2002 IT Situation?  

Published: August 2002 - www.netcheck.co.nz 

So what is really happening in IT after the ups and downs of the last year? 

After the “ups and downs” towards the end of 2001 resulting in many IT organisations’ projects and plans for expansion going on hold, there is strong evidence that business’s are getting on with the business of making things happen. Today you can pick up an IT publication and read of a myriad of success stories and future plans for expansion, as opposed to the the majority of articles you came across referred to redundancies and companies closing their doors!

Operations in New Zealand who are governed by international head offices may have been a little slower to start hiring staff for new projects and to replace natural attrition due to international head count freezes. However since mid January, we are seeing a demand for highly qualified and multi-skilled staff. In some instances, employers have been reluctant to commit to permanent employees and opt for contractors where there is the potential for their role to become permanent. This gives the employer an opportunity to evaluate their business success before taking on headcount. IT people are often required on a project basis, so the skills that are required for the project can be utilised, but the requirement for these skills permanently may not be warranted. Employers are seeking candidates with multi-skilled backgrounds so that they can wear more than “one hat” within the organisation. Excellent people skills and a team player attitude are essential – the backroom techo is becoming very challenging to place unless he/she has exceptional R & D potential.

What roles are in most demand?

According to Geoff Palmer, Author of IDG;’s Contractors’ Handbook – (definitely a must to buy), the current hot skills are:  

• Internet/intranet developers with a good knowledge of Cold Fusion, HTML, Flash, JavaScript, ASP, etc. 
• Oracle administrators and Developers 
• Programmers and A/Ps in C++, Delphi, Java SAP or Visual Basic 
• SQL Server 
• Systems Engineers, (especially MCSEs), with solid backgrounds in Windows NT/2000, NT Workstation, MS Exchange Server, and networking protocols 
• UNIX Administrators
   

Consider also developing skills in the following technologies:

• C#
• .NET
• DBA's
• Enterprise software such as Baan and People Soft
• Microsoft.Net
• Middleware products
• RDBMS development
• Security Consultants
• Windows XP
• XML

What is happening with pay rates? 

Over the last eighteen months the market has moved from a shortage of candidates for positions to a situation where there are plenty of candidates competing for a limited number of jobs. IT salaries for both permanent roles and hourly rates for contractors have lowered as a result.

What can contractors do to keep themselves in regular work?  

• Do a great job with any contract you undertake. Go the extra mile and give the employer a feeling he/she has value for money, so he/she is begging you to stay, or certainly thinks of you first when another requirement for a contractor arises.  
• Document big-time! Contractors are frequently accused of not leaving a company with documentation. Leave them something positive to remember you by. 
• Be a team player. Get on-side with the staff and management. 
• Network. Word of mouth, (WOM) is an excellent source of continued opportunities. Go to IT functions. Belong to various IT related organisations such as The Computer Society. Look at membership to the PMI. 
• Keep your self up-skilled with relevant complimentary courses. Check out recruitment consultancies offers for free up-skilling and training online for registered contractors. There are also a number of other organisations offering training courses in the latest technology. Be very aware of the dangers of ending up in an area that is fast becoming technically redundant. 
• Have a CV that really stands out. This is your sales tool. Keep it concise. Use bullet points. Sell yourself with your list of skills and experience that a prospective employer or recruitment agency can quickly identify with. 
• Be aware of market rates when negotiating your hourly rate. Don’t undersell your skills, but don’t price yourself out of the market either. 

Any advice for young people wanting to make a career in IT?

One of the big things about making a career in IT is knowing which direction you wish to pursue. Do you want to become a developer, possibly leading through into project management/consultancy down the track, or are you more interested in networking or hardware, or becoming a DBA? There are so many options now available and there are some excellent training companies providing a wide range of courses as well as the tertiary institutes graduate programmes.  

• Do embark upon some type of training. It will depend upon your circumstances as to whether a three-year full time degree is right for you, or whether it is better to do something on a part time basis while employed in a position. 
• Talk to a number of training facilities about what they offer and what they recommend. They vary considerably. Some will be more involved in assisting their graduates in finding employment, than others.  
• If you have embarked upon a course of some type, talk to the tutors/lecturers about opportunities. 
• Register with consultancies, and send your CV to companies you would like to become a part of. Follow up and follow up.  
• If you are currently working for an organisation with an IT function, express an interest to understand more about how it operates. Maybe you will obtain an opportunity for some experience 
• Use any contacts in IT to find out about opportunities for work experience within their organisations. 
• Put together a great CV that stands out. Avoid waffle and set it out with clear and concise points about what you have achieved. Prospective employers are looking for attitude, and what you have done to make yourself attractive as a potential employee. This may be a course, or even part time unpaid work experience. Today’s employers generally have the view of “Hire for Attitude, Train for Skills”. There will always be organisations who offer positions to the top graduates from various tertiary institutes, but for the rest of you, it is a matter of getting your name out there, and accepting that there will be an opportunity, but sometimes it takes some time to find. 
• Brush up on your interviewing skills. Practise is very beneficial as interviewing skills develop from experience. For tips and hints on interviewing techniques please visit our website – www.itwork.co.nz