The Recruiter

Women Win

Sandy Schwan's interpretation of a recent Gartner's report on the gender gap is dead-on. 

Women with our top-notch communication and listening skills are just better equipped than our male counterparts to deal with many aspects of the new global economy.

The thought of having a workforce without women is not pleasant.  With the impact from the war on talent, company could be alienating half the already limited talent pool by ignoring all that female candidates naturally bring to plate.

Gartner focused on five gender-based traits that CIOs should look for in technology talent:

1. Bilateral brain involvement in listening
Listening with both sides of your brain makes women ideal for roles must be a team leader

2. Spatial visualization, pattern spotting
Complex mental visualization is a trait typically dominated by men in fields like engineering

3. Language
Women are more verbally fluent and could be stronger in analysis of conversation and communication

4. Aggression and risk taking
Men are more open to risks and fall naturally into roles with competitiveness and innovation

5. Social orientation and empathy
Women have higher EQ and can better relate to others

Check out the entire article on SearchCIO.com.

Posted by Christy H.

Happiness in 07

As we get near the end of 06, many of us take time to reflect on our decisions and progress made throughout the year.  Making more money is likely one of the top goals for most in 07, but we should also think about that which provides us with satisfaction, whether it is dinner with family or friends making that yoga class after work or simply watching the big game on television.

Wall Street Journal online recently covered the pursuit of happiness in an article.  The author consulted with academics who specialize in researching what makes us happy, and the changes that they made in their own lives to try to achieve it. 

Keep this subject in mind while you contemplate taking that new job in the far suburbs or that promotion that requires extensive travel. 

A career in happiness research certainly sounds intriguing; I wonder if there are any openings locally?

Posted by Janet F.

20/20 Foresight?

I'm a big believer in Monday Morning Quarterbacking. (I'm a Giants fan. I have no choice.)

Today, though, I'm looking forward.

What's going to happen in the job world for tech and professional workers in 2007?

Some of my thoughts are on the home page of eWeek (http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2066920,00.asp). Beyond that, I believe that the market will be driven by experienced folks who have specific knowledge in particular industries. So, you need to be a CRM goddess in pharma. Or a CRA with oncology experience. Or an internet security expert with an edge in portals for a s/w firm.

Let's see how it plays out.

Then you can second guess me.

Posted by Jim L.

Techie or Manager?

I was reading this Computerworld.com article written by a real IT manager who specializes in security.  Her perspective sheds light on what it means being a technically savvy manager.

Some of her observations can serve as a sort of IT manager manual.  So many professionals in technology just focus on the technical side of their business and fail to look at becoming better managers that look at the business as a whole.  On top of this, there are still loads of managers in technology who know diddly about the detailed work their employees perform. 

One comment made in the article is that managers/technology professionals must perform a continuous balancing act.  Without balancing priorities constantly, things can quickly fall out of whack. 

Being technically knowledgeable as an IT manager can give professionals much insight to the truths behind projects and talent.  Knowing the difference between a fake excuse for a missed deadline and a legitimate basis for delays, separates the good from the great managers. 

With technology infused in every aspect of the business world today, IT professionals must be capable to think about the business landscape as a whole and how the technical work will contribute to company success.  More importantly, technology talent must have the management and communication skills to serve as an advisor to the business.  By having a technical solution to a crucial business problem, techies will rise to the executive ranks at an unmatched pace. 

Posted by Christy H.