A record 78% of US technology hiring managers expect to increase tech hiring in the first six months of 2016, and 71% of companies are looking to bolster their tech teams by 11% or more, according to job board Dice’s Tech Hiring Survey released today.

The survey found 27% of respondents anticipate “substantially more” tech hiring in the first half of the year and 51% anticipate “slightly more” hiring.

The ability to recruit skilled tech professionals has also become increasingly more difficult for companies as the demand and level of competitors has increased, the report found, and 49% reported the time to fill open positions has lengthened relative to last year.

“The environment for a talent crisis in tech has been growing over the past few years and as the level of interest in technology professionals rises, it doesn’t appear the challenging recruitment market will lighten any time soon,” said Dice President Bob Melk. “Companies today are looking for new and innovative ways to streamline their hiring processes and attract top talent. Sourcing, in particular, continues to serve as a top strategic recruiting initiative, as companies are thinking more long-term and building out an on-demand talent pipeline rather than focusing on one-off hires.”

Survey results found companies are taking a greater interest in candidates with less experience. More than one-fourth of hiring managers, 27%, said they plan to hire entry-level candidates, up nine points from last year, and 62% said they desire candidates with two to five years’ experience, up eight points from last year’s survey.

The survey asked, “Which of the following recruiting tactics are being offered more frequently today than a year ago?” Responses include:

• Employee perks: 53%
• Sign-on bonus: 48%
• Free medical/dental insurance: 28%
• Company paid mobile or car plan: 20%
• Unlimited vacation: 13%

The tactics appear to be working; 20% of hiring managers said they are seeing more candidates accepting offers this year as compared to last, up four points year-over-year.

Compensation also plays a quickly increasing role in hiring tech talent, with 64% of hiring managers and recruiters reporting salary guidelines have prevented positions available now from being filled, up from 58% who said the same last year.

Dice.com is a DHI Group Inc. (NYSE: DHX) company. The emailed survey included 397 responses from human resource managers, recruiters, consulting and staffing companies from every region of the country who primarily hire or recruit tech professionals. It was conducted From Nov. 10 to Nov. 13, 2015.