More than three-quarters of technology professionals report that job opportunities are failing to materialize despite a year-over-year increase in postings, according to a report published Wednesday by Dice, the tech hiring platform. The survey, which gathered responses from 1,105 U.S.-based tech professionals, found that unrealistic job descriptions, protracted hiring timelines, and expanding technical requirements have left just one in seven candidates feeling positive about the current state of hiring as artificial intelligence reshapes workforce expectations.
U.S. tech job postings climbed 18% year over year, with postings for AI and machine learning roles surging 91% over the same timeframe, the report found. Despite this growth in advertised positions, the definition of a qualified candidate has shifted dramatically: AI skill requirements now appear in 75% of U.S. tech postings, up from far lower levels since 2023. More than one-quarter of respondents said job descriptions contain unrealistic qualifications, while 21% reported that employers now demand a wider array of technical skills than they previously did. Job stability has emerged as a major factor for candidates in a turbulent market, with professionals citing it as a common reason for leaving positions, second only to pay.
"CIOs should read that as a reason to make employees' future with the business clearer," Dice CEO Art Zeile said in the report. "People want to understand how their expertise will remain valuable as technology changes." The report warns that rigid requirements and heavily automated screening can eliminate candidates with relevant experience simply because their resumes don't include the newest terminology. A conversation or practical assessment can reveal whether a candidate possesses the capabilities to succeed, even when their resume doesn't match every keyword, according to Zeile.
The disconnect between rising demand and candidate pessimism stems from several factors the report identifies. As AI transforms which skills hold value, employees need visibility into how their current expertise can translate into new responsibilities, the report explains. Automated screening tools risk creating blind spots for employers, filtering out qualified professionals whose experience doesn't align with the latest industry vocabulary—particularly as emerging terms like agentic AI replace older language. The report notes that hiring growth is strongest in industries including insurance, manufacturing, and consulting, suggesting companies may overlook potential candidates by focusing too narrowly on traditional technology sectors. Geographic and industry search expansion can expose organizations to talent they might otherwise miss, the analysis states.
Before searching externally for an emerging capability, CIOs should consider which team members could grow into new roles with support and guidance, Zeile recommended. That approach preserves institutional knowledge while making career development tangible, the report concludes. Giving employees time and projects to develop emerging skills before looking outside the organization can both retain talent and provide workers with a clearer progression path. CIOs who distinguish essential expertise from skills that can be learned are better positioned to identify qualified candidates their hiring process might otherwise overlook, according to the report. The organization's broader recommendation: regularly review job descriptions and screening criteria, especially as new terminology replaces established vocabulary, while keeping human judgment central to assessing whether a candidate can actually perform the job. The widening gap between advertised positions and actual opportunities suggests that employers who adapt their screening processes and invest in internal development will gain a competitive edge in securing talent. For business leaders navigating this environment, the tension between raising technical bars and maintaining realistic expectations may determine whether hiring efforts yield results or simply contribute to a growing pile of unfilled requisitions.