Top 12 most common technical requirements in IT job posts (2025 edition)

In a hiring landscape that moves at digital speed, understanding the tech skills most frequently requested in job postings gives recruiters a serious edge. If you know which skills consistently pop up and how to spot them - you’ll zero in on top talent faster. Let’s dive into the twelve technical requirements we’re seeing over and over in 2025, why they matter, and how recruiters can build sourcing strategies around them.

1. JavaScript (especially React and Next.js)

Why it’s everywhere

JavaScript remains the language of the web. What’s shifted is the demand for experienced front-end frameworks, particularly React and its server-side sibling Next.js. For companies building interactive apps, these skills are non-negotiable.

Where you see it

Front-end and full-stack job postings, especially those targeting mobile-first or customer-facing products.

Sourcing tip

Search for “React,” “React hooks,” or “Next.js” in profiles. Look for mentions of component libraries, SSR, or SEO optimization to confirm deep framework knowledge.

2. Python (back-end or ML)

Why it’s a must-have

Python’s flexibility - web servers, data pipelines, machine learning - makes it a staple for back-end and data teams. Post-2025, even front-end roles increasingly want Python experience for scripting or automation.

Where it shows up

Back-end, DevOps, data science, ML job descriptions, and automation roles.

Sourcing tip

Use keywords like Flask, Django, Pandas, and TensorFlow. Profiles that combine them with cloud deployment skills are especially valuable.

3. Cloud Platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Why people bring it up

Cloud-native architecture supports scalability and resilience. Whether it’s AWS, Azure, or GCP, these platforms are central to most modern infrastructure.

Where it appears

Backend, DevOps, full-stack, data engineering, and security roles.

Sourcing tip

Look for cloud certifications or references to managed services (e.g., S3, Lambda, App Engine). Phrases like “infrastructure as code” often accompany real experience.

4. SQL & Data Modeling

Why it matters

Behind every user interface lies a data layer. SQL skills ensure candidates can design, query, and optimize databases - a must for nearly all roles handling data.

Where it’s required

Back-end, analytics, data engineering, and full-stack positions.

Sourcing tip

Search for “PostgreSQL,” “MySQL,” or “SQL Server” plus terms like “indexing,” “joins,” or “query optimization.”

5. TypeScript

Why it’s rising

As JavaScript stacks grow, TypeScript’s static types help teams avoid runtime errors and improve code maintainability.

Where it appears

Front-end, full-stack, and even Node.js back-end roles.

Sourcing tip

Look for “TypeScript,” “tsconfig,” or explicit mentions of typed system design—especially with React or Node.js.

6. Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)

Why it’s vital

Containers simplify consistent deployments across environments. Kubernetes takes orchestration to scale. Together, they give engineering teams repeatability and resilience.

Where it shows up

DevOps, backend, platform engineering, and increasingly full-stack roles.

Sourcing tip

Use terms like “Docker,” “Kubernetes,” “Helm,” and “container orchestration.” Bonus: candidates referencing “production-grade” setups.

7. CI/CD Pipelines

Why it’s essential

Continuous integration and deployment drive rapid, reliable delivery. Hiring managers expect developers and DevOps folks to plug into CI/CD systems.

Where it appears

Roles involved in building, deploying, or automating pipelines - such as DevOps and backend.

Sourcing tip

Search keywords like “Jenkins,” “GitLab CI,” “CircleCI,” “GitHub Actions,” and “pipeline as code.”

8. REST & GraphQL APIs

Why it’s included

APIs power integrations and services across platforms. REST remains universal, while GraphQL offers flexible queries - both are key back-end skills.

Where you’ll find it

Backend, full-stack, mobile development roles.

Sourcing tip

Search for “RESTful API design,” “GraphQL schema,” and libraries like Axios or Apollo. Comments on “API versioning” show real-world usage.

9. Git Version Control

Why it’s unavoidable

Git is the standard for collaborative code. Candidates who can manage feature branches, pull requests, and resolve merge conflicts reduce overhead.

Where it shows

Across development roles - git expertise is a baseline.

Sourcing tip

Use “Git,” “GitHub,” “GitLab,” “merge conflicts,” and “branching strategy” as filters in sourcing tools.

10. Testing Frameworks (Jest, Cypress, etc.)

Why testing matters

Quality pipelines need testing - from unit to integration. Robust testing speeds development, ensures reliability, and reduces bug risk.

Where it's demanded

Full-stack, QA-engineering-adjacent roles, particularly those with high code quality standards.

Sourcing tip

Search for “unit testing,” “TDD,” and tools like Jest, Mocha, Cypress, Selenium, and Playwright.

11. DevOps Fundamentals / Infrastructure as Code

Why it’s critical

Modern infrastructure is code-IaC tools like Terraform or CloudFormation handle provisioning. Developers familiar with DevOps principles streamline operations.

Where it appears

DevOps, SRE, platform, and backend roles.

Sourcing tip

Look for “Terraform,” “CloudFormation,” “IaC,” “infrastructure provisioning” in candidate profiles.

12. Security Awareness (OAuth, OWASP Basics)

Why security comes first

Secure coding isn’t optional - 2025 roles expect developers to follow standards like OAuth, handle authentication, and mitigate OWASP vulnerabilities.

Where you’ll see this

Full-stack, backend, mobile, and SRE/security-adjacent roles.

Sourcing tip

Search for “OWASP,” “XSS,” “SQL injection,” “OAuth,” and “secure API.” It often appears as an essential checklist item.

Spotting Requirements Quickly: Recruiter Toolkit

• Use boolean or natural-language prompts that include job’s key frameworks or tools (e.g., “find React Next.js developers with Docker experience”).
• Expand beyond exact terms: Zapier might not spell out OAuth, but will mention “secure login flow” or “SSO setup.”
• Gloss over synonyms in cloud tools: AWS S3 = object storage; AKS = Azure Kubernetes Service.
• Look into public repositories if you need proof of Dockerfiles, Terraform, CI configs, or test suites.

When you catch traits like “container orchestration” or “unit testing best practices,” candidates are likely walking the walk.

What All This Means for Recruiters

By focusing on these twelve requirements, you do more than just skim buzzwords. You identify candidates who bring practical build, deploy, test, and security habits. Some skills - like cloud certifications or React - hit a high priority. Others - like OAuth or GraphQL - might be stretch requirements, but still signal advanced candidates.

From a sourcing perspective, terms like TypeScript and Terraform often pull in bubble-up talent who still match criteria and can often learn curve skills quickly. Testing frameworks and security basics might filter fewer candidates, but those people tend to produce higher-quality work from day one.

Internal Tools & Further Reading

• For small teams and freelancers building a hiring stack, take a look at our overview of the best ATS for small recruiting teams and freelancers.
• Talent databases can become engines of repeatable sourcing - our recent coverage of the power of talent databases in 2025 shows you how.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 job market demands developers who don’t just know a tool - they understand why, when, and how to use it. The twelve technical requirements listed here form the backbone of source success. Prioritize your searches around them to attract high-quality profiles, ask better screening questions, and speed up hiring cycles.

When you’re ready to raise your sourcing game, GLOZO delivers built-in search that surfaces candidates with many of these skills - without Boolean logic - and helps you reach out all in one workflow.

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