news is that it’s now a bit easier than before to build your skillset and get prepared for future job trends. Microsoft has recently launched an initiative to teach 25 million people across the world digital skills for free by the end of 2020. We invite you to check out our separate post to learn more.