As a career counselor, career guidance professional, staffing executive, HR professional who has hired or placed 1,275+ individuals, I am seeing trends and would like to share some observations.
I'm also an executive search professional dealing with placement of direct hire and contract hire professionals.
A benefit of my assignment is, I get the pulse of the market.
Here are my recent observations and my opinions: First, the technology market has bottomed and is picking up.
Next, I have not seen a major turn around in the executive market, directors and above, but see increasing demand for Project Managers / PMO leaders particularly with PMP Certifications.
The entry level market, from all reports seems to be about the same as last year.
Specialty technologies, ORACLE, JAVA / J2EE, ATG, ColdFusion, WebLogic, and specific areas: Security for CISSP certified professionals, Agile - XP - SCRUM experienced programmers and analyst professionals have expanded demand.
There are others, but these few are front-and-center.
If you don't have a degree and have been out of work, your path back may be difficult unless there is a major surge in employment.
If you have been out of work, and have gone back to school for a degree / certification / specialty training, that should be to your advantage.
If you have been out of work for six months or more and have lived on unemployment while your spouse supported the household, the path back will be more difficult than anyone anticipated.
If you have taken contract positions and have been employed, your chance to improve your hourly rate / compensation is much improved.
If your "reputation" from contract assignments can be described as "bright, focused, great attention to detail, successful, super technologist, leader...
" those descriptors should aid you immensely in landing a new opportunity.
If you have been out of work for months, the compensation received in your last position diminishes monthly each month you stay unemployed.
If you have "networked" through church, children's school, university clubs, volunteering, your chances for employment should be improved.
I don't want to sound like a naysayer, but my experience in placing good numbers of direct hire and contract personnel during difficult times has brought these topics to the center of my attention.
If you need help in determining a path-to-success, seek a professional assistance for a reality check and get immediate career advice.
Call (248) 630 - 5555 or visit www.
careers-in-transition.
com for further information.
I'm also an executive search professional dealing with placement of direct hire and contract hire professionals.
A benefit of my assignment is, I get the pulse of the market.
Here are my recent observations and my opinions: First, the technology market has bottomed and is picking up.
Next, I have not seen a major turn around in the executive market, directors and above, but see increasing demand for Project Managers / PMO leaders particularly with PMP Certifications.
The entry level market, from all reports seems to be about the same as last year.
Specialty technologies, ORACLE, JAVA / J2EE, ATG, ColdFusion, WebLogic, and specific areas: Security for CISSP certified professionals, Agile - XP - SCRUM experienced programmers and analyst professionals have expanded demand.
There are others, but these few are front-and-center.
If you don't have a degree and have been out of work, your path back may be difficult unless there is a major surge in employment.
If you have been out of work, and have gone back to school for a degree / certification / specialty training, that should be to your advantage.
If you have been out of work for six months or more and have lived on unemployment while your spouse supported the household, the path back will be more difficult than anyone anticipated.
If you have taken contract positions and have been employed, your chance to improve your hourly rate / compensation is much improved.
If your "reputation" from contract assignments can be described as "bright, focused, great attention to detail, successful, super technologist, leader...
" those descriptors should aid you immensely in landing a new opportunity.
If you have been out of work for months, the compensation received in your last position diminishes monthly each month you stay unemployed.
If you have "networked" through church, children's school, university clubs, volunteering, your chances for employment should be improved.
I don't want to sound like a naysayer, but my experience in placing good numbers of direct hire and contract personnel during difficult times has brought these topics to the center of my attention.
If you need help in determining a path-to-success, seek a professional assistance for a reality check and get immediate career advice.
Call (248) 630 - 5555 or visit www.
careers-in-transition.
com for further information.