If a dwindling 401k and questionable job security keep you awake at night, you're not alone. Experts are offering IT solutions professionals' advice on how to handle these tough times and remain employed. By updating your skills, taking on new responsibilities, and working to become indispensable to your employer, you can ensure security.
"As any company looks to control costs, they look to IT people to become a jack of all trades in some respects," John Estes, vice president with IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology told CIO.com. "No one in IT can truly be that, but more companies are looking to staff to have broader, more diverse skill sets."
This coincides with what Michael writes, “Clients seek out individuals with multiple skill-sets that can multi-task, change and adapt as technology or market needs dictate,” in his blog.
The Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) reports that it has seen an uptake in certifications training, which indicates that IT solutions professionals see the need to update their skills to remain competitive. "Historically, we see that certification volumes rise when the economy is somewhat sluggish, and that is indicative of less jobs and more competition in the market," says Kyle Gingrich of CompTIA.
As you know I am all for obtaining IT certification and increasing your skill set. You can take on more responsibility and/or lead projects with real ROI to work toward becoming indispensable to your employer, but let’s face facts folks—true job security is an illusion. To be IT outsourcing proof and have absolute job security, you have to own the company. In one of my former lives I worked for a CFO whose father-in-law owned the company. Not long after I left the company I heard that the CFO was hitting the unemployment lines. So as one who has been around the block a few times, who has had the economy knock his feet out from under him and who has personally been downsized and outsourced—job security is an illusion; even if your title is CIO. Stay tuned!
"As any company looks to control costs, they look to IT people to become a jack of all trades in some respects," John Estes, vice president with IT staffing firm Robert Half Technology told CIO.com. "No one in IT can truly be that, but more companies are looking to staff to have broader, more diverse skill sets."
This coincides with what Michael writes, “Clients seek out individuals with multiple skill-sets that can multi-task, change and adapt as technology or market needs dictate,” in his blog.
The Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) reports that it has seen an uptake in certifications training, which indicates that IT solutions professionals see the need to update their skills to remain competitive. "Historically, we see that certification volumes rise when the economy is somewhat sluggish, and that is indicative of less jobs and more competition in the market," says Kyle Gingrich of CompTIA.
As you know I am all for obtaining IT certification and increasing your skill set. You can take on more responsibility and/or lead projects with real ROI to work toward becoming indispensable to your employer, but let’s face facts folks—true job security is an illusion. To be IT outsourcing proof and have absolute job security, you have to own the company. In one of my former lives I worked for a CFO whose father-in-law owned the company. Not long after I left the company I heard that the CFO was hitting the unemployment lines. So as one who has been around the block a few times, who has had the economy knock his feet out from under him and who has personally been downsized and outsourced—job security is an illusion; even if your title is CIO. Stay tuned!
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