The Recruiter

In case you missed it …

Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its latest jobs forecast, this time focusing on the 30 fastest-growing careers for 2006 to 2016. The tech sector-heavy results will come as an early holiday gift for job-seeking IT pros.

The first job category on the list was network systems and data communications analysts, expected to increase 53.4 percent. Other high-ranking roles included computer software application engineers (44.6 percent); computer systems analysts (29 percent); database administrators (28.6 percent); and systems software engineers (28.2 percent).

Such positive forecasts fly in the face of conventional wisdom. Given the uncertain economy right now, many experts were predicting job losses. Imagine their surprise, then, when the pre-holiday apocalypse didn’t come true, and instead defied all expectations with job increases.

Overall, this report further supports what we’ve been seeing for awhile in the tech marketplace: Demand is going strong for technology, IT, clinical research and scientific jobs, making it an ideal time to be on the supply side.

Posted by Roseanne D.

IT is the future’s “It” industry

Circle 2014 on your calendars, job-seeking IT folks. That’s when the tech industry expects to have created 368,000 new jobs, mainly in computer software engineering, analysis and administration.

This good news is courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, whose most recent data says nine of the 10 fastest-growing jobs are in the information technology or health care sectors.

Small wonder, considering that our ever-expanding global economy has created an ongoing need for computer networks that need to be international, intricate and impenetrable, all at the same time.

The report also supports last week’s Yoh Index findings, which pointed to growing demand in the upcoming year. So let’s hope the momentum—now, and seven years from now—goes as predicted, and takes our entire industry along for the ride.

Posted by Christy H.

Show me the comparative money

No more peering over the cubicle to catch a glimpse of your coworkers' paychecks. (Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. ...) Now you can find out how your pay stacks up against your colleagues' wages in your city or region, thanks to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

OK, you can't track it person by person, but the BLS Wages by Area and Occupation site can help you follow salary trends for your industry and location. I found the Metropolitan Area Wage Data particularly useful in narrowing down my state and profession. A couple of clicks, and voila! Instant income info.

Now, let's say you’ve reached the top earning potential in your market. Want to follow the $$$? The site also generates top-paying markets for your specialty. (But don’t forget to factor in cost of living increases, average commute time and overall quality of life issues before packing up your house.)

And if you're looking for specific tech wage data, you're in luck: In the next few weeks we'll be releasing the Q3 Yoh Index of Technology Wages, which will break down IT salaries across numerous sectors and regions. Stay tuned!

Posted by Christy H.

Tech jobs increase slowly, but surely

The tech bubble's burst was a pop heard 'round the world—or at least 'round the IT industry. Even now we feel its effects, as tech job creation continues to lag behind private sector job growth.

Still, we have reason to hope, thanks to analysis from the American Electronics Association (AeA). AeA's latest report, which looks at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, highlights 118,500 new high-tech jobs for the first half of 2007, a 2 percent increase overall.

This year also marks the first time since the bubble burst that all four tech sectors—manufacturing, communications services, software services and engineering and tech services—saw an increase in jobs.

Manufacturing was at one end with a 0.1 percent rise. Engineering and software, each up 3.3 percent, were at the other.

This report has a few implications to consider:

* Engineering and software services are the only service sectors keeping pace with private sector job growth, also at 3.3 percent. Such job availability and security will be attractive to job seekers, and is likely to pull top talent.

* While tech's overall gain is a little less than last year's 143,000 additions, each sector experienced some growth, boding well for continued upward trends.

* The tech industry pays 86 percent more than average private sector jobs, and supports other job functions, as AeA president William T. Archey points out. The economy benefits as a result, and helps make tech jobs indispensable (and thus more secure).

How do these numbers look from the ground? What new jobs have cropped up in your organization, and who's showing up to fill them?

Posted by Jim L.

Consulting World Strong

Opportunities for consultants remained stable this spring.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the contingent workforce has has stayed rock-solid for more than 16 months.  In fact, the BLS’s data shows that there is a 1.2% overall growth in consulting opportunities.

Across the country, the trend in consulting is unwavering with many new opportunities.  These opportunities are most prevalent in fields including professional and technical services.  The current unemployment rate of 4-5%, which is low by historical standards, further proves that consultants, like you, are in demand.

Posted by Christy