Career

How important is tech experience?

Molly Bernhart — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:52:11 -0500

If you think technical skills and certifications are all that CIOs want from new hires, think again. Of course technical experience matters, but employers are much more interested in well-rounded job seekers, according to an article in InformationWeek. In fact, technical skill wasn't even a top-10 valuable attribute among entry-level and mid-level applicants in a survey conducted by the Society for Information Management.

What are employers really wishing for this holiday season? Ethics and morals top the list--which makes one think the current environment of financial turmoil, whistle blowing and security breaches may be influencing the wish list. Attributes such as critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and team-building, oral and written communications, and user relationship management follow close behind.

Technical operations are being conducted through contracts and outsourcing, more and more everyday, which requires IT professionals to be increasingly dynamic. According to InformationWeek, CIOs tend to look for a skill set that breaks down to, roughly, one-third technology, one-third business and one-third leadership. No matter how specific the requirements are on a job board, when it comes time to interview, employers are looking for more personal and subjective qualities.

For more:
- read the InformationWeek article

Is your IT budget flat yet?

Judi Hasson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:59:24 -0500

Most people in the IT world already know that something is coming down the pike soon, and it's not good. SearchCIO reports that its "TechTarget's 2009 IT Priorities Survey" finds that the sky is not falling, but there is a cloud hanging over IT. IT shops will have fewer resources to support their projects, and people will be the first to go, the survey finds.

An estimated 37 percent of respondents to the survey said staff is the area most affected by the economy, more than twice the 17 percent who singled out hardware or the 15 percent who pointed to IT services. If there was no economic crisis, 64 percent said their budgets would be growing more. And nearly 70 percent said that if the economy does not improve in the first half of next year, there will be additional cuts. What will happen to IT budgets and investments in 2009 remains a big question mark. Many research analysts predict that total tech spending will be flat.

For more on the state of play:
- check out this SearchCIO.com article

100-day plan for a new IT job

Judi Hasson — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:54:51 -0400

If you are starting a new IT job, there will be a learning curve in terms of what you are expected to do and how your new office operates. It may be prudent to have a plan--or in this case, a 100-day plan--for a successful transition. Computerworld.com suggests five action items for anyone getting ready to start a new IT position.

The first bit of advice is to assess the situation, keeping in mind that companies want new talent to bring something to the table. If IT is running smoothly, they want you to help move the organization forward. If something's wrong, they want you to help fix it.

On the tactical level, the article suggests scheduling action items for your to-do list on a week-by-week basis, and consulting with peers, team members, supervisors and any other stakeholders to help develop the most complete assessment of what you would be doing. You will also need to determine expectations and know how your boss defines success for your position. But to find out, you need to both ask and observe. Computerworld.com also recommends that you identify stakeholders and build alliances. Most of all, identify the individuals who will directly and indirectly affect your ability to get the job done.

Other tips include the need to understand the corporate culture and office politics, and target an early win to establish your credibility quickly. If you screw up, admit your mistake, apologize and quickly fix what you broke.

For more on this strategic plan:
- check out this Computerworld.com article

Should you change jobs in a recession?

Judi Hasson — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:21:56 -0400

It is always comforting to have a safe harbor during tough economic times. But even when the economy is bad, jobs open up, opportunities are available and there are chances to advance your career. So should you take the risk, or stay put and play it safe? Sam Gordon, a recruiter with Harvey Nash Executive Search, argues that a recession can be an excellent time to take a new job, provided you've done your due diligence.

"Firms that are recruiting in a downturn are doing so because the roles they have to fill have a major importance to their organizations," Gordon told CIO.com.

He notes that such strategic roles are unlikely to be cut if a company chooses to invest in them despite the downturn. What's more, companies that continue to fill key positions and invest in strategic projects tend to be more innovative and dynamic.

So here's the question: Do you have a strategy for surviving the recession?

For more advice in this tough climate:
- check out this CIO.com article

Related Article:
Recruiters: Tips on getting the job you want

Don't tell your boss

Judi Hasson — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:42:17 -0400

If you want your career to prosper, it might be a good idea to know what information should be shared with your CIO, and what not to say to the boss. Computerworld asked 100 IT Leaders to talk about the kinds of messages they never want to hear from their staffers. For one, the IT leaders said they never wanted to hear their employees say they know nothing about the business. They also said they would not take kindly to a staffer saying there is only one solution to a problem. And finally, they said they don't like to hear one colleague blame another for problems or missed deadlines when teamwork, not finger pointing, is the goal.

For more on what the boss wants:
- check out this Computerworld.com article