It's time for another great Central Valley IT Networking Event. Last meeting we had a successful presentation by Solid Networks on "Going Green in IT". This next meeting will be held in conjunction with VMware and we are excited to have a Senior Level VMware Engineer who will be discussing "Virtual Desktop". I have prepared the speaker, we are a group that looks forward having candid technical discussions. I look forward to seeing you there!
Date: October 17, 2008
Time: 9:30am - 12pm (Pastries, coffee and juice will be provided))
Location: Valley Mountain Regional Center
702 N. Aurora St.
Stockton, Ca 95202
Map: http://www.vmrc.net/Adobe_Files/VMRCMap.pdf
VMware desktop manageability and security solutions allow security administrators to lock down PC endpoints and protect company resources against the risks presented by unmanaged PCs. Business today operates onsite, offsite and offshore by a variety of employees who range from permanent staff to contractors.
VMware solutions leverage proven virtualization technology to enable a level of desktop manageability and security that would be impossible with traditional desktop environments running on dedicated physical PCs.
Using virtual machines allows IT security administrators to easily:
Provision secured, IT-managed endpoints on unmanaged PCs
Secure confidential data on endpoint PCs
Run multiple secure PC environments on a single PC
As always, we are looking forward to seeing you. Remember, it's a free event so please RSVP as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly and make sure we have enough food and materials for everyone.
Chris Haro
Technical Recruiter
Robert Half Technology
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Explaining resume Gaps....
Hello... I read this article this morning and thought it would be worth while to post, I get alot of questions about this... Give me some feedback, what experience do you have with your resume and or interview when explaining gaps?
Out of work but employable: Explaining resume gaps
The business world was surprised in August 2007 when Robert Nardelli landed the top job at Chrysler LLC after being shown the door as The Home Depot's CEO in January. Not all out-of-work employees bounce back so easily.
With unemployment at a five-year high - the latest Labor Department's report says 605,000 jobs have been lost this year - job seekers may have longer searches ahead. However, experts say a stretch of unemployment is not the black mark it used to be.
A layoff, or time off to deal with work-life balance issues, won't keep you from getting an interview or a job offer - if you know how to handle it, say executive recruiters.
"I don't think it's as big a negative as people think, if you have a good story," said Barry Lawrence, career expert at Jobfox, a McLean, Va.-based job search site.
Employees today will switch jobs 10 to a dozen times in a career, and there will be "hiccups" along the way, said Lawrence. "Even in a good economy, businesses are changing focus, people are going to fall through the cracks," he said.
Recruiters understand that and have probably lived through it themselves, Lawrence said.
Jeffrey Steinberg was an executive recruiter for two decades before he left the business in 2001. Searches dried up after the 9/11 attacks and his wife was dying of cancer, so Steinberg, who was self-employed, shut down his business. Since his wife's death in 2002, he has focused on taking writing courses and working on poetry and fiction; he said he was lucky to have the financial resources to explore his passion.
Seven years later, he's planning to return to work. At 55, he's less concerned about the seven-year gap in his resume than competing against younger people.
"I think age is a bigger deal. It hasn't affected me yet - but I think the resume I have doesn't have all these dates I had," he said. Steinberg has worked up two resumes, one chronological and one organized around the types of experience and achievements in his career.
"Anybody who will hire me at this stage of my life is going to hire me for a certain set of skills," he said.
In fact, recruiters stress that if you must address your resume gaps in a job search, focus on presenting the time off from work as a positive, learning experience. Some gaps, such as taking time to care for a sick relative or to go back to school, explain themselves. Layoffs due to corporate meltdowns such as Enron Corp. or Bear Stearns Co. also need no explanation.
"Don't be embarrassed. People sometimes get too concerned. They focus so much on the gap and not on the reason there was a gap," said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology, a unit of recruiter Robert Half International.
Be honest if you left your last job because it was a bad fit, say the experts. Most employers understand that jobs are not one-size fits all. Unless you have a series of short stints in a row that all ended abruptly, recruiters won't hold it against you, said Spencer Lee.
"If the last five places you worked were not a good fit, tell me why we as number six should hire you," she said.
In most cases, you don't need to volunteer an explanation; most interviewers will ask about your employment history. But if you are worried that you have a significant gap in your history and you're applying in an industry where job searches tend to be brief, such as healthcare, you may want to address the issue in your cover letter, say recruiters.
Also consider sending a functional resume, like Steinberg's, with entries organized by skill set.
"People think of this as 'Am I fudging?' or 'Am I cheating?' You're not, you're just presenting yourself in the most positive light," said Lawrence.
But all experts agree, don't ever lie on your resume. No matter how bad you think it looks, getting caught lying will make you look much worse.
Before you even get the interview, put together talking points to explain why you were out of work and what you did while you were off, all focusing on the skills you would bring to the job at hand.
"Answers like 'I took a year and a half to find myself,' leave an interviewer scratching their heads because they wonder: Is this person going to try to find themselves during our busy period?" said Steven Miranda, Chief Human Resource, Strategic Planning and Diversity Officer of the Society for Human Resource Management.
Present yourself and your time off in a positive way, said recruiters. Focus on what you achieved during your down time - whether you did freelance or consulting work, took courses or did volunteer work - and don't badmouth your past employer to the interviewers.
"If they hear a lot of negativity and lot of poison, they are going to wonder: What is this person going to say about us when he leaves here?" said Miranda.
Lastly, if the interview is over and no one has brought up the bare spot in your resume, don't mention it.
Take the cue from the interviewers; they'll let you know what they're concerned about, said Jennifer Grasz, spokeswoman for employment site Careerbuilder.com.
Today's employers are more understanding of the lifestyle choices employees face than they were five or ten years ago, she said. So as long as you explain your professional detour in a positive way, don't put too fine a point on it.
"Don't make apologies for choices that were right for you," Grasz said. "You want to focus on your strengths."
Source: AP
Posted: 09/09/08 10:11PM
Filed Under: Lifestyle Features
Out of work but employable: Explaining resume gaps
The business world was surprised in August 2007 when Robert Nardelli landed the top job at Chrysler LLC after being shown the door as The Home Depot's CEO in January. Not all out-of-work employees bounce back so easily.
With unemployment at a five-year high - the latest Labor Department's report says 605,000 jobs have been lost this year - job seekers may have longer searches ahead. However, experts say a stretch of unemployment is not the black mark it used to be.
A layoff, or time off to deal with work-life balance issues, won't keep you from getting an interview or a job offer - if you know how to handle it, say executive recruiters.
"I don't think it's as big a negative as people think, if you have a good story," said Barry Lawrence, career expert at Jobfox, a McLean, Va.-based job search site.
Employees today will switch jobs 10 to a dozen times in a career, and there will be "hiccups" along the way, said Lawrence. "Even in a good economy, businesses are changing focus, people are going to fall through the cracks," he said.
Recruiters understand that and have probably lived through it themselves, Lawrence said.
Jeffrey Steinberg was an executive recruiter for two decades before he left the business in 2001. Searches dried up after the 9/11 attacks and his wife was dying of cancer, so Steinberg, who was self-employed, shut down his business. Since his wife's death in 2002, he has focused on taking writing courses and working on poetry and fiction; he said he was lucky to have the financial resources to explore his passion.
Seven years later, he's planning to return to work. At 55, he's less concerned about the seven-year gap in his resume than competing against younger people.
"I think age is a bigger deal. It hasn't affected me yet - but I think the resume I have doesn't have all these dates I had," he said. Steinberg has worked up two resumes, one chronological and one organized around the types of experience and achievements in his career.
"Anybody who will hire me at this stage of my life is going to hire me for a certain set of skills," he said.
In fact, recruiters stress that if you must address your resume gaps in a job search, focus on presenting the time off from work as a positive, learning experience. Some gaps, such as taking time to care for a sick relative or to go back to school, explain themselves. Layoffs due to corporate meltdowns such as Enron Corp. or Bear Stearns Co. also need no explanation.
"Don't be embarrassed. People sometimes get too concerned. They focus so much on the gap and not on the reason there was a gap," said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology, a unit of recruiter Robert Half International.
Be honest if you left your last job because it was a bad fit, say the experts. Most employers understand that jobs are not one-size fits all. Unless you have a series of short stints in a row that all ended abruptly, recruiters won't hold it against you, said Spencer Lee.
"If the last five places you worked were not a good fit, tell me why we as number six should hire you," she said.
In most cases, you don't need to volunteer an explanation; most interviewers will ask about your employment history. But if you are worried that you have a significant gap in your history and you're applying in an industry where job searches tend to be brief, such as healthcare, you may want to address the issue in your cover letter, say recruiters.
Also consider sending a functional resume, like Steinberg's, with entries organized by skill set.
"People think of this as 'Am I fudging?' or 'Am I cheating?' You're not, you're just presenting yourself in the most positive light," said Lawrence.
But all experts agree, don't ever lie on your resume. No matter how bad you think it looks, getting caught lying will make you look much worse.
Before you even get the interview, put together talking points to explain why you were out of work and what you did while you were off, all focusing on the skills you would bring to the job at hand.
"Answers like 'I took a year and a half to find myself,' leave an interviewer scratching their heads because they wonder: Is this person going to try to find themselves during our busy period?" said Steven Miranda, Chief Human Resource, Strategic Planning and Diversity Officer of the Society for Human Resource Management.
Present yourself and your time off in a positive way, said recruiters. Focus on what you achieved during your down time - whether you did freelance or consulting work, took courses or did volunteer work - and don't badmouth your past employer to the interviewers.
"If they hear a lot of negativity and lot of poison, they are going to wonder: What is this person going to say about us when he leaves here?" said Miranda.
Lastly, if the interview is over and no one has brought up the bare spot in your resume, don't mention it.
Take the cue from the interviewers; they'll let you know what they're concerned about, said Jennifer Grasz, spokeswoman for employment site Careerbuilder.com.
Today's employers are more understanding of the lifestyle choices employees face than they were five or ten years ago, she said. So as long as you explain your professional detour in a positive way, don't put too fine a point on it.
"Don't make apologies for choices that were right for you," Grasz said. "You want to focus on your strengths."
Source: AP
Posted: 09/09/08 10:11PM
Filed Under: Lifestyle Features
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
HOT JOBS
Below is a list of our weekly hot jobs. If you or someone you know is qualified and interested in any of the positions listed, please contact me!
****All referrals will receive up to a $100 bonus once placed on a contract with RHT****
WEEKLY HOT JOBS
.NET Developer/Programmer: Fresno, Stockton, Modesto, and Merced
Skills Required: C#, ASP or VB, PHP with min. 2 years of experience
Flash Programmer/Development: Fresno
Skills Required: Macromedia Flash Development for Web, XML, and OO Programming
AS400 Computer Operator: Modesto
Skills Required: Min. 2 years AS400 password resets and user profile edits, creating and assigning trouble tickets
(such as Remedy, eticket, Magic, Issue Net), logging events, listing backups
PeopleSoft Financials Developer: Stockton / 2-3 Week Project
Skills Required: PeopleSoft 8.0 Service Pack 2, PeopleSoft 8.15, Oracle Database, Creating Custom Reports
Bench Technician/Electrical Engineer: Merced
Skills Required: Soldering, testing, and diagnosing broken equipment
For a more detailed job description on these and other positions Click Here
****All referrals will receive up to a $100 bonus once placed on a contract with RHT****
WEEKLY HOT JOBS
.NET Developer/Programmer: Fresno, Stockton, Modesto, and Merced
Skills Required: C#, ASP or VB, PHP with min. 2 years of experience
Flash Programmer/Development: Fresno
Skills Required: Macromedia Flash Development for Web, XML, and OO Programming
AS400 Computer Operator: Modesto
Skills Required: Min. 2 years AS400 password resets and user profile edits, creating and assigning trouble tickets
(such as Remedy, eticket, Magic, Issue Net), logging events, listing backups
PeopleSoft Financials Developer: Stockton / 2-3 Week Project
Skills Required: PeopleSoft 8.0 Service Pack 2, PeopleSoft 8.15, Oracle Database, Creating Custom Reports
Bench Technician/Electrical Engineer: Merced
Skills Required: Soldering, testing, and diagnosing broken equipment
For a more detailed job description on these and other positions Click Here
Monday, June 16, 2008
5 TRENDS IN IT.... give me your thoughts on this one?
An IT career is once again one with a lot of long-term potential. While the market now does not resemble the halcyon times of the dot-com boom, demand is expected to remain steady in the short term and the future looks bright.
"From all of the companies that we work with, the message now is, 'full speed ahead,'" John Estes, a vice president with Robert Half Technology, told the E-Commerce Times. Here are five trends in the high-tech job market that leading industry experts see:
1. Solid Demand for IT Professionals
Despite present perceptions, IT professionals are on solid footing -- at least for the moment. Only 2 percent of chief information officers expect to reduce staffing in their companies this year, according to Robert Half Technology.
That is because high tech has become central to new marketing and sales initiatives. Once companies decide to undertake these new projects, they need armies of techies to perform the work. Surprisingly, executives at the nation's largest firms (1,000 or more employees) are hiring the most aggressively, with a net 19 percent increase in staffing activity, according to Robert Half.
2. Network and Security Pros in High Demand
The demand in high tech for personnel is not distributed evenly. Companies are not looking for someone with AS/400 programming experience, but a few other areas are attracting a great deal of interest. As companies become more dispersed, they need to be able to connect their systems to not only their own devices but also to those of their suppliers and customers.
Consequently, network technician are in high demand. "The growing use of wireless technology is driving demand for networking professionals," explained Estes, whose firm found that networking has experienced the most growth during the last three quarters.
Security has been another hot button area. E-commerce companies need staff to ward off potential threats, such as viruses and phishing, as well as new security concerns. "There has been a big push for security professionals because of initiatives such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that demand that companies comply with certain procedures," said Nate Viall, a principal at Nate Viall & Associates, an IT recruitment company.
E-commerce expansion is still having a major impact on the market. Web site designers are attracting attention, and can expect starting compensation ranging from US$46,500 to $68,500 per year in 2008, according to Robert Half.
3. Walking Away From Outsourcing
Outsourcing is a controversial issue in the high-tech space. To try and cap expenses, companies have been outsourcing more of their IT functions.
One common misconception is that corporations have been taking domestic jobs and shipping them to places like Asia, but that picture does not seem to be accurate. Ninety-four percent of CIOs said they do not plan to send any IT jobs abroad, Robert Half reported.
In fact, there seems to have been push back against this trend. Among companies that once sent IT jobs overseas but discontinued the practice, nearly six in 10 (59 percent) cited management challenges as the top reason for the change. Offshoring means dealing with different languages, cultures and time zones, so the challenges often outweigh the potential benefits.
4. It's the Economy, Stupid
High-tech job prospects are often the tail on the nation's economy in good times as well as the bad. Currently, the economy has been sending a mixed message. "While there has been a lot of talk recently about the country being in a recession, the unemployment numbers have been quite low," John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray and Christmas, a nationwide executive outplacement services firm, told the E-Commerce Times.
Recently, many pundits have been warning that the nation is poised to slip into a recession -- or already has -- for a couple of reasons. Problems in the mortgage industry have been quite pronounced, and a number of financial firms have been struggling. Consequently, many IT professionals have been forced out of financial services into other markets, such as healthcare .
To date, IT has been shielded from these problems. Many high-tech projects tend to be large, involved, expensive and complex, so the ones that have come online recently were placed in the pipeline 12 to 18 months ago. The economy may not have slipped into a recession yet, but the prospect of one still remains, and it if it does occur, it will have a negative impact on the IT arena.
5. Long-Term Prognosis: Increased Demand
While the short-term outlook for IT jobs is bit uncertain, the long range prognosis seems good for a couple of reasons. In any job market, there is a balance between supply and demand. The number of IT professionals has dropped significantly since the dot-com boom. "On college campuses, students have been ignoring IT and moving into the new sexy professions, such as healthcare," Viall told the E-Commerce Times.
While fewer people are getting into high tech, the number of individuals who are leaving it is on the rise. Many IT professionals are baby boomers, who are nearing retirement. "As the boomers retire, there is a good possibility that there won't [be] enough experienced professionals to take their places," noted Viall. Increased demand translates into higher salaries and more opportunities for those individuals now carving out a career in high tech.
"From all of the companies that we work with, the message now is, 'full speed ahead,'" John Estes, a vice president with Robert Half Technology, told the E-Commerce Times. Here are five trends in the high-tech job market that leading industry experts see:
1. Solid Demand for IT Professionals
Despite present perceptions, IT professionals are on solid footing -- at least for the moment. Only 2 percent of chief information officers expect to reduce staffing in their companies this year, according to Robert Half Technology.
That is because high tech has become central to new marketing and sales initiatives. Once companies decide to undertake these new projects, they need armies of techies to perform the work. Surprisingly, executives at the nation's largest firms (1,000 or more employees) are hiring the most aggressively, with a net 19 percent increase in staffing activity, according to Robert Half.
2. Network and Security Pros in High Demand
The demand in high tech for personnel is not distributed evenly. Companies are not looking for someone with AS/400 programming experience, but a few other areas are attracting a great deal of interest. As companies become more dispersed, they need to be able to connect their systems to not only their own devices but also to those of their suppliers and customers.
Consequently, network technician are in high demand. "The growing use of wireless technology is driving demand for networking professionals," explained Estes, whose firm found that networking has experienced the most growth during the last three quarters.
Security has been another hot button area. E-commerce companies need staff to ward off potential threats, such as viruses and phishing, as well as new security concerns. "There has been a big push for security professionals because of initiatives such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that demand that companies comply with certain procedures," said Nate Viall, a principal at Nate Viall & Associates, an IT recruitment company.
E-commerce expansion is still having a major impact on the market. Web site designers are attracting attention, and can expect starting compensation ranging from US$46,500 to $68,500 per year in 2008, according to Robert Half.
3. Walking Away From Outsourcing
Outsourcing is a controversial issue in the high-tech space. To try and cap expenses, companies have been outsourcing more of their IT functions.
One common misconception is that corporations have been taking domestic jobs and shipping them to places like Asia, but that picture does not seem to be accurate. Ninety-four percent of CIOs said they do not plan to send any IT jobs abroad, Robert Half reported.
In fact, there seems to have been push back against this trend. Among companies that once sent IT jobs overseas but discontinued the practice, nearly six in 10 (59 percent) cited management challenges as the top reason for the change. Offshoring means dealing with different languages, cultures and time zones, so the challenges often outweigh the potential benefits.
4. It's the Economy, Stupid
High-tech job prospects are often the tail on the nation's economy in good times as well as the bad. Currently, the economy has been sending a mixed message. "While there has been a lot of talk recently about the country being in a recession, the unemployment numbers have been quite low," John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray and Christmas, a nationwide executive outplacement services firm, told the E-Commerce Times.
Recently, many pundits have been warning that the nation is poised to slip into a recession -- or already has -- for a couple of reasons. Problems in the mortgage industry have been quite pronounced, and a number of financial firms have been struggling. Consequently, many IT professionals have been forced out of financial services into other markets, such as healthcare .
To date, IT has been shielded from these problems. Many high-tech projects tend to be large, involved, expensive and complex, so the ones that have come online recently were placed in the pipeline 12 to 18 months ago. The economy may not have slipped into a recession yet, but the prospect of one still remains, and it if it does occur, it will have a negative impact on the IT arena.
5. Long-Term Prognosis: Increased Demand
While the short-term outlook for IT jobs is bit uncertain, the long range prognosis seems good for a couple of reasons. In any job market, there is a balance between supply and demand. The number of IT professionals has dropped significantly since the dot-com boom. "On college campuses, students have been ignoring IT and moving into the new sexy professions, such as healthcare," Viall told the E-Commerce Times.
While fewer people are getting into high tech, the number of individuals who are leaving it is on the rise. Many IT professionals are baby boomers, who are nearing retirement. "As the boomers retire, there is a good possibility that there won't [be] enough experienced professionals to take their places," noted Viall. Increased demand translates into higher salaries and more opportunities for those individuals now carving out a career in high tech.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Keep your JOB as the economy is getting softer and softer!
Saw this article and thought I would share it. My opinion on this article is that these are the things that not only ensure your position, but get you noticed and promoted as well.
Recession-Proofing Your Job
By Katherine Spencer Lee
With all of the talk about the uncertain economy lately, many professionals are reassessing their careers. People are evaluating their job responsibilities and contributions, making sure they’re in a strong position should their employers face a downturn.
Regardless of the business climate, it’s a wise move to consider your value to your company at least periodically. Good workers are always coveted, so making sure you’re a strong contributor to the firm can give you an advantage, putting you in a position for advancement and swinging the odds in your favor should layoffs be on the horizon. And while it’s impossible to make yourself completely recession-proof, here are some ways to enhance your marketability:
Focus on the bottom line
Think of ways to save your employer money. For instance, instead of recommending new laptops for an entire department, consider whether upgrades to current systems would be sufficient. Or you might propose using products that are less expensive but just as reliable as more costly models. If your ideas help the company achieve cost savings – particularly during challenging business conditions – you’re more likely to be seen as indispensable. No firm wants to lose employees who help maximize the bottom line.
Increase your visibility
Also make sure key decision-makers know who you are and the value you bring to the company. This doesn’t mean you should brag or clamor for attention; instead, take steps to make others aware of your expertise and accomplishments.
Arrive at meetings armed with knowledge of the topic at hand and ready to contribute. Becoming an active participant in group discussions will help to highlight your communication skills and strategic vision. When providing project updates, give credit to employees who helped you with your assignments. They’ll likely do the same for you.
When you’re praised for your work, don’t downplay your achievements with comments like, “Oh, it was nothing.” Take credit for your efforts and say “thank you” instead. Also make sure any project updates given to your manager are worded effectively. For instance, if you only note that you “helped employees with technical problems,” your supervisor may not realize you stayed late to resolve a complex technical issue, allowing people in a particular business group to meet a critical deadline.
Additionally, take the time to network within the company. Remember that professional success isn’t just about what you know, but it’s also important whom you know. Do leaders in the firm know who you are and what you do? Events such as the holiday party or annual picnic are great ways to meet others in the organization. Team sports, contests and informal conversations can help you strengthen working relationships with employees and managers.
Be the ‘go-to’ person
It’s also wise to build a reputation as a true expert in your job. Get involved in professional organizations, take classes, read IT publications and keep your certifications current to ensure your knowledge is up-to-date. Consider focusing on a specialty area of IT so that you become the sole person on staff with a particular skill set.
Remember, too, that it’s important to be accessible. You may be the most proficient person in the company with Microsoft SharePoint, for instance, but if you act like you’re too busy to help others, you’re not really a go-to person. You want to be seen as a valuable advisor and team member no one can do without.
Show initiative
Firms also want employees who step up to the plate, solving problems and assisting others before they are asked to do so. For instance, you might notice that a colleague is behind with installing software upgrades, which is starting to affect the progress of other projects. Volunteer to complete some of the installs. Making the extra effort will show you understand the importance of being a team player and reinforce your contributions to the group.
Don’t limit yourself to your job description, either. Be willing to take on assignments that fall outside of your usual scope of activity or that stretch your abilities. Flexibility, including a willingness to adapt to changes, reinforces your professionalism and commitment to the company. You’ll show that you want to be a part of the firm, even if it means shifting your responsibilities.
No one can predict what’s ahead. But if you are giving your all to your job consistently – not just during questionable economic times – you’ll find that you’re more confident about your prospects during the peaks and valleys of business cycles.
Recession-Proofing Your Job
By Katherine Spencer Lee
With all of the talk about the uncertain economy lately, many professionals are reassessing their careers. People are evaluating their job responsibilities and contributions, making sure they’re in a strong position should their employers face a downturn.
Regardless of the business climate, it’s a wise move to consider your value to your company at least periodically. Good workers are always coveted, so making sure you’re a strong contributor to the firm can give you an advantage, putting you in a position for advancement and swinging the odds in your favor should layoffs be on the horizon. And while it’s impossible to make yourself completely recession-proof, here are some ways to enhance your marketability:
Focus on the bottom line
Think of ways to save your employer money. For instance, instead of recommending new laptops for an entire department, consider whether upgrades to current systems would be sufficient. Or you might propose using products that are less expensive but just as reliable as more costly models. If your ideas help the company achieve cost savings – particularly during challenging business conditions – you’re more likely to be seen as indispensable. No firm wants to lose employees who help maximize the bottom line.
Increase your visibility
Also make sure key decision-makers know who you are and the value you bring to the company. This doesn’t mean you should brag or clamor for attention; instead, take steps to make others aware of your expertise and accomplishments.
Arrive at meetings armed with knowledge of the topic at hand and ready to contribute. Becoming an active participant in group discussions will help to highlight your communication skills and strategic vision. When providing project updates, give credit to employees who helped you with your assignments. They’ll likely do the same for you.
When you’re praised for your work, don’t downplay your achievements with comments like, “Oh, it was nothing.” Take credit for your efforts and say “thank you” instead. Also make sure any project updates given to your manager are worded effectively. For instance, if you only note that you “helped employees with technical problems,” your supervisor may not realize you stayed late to resolve a complex technical issue, allowing people in a particular business group to meet a critical deadline.
Additionally, take the time to network within the company. Remember that professional success isn’t just about what you know, but it’s also important whom you know. Do leaders in the firm know who you are and what you do? Events such as the holiday party or annual picnic are great ways to meet others in the organization. Team sports, contests and informal conversations can help you strengthen working relationships with employees and managers.
Be the ‘go-to’ person
It’s also wise to build a reputation as a true expert in your job. Get involved in professional organizations, take classes, read IT publications and keep your certifications current to ensure your knowledge is up-to-date. Consider focusing on a specialty area of IT so that you become the sole person on staff with a particular skill set.
Remember, too, that it’s important to be accessible. You may be the most proficient person in the company with Microsoft SharePoint, for instance, but if you act like you’re too busy to help others, you’re not really a go-to person. You want to be seen as a valuable advisor and team member no one can do without.
Show initiative
Firms also want employees who step up to the plate, solving problems and assisting others before they are asked to do so. For instance, you might notice that a colleague is behind with installing software upgrades, which is starting to affect the progress of other projects. Volunteer to complete some of the installs. Making the extra effort will show you understand the importance of being a team player and reinforce your contributions to the group.
Don’t limit yourself to your job description, either. Be willing to take on assignments that fall outside of your usual scope of activity or that stretch your abilities. Flexibility, including a willingness to adapt to changes, reinforces your professionalism and commitment to the company. You’ll show that you want to be a part of the firm, even if it means shifting your responsibilities.
No one can predict what’s ahead. But if you are giving your all to your job consistently – not just during questionable economic times – you’ll find that you’re more confident about your prospects during the peaks and valleys of business cycles.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
TOP 10 JOBS IN TECHNOLOGY
I found this post on neowin.net written by Steven Parker... Thought it was interesting that I am seeing the same thing in my day to day contact with consultants and clients. What do you think?
The next time you poke fun at the techies, consider that IT workers can expect starting salaries to increase an average of 5.3 percent in 2008, according to the “2008 Robert Half Technology Salary Guide.” Base compensations in high-demand positions are also expected to rise as high as 7.6 percent.“Business expansion and the increased reliance on technology within all sectors has resulted in a competitive environment for skilled IT professionals,” says Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. “Many companies are raising base compensation for new hires and offering additional perks, including signing bonuses and equity incentives, to recruit and retain top candidates.”Thinking twice about a career in technology? Here are the top 10 jobs in IT, based on increases in salary offers, according to the salary guide.
1. Lead applications developerWhat they do: Manage software development teams in the design, development, coding, testing and debugging of applications. **What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and three to five years experience in specific technologies.Salary range: $80,250 - $108,000Salary change*: 7.6 percent
2. Applications architectWhat they do: Design components of applications, including interface, middleware and infrastructure; comply with employer’s design standards.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems; a master’s degree is desirable. Employers request a minimum of eight years related work experience and specific software skills.Salary range: $87,250 - $120,000Salary change: 7.5 percent
3. Messaging administratorWhat they do: Control e-mail and groupware systems, including associated servers, operating systems, and backup and recovery programs; fix system problems and attend to service requests.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer information systems or a related field, plus two to three years or more of experience working with the messaging systems used by the employer.Salary range: $87,250 - $120,000Salary change: 7.5 percent
4. Data modelerWhat they do: Analyze organizational data requirements and create models of data flow.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT or mathematics, and several years of data management experience.Salary range: $74,250 - $102,000Salary change: 7 percent
5. Network managerWhat they do: Direct day-to-day operations and maintenance of the firm’s networking technology; collaborate with network engineers, architects and other team members on the implementation, testing, deployment and integration of network systems.What you need: Ten years (or more) experience in a networking environment combined with several years of experience managing technical personnel. Professional certifications are also valuable.Salary range: $74,500 - $98,500Salary change: 7 percent
6. Senior IT auditorWhat they do: Establish procedures for audit review of computer systems; develop and apply testing and evaluation plans for IT systems and ensure compliance with industry standards of efficiency, accuracy and security.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, business or a related field, and an average of five years experience in IT auditing.Salary range: $86,750 - $114,750Salary change: 6.9 percent
7. Senior Web developerWhat they do: Plan and implement Web-based applications; coordinate with product development, marketing, product management and other teams in bringing new applications online.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering or a related field, plus a minimum of five years of experience working with a mix of Web technologies.Salary range: $76,250 - $108,250Salary change: 6.6 percent
8. Business intelligence analystWhat they do: Design and develop company data analysis and report solutions; review and analyze data from internal and external resources; communicate analysis results and make recommendations to senior management.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or engineering, and several years of experience.Salary range: $78,250 - $108,250Salary change: 6.6 percent
9. Help desk (Tier 2)What they do: Resolve difficult issues that derive from Tier 1 support and require five to 15 minutes to settle; decide when to create work tickets for issues that can’t be solved by phone or e-mail and require a visit to the user’s workspace.What you need: Besides patience and a positive attitude, requirements depend on your position level. Tier 2 positions call for two to four years work experience, and a bachelor’s degree or a two-year degree and additional work experience in a help desk setting.Salary range: $35,750 - $46,250Salary change: 6.5 percent
10. Staff consultantWhat they do: Assist with project planning and requirement specifications; create prototypes and alternatives with colleagues.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, business or a consulting-related field. Industry-specific proficiency, plus business experience and two or more years of consulting experience are also typical requirements.Salary range: $59,250 - $82,250Salary change: 6.4 percent
The next time you poke fun at the techies, consider that IT workers can expect starting salaries to increase an average of 5.3 percent in 2008, according to the “2008 Robert Half Technology Salary Guide.” Base compensations in high-demand positions are also expected to rise as high as 7.6 percent.“Business expansion and the increased reliance on technology within all sectors has resulted in a competitive environment for skilled IT professionals,” says Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. “Many companies are raising base compensation for new hires and offering additional perks, including signing bonuses and equity incentives, to recruit and retain top candidates.”Thinking twice about a career in technology? Here are the top 10 jobs in IT, based on increases in salary offers, according to the salary guide.
1. Lead applications developerWhat they do: Manage software development teams in the design, development, coding, testing and debugging of applications. **What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and three to five years experience in specific technologies.Salary range: $80,250 - $108,000Salary change*: 7.6 percent
2. Applications architectWhat they do: Design components of applications, including interface, middleware and infrastructure; comply with employer’s design standards.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems; a master’s degree is desirable. Employers request a minimum of eight years related work experience and specific software skills.Salary range: $87,250 - $120,000Salary change: 7.5 percent
3. Messaging administratorWhat they do: Control e-mail and groupware systems, including associated servers, operating systems, and backup and recovery programs; fix system problems and attend to service requests.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer information systems or a related field, plus two to three years or more of experience working with the messaging systems used by the employer.Salary range: $87,250 - $120,000Salary change: 7.5 percent
4. Data modelerWhat they do: Analyze organizational data requirements and create models of data flow.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT or mathematics, and several years of data management experience.Salary range: $74,250 - $102,000Salary change: 7 percent
5. Network managerWhat they do: Direct day-to-day operations and maintenance of the firm’s networking technology; collaborate with network engineers, architects and other team members on the implementation, testing, deployment and integration of network systems.What you need: Ten years (or more) experience in a networking environment combined with several years of experience managing technical personnel. Professional certifications are also valuable.Salary range: $74,500 - $98,500Salary change: 7 percent
6. Senior IT auditorWhat they do: Establish procedures for audit review of computer systems; develop and apply testing and evaluation plans for IT systems and ensure compliance with industry standards of efficiency, accuracy and security.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, business or a related field, and an average of five years experience in IT auditing.Salary range: $86,750 - $114,750Salary change: 6.9 percent
7. Senior Web developerWhat they do: Plan and implement Web-based applications; coordinate with product development, marketing, product management and other teams in bringing new applications online.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering or a related field, plus a minimum of five years of experience working with a mix of Web technologies.Salary range: $76,250 - $108,250Salary change: 6.6 percent
8. Business intelligence analystWhat they do: Design and develop company data analysis and report solutions; review and analyze data from internal and external resources; communicate analysis results and make recommendations to senior management.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or engineering, and several years of experience.Salary range: $78,250 - $108,250Salary change: 6.6 percent
9. Help desk (Tier 2)What they do: Resolve difficult issues that derive from Tier 1 support and require five to 15 minutes to settle; decide when to create work tickets for issues that can’t be solved by phone or e-mail and require a visit to the user’s workspace.What you need: Besides patience and a positive attitude, requirements depend on your position level. Tier 2 positions call for two to four years work experience, and a bachelor’s degree or a two-year degree and additional work experience in a help desk setting.Salary range: $35,750 - $46,250Salary change: 6.5 percent
10. Staff consultantWhat they do: Assist with project planning and requirement specifications; create prototypes and alternatives with colleagues.What you need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, business or a consulting-related field. Industry-specific proficiency, plus business experience and two or more years of consulting experience are also typical requirements.Salary range: $59,250 - $82,250Salary change: 6.4 percent
Monday, February 11, 2008
What is it you are looking for in a career move?
I read this survey put out by RHI andYahoo - hot jobs (coming to hotjobs website soon)_It talks about how we look for jobs... 1/3 rd use recruiters, 1/2 of us are looking on line at the want ads (monster, DICE, Craigslist) 1/6th of us are asking friends and family for referrals for our next career opportunity...What is it you are looking for in a career move?
side note:
I reviewed these free guides (careerhub.com) over the weekend and thought I would share them. Your first impression is your resume so it goes without saying that writing the right resume could mean the difference between getting an interview or not.
http://careerhub.typepad.com/careerhub_guide_to_resume_writing.pdf
side note:
I reviewed these free guides (careerhub.com) over the weekend and thought I would share them. Your first impression is your resume so it goes without saying that writing the right resume could mean the difference between getting an interview or not.
http://careerhub.typepad.com/careerhub_guide_to_resume_writing.pdf
Interviewing is a skill all by itself... being prepared is 90% of the interview. http://careerhub.typepad.com/careerhub_guide_to_interviewing.pdf
Thursday, January 31, 2008
What CIO's WANT !
January 07, 2008 (Computerworld) -- It's a good market out there for IT job seekers, but that doesn't mean your technical abilities will automatically land you a rewarding position. CIOs seek professionals who can contribute immediately to their companies' success. Faced with multiple candidates who are similarly qualified and technically proficient, how do they make tough hiring decisions? The choice often comes down to skills that are hard to quantify but essential to any successful IT career. Here are five nontechnical abilities that will help separate you from the crowd. 1. Communication skills Verbal and written communication abilities continue to grow in importance as IT establishes itself at the forefront of business. Technology professionals must be able to interact not only with their immediate teammates, but also with colleagues throughout the company. The ability and willingness to explain a complex technology in terms the listener will understand -- and care about -- is as important as it is rare. One key is to always keep your audience in mind. Tailor your message to their needs and preferences. For example, if you are speaking to a team of senior managers with little time to spare, highlight only the most important aspects of your project and save the details for a different conversation. And don't forget to keep your written communication skills sharp too, especially given the prevalence of e-mail in the office. If you have a colleague or friend whose e-mails are always clear and concise, ask him for tips. 2. Interpersonal skills While technically impressive solutions are sometimes produced in isolation, the innovations that benefit a business the most are almost always the product of a joint effort, often involving people who don't share the same abilities or experience. Productive collaboration requires a willingness to see things from a different point of view. One way to build these skills is to begin cultivating your internal network. Reach out to others, both inside and outside your department, and talk to them about what they do and how you might be able to partner. Gradually, you'll build a network of people you can interact with and turn to for ideas, suggestions and questions. 3. Customer service mind-set Those with a customer service mind-set measure their work not by how much effort it took or how brilliantly it was executed but by how well the project served customers. Such an attitude puts you in sync with the company's overarching goals and steers you away from work that will have little business impact. Familiarizing yourself with the company's customers (be they internal or external) is a first step toward developing this kind of results-oriented disposition. Always have an idea of the person who will be using the product, program or service you are developing. If it is the sales team, for instance, consider meeting with the group and watching them interact with technology to determine whether the software you've designed has a user-friendly interface as well as the features they seek. 4. Ability to apply technical skills to business challenges The most sought-after job candidates don't just know how the technology works -- they also know how it will be used and by whom. IT professionals need to constantly learn new proficiencies to keep pace with industry advances, but today's hottest skills may not be the ones a particular company needs the most. For example, while a hot programming language might be interesting to you, a given project may call for a more routine solution. When you keep in mind the business reasons underlying an IT project, you're more likely to find the best solutions, rather than trying to force a favorite technology into a situation where it doesn't quite fit. 5. Initiative CIOs want staff members who consider their job description a starting point, not a checklist. The best employees don't wait for others to come to them with assignments, and they're often the first to volunteer for difficult challenges. Initiative also applies to your own skills -- have you demonstrated an ongoing commitment to training and education, especially in areas that may not be core strengths? Don't confuse initiative with a willingness to take on mountains of work. Taking initiative means you're sufficiently engaged with both your work and your company's business that you can identify new ways to solve problems. Ever wonder why interviewers sometimes ask for an example of how you've handled failure in the past? Initiative-takers also tend to take ownership of their mistakes, a key ability of future leaders. These five standout skills may not be easy to measure, but they're critical to the success of any IT professional. By approaching your career with a business-first, collaborative mind-set, you'll give yourself a better chance to be one of the people making tough hiring decisions down the road.
Katherine Spencer Lee is executive director of Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis. Robert Half Technology has more than 100 locations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia and offers online job search services at www.rht.com.
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Katherine Spencer Lee is executive director of Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis. Robert Half Technology has more than 100 locations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia and offers online job search services at www.rht.com.
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