#Japan #Chuo #circusAGENT #IT recruitment #PM-PdM Roles

Overview of IT Recruitment Trends for 2025

Circus Co., Ltd., located in Chuo, Tokyo, led by CEO Takashi Yabe, has conducted a comprehensive analysis of recruitment trends in the IT sector based on job data from their job placement platform, circusAGENT. This investigation follows data collected between April and September 2025 and aims to provide valuable insights for both job seekers and recruiters.

Study Breakdown

This report analyzes trends in mid-career recruitment for IT positions, specifically focusing on IT engineers and PM/PdM roles. The data used encompasses over 5,381 job listings across four industries with a minimum of 700 postings for the IT engineering roles and 588 postings for PM/PdM roles.

Note: 'Experience' in this context refers specifically to experience in the role, not general professional experience.

Key Findings

The findings reveal a pronounced demand for experienced candidates in both the consulting and IT/Web services sectors, particularly evident in PM/PdM positions. In stark contrast, the SIer/telecommunications and HR/BPO sectors are more open to hiring inexperienced IT engineers, underscoring the strategic differences between industries.

Salary Insights

The median salary for PM/PdM roles is notably higher in the consulting sector and IT/Web services, with the highest figures for experienced PM/PdM positions in the latter category. The experience level significantly impacts both salary expectations and recruitment costs, with experienced IT engineers earning about 1.7 million yen more than their inexperienced counterparts. Additionally, the commission rates for recruitment are approximately 2.1 times higher for experienced hires, underscoring the importance of securing qualified professionals.

Trends in Recruitment Requirements

1. Job Listings by Experience Level:
- High Demand for Experienced Hires: The consulting and IT/Web services industries have a strong preference for seasoned candidates, with over 82.6% of available PM/PdM roles targeted at experienced professionals.
- Growth in Opportunities for Inexperienced Candidates: In the IT engineering sector, 57.1% of job postings are open to inexperienced applicants, with significant opportunities in the SIer/telecommunications (66.8%) and HR/BPO sectors (70.6%). This trend indicates a shift towards valuing potential in new hires.

2. Educational Background Preferences:
- The IT and Web services sectors have a higher tolerance for academic backgrounds, with over 50% of postings for both IT engineers and PM/PdM roles not requiring a specific degree. Conversely, the consulting sector still emphasizes educational qualifications, as seen by the higher proportion of job listings requiring candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree.

Compensation Trends

The expected median salary for IT engineers stands at 4.75 million yen, while PM/PdM roles command a median of 7.2 million yen, with consulting and IT/web services industries leading in salary offerings. The significant salary differentiation, approximately 1.7 million yen, reflects the value placed on experience by potential employers.

Hiring Costs and Trends

The median recruitment fees for PM/PdM roles have surged, reflecting the high demand for specialized skills. The referral fee averages 31.4%, significantly higher than the 14.8% for IT engineers, highlighting the specialized nature of PM/PdM positions and the associated hiring costs.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the stark contrast between industries in terms of recruitment strategies and preferences, particularly between the consulting and IT sectors versus those prioritizing potential hires. The discrepancies in salary expectations associated with experience and the rising costs of recruitment further illustrate the complexities in this evolving job market.

Circus Co., Ltd. remains committed to continuously monitoring these trends in the IT job landscape, aiming to provide insightful data that can drive strategic recruitment across varied job functions in the HR sector. Future reports will expand upon these findings to cover additional job roles, creating a more comprehensive overview of recruitment trends in diverse industries.