Jim Staats Posts

Takeaway of the week is something akin to a broken record: Notably, that another publication touts the value of "soft skills" in the hiring process, IT certifications tend to bump up one's pay grade and IT hiring continues to be on the rise. Nothing new, yet good to know. The IT Skills That Matter Most Just about anyone worth their salt in the IT job market these days can code, so what can set a candidate apart from the pack? We'll give you a hint. It's not hard. As a recent item in TechRepublic ...

Takeaway of the week is how helpful it often is to step back and take stock of career decisions from a "big picture" perspective, whether that means an analytical career assessment tool or choosing the right resources to achieve that career goal in the first place. Then again, sometimes it all comes down to the money. CompTIA A+ Among 'Certifications That Deliver Career Advancement' CompTIA A+ is one of 12 certifications that delivers career advancement, according to CIO magazine. CompTIA A+, w ...

Takeaway of the week is that while it may not appear that way to long-term unemployed IT pros, the job market for experienced and highly-skilled technical professionals remains red hot without any signs of easing up - emphasis on the "highly-skilled" part. That's right, the skills gap remains a thing which explains why overseas outsourcing snaps up some roles and others don't always go to the most well-suited candidates. Finding the Needle in the Haystack Talk the tech talk. Trumpet the perks. G ...

Takeaway of the week is a tidy set of suggestions to help the would-be IT job candidate: Expand your horizon from the technical know-how to "business 101" skills, be opinionated, flexible in your approach and cognizant of the big picture. Oh, and employers without fully-formed technical training programs? Your valued staff may not be yours for long. Five to Strive To reach the altitude of the rising stars of the IT industry, it takes a little bit more than rock-star coding. Knowing how to pro ...

Takeaway of the week is a bit of reinforcements of items previously mentioned in this space. Yes, politicians wrangle over cybersecurity legislation, but the end result could mean more money and perks for those with cyber skills. Yup, the looming cloud could spell doom for some traditional IT roles, but there might be a silver lining. And it's looking like Tony Bennett isn't the only one whose heart is in San Francisco. Security Pros, Your Country Wants - To Pay - You As politicians metaphoric ...

Takeaway of the week is some outside-the-box thinking when it comes to job search in the IT industry, be it that professional personality coach in your corner or some helpful reminders on the importance of communication. Oh, and cybersecurity professionals prepping to see how that big federal bill sure to shape your world pans out? Your time is almost here. Find Me A Job, Coach World-class athletes seek them out. Why not high-class IT professionals looking for that extra edge in a crowded, co ...

Working in Western Australia more than a decade ago, Michael Boughton was more committed to working on the land than LAN. A family man in his early 30s, Boughton was working as a farm technician, harvesting crops and maintaining 5,000 head of sheep. That changed when his boss handed him an old, secondhand computer. In no time, a new hobby was born, eventually spilling into classes, part-time and full-time work. "I saw that you didn't have to be a guru to work in the computer industry, espec ...

Within the corridors of one of Japan's top technical consulting firms, a new skills training program is producing whiplash-fast results for those involved. At the heart of this initiative is a core belief in the value of CompTIA A+ certification. In the past year, the client services division of MicroMates, which provides IT equipment support for Ricoh Technosystems, implemented the "skills map" program to boost staff knowledge through a four-pronged focus on practical skills, communication ...

Takeaway of the week is it's hard to know who, or what, to trust. The future is bright for the IT job market. No, it's not. Oh yes, it is. Wait, maybe some of it is sunny and other parts are cloudy. No wonder the weather reporter always takes a beating from the public. Survey Says: Sunny Days for IT Job Seekers If you're equipped with IT training and in need of employment, consider yourself luckier than most job seekers, according to a new survey. More than half of the respondents to Career ...

Takeaway of the week is in the form of a catch phrase from the old game show, "Family Feud," that goes, simply, "Survey says..." Yes, it's one survey after another coming out as we hit the midpoint of 2012, and most all indicators are that it's a good time to be a skilled IT professional on the hunt for a job. Depending on your skills and location, the growing job market just may find you first. Salary Survey: Good News for IT While not all is rosy in the IT job market, compensation in one a ...