IT Career Trends

Think you know what it takes to land an IT Project Manager role in 2025? Think again. I analyzed 164 real job postings across the U.S. and Canada. The results paint a clear—and unexpected—picture of what hiring managers actually want in 2025. If you're aiming to land a more strategic or better-paying IT PM role, this might change your approach. Here's what the market is really asking for 👇 ▶️ The Role Looks the Same on Paper, But It's Not IT Project Manager can mean: • Leading cybersecurity transformations • Migrating cloud platforms without breaking production • Managing AI/ML systems nobody understands yet • Running ERP upgrades that touch every department ✔️ If your resume sounds generic, you're invisible. You need to show domain expertise and business impact. ▶️ Where the Real Opportunities Are Forget "tech companies." Everyone's hiring IT PMs now: • Healthcare (digital transformation) • Finance (legacy modernization) • Government (security overhauls) • Consulting (client rescues) ✔️ They don't want template followers. They want PMs who can navigate chaos without a playbook. ▶️ The Remote Dream Is Dying • 53% hybrid • 27% on-site • 20% remote ✔️Translation: If you're banking on remote-only, you're fishing in a shrinking pond. ▶️ Salary Benchmarks (U.S.-Weighted) • Typical range: $106K–$159K • Senior/specialized roles: $160K–$299K • Canadian salaries: Align proportionally with mid-to-senior U.S. roles ▶️ What Skills Are in Demand? ✔️ Hard Skills: • Agile (49%) – table stakes • Cybersecurity (42%) – the new gold • Infrastructure (30%) – servers, networks, IT systems • Cloud: Azure (13%), AWS (9%) – adoption still growing • Tools: Jira, Confluence, DevOps, SDLC, ERP (SAP) • AI/ML projects: 16% – trend to watch • DevOps & CI/CD – often mentioned alongside Agile • ERP expertise – strong in enterprise transformation roles 🧠 Tech literacy is no longer optional—it's a positioning advantage. Knowing how these systems drive value is what separates the top 10%. ✔️ Certifications: • PMP (51%) • Scrum Master (11%) • Others: ITIL, AWS, CISSP—rarely required, but can complement your story ✔️ Soft Skills • Communication (77%) • Leadership (72%) • Stakeholder management (33%) • Collaboration, adaptability, strategic thinking ▶️ Strategic Takeaways 1- Generic PMs are getting filtered out. If your resume reads like a task list, you're losing interviews to PMs who speak in outcomes and impact. 2- Certifications alone don't differentiate you. The PMP signals credibility. But what closes offers is context, how you applied what you know to drive real change. 3- IT PMs must specialize. Same title, wildly different expectations. You must position yourself by domain—cloud, infra, cybersecurity, SaaS, ERP—not just by title. 📌 Ready to position yourself for a high-impact IT PM role in 2025? → Go to the top comment and apply to work with me 1:1. → Repost ♺ to help others in your network. Follow Jesus Romero for weekly PM career strategies.

I have one more big restaurant trends piece to post before the holidays, where I gather the thoughts of operator executives around the industry to offer a glimpse of what's ahead and what they're doing now, as I have for the last few years. I'll share that story in the next day or so, but for now, here is a preview of some of the insight, from TGI Fridays CEO Ray Blanchette: "We're seeing a massive generational shift not just in what people eat, but how they choose where they eat and why. Social media has become the primary discovery channel, with guests increasingly trusting influencers and AI recommendations over traditional advertising. This is raising the bar dramatically. When influencers showcase elevated experiences, guests expect more, and brands need to deliver something truly worth the investment. They're looking for atmosphere, energy, and experiences that elevate their mood and make ordinary moments feel extraordinary. The brands that understand this shift and lean into cultural relevance, becoming part of everyday conversations and celebrations both online and by word of mouth, will capture share and loyalty. The smartest investment any operator can make right now is in their people and culture. At Fridays, we’ve built our reputation on hiring exceptional people, developing strong training programs and creating pathways for growth, all while encouraging team members to bring their authentic selves to work every shift. When our teams feel valued and empowered to let their unique personalities shine, that energy transfers directly to our guests. This is something we recognize at our locations across the world where our signature flair thrives, and guest connections are stronger than ever."

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” ` ~𝗟𝗮𝗼 𝗧𝘇𝘂 (𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿) 2026 Career Reality Check: traditional tech & finance roles are 𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 fast If you’re a job seeker in Canada (especially Ontario), the labour market just sent a loud signal — and most people are missing it. That’s exactly why I publish 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮 — my LinkedIn newsletter that turns raw, real-time labour market data into clear, actionable career intelligence. Every issue breaks down the latest 30-day job posting trends from the Labour Market Information Council (LMIC) — a not-for-profit organization established by the Government of Canada to identify and implement pan-Canadian priorities for more consistent and accessible labour market information for all Canadians. In the brand-new Q1 2026 edition (just dropped today), we unpack the full Ontario vs. National report: Why 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 is the #1 growing hard skill (+14.9% in Ontario, +16% nationally) while computer/software developer roles dropped 18–20%. The widening gap between contracting white-collar professional services and growing physical-economy roles (logistics, food service, warehousing). The shocking -30% collapse in CPA certification demand in Ontario. Forklift & Food Handler credentials that are actually growing. This isn’t theory. It’s live data from thousands of Canadian job postings, updated every 30 days. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗟𝗠𝗜𝗖 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮: In today’s dynamic business environment, careers don’t last decades anymore — they shift every 12 months, sometimes every 6 months. Industries pivot. AI automates tasks. New credentials suddenly matter. Without fresh labour market intelligence, you’re guessing. With LMIC-powered insights, you make 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: ✅ Which skills to learn next (AI is no longer optional) ✅ Which sectors are actually hiring vs. contracting ✅ Where to invest your time and money for certifications ✅ How to future-proof your résumé before the next wave hits The result? Faster pivots. Stronger applications. And real confidence that the path you’re on actually matches where demand is heading in 2026. If you want the complete 𝟭𝟱-𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 on this Q1 2026 data — packed with deeper analysis, occupation-by-occupation breakdowns, reskilling roadmaps, and province-specific recommendations to help you make smarter career decisions this year — just comment “Canada Research” below. I’ll DM you the full PDF within 24 hours (no cost, no catch). Who else in your network needs this data before they update their LinkedIn profile or accept their next offer? Tag them below Let’s stop guessing and start getting hired with real intelligence. #CanadianJobs #LabourMarket #Careers #CareerStrategy

New Model & Jobs for IT Industry. I see two trends emerging that will shape the future of IT Industry in next 2-3 years. There are both opportunities & threats and hence IT companies & professionals who will strategise & make the shift will succeed. 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬: 1. 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬:  It’s clear that going forward customers won’t pay for software or innovation alone. They would demand tangible outcomes & measurable results. 2. 𝐀𝐈 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:  Artificial Intelligence, once a differentiator, will soon become a hygiene factor. IT companies will have to rethink their strategies around AI. 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐓 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬: 1. 𝐀𝐈 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 & 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 Product companies should focus on either creating intelligent Agents to automate workflows & drive customer outcomes or developing cost-efficient infrastructure to host, manage & scale AI driven workflows & agents. 2. 𝐀𝐈 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞: There’s also a growing opportunity to build & operate platforms where businesses can buy, sell, or share AI models, solutions, and services. 3. 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 #𝐎𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Services companies have huge potential if they build capabilities to deliver outcomes by replacing existing workflows with agentic workflows. They can create niche as 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 (industry-focused) or 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 (tech-focused) on AI, Data & Automation. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 In near term, economic volatility, outsourcing shifts, inflation, and "nation-first" policies will disrupt traditional markets & companies will have to accelerate their focus on new markets like Africa, the Middle East, & India. Secondly, the days of long-term contracts & big-ticket deals are over. IT companies will have to get ready for shorter engagements with reduced hourly rates, emphasizing efficiency & outcomes over duration. They need to adopt new outcome metrics & results driven billing. 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬: I see the following new roles will emerge and will be in demand. 1.    AI Automation Specialists:Designing, implementing & optimising AI-driven solutions replacing existing workflows to address specific business challenges. 2.    AI Agent Specialists:Developing, deploying & managing autonomous agents. 3.    Outcome Architects & Engineers:Specialists who design & deliver #OaaS solutions tailored to business needs. 4.    Orchestrators:Specialists who will blend domain expertise & technical know-how, coordinating complex systems to deliver seamless results. 5.     Dynamic Pricing Specialists:Deep technology experts who will use AI to continuously adjust pricing based on new developments to offer cost-optimised Opex. However regardless of role or industry, ability to use & collaborate with #AI will be an essential skill of the future. What’s your perspective? Let’s discuss in the comments!

Rundown: Top 10 Emerging AI Cybersecurity Roles, the result of two years of industry tracking that reflect current market studies, desired competencies, and evolving security threats. What you need to know: - AI security roles pay significantly more than traditional security positions - Most AI security jobs offer remote work options - Traditional security infrastructure without AI capabilities faces declining organizational support - The current AI cybersecurity field offers early adopters exceptional chances for career advancement. Success requires more than technical knowledge; success depends on technical skills plus business acumen plus communication abilities. Start here: AI Cybersecurity Careers: The Complete Guide https://lnkd.in/dPRSgTXi 1: AI Offensive Orchestrator: https://lnkd.in/dPRSgTXi 2: AI/ML Security Engineer: https://lnkd.in/dYivWb4P 3: AI Security Specialist: https://lnkd.in/dvEvcD_T 4: AI Incident Response Orchestrator: https://lnkd.in/dx_4gSAM 5: AI Threat Intelligence Analyst & Orchestrator: https://lnkd.in/dWUixVse 6: AI Ethics & Compliance Officer: https://lnkd.in/d9eDtKm7 7: AI Prompt Engineer (Security Applications): https://lnkd.in/dwTk4-Kb 8: AI SOC Orchestrator: https://lnkd.in/dYKnvihv 9: AI Governance Lead (above): https://lnkd.in/dvnmsa2s 10: Quantum-AI Security Specialist: https://lnkd.in/dp7Q-TKd Bottom line: Rapid change makes continuous learning mandatory. You need knowledge of both AI and security, but nobody expects you to master both domains overnight. Good thing, because that would require multiple lifetimes and possibly some form of brain enhancement technology that doesn't exist yet. This is our perspective at SANS Institute. What are you seeing? What emerging security AI roles should also be on the industry's radar?

Are store openings making a comeback, or is the future still digital? After years of predictions that physical stores were finished, 2025 is telling a different story. According to CBRE, store openings in the US actually outpaced closures in 2024, with net growth led by value retailers, specialty food, and experience-focused concepts. In the GCC, new mall expansions and pop-up activations remain on the rise, with UAE retail sales projected to reach $63.6 billion by 2025 (Dubai Chamber of Commerce). Why the shift? Consumers want more than transactions. From Gen Z to Boomers, shoppers are seeking experiences, whether it’s in-store events, live demonstrations, or interactive tech. Gen Z is surprisingly pro-physical: A 2024 NRF study found that 81% of Gen Zers prefer to shop in stores for fashion and beauty, valuing instant gratification, social interaction, and immersive brand storytelling. Millennials still drive online spending but now use stores for pick-up, returns, and brand discovery. Older generations favor physical for trust and service, but even they are using retailer apps for loyalty and convenience. E-commerce sales, on the other hand, continue double-digit growth, especially in categories like electronics, home, and health. “Hybrid” shopping, think click-and-collect, QR code browsing, and virtual store assistants, is becoming the new norm. Is this retail renaissance a sustainable shift or simply a response to post-pandemic fatigue and novelty? As customer expectations evolve, the future may belong to brands that blend the best of both worlds. How has your own shopping behavior changed? Are you visiting stores more, and what’s drawing you in? For retailers, what’s actually working to get people off their phones and into physical space? Share your thoughts, stories, or predictions for the future of retail. #retailtrends #consumerinsight #shopping #storeexperience #futureofretail

Following up on our report on the US tech hiring freeze, I turned to the Canadian tech job posting data. Most of the trends are VERY similar: - CA tech job postings have been depressed since mid-2023, starting their plunge, following an earlier boom, in mid-2022 (chatGPT released right in the middle of the crash). - Mid-paying developer roles (web, Frontend, .NET, ios, etc) and software engineers are down most. AI-related tech titles (like MLE's), and senior-level titles are faring better. - While conditions are rough for job seekers, the number of Canadians actually working in tech jobs remains quite elevated despite plateauing since 2022. If there's one more notable contrast, it's that Canada's tech postings decline since 2020 (-19%) has been somewhat milder than the US's (-34%) AND other advanced economies (like the UK and France). The tech hiring freeze is global! https://lnkd.in/etFk7mje

Cybersecurity predictions are easy. Preparing for them is the real challenge. Most organizations are still building defenses for yesterday’s threats. But the threat landscape is changing faster than most security programs. A few shifts already shaping the next phase of cybersecurity: → AI vs AI security battles Attackers are using AI to automate phishing, malware creation, and reconnaissance. Defenders are using AI to accelerate detection, correlation, and response. → Identity becoming the main attack surface Compromised credentials, session hijacking, and deepfake-enabled fraud are increasing. Identity is becoming the new perimeter. → Zero Trust moving from concept to default Continuous verification of users, devices, and applications is replacing one-time access. → Supply chain becoming a major entry point Attackers increasingly target smaller vendors to reach larger organizations. → Cloud and API exposure expanding Misconfigurations, excessive permissions, and poorly secured APIs remain common entry points. → Ransomware operations evolving Ransomware-as-a-Service lowers the barrier for attackers and increases the scale of attacks. → AI-powered phishing targeting employees Social engineering is becoming more realistic and harder to detect. → Encryption preparing for the quantum era Organizations are starting to evaluate post-quantum cryptography to future-proof data. → Regulation becoming stricter Cyber incidents now directly impact legal risk, reputation, and financial exposure. → Security becoming a board-level topic Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT function. It is a business responsibility. The big takeaway: Cybersecurity is moving from reactive defense to continuous risk management. And organizations that treat it only as a technical problem will struggle to keep up. Curious to hear your view: Which of these trends will have the biggest impact on organizations in the next few years? P.S. The cheat sheet below summarizes the 10 cybersecurity shifts many security teams are preparing for.

The hospitality industry is heading into a decade of serious transformation. These aren’t just trends. They are structural shifts that will reshape how kitchens operate, how teams are led, and what it takes to stay relevant. After 30 years in professional kitchens, I’ve seen a lot change. But what’s coming now is different. This time, survival will depend on our ability to adapt. Labor shortages are not temporary. The next generation of chefs expects more from leadership balance, respect, purpose. The old-school mentality of burning out your team to prove toughness no longer works, and it never really did. Kitchens that don’t evolve their culture will struggle to attract and retain talent. Technology is becoming part of every kitchen. Inventory systems, prep automation, data-driven costing these tools aren’t gimmicks. They’re the new standard. If it helps you run a more efficient, consistent, and profitable operation, it matters. Sustainability will no longer be optional. Guests notice waste. So do investors. From how we source to how we manage scraps, kitchens will be held accountable. Ingredient costs aren’t the only thing at stake reputation is on the line. Leadership models are changing. Chefs are no longer just the strongest cook on the line. They are mentors, culture-setters, problem-solvers. The loudest voice in the room isn’t always the most effective. Respect is no longer earned through intimidation it’s built through consistency, fairness, and clarity. Menus are tightening. The idea that more items means more value is outdated. Smart menus are seasonal, streamlined, and built for quality over quantity. Precision matters more than variety. The industry isn’t dying. It’s evolving. And that evolution is an opportunity for better kitchens, better careers, and better food. To those of us who have been in it for decades: we have to lead this change, not resist it. And to those just starting: you have a real chance to help define what the next decade of hospitality looks like.

If you want a sense for what's in store for restaurants in 2025, have a look at what the two most successful, innovative QSR brands are doing today (screenshot below). We ended 2024 on a note of cautious optimism - folks saw traffic and sales go positive after 8 months of bad news, discounting, and bankruptcies. While it's clear trends are moving in the right direction, there is still a lot of work ahead for restaurants to win back the the hearts and minds of a consumer base that's still grappling with the effects of inflation. In times like these, I reflect back on the lessons I learned from the myriad conversations we had with restaurant leaders over the last 6 months: 1️⃣ Find innovative, non-obvious ways to squeeze out costs while also improving the guest experience. It's the little things - like moving from ramekins to sauce packets - that free up your team to spend more time engaging guests while also reducing packaging costs. James McGehee at Dave's Hot Chicken 2️⃣ Double-down on fast growing channels to supplement revenue growth. Catering is back and will be a larger growth driver in 2025. Invest in the menu, tools, and team to seize the opportunity. Jessica Serrano at DIG. 3️⃣ In an era where new guest traffic is fickle / hard to come by, relentlessly focus on optimizing guest retention. We've seen one brand leverage data to achieve +22% increase in orders from repeat guests, offsetting a MSD decline in new guest traffic over the course of 2024. 🥪 Deric Rosenbaum at Groucho's Deli 4️⃣ Casual dining can still differentiate on service and quality. With inflation and the rise of delivery, the lines are blurring between QSR, fast casual, and casual dining. But casual dining brands still have something that the other sectors don't: experience. Make service and experience part of your guest's "value equation" - and market to that differentiation - to maintain positive comps. Ricky Richardson at Eggs Up Grill 5️⃣ Bridge the gap between marketing and tech. The restaurant consumer experience is increasingly digital, and it's clear that a) marketing and tech need to be increasingly collaborative to seize the opportunity; b) you need an expert who can map the digital guest journey and optimize for conversion in more crowded / noisy digital world; c) the experience between offline and online engagement with your brand / food needs to be seamless. Scott Landers, P.E. at Figure 8 6️⃣ Merchandising, merchandising, merchandising. Value is not just about price. it's cost + speed + experience. To optimize for value, be intentional with how you set prices and the amount of choice you give consumers in engaging with you. If needed, limit modifiers, comment boxes, even the menu itself to the items that best fit the guest needs and cost profile associated with a particular channel. Jared Cohen at Protein Bar & Kitchen. These are just a handful of lessons I learned in the close to 2024. Excited for what 2025 brings for the industry.