2010-02-27

Top 10 Skills in Demand in 2010

Global Knowledge

In the Global Knowledge/TechRepublic 2010 Salary Survey, conducted at that end of last year, one of the questions put to respondents was "What skill set will your company be looking to add in 2010?" The skills listed by respondents include the perennial favorites: security, network administration, and Windows administration. Also included are virtualization/cloud computing and Web development. Meanwhile, an old favorite, business analysis, makes a come back. Here's the complete list, with the No. 1 skill listed being in the highest demand.

1. PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
As we emerge from the recession, organizations aren't likely to go back to the go-go days of throwing money at IT initiatives or taking risks and deploying without careful thought and planning. Organizations are putting pressure on IT to only implement projects that can show real return-on-investment. The first step to achieving a good ROI is professional project planning and implementation.

Project management skills often appear in top 10 skills lists, perhaps because some organizations got their fingers burned in the 1990s through the poor implementation of IT projects such as enterprise resource planning initiatives. But even though the profession is mature (in IT terms), project managers still have work to do to advance their status within organizations. According to an article on the Project Management Institute Web site, project managers still have to develop their people skills, organizational leadership, and individual professionalism.

2. SECURITY:
It's a never-ending game of cat and mouse for security professionals and 2009 proved to be another fun filled year. According to Symantec's Security and Storage Trends to Watch report, the number of spam messages containing malware increased nine-fold to represent more than 2% of e-mails, while other criminals manipulated people's love of social networking sites to launch attacks. Twitter, for example, spent much of 2009 battling DDoS and other attacks. Meanwhile, top headlines, such as the H1N1 flu and the death of Michael Jackson were used by criminals to lure people to download malware.

Symantec predicts more of the same in 2010, warning that attackers will continue to use social engineering to get to consumers' sensitive data, and criminals will take Windows 7 as a challenge for seeking and exploiting vulnerabilities in the new platform. Mac and smartphones will also be targeted more by malware authors, Symantec says.

Despite the economic challenges of '09, organizations continued to hire security pros. The most sought-after security skills were information risk management, operations security, certification and accreditation, security management practices, and security architecture and models, according to a survey last year of 1,500 U.S.-based security pros by security certification provider ISC2. 2010 is expected to be another busy year from security professionals.

3. NETWORK ADMINISTRATION:
Networking administration skills never lose their luster. It's the second most sought after skill in the Global Knowledge survey and it will be the top skill sought by CIOs in the first quarter of 2010, according to a survey of IT chiefs by Robert Half Technology. In 2010, organizations are expected to upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2 and the Windows 7 client, and perhaps install Exchange Server 2010 and SharePoint 2010. Enterprises are going to need network administrators to ensure network traffic continues to move without a hitch.

Meanwhile, Cisco hopes to push more data-intensive traffic onto corporate networks. Video is a key focus for Cisco in 2010 as it works to finalize its control of video conferencing maker Tandberg and through its 2009 purchase of Pure Digital, developer of the Flip video camera. At the end of last year, Cisco introduced two TelePresence certifications: the Cisco TelePresence Solutions Specialist for midcareer voice or networking engineers seeking to specialize in the planning, design and implementation of Cisco TelePresence; and TelePresence Installation Specialist aimed at installation technicians.

4. VIRTUALIZATION - CLOUD:
The projected cost savings and efficiencies are no-brainers for organizations seeking to implement virtualization and cloud computing. With the cloud computing space now taking shape it's difficult for enterprises to find pros with substantial relevant experience. Instead companies are drawing expertise from a range of IT skill sets, including storage, networks and desktop, according to a Network World article. Initially companies will set up cross-functional teams to buy and implement virtualization, but eventually cloud computing will be an expected skill set of systems administrators. In a few years, it could even be a standard skill set of all IT pros because it touches different aspects of IT.

For details about virtualization certifications from leading virtualization software vendors VMware, Citrix and Microsoft, see Global Knowledge's Top IT Certifications in Demand Today newsletter of June 2009.

5. BUSINESS ANALYSIS:
Business analysis roles were commonplace in many organizations in the 1990s when big projects, such as enterprise resource planning initiatives, required the critical thinking that business analysts could provide. But as businesses began moving at a faster pace, business analysis fell by the wayside. Factors such as the economic downturn and regulatory compliance have forced companies to take a step back and to think through business problems and their solutions, and business analysis is making a comeback, as a result. Kathleen Barret, president of the International Institute of Business Analysis says the discipline is a phoenix rising.

The IIBA describes the job of a BA as a "liaison among stakeholders in order to elicit, analyze, communicate, and validate requirements for changes to business processes, policies, and information systems." IT pros are good candidates for BA jobs because they have a broad perspective of a company's business, says Barret. There are three types of BAs: enterprise BAs who identify opportunities for business change and defines the work to be done; transition BAs who fine-tunes the plans; and project BAs who work on project teams that implement the changes. Annual salaries average around $75,000 with enterprise and transition analysts earning more, Barret says.

For more about business analysis, see the IIBA's Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge.

6. BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT:
With project management and business analysis skills appearing in this skills list, it's no surprise that business process improvement skill is also here. Business process improvement and business analysis go hand-in-hand. Business analysts identify areas for improvements to business processes, while business process improvement or management pros use BPM techniques and technologies to help companies optimize their business processes.

A recent BPM survey by IT researchers, the Aberdeen Group says the top reasons business are driving BPM activity are the need to reduce operating costs and to improve cash flow. However, the top barrier to adoption was the lack of knowledge about BPM. According to Gartner, among the competencies required for successful BPM initiatives include process skills, tools and process assets, and transformation skills.

To learn more about BPM, go to the Web site of the Business Process Management Initiative (BPMI.org), which promotes the standardization of common business processes; and the BPMinstitute.org, which describes itself as a peer-to-peer exchange for business process management professionals.

7. WEB DEVELOPMENT:
If you are -- or you know friends who are -- addicted to the FarmVille game on Facebook you'll know the power of Web development. In just a few short months, FarmVille's popularity has spread across the globe as Facebook fans tend to their farms and purchase virtual goods. The game, including others by FarmVille developer Zynga, has netted the start-up more than 200 million monthly unique users for its online apps. One financial analyst reckons Zynga could be valued at $1 billion if it were to go IPO in mid-2010.

Developing Facebook games is just one extreme of the vast Web development spectrum. Building iPhone apps could also be very profitable, writes Web developer and blogger Glen Stansberry. As moderator of the Freelance Switch job board, Stansberry listed other popular Web development skills including Framework knowledge, widget development, content management system customizations (for small businesses looking to create a unique look to their standard Wordpress and Drupal blogs), and Javascript Plugin creation.

8. DATABASE MANAGEMENT:
Databases are the hearts of key business systems that drive payroll, manufacturing, sales, transaction processing, and more. Programmers must be able to build programs that quickly and efficiently interface with the database management system (DBMS), while database administrators "must be able to bring the full power of database features to bear on business problems", writes Oracle- and IBM-certified DBA Howard Fosdick in his whitepaper Database Skills Availability: Critical to Your Selection of Database. "DBA expertise can be the Achilles' heel of database projects - many IT projects have failed due to the inability to secure DBA talent or successfully address DBA issues," he adds.

The major database vendors are Oracle, IBM and Sybase. Oracle runs three main certification programs for database professionals. Oracle Certified Associate is the first rung of the Oracle certification ladder. Next is the flagship Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) credential, which certifies an individual's ability to manage, develop, or implement enterprise-wide databases and other software. Oracle Certified Master (OCM) is Oracle most advanced accreditation. IBM offers a dizzying array of certifications surrounding its DB2 product series. The main credentials are IBM Certified Database Associate, Database Administrator, Application Developer, and Advanced Database Administrator. Sybase has two sets of certifications for its Adaptive Server Enterprise product: ASE Administrator Associate and ASE Administrator Professional; and ASE Developer Associate and ASE Developer Professional.

9. WINDOWS ADMINISTRATION:
As previously mentioned, Microsoft shops are expected in 2010 to upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2 and the Windows 7 client, and perhaps install Exchange Server 2010 and SharePoint 2010 as well. Windows administration skills is going to be key for many enterprises implementing and maintaining existing and upgraded systems.

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 certifications at the MCTS level cover configurations for Active Directory, networking, and applications. Certifications available for the MCITP level are Server 2008 Server Administration, Enterprise Administration. In a November blog posting in Microsoft's Born to Learn blog, the company wrote that the first of its Windows Server 2008 virtualization exams would be entering beta soon. The exams will cover server virtualization, desktop virtualization, and virtualization administration. Windows 7 pros can certify as MCTS: Windows 7 - Configuration, and MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7.

10. DESKTOP SUPPORT:
Our recent article "Top Certifications in Demand Today" listed desktop support as a hot skill. In Global Knowledge's 2010 salary survey, it was named as the 10th most sought-after skill this year. In the June article, we quoted Robert Half Technology Executive Director Dave Willmer as saying that businesses will need desktop support personnel to support new workers as organizations begin hiring as the economy improves. The introduction of Microsoft Windows 7 is also expected to generate additional interest.

Microsoft currently provides the MCITP: Consumer Support Technician, and MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician certifications, but they are based on Windows Vista. Microsoft, in its Born to Learn blog, in November said that it is working on a MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technican certification. Prospective candidates are advised to prepare for 680: Win 7, Configuring and 685: Win 7, EDST.

2010-01-15

Outlook 2010 IT skills checklist: The vertical climb

Denise Dube - ITWorld Canada

IT professionals still smarting from the pain of the economic recession inflicted in 2009 won't find immediate relief in a booming employment market for 2010, analysts say. How to prepare for the new reality.

2009-11-27

IT Hiring Expected to Increase in Canada Over Next Three Months

Jennifer Kavur - Computerworld Canada

2009-10-22

Five tips on conducting an effective job search online

Michelle MacLeod - ITbusiness.ca

Searching and applying for jobs online is becoming increasingly popular among Canadian knowledge workers today.

Businesses too have started to post positions – not just on the traditional online job boards – but also on social media sites, such as Twitter, LinkedIn or Craigslist.

While the number of online job seekers has increased, only a few are successful in landing that coveted interview.

Career coaches say there are very definite things online job hunters should, and shouldn't, do to convey a professional image – and enhance their chances of getting called for an interview.

Technology can certainly help convey this professionalism, but only if used correctly, they say.

"They way you use technology speaks volumes about your skills, style, ability to connect with future employers, and your manners," said Richard Bayer, chief operating officer of The Five O'Clock Club, a career coaching network in New York.

Bayer is author of The Good Person Guidebook: Transforming Your Personal Life.

He said the content of our messages sends subtle, and sometimes not so subtle signals to a prospective employer that can "improve or derail our chances of getting an interview and ultimately landing that job."

A person who pays attention to technology etiquette, or netiquette, sets themselves apart from scores of other job applicants who are careless in this regard, he says.

Here are five main tips job hunters should keep in mind when using the Internet for their search.

1. Try the traditional route first

Interestingly, Bayer suggests it often helps to send your résumé the old-fashioned way: via snail mail. "A little bit of old with a little bit of new is the thing to do."

While technology has made it easier and more efficient to e-mail your résumé to potential employers, Bayer says hiring mangers pay greater attention to applications that are physically in front of them.

Using the traditional mail service for the original point of contact allows your application to stand out from the rest and ensures your message isn't accidentally deleted or sent to the junk box.

Hiring managers receive hundreds of e-mails a day and many applicants are under-qualified and unsuited for the job. So it's quite possible for a hiring manager to either miss your online application message or delete it accidentally.

Snail mail also lets you make an impression with superior paper quality, typeface or layout, Bayer said, while most e-mail applications will all appear standard.

The ubiquity of e-mail means you may be the only one sending your copy in paper form – increasing your chances of standing out and getting noticed, he said.

One absolute no-no for first contact, which is more dangerous than sending an e-mail, is to try and instant message a potential employer.

Instant messaging is a permission-based concept, Bayer said. Seeking out and using a hiring manager's IM is rude and intrusive and should be off-limits to job seekers, the same holds true for personal social networking sites, such as Facebook.

2. Follow up with an e-mail

After dropping your cover letter and résumé into the mail box, you can then use to technology and follow up with an e-mail to ensure your package was received.

Hiring decisions are often made very quickly and postal mail may not be fast enough to slip your message in before the selection is made.

E-mail is also the appropriate tool to use when contacting someone who was referred to you through a mutual friend or member of your network.

But Bayer advises putting that friend's name in the subject line to ensure your e-mail isn't automatically deleted.

"Remember that you should spend just as much time crafting your e-mail as you would a traditional letter," says Bayer. "E-mails are often scanned or read quickly, and they are easily misinterpreted."

Jacqueline Whitmore, author of Business Class Etiquette: Essentials for Success at Work, says e-mails should be treated as a formal business letter. "Err on the side of formality," is her advice.

E-mails, said Whitmore, should have a subject line, be well-written, and ensure accuracy of spelling and grammar. Follow-up should take place within 48 hours and reiterate why you are good for the job, as well as how you feel you can contribute to their company.

"Some suggest sending follow up notes by hand, but many companies store files electronically and a hand-written note could be misplaced or forgotten when your package is being reviewed."

Surprisingly, many applicants also forget to include contact information, she said. Job seekers should ensure their information is up to date, accurate and includes a phone number and e-mail address that you can be reached at.

"It's important to follow the small steps and pay attention to etiquette because they make a big impact," she said. "Job seekers are evaluating you at every step of the way and if you are not managing your manners in the beginning, they may not believe you have the communication skills they desire."

3. Don't rely too much on mobile devices

Blackberries are glued to the thumbs of many professionals and a lot of people rely on their technology for most of their daily correspondence.

However, the typical mobile message has at least two typos, because it is composed in a hurry and in quick reaction to an inbound e-mail, Bayer said.

If you want to appear thoughtful, sit down and carefully craft an e-mail, use spell-check and proof-read everything you send to a potential employer. Remember, e-mails sent from Blackberries are stamped with their logo.

Mobile phones should also be avoided for phone interviews, he said. Sound quality and transmission are sometimes unreliable and could annoy an interviewer.

Cell phones, said Bayer, can be used for setting up or changing an appointment, only. If you don't have a landline – ensure you are in a location that is quiet to avoid having to shout.

And job seekers should also always carry a pen and pad to write down information about a job interview. "Asking your interviewer to e-mail you information is a huge no-no."

Avoid calling a hiring manager on his or her cell phone. Cell phones are for friends and families – not for job seekers, he said.

4. Make smart use of social networks

Professional networking Web sites, such as LinkedIn, help you build a network and stay in touch with folk who are well-connected in your industry, Bayer noted.

Networking, he said, is really the "bread and butter" of the job search. Keeping in touch with people you meet should be top priority, because you never know when someone's company may be looking to hire.

He said posting your information on LinkedIn or on job sites will help hiring managers find you, but this should not be your only job search method.

You should also be reaching out to users in your friends' networks and introducing yourself through direct networking, Bayer said.

"Remember if you can hit send, so can a million other people," he said. "Don't overestimate the power of the Web"

5. Pay attention to your digital footprint

Common sense goes a long way in improving netiquette – especially in enhancing your online reputation.

With employers are turning to the Internet for information about job seekers, it's important for applicants to Google their own names, clean up their social networking profiles and improve their professional reputation online, said Igor Abramovitch, division director of consulting services at Robert Half Technology in Toronto.

If you belong to a personal networking site, such as Facebook, change your privacy settings, he said.

Applicants, said Abramovitch, can monitor other sites by setting up alerts or RSS feeds so they receive an e-mail notification whenever their name is mentioned anywhere on the Web.

If a lot of information that's posted can't be removed, or another person by the same name and similar stats as you posts unflattering material online, it might be wise to mention that in your interview, Abramovitch said.

"The biggest piece of advice I can give is to assume anything you post online could become public. Even if it is in a restricted group now, it may be moved or privacy settings could change. So be very mindful of what you're putting on the Web."

Applicants can also actively improve their online footprint by participating in industry-related sites that encourage collaboration, such as commenting on blogs, commenting on articles or making suggestions online when users ask for input.

Web sites such as ZoomInfo allow users to post information about themselves, he said, so users should consider these, as well as any other industry-specific sites for networking, in addition to using LinkedIn.

2009-09-18

Hot IT job areas in a recession ravaged market

Nestor E. Arellano - ITbusiness.ca

Companies are still very selective of the IT talent they hire but there are quite a few openings out there if you know what to look for. Here's a short list of IT positions that have survived the recession and hold out a lot of promise over the next five years.
 

Pickings remain pretty slim in the recession-ravaged Canadian IT jobs market, but there could be a few gems for those who know what to look for.

Companies haven't exactly flung their doors wide open to job hunters.

Still tech professionals should keep their eyes peeled for IT fields that survived the economic downturn and are even expected to thrive within the next few years, says Stuart Crawford, vice-president of development at Calgary-based BulletProof Infotech.

Crawford's firm provides business and IT advice and support.   

"It's definitely not a jobseeker's market," he said. "Many organizations are just starting to recover from the economic blow but it's not a complete wipe out."  

Recently, when BulletProof hired a person for an entry level IT sales position, Crawford noted that he company took its time in picking a desirable candidate.

"Two years ago, we would have taken the first person that walked in the door because talent was tight. Today it's the complete opposite and we can afford to take our time."  

Many Canadian firms began freezing hiring activities and putting projects on hold as the cold clutches of the recession took hold of the local IT industry by fall last year, according to Barnaby Jeans, developer audience marketing manager at Microsoft Canada.

Many companies expect to gain momentum this fall and are confident that by early 2010 their businesses will begin showing some growth, said Jeans.

Various surveys suggest that this September will mark the turnaround month for many businesses.

For example, demand for IT positions are expected to grow over the next quarter – and this trend will carry into 2010, according to a recent survey by Sapphire Technologies Canada and IBM Canada Ltd.

Eighty seven per cent of more than 300 directors, vice-presidents and CIOs surveyed across Canada expect to maintain or increase their IT staffing levels over the next quarter.

Forty nine per cent expect staffing to stay the same, while 38 per cent anticipate new hires.

The increased demand is attributed to the installation of new enterprise-wide applications (26 per cent); increased workload (23 per cent); increased customer/end user support (16 per cent); and organizational growth (15 per cent).

Application development and infrastructure technology will become key skills, the survey indicates. Applications that will "attract the most attention" include .Net (27 per cent) and Java (25 per cent), the survey said.

Jeans and Crawford see continuing job opportunities in the following four areas:

1. IT Support services – There may be fewer openings available but demand for traditional IT services will never disappear. Demand for professionals with knowledge of or experience in wireless and network technologies will continue to increase as people become increasingly dependent on such devices. The growing number of computer users in is also expected to prop up computer and software support positions.

2. Software vendors – Many companies continue to look to software to reduce costs. This means software vendors are likely to maintain existing software developers or hire new talent, Crawford said.

3. Cloud computing – Cost cutting, productivity and flexibility continue to push cloud computing adoption in companies. As cloud computing and hosted services gain more mainstream acceptance, many firms will be seek cloud computing expertise. Cloud computing, said Crawford, will likely remain in high demand for the next five years.

4. Compliance and regulation – The recession failed to put a damper on regulatory requirements. If anything, governments and industry bodies have become stricter in making sure businesses comply with legislation and industry regulations.

Sarbanes-Oxley, Canada's PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) and other industry regulations will deepen the need for IT advisors and consultants proficient in these areas, said Crawford. He said companies want to ensure their assets are protected and business remains on the right side of the law.

The key to maintaining an edge in the IT job market, Jeans said, is to keep skills and industry contacts fresh. "IT professionals need to continually hone their skills and acquire new ones because technology is always changing."

Jeans is involved in TechDays, a series of Canada-wide intensive skills training events for developers and IT professionals.

The event, which kicks off  Sept. 14, will be held in Toronto, Montreal Ottawa, Halifax, Calgary, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

While employed, IT professionals can take advantage of company-backed training opportunities, while those between jobs can use the free time to learn new skills, Jeans said.

2009-08-31

IT hiring expected to grow over next 3 months

Jennifer Kavur - Computer World Canada

A new survey from Sapphire Technologies and IBM on hiring intentions in the Canadian IT sector reports a very positive outlook ahead, with 87 per cent of senior-level executives planning to maintain or increase staff. But an Info-Tech analyst cautions the layoffs might not be over yet

Good news is on the horizon for IT pros. According to a new survey from Sapphire Technologies Canada and IBM Canada Ltd. on hiring intentions in the IT sector, demand for IT positions is expected to grow over the next quarter and carry into the upcoming year.

Eighty seven per cent of over 300 directors, vice-presidents and CIOs surveyed across Canada expect to maintain or increase their IT staffing levels over the next quarter. Forty nine per cent expect staffing to stay the same, while 38 per cent anticipate new hires.

Of the respondents planning to increase their IT staff, 37 per cent expect to hire full-time permanent positions, 21 per cent expect to hire contractors and 37 per cent expect to hire a combination of both.

The increase in demand for IT staff is attributed to the installation of new enterprise-wide applications (26 per cent); increased workload (23 per cent); increased customer/end user support (16 per cent); and organizational growth (15 per cent).

Application development and infrastructure technology will become key skills, suggests the survey. Applications that will “attract the most attention” include .Net (27 per cent) and Java (25 per cent).

“Application development tops the list, with 33 per cent of respondents expecting IT staff increases citing it as a skill they will be looking for over the next quarter and into the following 12 months,” states the survey, conducted by The Verde Group.

Infrastructure technology skills follow second at 26 per cent, while 34 per cent of respondents reported plans to seek a combination of both.

Project managers and business analysts are expected to become key roles.

The survey also found talent requirements “vary according to size of organization.” Web development/design and desktop support skills are greater in small to mid-sized companies; network administration is the most sought-after skill in mid-sized companies; and larger companies see more value in IT security and telecommunication support, states the survey.

IT is one of the first industries to bounce back after a recession, according to Sapphire Canada.

“We tend to see technology take off in many cases ahead of other industries or other sectors and we are seeing it again,” said Sergio Mateus, president of Sapphire Canada. With over 21 years experience in the industry, Mateus has witnessed three recessions. In every case, this is “exactly what happens,” he said.

But the rise in full-time hires is an unexpected result, Mateus pointed out. “Traditionally, what we have seen coming out of slowdowns up to now is that contract hiring, the hiring of consultants, usually takes off before full time hiring. Here we are seeing the opposite,” he said.

2009-07-15

CIO salary shocker: Canadian women out-earning men!

Shane Shick - CIO Canada

2009-06-18

Optimism rises among Canadian IT workers ... pay raises likely for some

Nestor E. Arellano - ITBusiness.ca

While hiring at many Canadian firms will be slow this summer, industry insiders say IT personnel in certain positions are likely to get pay raises. They include application developers, database managers and top tech support personnel.

"Canadian employers are indicating they will expand their payroll but at a weaker pace than in the previous quarter," reports Lori Rogers, vice-president, staffing services at Manpower Canada.

A Manpower Employment Outlook survey of 1,900 Canadian employers indicates hiring will remain "mild" from July to September.Just 16 per cent of respondents plan on increasing payroll in the third quarter of 2009.

Seventy per cent of employers say they will maintain their current workforce, 11 per cent anticipate hiring cutbacks, and three per cent remain unsure of their hiring intentions for the coming quarter.

The Net Employment Outlook is a "subdued" decline of minus three per cent for the third quarter of 2009, compared to the one per cent decline recorded in the previous three months. While that's not exactly great news, the numbers don't bode badly for a sector hoping for an early recovery, industry insiders say.

The hiring environment in Canada isn't as dismal as was earlier expected, according to Rod Miller, regional vice-president at staffing firm Robert Half Technology in Calgary. "I see a lot of optimism in the IT sector."

Overall companies aren't reducing IT staff as much as they are hiring, he said. The findings of Robert Half's poll of more than 270 Canadian CIOs correspond closely with those of the Manpower survey.

Robert Half asked the CIOs about their hiring intentions for the second quarter of the year.

Twelve per cent are planning to add IT staff and about 78 per cent plan on keeping existing personnel, Miller noted. A mere three per cent or so are planning staff cuts , while the rest are still unsure.

The Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report estimated the net hiring increase for the second quarter of 2009 at 11 per cent, compared to 13 per cent for the previous quarter.

The top three reasons given by CIOs for hiring are: high or increased IT workloads, routine hiring and corporate growth. Key reasons cited for staff reductions were: company-wide layoffs and the slumping economy.

Where to find jobs

The hiring climate in Atlantic Canada and Quebec are ahead of the national forecast, according to Rogers of Manpower.

The Manpower survey indicates that Atlantic Canada has the most favourable net employment outlook of 18 per cent, while for Quebec employers it's 10 per cent, for the third quarter. In Ontario, net employment outlook is a modest four per cent, while in Western Canada its estimated to be around three per cent.

Skills in demand

Many Canadian companies are hesitant to add IT staff until they're more certain about the timing of an economic recovery," according to Sandra Lavoy, vice-president for Robert Half.

She said managers are watching budgets closely.Lavoy said skills in Windows Administration for server 2000 and 2003 are highly sought in many IT departments and networking is a job category now enjoying growth.

Of CIO's polled by Robert Half: 60 per cent were looking for Windows administrators; 56 per cent sought network administrators skilled in Cisco and Nortel systems; and 58 per cent needed desktop support personnel and database managers with experience in Oracle, SQL Server and DB2. (The survey allowed for multiple responses). Here are nine most sought-after IT skills for 2009.

What employers will pay

A smaller pool of highly-skilled candidates for tech positions, coupled with fewer college graduates in IT-related studies make it difficult for employers to hire and retain people," according to Rogers of Manpower.Rogers said IT salaries are expected to increase by 4.3 per cent by next year. Find out what your skills are worth with the Computerworld Salary Calculator 

Rogers said the following are top 3 IT positions currently in demand and their corresponding salary ranges:

Application Architect/Developer – Companies will continue to invest in a wide range of key applications that will provide them with a competitive business edge. Application architects can expect to see starting salary ranges from $83,250 to $107, 750 by next year.

Database manager- Interoperable database systems, now deployed in many businesses, are responsible for placing at a premium IT professionals who can manage efficiently these systems. The salary range for dataset managers is expected to reach $81,000 to $116,000.

Technical support – As companies implement a wider range of technologies, the role of the IT support professional has gained importance. Base compensation for Tier 2 help desk professionals is projected to range from $41,250 to $53,750.

Check out the Top IT skills that could get you more money in a recession

Job hunt tools

IT specialists depend a great deal on personal contacts and are increasingly using Internet-based tools to land preferred IT, positions, according to Gabriel Bouchard, president of online career service site Workopolis.com.

Workopolis recently launched NicheNetwork, a specialized association and job board network that will help employers reduce the time they spend tracking down desirable candidates on job boards.

The online tool has a search and match feature that enables employers to set specific criteria regarding job skills and experiences they need. The tool has a filter that automatically ranks applicants based on posted criteria.

2009-06-03

Too much experience could be hurting your IT job search

Denise Dubie - IT World Canada

2009-04-23

Canada’s IT skills shortage persists despite recession, layoffs

Brian Jackson - ItBusiness.ca

Despite a cruel economy that's resulted in scores of layoffs across North America, Microsoft's Canadian partners, who specialize in serving small businesses, are still challenged by an IT skills shortage, according to a new survey.

Aside from the recession, a shortage of skilled IT staff was cited as the top future challenge by Microsoft's small business specialist certified partners in Canada. Of the more than 600 partners across the country, 37 per cent worried about the lack of skilled IT workers.

The problem isn't a lack of general IT workers in the market, but the unfulfilled need of many companies for very specific IT skill sets, says Corinne Sharp, director of Canadian reseller channel with Microsoft Canada.

“There's not as much of a need for ‘keep the lights on' IT staff as for the more specialized skills,” she says. This "is where we're seeing gaps in the business.”

The skills shortage is nothing new to Microsoft partners. There is even a Web site – www.msemploy.ca – dedicated to connecting partners to the IT workers with the right skills.

The IT industry layoffs story is spelled out in IT World Canada's Layoff Watch. In January, thousands of workers were kicked to the curb as tech companies rushed to cut costs. To list a few examples, EMC fired 2,400 workers, Lenovo 2,500, and Motorola 4,000.  

“It's a bit of an enigma,” says Ricky Mak, an SMB and channels research analyst with IDC Canada. “We've heard about all the layoffs across the industry, it's strange to hear about a shortage.”

But Microsoft partners aren't the only ones experiencing the impact of this paradox.

Other small businesses in the tech sector are also searching out hard-to-find specialized skills. Markham, Ont.-based Fastek International Inc. is an IT systems integration company shares the predicament.

“We would get lots of résumés, but the skills weren't there,” says Ashraf Ali, president of Fastek. “We're not your typical IT company, we're in the building automation domain.”

Fastek was seeking employees with a combination of IT and engineering skills, he adds. But since the recession has hit, business has slowed and the company is no longer looking to hire.

Channel partners are scrambling to find IT workers with very specific skill sets to support the needs of their clients, says Paul Edwards, the director of SMB & channels research at IDC Canada.

“SMB clients are expecting that type of skill specialization from their partners and not all of them can support that at this time,” he says. “You get different waves in the market where certain skills are required more than others.”

Canadian Microsoft partners are also looking to tap technology as a cost-savings mechanism during the recession. Virtualization was the most popular choice to help tighten the purse strings, with 39 per cent of survey respondents naming it.

Server consolidation was a popular cost-savings strategy before the economic downturn and the recession has strengthened that trend, says Microsoft's Corinne Sharp. Not only does it cost less in terms of hardware, but fewer staff are needed to maintain servers and companies can reduce time spent on this.

Associated people costs avoided are definite savings for an organization, she says.

Top priorities among surveyed partners were to generate new sales and marketing materials (55 per cent), and to establish new partnerships (44 per cent). Those are also areas where Microsoft is hoping to lend a hand.

“We often run local and international events [during which] they have that opportunity to connect with other partners,” Sharp says. “We have ready-to-go marketing materials free for our partner community.”

Fastek is also looking to forge new alliances to help weather the economic storm. It has already signed a new distributor agreement with a U.S. company that will see its products sold south of the border, while Fastek will reciprocate by selling the American products in Canada.

“Generate more sales, that's our top priority,” Ali says. “Not so much in creating new marketing materials, but in using whatever products we have already.”

Microsoft partners are likely in a reactive mode to the tough economy at the moment, Edwards says. The community will be looking to its vendor, Microsoft, to help them invest in marketing campaigns.

Small business specialists also anticipate an increase in the number of mobile workers in 2009. Almost three-quarters agreed that would be the case.

2009-03-30

New Research Reveals Highest-Paid IT Skills and Certifications During the Recession

Meredith Levison - CIO.com

Foote Partners' latest IT Skills and Certifications Index shows that pay for IT professionals with Netweaver Portals, Apple OS X and PHP skills ballooned during the fourth quarter of 2008, while pay for extreme programming, certain SAP, and networking skills dipped.

January 29, 2009 — CIO — Foote Partners today released its latest research on IT skills pay. Foote Partners' IT Skills and Certifications Index shows the individual IT skills and certifications that increased and decreased in value during the final quarter of 2008. This latest data reflects for the first time the impact of the financial crisis and economic recession on IT skills and what companies pay for them.

The specific non-certified IT skills that increased in value during the fourth quarter of 2008 include:

1. NetWeaver Portals (SAP EP)
2. PHP
3. Apple OS X/Tiger/Leopard
4. ITIL
5. Java/J2EE, SE, ME
6. NetWeaver PI (SAP XI)
7. Master Data Management
8. Unified Communications/Messaging
9. Database Management
10. Microsoft SQL Server
11. Oracle Developer Suite
12. SAP Solution Manager
13. NetWeaver BI (SAP BW)

Of these seven IT skills that increased in value during the fourth quarter, NetWeaver, SAP Solution Manager, Oracle Developer Suite, Microsoft SQL Server, database management and master data management skills ranked among the highest paid non-certified IT skills in Foote Partners' research.

Though not among the highest-paid IT skills, PHP, Apple OS X, ITIL and Java/J2EE/SE/ME know-how showed some of the biggest pay increases: Pay for IT professionals with PHP and Apple OS X skills jumped 16.7 percent. Pay for ITIL and Java/J2EE skills rose 11 percent. Pay for IT professionals with NetWeaver Portals skills grew by nearly 30 percent.

The pay increases in some non-certified skills were offset pay decreases for other skills. The non-certified IT skills that decreased in value during the fourth quarter of 2008, according to Foote Parnters:

Notably, some of the SAP skills that are among the highest-paid, such as SAP Web Application Server and SAP SEM (Strategic Enterprise Management), according to Foote Partners' research, are on the decline. Rapid application development, extreme and agile programming skills, which also rank among the highest-paid IT skills, are on the decline, too.

Highest-Paid IT Certifications

The highest-paid IT certifications that commanded pay increases in the last three months of 2008 include:

Other IT certifications that aren't among the highest paid, but that saw pay increases are:

Among the highest-paid IT certifications, pay for Cisco Certified Voice Professional, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and GIAC Security Expert certifications is on the decline. Pay for those certifications declined by 9.1, 7.1 and 6.7 percent respectively.

2009-03-27

IT Skills Shortage A Chance for Unemployed Workers

Meredith Levison - CIO.com

The argument over the so-called IT skills shortage has two familiar sides: On one hand, employers say they can't find the skilled IT workers they need to fill jobs. Even today, in the midst of a worldwide economic recession that has left millions of U.S. workers without jobs, employers claim that they can't find people with the right skills.

On the other side of the debate, legions of qualified IT workers ( CompTIA estimates there are 12 million of them) wonder how such a skills shortage exists when so many of them are looking for a job.

In the middle of this conundrum is Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, which provides training and certification programs for experienced and aspiring IT professionals.

Thibodeaux sees both the job opportunities available in IT and the people looking for them. His mission is to connect all displaced workers-not just those in IT-to opportunities in the industry through skills training and certification. He spoke with CIO.com about the job opportunities available in IT, misconceptions about IT careers, and why a computer science degree isn't a prerequisite for an IT job

CIO: What job opportunities are available in IT?

Todd Thibodeaux: There are about 200,000 to 300,000 good-paying IT jobs available. To this day, if you open any newspaper or browse any job board, not just IT job boards like Dice, IT jobs are in most abundance. We continue to hear from companies, whether they're hospitals, universities or in IT, that they still can't find highly-skilled, quality labor.

How can companies say that they can't find skilled workers when there are so many people out of work right now? I'd think the marketplace would be flooded with quality candidates.

The companies that are doing layoffs aren't laying off skilled IT labor. They're retaining those workers because they know they'd be tough to replace.

From what we've seen and what our partners in training communities have seen, the people who've lost jobs have been in operations, administration, sales and marketing. These people tended not to be highly-skilled. People who are highly skilled in security, network administration, and have soft client skills are in short supply.

But people in IT have lost their jobs, too. Are you saying that those people aren't skilled, or that they don't have the right skills, and that's why companies are having trouble filling open positions?

That's potentially the case. A lot of people don't have the right set of skills, or the jobs are in different parts of the country. The shortage may be geographic-it may be that companies that are looking for people can't find people in their area. It may also be that the jobs that are available aren't at the right salary or in the right field for the people who are looking.

2009-03-16

Expertech Launches New Corporate Web Site

Expertech Inc.

Today Expertech, one of Quebec’s leading IT staffing and recruiting firms, launched its new corporate web site which includes a whole series of of enhancements and upgrades.

The web site features a secure Jobs section which allows job seekers to search interesting job opportunities and to apply directly on-line, as well as managing their own account in Expertech’s applicant tracking system.
New features also include resources for IT professionals such as tools to research job market and salary information, interview preparation techniques as well as model CVs specifically tailored to IT professionals.
The new site also features links to a wide array of industry-related web sites as well as a News feature providing Expertech’s candidates with access to relevant news items in the IT labour market in Canada and the United States.
The newly enhanced site also includes a greatly improved access to Expertech’s IT certification testing partner, Prometric. Visitors can now link directly to Prometric through Expertech’s site to schedule IT certification tests and manage their entire certification account with Prometric.

2009-03-04

How to protect your identity while job hunting online

Mark Comuta, ITBusiness.ca

Most everyone can relate to hiding a job search from a current employer. But how can job seekers protect their identities from public abuse when the majority of online career and social networking websites require job seekers' personal information to sign up and for potential employers to find them?