The IT job market in France recorded approximately 59,340 recruitments in 2024, representing a decrease of about 18% year-on-year compared to 2023 according to APEC data. Demand remains strong, but it is becoming significantly more selective. Generalist development profiles are struggling more, while high-value specialties are attracting recruiters’ attention. This tightening is redefining positioning strategies for anyone working in the IT sector.
Skills-based recruitment in digital: what is changing concretely
While degrees have not disappeared from IT recruitment criteria, they are falling in the hierarchy of evaluated signals. A majority of employers in the digital sector in Europe report prioritizing demonstrable skills (technical tests, open-source projects, portfolios) over formal degrees.
We observe that this trend has direct consequences on how to build a career in IT. A developer who regularly contributes to visible projects on GitHub, maintains a documented technical portfolio, or holds recognized cloud certifications is better positioned than a candidate whose only asset is a master’s degree obtained five years earlier without any visible update of their skills.
For companies, this shift requires rethinking internal evaluation grids. Recruitment processes that filter primarily by degree level eliminate operational candidates, particularly those coming from career changes or accelerated training programs.
Organizations that have adapted their practices by incorporating technical assessments from the very first selection stage are seeing a significant widening of their talent pool, a point to remember given that Europe is facing a shortage of several million qualified ICT profiles.
Professionals currently in positions who wish to deepen their knowledge of IT jobs and services will find information on as-ci.net covering various specialties in the sector.
High-value IT specialties: where demand is concentrated in France
The selectivity of the market favors three areas: cybersecurity, data, and applied artificial intelligence. General web development or traditional technical support are no longer sufficient to ensure a strong position.
Cybersecurity and regulatory compliance
The rise of cyber threats is pushing companies, including SMEs and micro-enterprises, to recruit or outsource information security skills. Profiles such as CISO, SOC analyst, or compliance consultant (NIS2, GDPR) are among the most sought after. European regulatory pressure is accelerating this demand, as compliance cannot be postponed indefinitely.
Data engineering and applied AI
Jobs related to data have become structured. We are no longer simply looking for a versatile data scientist, but for specialized profiles: data engineer for pipelines, MLOps engineer for model industrialization, prompt engineer for generative AI applications in production. Generative AI is transforming business processes well beyond text generation, impacting service personalization, logistical optimization, and predictive analytics.
Cloud and infrastructure as code
The digital transformation of French companies, including within the fabric of SMEs, relies on cloud architectures. Skills in Kubernetes, Terraform, or multicloud management (AWS, Azure, GCP) remain in high demand. A profile that combines cloud expertise with security awareness stands out significantly in the IT job market.
Positioning strategy for IT professionals in 2024
Specializing does not mean closing oneself off. We recommend a T-shaped approach: deep expertise in one area, complemented by a broad understanding of adjacent technologies. A cloud engineer who understands cybersecurity issues and can communicate with a data team has a market value superior to three siloed specialists.
Three concrete levers can strengthen one’s positioning:
- Obtain a recognized certification in one’s specialty (AWS Solutions Architect, CISSP, Google Professional Data Engineer) and keep it updated, as employers are increasingly verifying the validity of certifications
- Contribute to visible projects: open source, technical articles, industry conferences. These public signals are gradually replacing the traditional CV in skills evaluation
- Develop a business understanding of the sector in which one operates (healthcare, finance, industry), as the ability to translate a business need into a technical solution is the main differentiator between an executor and a high-value profile
IT freelancers and daily rates: a segmented market
The IT freelancing market in France reflects the same polarization as salaried employment. Profiles focused on AI, cloud, or cybersecurity maintain high daily rates, while generalist developers are experiencing downward pressure due to increased supply.
For a freelancer, the winning strategy involves visible specialization. A freelancer presenting themselves as a “full-stack developer” competes with a considerable volume of profiles. In contrast, one who positions themselves as a “Python developer specialized in data pipelines for the healthcare sector” drastically reduces competition and justifies a higher rate.
SME and micro-enterprise leaders are looking for interlocutors capable of understanding their constraints, not just technicians. The ability to formalize a clear scope of intervention, estimate realistic timelines, and communicate progress without unnecessary jargon is an integral part of the expected competence.
The IT sector in 2024 rewards depth over breadth. A market that recruits less but better pushes each professional to refine their positioning, document their skills in a verifiable manner, and invest in areas where structural demand sustainably exceeds available supply.
