Take control of your IT career amid layoffs

Are you feeling insecure about your job with the economy reeling? Well, it may be time to get prepared rather than sitting back and just hoping for the best. John Estes, a vice president at staffing firm Robert Half International, and John Baschab, a senior vice president at Technisource, a staffing and IT managed services provider, have some advice for those IT workers who are concerned about losing their jobs.

In a CIO.com article, they urge workers concerned about layoffs to be proactive. They suggest that employees ask their managers how the economic situation of the company will affect them, whether other opportunities exist within the company and whether the company offers severance pay. They also advise IT workers to have an updated resume prepared and to start tapping into job search networks, including friends, business associates, clients, vendors, alumni groups and professional or social networking groups.

They also recommend meeting with an IT recruiter, exploring jobs outside your industry that can use your skills and keeping an eye on smaller companies that might offer bigger opportunities.

For more on the state of the industry:
- check out this CIO.com article