The Tech Sector is Strong - But Which Tech Jobs Are Best?
Posted on July 5, 2008
Filed Under Career Advice, Career News, Employment Trends, USA Job Resources | Leave a Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
On the heals of the June Jobs Report, experts were quick to jump in and point out that the technology sector remains strong, losing very few jobs at a time when other industries are hurting. Unfortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics lumps all tech jobs together into one big category. For those considering a career in a technical field, it is difficult to know which jobs are most in demand.
To address this question, we’ve taken a quick snapshot of technology jobs in the 10 top tech job markets* (*according to Wired Magazine) and broken them down by subcategory. To do this, we used Craigslist jobs postings for June 3rd, 2008. With a few minor adjustments, such as removing repetitive or miscategorized listings, this is how it broke down:
As you can see, software, quality assurance, and database administrator jobs far outperformed all other categories. While this is still a fairly broad swathe of the job market, it does indicate that programmers have an advantage over network administrators, web designers, and other information technology workers.
Resources For Human Resources Volume II: Social Networking
Posted on July 4, 2008
Filed Under Employer Resources, Human Resources, Job Search, Networking | Leave a Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
Whether you’re an HR professional or a job seeker, these resources provide valued insight into the minds and lives of job recruiters. Check them out for strategizing your job search, or to get to know other people in the human resources industry.
Found via Lance Haun of YourHRGuy.com:
- Recruitingblogs.com. A social networking site for job recruiters. Includes thousands of blog posts from recruiters around the world.
- HR Bloggers. A web ring of HR bloggers, with some interesting posts, like this rather scary one about worst HR experiences. Apparently, this industry is not for the faint of heart!
- HRMToday.com - Lance Haun’s own site for the HR industry, includes the ability to post your own blogs and add feeds to your HR blog.
June Jobs Report Grim as Feared
Posted on July 3, 2008
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by Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
Employment numbers are in for June, 2008.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that unemployment remained essentially unchanged from its high last month of 5.5%, with no slight adjustment down as some experts had predicted. Sectors that were the hardest hit were construction and manufacturing, as well as professional and business services. Health care continues to be one of very few bright spots.
Country Holds Its Breath, Waiting on Jobs Report
Posted on July 2, 2008
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By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
May’s Jobs Report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics was discouraging to say the least, with unemployment rising from 5.0 to 5.5% in one month’s time, the largest single-month increase in 22 years. For a variety of reasons, including teens entering the Summer workforce, experts think the report may not have told the whole story. Still, it’s anticipated that when the report is released tomorrow, it will contain some bad news. The dollar is already trading lower in anticipation.
Counter-Offers: Good, Bad, or an Opportunity?
Posted on June 30, 2008
Filed Under Career Advice, General, job offers, salaries | Leave a Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
Hal Reiter, Chairman and CEO of a senior-level executive search firm, advises in a Forbes opinion piece that accepting a counteroffer may look like a good idea, but will ultimately result in resentment and career suicide. All over the internet, job experts say the same thing: if you are planning to leave your current job, and your employer makes a counteroffer, DON’T TAKE IT! Article after article sites the same study by Christian & Timbers, which found that employees who accept counter-offers generally end up leaving within 6 months to a year.
It’s not always that simple, however. As Ruby Bayan, guest contributor to Tech Republic points out, there may be valid reasons why a counter-offer could improve your work situation. She cites the example of an employee who wanted to leave to be closer to his pregnant wife - there were concrete things his company could and did offer to keep him in his current job. On the other hand, if your reasons for leaving have more to do with an unpleasant work environment, more money or a better title isn’t likely to ameliorate the problem. Also, consider that many of these pieces were written at a time of relative prosperity. Carefully evaluate the strengths of each company before making any decision and if one or the other firm is beginning to show signs of financial strain, take that into serious consideration.
Ultimately, experts agree that the most important factors in evaluating a counter-offer are the reasons you are considering leaving your job in the first place. Before you walk into your boss’s office, make sure you are prepared for the “you’re too valuable” talk. Consider why you want to leave, whether or not the counteroffer will really address those core issues, and how your employer and co-workers may feel if they think you are forcing them to make the offer. Choose cautiously and wisely, and know that the odds of remaining with your current employer may be stacked against you.
*photo by Egan Snow
Employment Trends by Region: June 2008
Posted on June 28, 2008
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By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
Our international employment/unemployment weather report, for June 2008. The overall economic outlook is a little gloomy, with a few bright spots in Texas, Seattle, Silicon Valley, and in the international arena.
United States:
The Associated Press reported yesterday that congress has approved an extension of unemployment benefits for Americans who have already used up their regular 26 week allotment. Under the plan, unemployed workers will receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits, running through March of 2009. To qualify, workers must have been employed for 20 weeks or its equivalent before their lay off.
In June, The American Electronics Association released its “Cybercities Report” - ranking cities according to the success of their high-tech economy, based on 2006 numbers. According to the report, the Seattle area saw the greatest increase in high tech jobs.
The Washington Post Small Business Blog reported this month on a new study commissioned by the Small Business Administration, finding that small, older businesses contribute more private-sector employment and revenue growth to the economy than younger or larger businesses. Read the whole report here. (PDF)
By State:
California - May unemployment rates climbed by the highest one month increase since the state began keeping records in 1976, with construction jobs accounting for the biggest losses. Silicon Valley jobs and unemployment both increase, with employment above the state average. The San Diego County jobless rate hit a five year high.
Illinois - Unemployment rates up in the Metro-East, where locals worry that a full percentage point increase in one month spells bad news for the area economy. However, new construction may create some short-term gains.
Missouri - May unemployment rates stayed the same, with decreases in business and professional services jobs offset by increases in health care, government, and automobile manufacturing.
New Jersey - Unemployment rates remain flat and slightly below the national average.
Texas - Employment is up by 2.8 percent in the Houston area, where the rise in oil prices benefits the local economy. According to AHN, “machine shops [employ] local community college students at $30 an hour even before the students finish their two-year courses.”
Internationally:
Australia - Employment rates slow and are predicted to slow further as construction rates decrease.
Canada - Unemployment rates skyrocket in Ontario with a 98.5 percent increase in Oshawa workers collecting Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. EI rates decline in Saskatchewan and Newfoundland. In British Columbia, declines in the US Housing Market lead to an increase in unemployed forest workers.
Italy - Employment gains slow, with unemployment remaining almost stagnant.
Philipines - Employment gains among Metro Manilla’s top 500 firms.
South Africa - employment rates increase modestly by .1 percent between December 2007 and March 2008.
*photo by Daquella Manera
Parachute Author Speaks in Seattle
Posted on June 26, 2008
Filed Under Career Advice, Career Books, Job Search | Leave a Comment
By Marc D. Snyder, Editor
Richard Nelson (Dick) Bolles, author of the hugely successful What Color is your Parachute spoke at Seattle’s Town Hall, last evening, June 25. In a visit organized by the UW Alumni Association, Centerpoint Institute and the Puget Sound Career Development Association, Dick discussed the history of the book and how he became involved in the field of career development. Dick was introduced and interviewed by Seattle TV personality and motivational speaker, Tony Ventrella.
Ten million copies and counting, What Color is Your Parachute?, is the world’s best-selling job search and career book, first published in 1970. The first edition was self-published by the author, who was an ordained Episcopal priest at the time. He had lost his own job, but had found a new one supervising campus ministers in the western U.S. He soon discovered that many ministers were losing their own jobs in the budget-crunch at the time. He typed out a handbook of his own suggestions and insights and had them copied at a local printer. Soon, he was receiving many requests for his ‘book’ and the ‘Parachute’ industry was born.
It was a lively night with many humorous insights into how best to find the best career in the 21st century. The book’s basic message hasn’t changed all that much in the thirty-eight years since first appearing on the bookshelves. How one goes about the career search is what makes all the difference. It’s about strategies. Some simply don’t work well at all (like resume bombing.) Dick believes that what does work well, and he has the scholarly studies to back him up, is simple : figure out what you truly enjoy and do well — and then go about finding the organization that needs people like you.
Seattle Girl Geeks Talk Careers
Posted on June 25, 2008
Filed Under Career Advice, Career News, Career Quotation, General, Networking | Leave a Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
The first Seattle Girl Geek Dinner took place last night at Microsoft’s Building 99, in Redmond Washington. The theme was “Career Building” and a panel of three successful “girl geeks” offered up their tips on getting ahead in the male-dominated world of information technology. About 120 women turned out to take part in the question/answer session, network, and get to know other women in their industry.
Randy Granovetter and Rebecca Black of Microsoft spoke alongside Dorothy Nicholls of Amazon.com, on topics ranging from how to manage stress to how to adapt to a male leadership style while maintaining your own identity.
Jabra founder and General Manager for Innovations at Microsoft’s IdeAgency Randy Granovetter confessed that at times she had to “be like Margaret Thatcher” or “be like Madonna” and reinvent herself regularly to satisfy her audience. She advised us to take risks, know our objectives, and do what it takes to achieve them.
Microsoft Antimalware Team Principal Test Manager Rebecca Black provided insight into the complicated world of team management. “Always take time to tell people when they are doing a good job,” she advised “it’s worth it.”
Senior Development Manager of Amazon’s Digital Media Group Dorothy Nicholls described her early experiences with salary negotiation: “When I first moved here, they asked me about salary and I said ‘Well, it doesn’t cost as much to live in Seattle as it does in the Bay Area, right?’” “The best advice I can give you is to always ask: What do you pay the other people in this position?”
Girl Geek Dinners began several years ago in London and now take place in cities across the globe. Seattle organizers Stevi Deter and Liz Morgan plan to hold more dinners in the near future. For more information, visit Seattlegirlgeekdinners.com.
Resume Advice From a Tech Giant: Microsoft Tells Us What They Look for in a Candidate
Posted on June 23, 2008
Filed Under Career Advice, Career Services, Job Search, resumes | Leave a Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
Looking for a job at a major tech company? Microsoft takes the guesswork out of their application process with their own JobsBlog. JobsBlog has lots of juicy details about what it takes to get a job at the Redmond WA powerhouse, but one of the most useful entries is this one, on what a recruiter looks for in an initial resume review. For example, the author cites target job title as one of the most important pieces of a resume, and emphasizes the importance of addressing gaps.
Written by actual Microsoft recruiters, JobsBlog is a must read for anyone considering a career in Information Technology, and anyone else trying to understand the reasoning of prospective employers.
*photo by Robert Scoble.
Resources for Human Resources, Volume I
Posted on June 20, 2008
Filed Under Career News, Employer Resources, Human Resources | Leave a Comment
By Jennifer Boutell, Careers.Org Contributing Editor
Looking for online help with labor, employment law, or human resources questions? Whether you’re an employer or an employee, you’ll enjoy these two great resources: Labor Law Center, and HR Professional Lance Haun.
For Employees and Small Businesses:
Need to ask a human resource/employment question, but don’t have (or don’t want to involve) your own HR department? Try out “Human Resource Blog,” a project of Labor Law Center. Every day, they post real questions by readers all over the United States and provide useful, researched answers. Some common topics include vacation pay, employee confidentiality, meal breaks, maternity leave, and benefits.
On the lighter side, you might enjoy the irreverence of “Yourhrguy.com,” a human resources blog written for the layperson. Talented blogger Lance Haun has some great advice, such as what to do about a flaky boss, and how to counter-offer when a valued employee attempts to leave.
For Employers and Human Resources Professionals:
Labor Law Center’s main blog features daily updates on labor and employment law issues. Check their blog daily to keep up with the latest human resources trends and news.
Building on his success with Yourhrguy.com, Lance Haun has established HRMtoday.com, featuring advice and trends related to benefits & compensation, HR tech, employment law, recruiting, talent management, and training.
In coming weeks, check Careers.Org for more featured resources. Don’t forget to also try out our list of employer resources.
*Photo by Stephan Ridgway.
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