Global Information Technology
ISSUE
06
JobPrep
June 2012
The Voice of Career Insight
In this issue
How to Start a Career in IT
High Tech Worker Shortage P.1-P.2
Many people love the people
How to Start a Career in I.T. P.1/P.3
in IT (Information Technology).
Java Developers Top Demand List P.2
This is a good field but it does Networking Mistakes We Often Make P.3 not mean that you work with computers only. Helping others use their computers is often a big part of the job. This field is
High Tech Worker Shortage: Has Anything Changed?
very big. From an ATM ma-
Alarm bells over the lack of high-tech
chine, to PC techies, to a net-
workers in the U.S. have been ringing for
reer paths for some time," Howerton
work administrator to a graphic
years, turning the story into near-legend.
says. "Most colleges will tell you the low
designer to a webmaster, to the
But is the worker shortfall still a fact?
high schools on tech education and ca-
number of computer science students
record producer, these people
While a consensus is elusive, many indus-
coming in is related to the shortage of
are all in IT.
try experts say yes, and the problem is
graduates coming out in this field."
1.Discover if you are already skilled in IT. If you have a PC
growing.
Concern over the high tech shortage
"When I hear from employers that there is
dates to the 1980s, with a crescendo of
and use it for more than just
a shortage, I believe them," says Steve
alarm hitting in the late 1990s and early
typing and basic office work,
Langerud, director of professional opportu-
2000s. The issue is heating up again as
doing homework, playing games
nities at DePauw University
and casually browsing the web,
and a workplace consult-
then you have the right stuff for
ant.
the job.
"Firms know how real it
"We currently have more than 5,000 openings, tech job openings in San Diego, that we can't fill. There is a severe shortage."
more companies embrace the advanced manufacturing model. For Bob Slapin, executive
2. Make a list of what types of
is. They see how much
IT work you might be interested
money it costs them by
in. For example, if you love
having to pay a premium
computer games, you can list
for talent, and they see the
"game testing," or "writing game
money lost in services they cannot provide
software." If you enjoy design-
to clients because they don't have work-
workers over the years, but not like this,"
ing,
ers," adds Langerud.
Slapin said in an email. "We currently
"graphic
design"
or
director of the San Diego Software Industries Council, time has only made conditions worse.
"We've been dealing with the lack of
"software design" should go on
The long-term scarcity springs from a de-
have more than 5,000 openings, tech job
your list. If you are interested in
ficient educational system, says Terry How-
openings in San Diego, that we can't fill.
how the internet works and how
erton, managing partner of TechNexus, a
There is a severe shortage."
computer connect to each other,
tech incubator firm based in Chicago.
"network administration or net-
"There's been a lack of emphasis at U.S.
The lack of IT skill sets in particular is what's Continued on page 2.
Java mand
Tops Jobs
DeList
Demand is hottest this year for Java developers, new survey of 1,200 hiring managers shows. The folks at Dice just issued their latest findings based on
High Tech Worker Shortage:
data compiled from nearly 1,200 tech-focused
hiring
managers
Has Anything Changed?
and recruiters, and Java devel-
Continued from Page 1
opers are the top priority. “If your company is looking to hire this talent, don’t dawdle — a
keeping many tech firms
"Our mission is to save
tech degrees — can bridge
seasoned Java developer clearly
from finding the workers
lives, and all of our employ-
the worker gap, says Arun
has options,” says Alice Hill,
they need, says Ed Na-
ees are driven by that. We
Sundararajan, a professor
managing director for Dice.com.
thanson, director of talent
don't always find those peo-
in New York University's
Demand for tech professionals
acquisition for the IT securi-
ple."
School of Business.
with Java know-how has grown
ty firm Rapid7.
year over year for more than two
"Skills for Java, Hadoop
years as measured by job post-
and Ruby [programming
ings on Dice, she adds.
languages] are in
Software developers in general
great demand, but
occupy the number-two position
there's not enough
this year. On Dice, there are
available pool talent
software
for them," Nathanson
developer
positions
posted in 44 out of 50 states.
says. "That's why
Outside of the major metropolitan
there's a lot of compe-
markets, demand is strong in
tition for those who do
Florida, Oregon, Colorado and
have those skills."
"Good immigration policy
To solve this lack of home grown workers, some in-
can be used selectively as
dustry analysts want revi-
a way to get newer and hard to find IT capa-
The inability to fill jobs in the U.S. has created a high-tech worker's market. The current rate of unemployment for technology workers is around 4 percent, .
bilities," contends Sundararajan. "It won't solve the entire shortage, but you can hire higher quality IT workers globally."
sions in U.S. worker immi-
The inability to fill jobs in
gration rules to let more
the U.S. has created a high-
workers with the right tech
foreign trained tech workers
tech worker's market. The
spot in the most sought-after
skills, says Lauren Burris,
fill the void. Currently, some
current rate of unemploy-
skills are mobile developers and
human resources director at
200,000 foreign workers
ment for technology work-
number four are .NET develop-
Practice Fusion, an online
with science, technology,
ers is around 4 percent,
ers. As Hill explains, “Mobile has
electronic health records
engineering, and mathe-
about half the overall job-
become ubiquitous and the num-
site. Some firms like hers
matics degrees are allowed
less rate, according to the
ber of qualified, experience de-
have specific cultural needs
into the U.S. each year
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
velopers hasn’t caught up with
as well.
through various work visa
But it's not just finding
Arizona. Occupying the number-three
There's also higher pay. The average salary range
the market,” she says. “For .NET,
"There's been more diffi-
the money gap and the concerns
culty lately in finding candi-
A "reasonable" change in
about .NET limiting careers has
dates that are well rounded
immigration laws — to allow
$80,000 to $120,000 a
held
and not just an expert in
more foreigners in with high
year, higher than many oth-
back
tech
professionals
from fully embracing the Microsoft framework.”
their field," Burris says.
programs.
for a new tech hire is
er fields.
How to Start A Career in Information Technology cont... work design" will work for you. 3.Choose something that will make you happy. If you really
Networking Mistakes
enjoy it as a pastime, you will pro-
We Often Make
gress in skill much faster. 4.Get to know the right people.
Networking requires strategy, research
network is in place when you do need it.
the written word." Don't send sloppy or mass emails.
Keep in touch by sending occasional
Take the time to check spelling, espe-
updates about your career interests and
"Remember that you have two ears
cially each name, and tailor each letter
accomplishments.
and one mouth, and use them in propor-
to specific recipients based on your
tion," says Bobbi Moss, general manager
shared interests.
and social grace. But as competition for jobs remains high, it's easy to fumble.
Networking is about building relationships—not simply selling yourself.
about your long-term career aspirations,
"It's very easy to determine when I
additional training or next steps there
am on the receiving end of an email
might be for you," says Lucy Leske,
blast. Those messages get an automat-
partner at Witt/Kieffer, an Oak Brook, Ill.-
ic
based executive search firm. "People
at Govig & Associates, a Scottsdale, Ariz., recruiter.
Let people in your network "know
delete,"
says
Peter
Crist
of
will see you as having goals."
"People have talked to me for only a
Crist|Kolder Associates, a Hinsdale, Ill.-
few minutes, and then asked if they
based recruiter of executives and board
4. Don't be selfish.
would be the right fit for a position. That's
directors. "They write me: 'Dear Mr.
Networking solely for your own goals
too aggressive," says Suki Shah, chief
Christ.' "
is a mistake. Also help your contacts.
executive of GetHired.com, a jobs site
2. Don't be vague.
For example, before a meeting, re-
based in Palo Alto, Calif.
Tell network contacts about specific
search a contact's business and its
Here are five networking "don'ts."
ambitions for your career or profession-
challenges, and offer solutions based on
1. Don't misuse the Internet.
al growth so they know how to support
your experience.
Some workers rely too much on email
you. Customize your message based
and
networking
websites
such
as
on a contact's experience.
"It shows that you have initiative, that you have an interest in that person, and
LinkedIn.com. But nothing beats meeting
"A very experienced product execu-
you are not just trying to extract value
face to face, whether it's over lunch or a
tive told me during a single lunch that
from them," Mr. Melland says. "And it
cup of coffee, experts say.
he wanted to start a company, go back
demonstrates that you have skills."
"People forget that it's very easy to
to school and serve on a board. How on
Helping your contacts connect with
delete an email, not return a phone call.
earth could I ever help that person? My
each other, and sharing useful infor-
It's very difficult to leave a meeting," says
take-away was that he didn't know what
mation are other ways to provide value.
Scot Melland, chief executive of Dice
he wanted to do," says Mr. Melland.
"Somebody just sent me a report on the
Holdings, a New York-based provider of
3. Don't stop.
NYC tech start-up scene," Mr. Shah
specialized career sites. "People remem-
Keep networking, even when you're
says. "I appreciated it. That's a great
ber faces and conversations more than
not looking for a job. That way, your
way to stay connected."
Marcial’s Say: Apple releases iTunes Match
Many IT gurus love to assist people. Look into a formal or even casual apprenticeship. Make a geek your new best friend. 5. Search for educational opportunities in your area or online, and determine what the entry requirements are for each field of study. Make comparisons. 6.Supplement self-taught skills with a few classes or an associate degree, and move right into the job market. The more education you get in the field, the better your income will probably be in the long run, but there are entry level jobs even for people with little education. 7. Look into professional certifications. Even without a college degree an MCSE or A+ certification can gain you significant credibility. 8.Seek internships at reputable companies.
An
internship
at
Google or Microsoft will open a lot of doors for you later.
Upcoming I.T. Workshops at Global I.T. 06/15/2012 @ 3pm Professional I.T. Resume Critique Melissa Lecznar, Job Placement Manager at Global Information Technology and Deena Wiltsie, Senior Recruiter at JDM are teaming up to do some IT resume critiquing at Global Information Technology on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 3pm! Very limited seats. Do not miss out on this great opportunity. Have your resume critiqued by professionals for free! If you
Upcoming Courses
are interested, sign up on our website at:
http://www.global-itech.com/html/main/calendar.php
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Global I.T. JobPrep - Issue 06 June 2012
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