Recruitment to pick up this autumn

The IT jobs market is expected to pick up in September, with many organisations already planning for more prosperous times. In the meantime, senior IT professionals with hybrid business/technology skills are still in big demand.

"High calibre chief technology officers and senior managers who can offer a hybrid of technology and business skills remain highly sought after," said Nick Bailey, head of technology and new media practice at recruiter Futurestep.

"IT skills will always be in demand but they're not in growth mode at the moment," he added. "However, companies want to maintain their internal capabilities at the top. They're looking for intellectually astute, highly driven risk takers who can guide companies through this difficult time to recovery."

In particular, candidates with high profile dotcom brands on their CVs, such as Yahoo or AOL Time Warner, are finding attractive opportunities with clicks-and-mortar companies.

"But gone are the days when an Ivy League MBA and strategy consulting background were all you required to become a first time chief executive," said Bailey.

He advised candidates to focus their approach. "Make sure you do as much preparation as possible," he said. "That means understanding the issues and challenges facing the company as well as how you can add value. People can no longer be complacent."