Shannon from EXCELER8ion sent Z and me a link to the Computerworld article "Can’t Find a Job? Some IT pros are having little luck finding new positions" the other day. Interesting read. It basically gets at the premise that, yes, while the software engineering job market is heating up, many employers’ definition of a “qualified applicant” has shifted since days of yore. We’ve written about that before … and it’s true!
The author, an executive director at Robert Half – a IT staffing firm, also talks about how today’s job seekers often place too much faith in the internet … that by applying via a website, they think their job search is done. She says that tricks such as old fashion networking and getting involved with professional organizations can often lead you to your next job. I do agree with Katherine … except for her recommendation that you should sign on with a staffing firm. Most top companies are very choosy about their association with staffing firms (take Google’s announcement posted on their career page for example: "To all recruitment agencies: Google does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Google employees or any other company location.”) I’ve seen great candidates get disqualified because they went through a staffing firm, but that’s another story. The author, Katherine, runs a staffing firm … she’s supposed to tell you to use her. ;-) But I digress …
The article also discusses other issues such as focusing your job search on certain competencies such as your resume or interviewing skills and ensuring you follow up after submitting resume.
Anyway, it’s a good read. Just beware of those staffing firms.:) Make sure their confirmed and active clients include companies you really want to work for first.
gretchen