“Top Five Fastest Growing IT Jobs” Datamation, September 15
The five fastest-growing IT jobs include: network systems and data communications analyst, computer applications software engineer, computer systems software engineer, network and computer systems administrator, and database administrator.
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/article.php/3632196
“Become Your Own IT Career Coach” InfoWorld, September 18
In order to advance your career within the technology industry, sometimes it is helpful to think of your career as a personal brand. … In short, if you really want to be your own personal brand and have a more successful career, you need to think the way a product manager thinks.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/09/18/38FEjobscoach_1.html
“Business Intelligence Skills” Computerworld, September 18
In order to become a business intelligence professional, it is important to have a mix of computer science savvy, business knowledge, analytical skills, and the ability to think creatively.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=112811&source=NLT_CAR&nlid=5
“Four Simple Steps to Worldwide Fame” CIO.com, September 6
the article highlights the importance of activities such as networking, writing for trade publications, and speaking at conferences as catalysts for greater name recognition.
http://www.cio.com/career/boost/column.html?ID=24561&source=nlt_cioleader
“The Virtues of Volunteering” Network World, September 11
Volunteering for a nonprofit organization focused on technology can offer a number of advantages to IT workers. … As the article demonstrates, taking on the additional work paid off in terms of building new business relationships, winning new-found respect from peers, and learning more about corporate security. These advantages far outweighed the disadvantages of longer work weeks.
http://www.networkworld.com/careers/2006/091106-ciso-volunteering.html
Original Source: http://www.acm.org/careernews/issues/v2_i16.html
“How Five IT Chiefs Made the Leap to New Companies” Computerworld, August 21
Making the transition from one industry to another can pose a number of difficult issues, … realize that using technology to drive business results is a process that differs little from industry to industry.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9002572&source=NLT_CAR&nlid=5
“A Science or Engineering Degree Is Good for You” National Science Foundation, August 14
According to a new National Science Foundation survey, an undergraduate degree in science or engineering can pay big dividends throughout a career, even if that career is eventually in a non-technical field.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-08/nsf-aso081406.php
“Best Hiring Practices” Business Week, August 10
As more companies are finding out, the transparency and professionalism of the hiring process can make a big difference when it comes to recruiting the best and the brightest employees. The hiring process is no longer tilted in favor of the employer, meaning that recruiters should consider job-seeker satisfaction from the initial interaction until the end of the process, whether it leads to employment or not. During the interview, recruiters should … attempt to create a warm atmosphere that is professional at all times. Fostering good communication can make job candidates feel more at ease. The bottom line is that a poor impression of a company might result in a candidate sharing a negative perception with friends and co-workers, all of whom are potential employees.
http://www.businessweek.com/print/careers/content/aug2006/ca20060810_662254.htm
“When Working At Home Does Not Work Anymore” Wall Street Journal Online, August 28
The number of full-time employees who work from home at least one day a month rose 30% to 9.9 million between 2004 and 2005. However, for many of these workers, telecommuting on a regular basis is starting to lose its appeal. … some employees feel it is to their disadvantage to work from home, since they might miss out on advancement opportunities or special projects by being away from the office. Others worry about a lack of space, quiet or needed office-support services at home.
http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/workfamily/20060828-workfamily.html?mod=RSS_Career_Journal&cjrss=frontpage
“A Guide to Building Trust for the New Guy” Computerworld, August 7
Whether you are starting a new job, taking on a new assignment or transferring to a different project, building trust with your new team members is vital. … Learning about your new team members is the most important step for incoming managers. It is also important to confirm your role within the organization, …
It is important for you to let others know what you expect of them. … Building trust requires trusting others. Show the team that you are willing to take its advice and you will gain their respect. Finally, follow through on what you said you were going to do and be honest about communicating progress on milestone goals.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=112572&source=NLT_CAR&nlid=5
Original Source: http://www.acm.org/careernews/issues/v2_i15.html
“Ten Questions with Libby Sartain of Yahoo” Guy Kawasaki blog, August 15
Guy Kawasaki interviews Libby Sartain of Yahoo, who is responsible for leading the global HR efforts at the company. … writing a brief 50-word elevator pitch can help candidates deliver a quick summary of who they are and what they can offer … personality, passion and a deep understanding of the competitive landscape go a long way during the job selection process … show … that you are fun, friendly, and passionate about your career.
http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/08/ten_okay_13_que.html
“Interview Etiquette Begins the Minute You Walk in the Door” CareerJournal.com, August 2
a job interview actually begins before you walk through the door of the interviewer. … Through a number of anecdotes, the article illustrates how a failure to understand the finer points of interview etiquette can negatively impact the final hiring decision.
http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/manageyourcareer/20060802-managingyourcareer.html
Original Source: http://www.acm.org/careernews/issues/v2_i12.html
“Five Tips to Getting the Best Networking Team” Computerworld, July 20
five things corporate recruiters can do to improve their chances of landing the best candidates, … placing more emphasis on business experience and less emphasis on technical skills during the hiring process. … companies are finding out, it is better to hire the type of person who can come in and do a certain job and still have the potential to move around in the organization. .. hiring managers … should … [network] through alumni organizations, industry colleagues and employee referral programs. companies that have excellent interviewers get excellent hires.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9001897&source=NLT_CAR&nlid=5
“Some IT Pros are Having Little Luck Finding New Positions” Computerworld, July 24
consider whether you are as marketable as you think … hiring managers are seeking only the most talented individuals, especially those with strong soft skills and knowledge of business fundamentals, as well as the ability to make immediate contributions to the organization. … only 3% to 5% of job seekers locate a new position through online sites. In short, the Internet should be just one of the many strategies you employ during your job hunt.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9001944&source=NLT_CAR&nlid=5
Original Source: http://www.acm.org/careernews/issues/v2_i13.html
“Biz Tops Tech in Job Hunt” Information Week, July 17
In addition to technical skills, managerial experience and project management skills, recruiters are now looking for IT workers with … top-flight communication skills that enable them to interact with customers, managers and other co-workers.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=191000023
Original source: http://www.acm.org/careernews/issues/v2_i12.html
“The China Gambit” CIO.com, June 15
Currently, China is facing a shortage of IT executive and management talent, leading many firms in China to accelerate their recruitment of Westerners with hands-on knowledge of how to manage in a multinational environment. … IT in China can be a real challenge for Westerners … managers must confront old and established hierarchies within Chinese companies. … Chinese companies came aboard when their enterprises were run by the state and Communist party. … As is typical within any bureaucracy, they are unaccustomed to rapid change. They often resist new ideas, especially when they come from outsiders. http://www.cio.com/archive/061506/china.html?source=ciocareers
Some notes on this article:
It’s important to point out that the “established hierarchies” the author makes reference to are in fact “ancient hierarchies” and have existed within Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian societies for thousands of years. These hierarchies are engrained in their sophisticated cultures, and aren’t something you can expect to change. I agree, managers and IT workers must confront these structures, but in a similar way you approach “culture shock” – you soak up your new environment, adapt, and practice cultural sensitivity. Most successful companies in Japan work within the bounds of the system (the bureaucracy), with a façade (a presentation layer) of Asian business men as their connection between the companies (the local community) and the IT workers. As an IT worker or a company you’ll have to work against the idea of sustainability, buying local, and various forms of anti-globalization, etc…
“The Broken MBA” The Chronicle of Higher Education, June 23
the MBA degree is broken and no longer relevant for many sectors of the U.S. economy … graduates need to be better prepared for work at small-scale organizations such as those found in areas like Silicon Valley. http://chronicle.com/free/v52/i42/42b01601.htm
Original source: http://www.acm.org/careernews/issues/v2_i11.html
“Enterprises Focus on Retaining Tech Talent” Datamation, June 8
anecdotal evidence suggests that work-life balance issues now run neck-and-neck with salary issues, meaning that companies can no longer focus solely on compensation. http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/career/article.php/3612016
“Rethinking the Value of Talent” Strategy + Business magazine (via Business Innovation Insider), June 2006
Two senior executives from recruiting firm Manpower share their thoughts on how to measure and manage employee contributions to corporate value. … The four categories of employees include: Creators, Ambassadors, Craft Masters and Drivers. http://www.businessinnovationinsider.com/2006/06/a_model_for_evaluating_the_tal.php
“High Schools Fail To Meet Needs of Tech-Driven World” Information Week, June 12
According to a new report from the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), U.S. high schools are doing a poor job of preparing America’s youth for careers within the technology sector. http://www.informationweek.com/management/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400682&subSection=Best+Practices
MBA Worth the Effort, but Doesn’t Guarantee IT Stardom” SearchCIO.com, June 14
IT experts debated the pros and cons of getting an MBA for mid-career IT professionals. … proponents of the MBA acknowledge that the degree is not critical for day-to-day operations and is “no substitute for job performance.” … The bottom line: the MBA can’t hurt, and usually helps. http://searchcio.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid19_gci1193584,00.html
Original source: http://www.acm.org/careernews/issues/v2_i10.html