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Tuesday, 06 October 2026 08:48

Specialist Talent : Where Demand Is Growing

The specialist talent market never stands still. New technologies emerge. Programmes move from planning into delivery. Skills that were relatively easy to find suddenly become harder to secure. And sometimes the biggest challenge isn't finding someone with the right technical skill at all. It's finding someone with that skill plus the experience, availability and understanding of the environment to make it work. That's certainly something we see across the markets we work in.

It's the combination that counts

Across digital, data and technology, demand continues to span software development, cloud, DevOps, data, AI and transformation. But increasingly, we're finding that employers aren't simply looking for a skill in isolation.

They might need a Java developer, but one who's worked on complex, large-scale platforms. They might need cloud expertise, alongside experience of highly regulated environments.

Or they might need a transformation specialist who can understand the technology, work with senior stakeholders and turn a complex requirement into something that can actually be delivered. That combination can make the search much more interesting.

“The rarest skill in the market is often not a skill at all. It's the right combination.”

The market gets smaller surprisingly quickly

Every additional requirement changes the available talent pool. Location matters. So does the balance between onsite, hybrid and remote working. Sector experience, availability, contract versus permanent preferences and salary or rate expectations all play their part.

And in some of the government, defence and other sensitive environments we support, security clearance can be another factor to consider. None of those things necessarily makes a search difficult on its own. Put several of them together, though, and an apparently large candidate market can become considerably smaller. That's why we think understanding the market before starting a search is so valuable.

A changing market creates opportunities too

This isn't just an employer issue. For candidates, changing demand can create opportunities to think differently about the value of your experience. A technical skill may get you noticed, but often it's the experience around it that sets you apart.

Have you delivered in a particularly complex environment? Worked across technology and business teams? Developed knowledge of a specialist sector? Led change as well as delivered it? Those details matter.

It's also why keeping your CV and skills profile current is worthwhile. The more accurately recruiters understand what you've actually done, the better the chance of matching you with the right opportunity.

Keep looking beyond the job title

Perhaps that's the biggest takeaway.

Whether you're recruiting or considering your next move, don't concentrate too heavily on the job title or a single headline skill. Look at the whole picture: capability, experience, environment and availability.

That's where some of the most interesting opportunities, and some of the strongest matches, are found.

Need to understand security clearance as part of that picture? Our Security Clearance Section provides practical information for candidates and employers about clearance levels, terminology and some of the common questions that come up.

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Tuesday, 29 September 2026 12:07

Comfortable? That's Often Where Growth Stops

There is nothing wrong with feeling comfortable in your career.

Most people work hard to get there. You know the role, understand the challenges, and deliver results with confidence.

But comfort has a hidden risk.

Over time, familiar work can become routine. The learning slows, the challenges become predictable, and career progression starts to feel less like growth and more like repetition.
The question is simple: are you still developing, or just becoming more comfortable?

When Growth Slows Down

Experience is valuable, but the biggest career leaps rarely come from doing the same thing for another year.

They usually come from taking on greater responsibility, tackling unfamiliar challenges, leading change, or stepping into a new environment altogether. That's often where confidence, skills and opportunities grow fastest.

Take Sarah, a project manager who had spent seven successful years in the same organisation. She was well respected, performing strongly and had achieved many of the goals she'd set herself. Yet she found herself asking a difficult question: "Is this it?" When an opportunity arose to lead a transformation programme in a new sector, she almost dismissed it. The role felt bigger, more demanding and carried more visibility. It would have been easier to stay where she was. Instead, she took the leap. Within a year she had broadened her experience, expanded her network and developed skills she may never have gained by staying put. The challenge reignited her enthusiasm and accelerated her career in ways she hadn't expected.

Signs It Might Be Time for a New Challenge

You may be ready for something new if:
• Most days feel predictable
• You're relying on the same skills you've used for years
• You can't remember the last time work genuinely stretched you
• You've started wondering what else might be out there

If any of those sound familiar, it could be time to look beyond what's comfortable.

The Next Horizon

Career growth doesn't always require a dramatic move. Sometimes it starts with a conversation, a new project, an interim assignment, or a role that pushes you a little further than before.

The professionals who continue to grow are rarely the ones who stay still. They're the ones who remain curious, embrace new challenges and keep looking ahead.

At Malikshaw, we're constantly connecting experienced professionals with organisations that need fresh thinking, leadership and expertise. If you're ready to broaden your experience and discover what's next, we'd love to hear from you.

Ready for your next challenge? Register with Malikshaw and explore opportunities that could take your career further.

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Monday, 28 September 2026 09:16

JAMES COSTABHARJI

My Biography

I am a commercially focused business development and partnerships professional with experience building strategic relationships across government, technology and professional services.

As Government Partnerships Director at Malikshaw, I focus on developing long-term relationships across the government delivery ecosystem, working with public sector organisations, consultancies, systems integrators and technology businesses.

My role is centred on understanding the challenges organisations face in delivering complex programmes and connecting them with the specialist people, teams and capability they need. This includes resource augmentation, security-cleared specialists, managed teams, professional services and recruitment solutions.

I am particularly interested in developing collaborative partnerships that create long-term value, bringing together organisations and specialist expertise to support the successful delivery of government transformation, technology and operational programmes.

My Areas of Expertise

Government Partnerships
Business Development & Strategic Partnerships
Professional Services & Resource Augmentation
Government & Public Sector
Technology & Digital
Security-Cleared Capability