What is the current state of the US job market? It’s a common question and a topic for much heated debate. While the nation braces for the effects of the latter half of the fiscal cliff, pending tax increases, and the looming debt ceiling issue, employment uncertainty is unfortunately a consistent cause for concern. Recent financial reports show that housing, manufacturing and the auto markets are starting to pick up, providing a glimmer of hope in a market that’s been otherwise dismal. With so much attention on national tax, job, and financial issues, what is the effect on the IT job seeker? What’s the current state of the IT market for the IT candidate? Continue reading
Candidate Job Search
Is There Such a Thing as Work Stability?
Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed a number of changes in the IT employment market: the ecstatic highs of the dot com boom, the plunge into recession, and now the slow climb through a recovery-era, high-skill demand. With the ever changing landscape that is information technology, we start to ask ourselves if there is such a thing as work stability within the IT workforce. Whether it’s full-time employment or contract staffing, the only certainty is the constancy of change. For all IT professionals, adapting to this change is vital to maintaining a sustainable work history. Some of the key areas to focus on in order to remain marketable through economic ups and downs include: Continue reading
Embracing IT Candidates, Placement or No Placement
In our industry, the word “candidate” is extremely popular, a primary “building block” of our existence. Without candidates, companies like EdgeLink would not exist. Thus we decided a long time ago to redefine the meaning and purpose of the word “candidate.” While many might only seek out resources that fit a current client’s need, we build relationships with people because those people make up the very essence of our business model. Here are a few ways that “candidates” migrate into “relationships” at EdgeLink, even if they don’t fit a particular client position. Continue reading
6 Great Ways to Stay Positive during Your Job Search
Finding a full time job can be, well, a full time job in itself. And if you have been searching for employment for two months, six months, twelve months or longer, then it is easy to become jaded and start feeling negative about the experience. As a job seeker, you’ll find your best successes with a positive attitude, so it is important to develop habits that will help you keep that frame of mind during your search. Remember, there are two things you can control – Effort and Attitude! Here are some things you can do to stay motivated and optimistic: Continue reading
One Year in IT Staffing: My Best Advice to Job Seekers
I started working at EdgeLink, an IT staffing firm, just over one year ago. I had no prior recruiting experience and my only involvement with technology was through my own personal use of the internet, iPhone, TV and Facebook. I always believed that I was savvy on a computer and could navigate myself through just about any problem that I encountered. But after just one day at EdgeLink, my head started spinning and I quickly realized that I really didn’t know anything at all… Continue reading