We noted a slowdown - part seasonal, part tactical - in recruitment activity in information technology and telecommunications (IT&T) towards the end of last year, as banks focused their hiring on more critical roles and replacement positions.

As we move deeper into 2011, we anticipate a trend of new IT&T projects being implemented this year and, consequently, an increase in the number of new roles being created to deliver these projects.

The banks have indicated they will be looking for application developers, support staff and candidates with front-office experience. Professionals with good interpersonal and communication skills will also be highly valued, as will those with technical skill sets in the application and use of Java, C# and .Net.

With the growth among banks and hedge funds focusing on Asian markets, front-office teams will require more technological support, resulting in greater demand for appropriately skilled candidates.

People with strong communication skills will also be needed to manage requests from the various regional offices and provide creativity in IT solutions.

Sumaya Rehman, consultant - information technology and telecommunications division, Robert Walters