Hiring Difficulties for Information Technology Occupations

The newest survey from Minnesota’s Labor Market Information Office explores hiring difficulties through in-depth interviews with employers about their experience filling (or not filling) recently open positions. The most recent findings track Information Technology (IT) occupations, including software developers and computer support specialists.

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A New Resource for IT Professionals

Some professions, like information technology, are employed in every industry sector to one degree or another. With nearly 80,700 people working in computer-related professions, Minnesota ranked fourth in the Midwest and 17th among states nationwide that employed such workers in 2010. These professionals fuel Minnesota’s high-tech industries, from hardware and software manufacturing, IT services, network communications, and all the IT-intensive sectors. Recent survey results suggest that employers are continuing to hire computer professionals, a welcome sign after this lengthy economic downturn.

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Avoid These 3 Common IT Job Search Mistakes

There are a lot of things that can go wrong in the job hunting process. Some are out of your control and can cost you an interview or a potential job offer. But there are three mistakes that you can easily fix.
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Make LinkedIn a Career Networking Strategy

LinkedIn exists to make connections between career professionals. It’s an online professional networking site the way Facebook is a social networking site. Take your use of LinkedIn to another networking level using three simple strategies:

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Networking – What, Why, How, Who, When, Where

What: Networking is a basic necessity. It simply means increasing the number of people you know. Connections are two-way: they help you, you help them, and you both keep in touch. It’s more than passing a card to someone and hoping they will help you. It’s about building relationships. It requires you do some giving. That giving may be as easy as saying “nice to meet you – here’s a link to an article you may enjoy” as a first follow-up interaction. (Note that “first” implies other follow up. Keep connecting even if it’s only once every few months.)

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6 Non-technical Skills Hiring Managers Want

You get the interview because the company recognizes you have tech skills. You get the job because the hiring manager is impressed with your business understanding and personal effectiveness skills. You keep the job because you have six of the most highly sought-after non-technical skills that demonstrate your fit into the organizational culture:

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