Seán Gray and Polain Byimira from the Data Team at Precision Sourcing recently hosted our quarterly Data & AI Market Report webinar, providing an external lens on the current market trends across data engineering, data science, and AI. For those who missed it, here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the key insights shared.
Market Overview: A Promising Turnaround
The data job market is showing clear signs of recovery, with activity picking up earlier than our original March 2025 prediction. Since September last year, we’ve observed a significant increase in job demand, with the market gaining strong momentum from January 2025 onwards. This positive shift comes after the challenging post-COVID period of budget cutbacks and redundancies that affected the tech sector at large.
The current landscape shows:
- Fewer candidates available compared to 12 months ago
- Increased demand for specialised data skills
- A more competitive environment for both employers and job seekers
Data Science & AI: Separating Hype from Reality
The AI space continues to be a hot topic in technology, but our report highlights important nuances that candidates should be aware of:
Current Trends:
- Many roles are being advertised with “AI” components to make positions appear more attractive
- Rapid adoption of generative AI projects and large language models to automate processes and reduce costs
- Australia’s adoption remains slower than other global markets
Job Seeker Advice
If you’re looking to enter the data science or AI space:
- Research thoroughly to verify the legitimacy of advertised AI projects
- Be aware that many organisations are still in the transformation phase
- Understand that some roles may involve primarily BAU tasks for the first 6+ months before transitioning to AI-focused projects
- Recognise that most companies are either running POCs or engaging external consultancies for AI implementation
As highlighted during the webinar: “Most companies are still in a transformation phase, whether that’s through POCs or still employing external consultancies to do a majority of the work.”
Data Engineering & BI: Foundation First
Data engineering remains in high demand, with the fundamental principle that “you can’t do AI unless you’ve got your data right from the start.” Key insights include:
Market Dynamics
- Significant interest in leadership roles (one recent Head of Data role attracted over 700 applications)
- Strong focus on data governance as organizations recognise the “trash in, trash out” principle
- Warning signs for pure visualization specialists with platforms like Databricks Intelligence potentially making some roles redundant
Future Outlook
Our experts noted that 90% of Databricks customers in 2024 reported zero value from AI investments thus far—primarily because they haven’t yet established the right data foundations. However, this is expected to reverse in the next 12-18 months as data quality initiatives mature.
Skills in Demand
The most sought-after technical skills across the data landscape include:
- AWS SageMaker (ML/AI integration)
- Databricks (particularly in Azure environments)
- PyTorch & TensorFlow (for core machine learning model building)
- Microsoft Fabric (gaining rapid traction as an alternative to Synapse)
High-Growth Industries
Job seekers looking for stability and growth opportunities should consider:
- Energy & Utilities – The renewable sector is booming
- Medical Devices & Health Tech – AI integration is transforming healthcare
- SaaS – Though less dominant than the above two sectors
Job Seeker Challenges & Strategies
The competitive market requires candidates to take specific actions to stand out:
Common Pitfalls
- Generic CVs that fail to highlight specific contributions
- Failure to quantify outcomes and demonstrate value
- Limited follow-up after application submission
- Underutilizing LinkedIn’s features
Effective Strategies
Take ownership of your job search:
Make your CV stand out:
Optimize your LinkedIn profile:
Go beyond simply applying
Consider industry shifts:
“If you press apply on a LinkedIn job advert and sit back and hope for a call, unless you are like Jeff Bezos himself applying for a role on Amazon, you probably aren’t going to get seen.”
Talk about your experience in your own words, focusing on quantifiable outcomes and specific value you’ve delivered.
- Keep it updated and aligned with your CV
- Add a professional photo
- Enable the “Open to Work” banner
- Post regularly about your experiences and insights
- Research target companies thoroughly
- Connect with key contacts (hiring managers, talent acquisition specialists)
- Follow up after applying
- Build your personal brand through content creation
If you’re in a role at risk of automation (like pure visualization development), consider upskilling or moving to growth industries.
Missed the live session?
Catch the full Q3 FY25 Data Market Report Webinar recording and get all the insights straight from Seán and Polain: Watch the recording below.
Final Thoughts
The data and AI market continues to evolve rapidly, with significant opportunities for those who position themselves strategically. While the market is picking up, competition remains intense—especially for AI-related roles that may receive hundreds of applications.
The general outlook for the remainder of 2025 is positive, with most organizations planning increased headcount for the next financial year. Those who distinguish themselves through targeted applications, continuous learning, and proactive networking will be best positioned to capitalize on these opportunities.
For a more detailed breakdown of salary benchmarks and specific market insights, download our complete Q3 2025 Market Report from the Precision Sourcing website or contact our specialist data recruitment team.
