IT in Poland in 2023 – Sonny Van Assche – guest at the DEVision Podcast sharing his insights on the Polish tech ecosystem.
IT Recruitment Trends in Poland
In this episode of the DEVision podcast, Nikodem speaks with Sonny, the owner of Ntiative, an IT recruitment firm based in Poland. They discuss the current state of the Polish tech market, the shift in developer expectations, and predictions for the year ahead.
The Evolution of the Polish Tech Market
Poland has transitioned from a pure outsourcing hub to a high-value centre for global product companies. Historically, international firms moved operations to Poland primarily to reduce costs. Today, the driver is the ability to scale with high-quality talent.
The market is seeing a displacement of roles from the US to Poland. While major US brands are laying off staff domestically, many are continuing to hire in the Polish market. This is supported by the arrival of companies from Ukraine and Belarus seeking a stable base in the EU.
Developer Demands and the Remote Work Gap
There is a significant disconnect between what developers want and what companies are offering regarding workplace flexibility.
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Remote Work: While the majority of developers prefer 100% remote roles, larger companies are increasingly shifting toward hybrid models (one or two days in the office).
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Market Data: LinkedIn data shows that for every remote role, there are two candidates. Conversely, for every two office-based roles, there is only one candidate.
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Availability: The number of fully remote roles has decreased by approximately 30% since the start of the year.
Three Pillars for Successful Hiring in Poland
Companies looking to attract talent in Poland must address three core areas.
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Flexibility: This includes both workplace location and contract types. To access 70% of the candidate pool, companies must offer B2B contracts. Flexible working hours are also highly valued, often more so than a marginally higher salary.
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Market Salary: Compensation must be competitive. Developers are often willing to sacrifice 10% to 15% of their salary in exchange for greater flexibility.
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Product and Team: Software developers are increasingly selective about the products they build. Recognisable brands and modern tech stacks (such as React and Node.js) remain high in demand, whereas older frameworks like PHP or MuleSoft see less interest.
Advice for Developers
To remain competitive in a global market where other regions may offer lower costs, Polish developers should focus on specialisation.
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Specialise: Generalist roles are more vulnerable. Deep expertise in specific technologies, cloud infrastructure, or data science provides more security.
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Build a Presence: Use platforms like LinkedIn to write about your expertise and gain market recognition.
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Verify Seniority: There is a trend of “title inflation” where companies grant senior titles to retain staff without the equivalent skill increase. Developers should ensure their skills match their titles to remain competitive during international recruitment.
Outlook for 2023
The forecast for the coming year is cautious. There is a noticeable decrease in new vacancies as companies wait to see how the global economy reacts to a potential recession.
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Market Correction: A shift away from VC-backed startups toward profitable, established brands is expected.
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Sector Collapse: Projects involving Crypto, NFT, and Web 3.0 have seen a sharp decline.
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Security: Job security is becoming a higher priority for candidates than it has been in previous years.
The B2B Advantage
The B2B contract remains Poland’s strongest asset. It allows international companies without a local legal entity to hire Polish talent easily, with the contractor handling their own social security and taxes. This, combined with a strong technical education system, keeps Poland as a primary destination for nearshoring in Europe.
