IT Market Watch

IT executives see increased opportunities for IT professionals in 2007 and beyond

According to IT executives, the outlook for IT spending in 2007 is improved from 2006 and the future looks bright for IT specialists. “Given government projections that five of the top 10 fastest growing occupations through 2014 are IT and computer-related occupations, it is easy to be bullish on the future employment prospects for IT,” said National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses CEO Mark Roberts. Other industry leaders and analysts concur.

• In a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers, 71% of 154 technology company executives surveyed said that competition for talent in their industry is worse than in other industries, and about 45% said technology personnel were scarce or very scarce. In a separate study, Merrill Lynch says IT spending will be 4.2% higher in 2007, up from growth of 3.4% in 2006.
• Results from a recent hiring survey from Robert Half International Inc., 16% of CIOs planned to add staff in the first quarter and 2% anticipated cutbacks. The net 14% increase is the highest since the fourth quarter of 2001, the company said. Thirty-five percent of CIOs planning to hire said business growth is the reason. Windows administration skills were in the greatest demand, followed by network administration.
• According to independent technology and market research company Forrester, enterprises expect to increase their IT budgets by 3.8%, up from a 3.2% planned increase at this time last year. This increase in spend will have a positive impact on security spending as well as on IT R&D. For 2007, IT shops plan to spend the majority of their efforts preparing for disaster, securing the infrastructure, upgrading storage and servers, and replacing outdated systems.

Game On

When it comes to landing the job you want, it’s time to put on your game face and beat the competition

Although the demand for IT contractors remains steady, there are still plenty of consultants out there vying for the same opportunities you seek. Here are a few pointers to make sure you position yourself in front of the pack.

Demonstrate your versatility

Gone are the days when proven technology skills were enough to get you in the door. Today’s candidates must demonstrate business knowledge and versatility in addition to technical proficiency. Many hiring managers say they are searching for candidates who offer more than technical credentials. Soft skills such as interpersonal communications, ability to work collaboratively and commitment to achieving corporate goals are just as desirable. According to an October 2006 report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), “the battle for talent is about to become even fiercer as companies search for the hybrid employee: Workers who excel at collaboration, innovation and managing change."

The key to success? Make sure you convey your interpersonal, team-building and business skills in addition to your technical expertise both on your resume and during your interview. A well-rounded candidate is much more likely to get the job.

Update your resume to include a technical summary

Hiring managers have neither the time nor the inclination to search through your resume to determine if your technical skills match their opening. Savvy job seekers know the best way to market themselves is to highlight their technical expertise at the top of the resume. The best way to do this is to create a high-level Technical Summary that delineates your knowledge of hardware, operating systems, networking/protocols, office productivity, programming/languages, Web applications and database applications. Tailor the list to focus on the requirements of the position, and don’t forget to include relevant certifications.

Network, network, network

An ideal way to improve your knowledge and skills, exchange ideas and hear the latest buzz about the local and national job market is through networking. Joining technology organizations, users groups and/or industry associations gives you the opportunity to connect with others and advance your career. There are a wide variety of technology specialty groups and associations out there, some that emphasize continuing education, others that focus on industry issues. All of them can help you meet and develop professional relationships with others in your field, which is an essential part of achieving your career goals. A quick Internet search will yield dozens of technology groups in your field of interest.