Since the July 4^th weekend is upon us, we realize this is an opportune time to relax, catch up with family and friends, enjoy life and be thankful for everything our wonderful country offers.

This holiday weekend is also a good time to reflect about your professional career – where you are, where you want to go, and how you’re going to get there. If you’re an IT professional thinking about a career move, put down that novel you’re  reading on your iPad, Kindle or Nook  and take an hour to read Agile’s ebook: The IT Professional’s No-Nonsense Guide to Getting a Job in the New IT.  It’s a quick read and chock full of tips and advice on everything you need to know before you begin your job search. Download our free ebook now.

If you’re an IT executive or hiring manager wondering where all the top talent is and how you’re going to fill that open position you’ve been looking to fill for what seems like forever, we suggest taking 15 minutes this weekend to read our white paper “Four Winning Talent Strategies for the New IT”.  This paper provides practical approaches to hiring and retaining top IT talent. You can download our free white paper by clicking here.

We thought we’d end this week with these company org charts.  Perhaps they’re a bit exaggerated, but they’ll make you giggle.  If you had to create your company’s org chart, would it look similar to any of these?  Let’s hope not!

This past Wednesday, Agile attended the Georgia Technology Summit. It was great to see so many IT professionals from technology companies across the state in attendance. There was a great vibe and everyone seemed genuinely happy and excited to be there. It gave us some reassurance that the economy really is getting better, business is shaping up after a long, long recovery and the future of technology – especially here in Georgia – looks bright!

We got to talk to a lot of people in Atlanta’s technology community, and most were positive about the transformation taking place within the technology industry.  Sure, there are also many challenges – but challenges bring opportunity. And based on the presentations from technology leaders and visionaries like Randall Spratt, Executive VP, CTO and CIO of McKesson Corporation, James Geiger, Chairman, President and CEO of Cbeyond and Philip Tomlinson, CEO of TSYS– opportunity is knocking hard on the great State of Georgia! So much so, that peaches may not be the only thing Georgia becomes famous for.

Consider Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) State of the Industry: Technology in Georgia Report’s key findings:

• Georgia’s tech sector will lead the State’s economic recovery as the technology workforce will increase over the next five years
• Georgia’s tech company growth outpaces the nation as it has continued to expand despite the recession
• Five out of the top ten export categories in Georgia are technology-related
• Tech jobs lead Georgia’s labor market, with many IT occupations growing 20% by the year 2018
• This year, tech companies plan to invest more than $1 billion in Georgia and create more than 5,000 new jobs over the next 3-5 years

Great news for Georgia and IT professionals! However, there is a BUT…

With the anticipated growth of the technology sector (across the U.S.), many companies will have a difficult time finding skilled workers to fill their positions. In a recent article, CFO.com writes that companies will feel ever more pain as the shortage of technically skilled workers intensifies. One researcher estimates that by 2020 there will be 123 million high-skill, high-pay jobs available in the U.S., but only 50 million Americans with the right education to fill them.

Although this shortage of IT workers is a problem that companies will need to address, Georgia’s research universities are key in positioning the State as the technology destination. Georgia Tech is among the nation’s top five engineering programs. Georgia Tech, Emory University and the University of Georgia are also the leading R&D institutions in Georgia. Tech companies looking for highly-skilled professionals will have to look no farther than right here in their own backyard.

As the tech sector grows in Georgia, finding the right people to fill these new IT jobs will be challenging, and that’s all the more reason why companies will need to partner with IT staffing firms like Agile. Agile has the expertise and established networks of top IT talent that companies will require in order to grow and compete in such a hyper-competitive environment.

Let’s hope the experts are right that technology’s growth will help lead Georgia and the country out of the recession.  If so, Agile suspects we could have more IT jobs than Georgia has peaches!

We’re just a week into 2011, and some of us here at Agile are finding it a bit difficult to stay true to our New Year’s resolutions. But as tricky as it may be, it’s time to get down to business and focus on keeping those resolutions.

If you’re an IT professional who has resolved to find a new job, you’ve most likely committed to doing whatever it takes to get THAT job.  You’re going to spend more time networking. You’re going to get additional training. You’re going to practice responding to interview questions during your morning shower. You’re going to blah, blah, blah.  But have you actually followed through? Agile wants to make sure you succeed in your job search. That’s why we’re adding three more resolutions to your list of “things I must do in 2011 to further my IT career.”

Resolution 1:  Be proactive.

Maybe the best way to explain the importance of being proactive is with Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey contrasts being proactive with being reactive. Reactive people, he says, are those who are resigned to the truth that whatever they do in the present can have no effect on their circumstances. Proactive people, on the other hand, simply will not accept that there is nothing that can be done about the events of daily life – they believe there are always choices. It is by the decisions we make, our responses to people, events and circumstances that proactive people can and do affect the future.

Being proactive in your job search will actually make the process easier in the long run, and it doesn’t require extra work. Simple things like making sure your resume is customized for a specific job before you apply or send it to a recruiter; having good references available before you’re asked to submit them; communicating and keeping your recruiter informed of where you are in the job search at all times will help to move you along the job hiring process in a less stressful manner.

Resolution 2:  Be tenacious.

A lot of what we get out of life is directly tied to how much we want it and how much we’re willing to pursue it. Finding the right IT job may not be easy. It will probably require a lot of work.  That’s why you need to treat the job search like it’s a real job. Get goal-oriented. Be thoughtful and consider what is and isn’t within your control – “I want a promotion” may fall outside your realm of control, but “I want to become a manager” is a realistic aspiration that you can control.

Once you know your goal(s), stay focused and don’t give up. Believe in yourself and with your patience, perseverance and a little help from your recruiter, you’ll find what you’re looking for. In the meantime, stay goal-oriented and be organized. Keep track of job submittals, manage interviews/appointments, and be on the lookout for networking opportunities with other professionals who may be able to help you achieve your career goals. As French chemist, Louis Pasteur said “Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity.”

Resolution 3: Be positive.

We know – the past year or two has been rough. But the IT job market is opening up. All indicators point to job growth in the technology sector this year. So chin up!  There will be plenty of opportunity in the coming months, and that is all the more reason you need to keep positive. We’ve seen instances where candidates, perhaps frustrated by unemployment or being stuck in a dead-end job, go in to interviews with a chip on their shoulder. Hiring managers and HR staff can smell negativity a mile away, and it creates a bad first impression. Many job seekers kick themselves in the “you know where” during interviews because they do not portray a positive image. No matter what your situation, leave the negativity behind during the job search.

We’ll close with this thought that a wise man once said. If you habitually focus on the “bad things” that are happening to you and repeatedly cultivate negative emotions, the Universe will dutifully provide you with more situations that generate these thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, if you work to cultivate positive thoughts and emotions, even gratitude, the Universe will comply by providing an abundance of positive experiences. It will manifest more things for which to be grateful.

Though it may sound cliché, timing really is everything when you’re searching for an IT job.  After reading a blog earlier this week which encouraged job seekers to consider timing during the job search, our recruiters agree that candidates do have more control over their job search than they may think.

Case in point. Recently, we identified a candidate who seemed to be perfect for an IT job one of our client’s was seeking to fill. During the call, the candidate told the recruiter that he had interviewed with another company the day before and was interested in that opportunity. Knowing that “time is of the essence,” our recruiter requested the candidate email his updated resume immediately so that an interview could be set up. It took three days before the recruiter received the resume. An interview was scheduled for the following week since the hiring manager’s schedule was booked with other candidate interviews.

Unfortunately, what happened next happens frequently with job seekers. Our candidate went to the interview, was extremely impressed with the client and  thought the job was a perfect fit. Likewise, the client really liked this guy and wanted to schedule a final interview in two days (when they would make a decision and extend an offer). Upon returning home from the interview, the candidate received a call from the company he had previously interviewed with, and they extended an offer. Although he was more interested in our client’s position, the candidate was afraid NOT to take the offer, and he was uncomfortable asking for additional time to think it over. He accepted the offer, but was disappointed at not having the chance for a final interview with our client.

It didn’t have to turn out that way, but time waits for no one. There are several things he SHOULD have done, that may have changed the outcome of his job search. Here are four tips that will help ensure time is on your side during the job search process.

1. Know the start date. At the beginning of the process, ask your recruiter or the hiring manager what the hiring process is and when they would like the new employee to begin. Knowing how long the interview and offer process is gives you some control in managing multiple job opportunities. For instance, if you apply for a job that has a 30 day hiring process versus another job that is a one interview process (2-3 days tops), be aware and decide up front if you’re willing to take the first offer. If the job with the longer hiring process is the one you REALLY want, be prepared to turn the other down.
2. Act immediately. You can affect timing if you move quickly.  When a recruiter asks you to send your resume that day – don’t delay – send your resume that day! Make yourself available and schedule the interview sooner rather than later.  Remember, one day can mean the difference between accepting an “alright” offer and an “ALRIGHT” offer.
3. Schedule interviews close together. If you’re interested in several jobs, and you have the opportunity to interview for some or all of them, try to coordinate the interviews close together  (the same day, or at least within the same week).  You have a much greater chance of getting multiple offers when interviews are conducted within proximity to one another. Then you won’t have to leave an opportunity on the table – you’ll have the luxury of choosing the job that best suits you.
4. Sleep on it. Yes, timing is everything and the early bird catches the worm.  But if you are expecting multiple offers, ask for a little time (no more than 24 hours if possible) to think things over. This will show the recruiter and the hiring manager that you are interested, and it will also buy you time to see if another offer presents itself.

As the economy slowly improves, more IT jobs are opening up in the Atlanta market and nationwide. Until recently, IT professionals often took the first job they were offered. Now, candidates can use “timing” to help them get an offer they just can’t refuse.

In the past year, there’s been a growth in hiring contract workers. Employers who need to fill positions but are still uncertain about the economic recovery may be more inclined to hire contractors because it frees companies from making long-term commitments in uncertain times.

While hiring contract workers may be advantageous for the employer, what about the job seeker? With unemployment still hovering around 10% in Georgia, many IT professionals who are out of work may be finding it difficult to quickly land a permanent job that pays well. Unfortunately, many of the unemployed do not or will not consider contract work. But being a contractor has its benefits. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider a contract job in today’s uncertain economy.

1. Taking on contract work can be a good opportunity in any economy. Job seekers having difficulty finding perm work can more easily find a contract position. Work with a reputable IT staffing firm (like Agile) to find contract jobs that will help further your career during this transitional period.
2. Earn more money during the transition from unemployed to permanent job. Contractors typically earn more per hour – about 15 percent more – than perm employees. Why sacrifice going without cable, eating out at your favorite restaurants or shopping when you can earn a great paycheck as a contractor?
3. The employer gets to audition for you. Taking on a contract job is an opportunity for the job seeker to get to know the employer and determine if the culture is a good fit. If it’s not, then you are free to leave once the term of the contract expires.
4. Contracting is a resume builder. As a contractor, you’ll most likely learn new skills and get exposure to a variety of technologies, industries, cultures, and responsibilities. And a contract job offers current experience for your resume which can ultimately lead to a full-time role elsewhere.
5. Variety is the spice of life. IT professionals choose contract work over a perm position for many reasons: freedom to choose assignments, exposure to more employers, better pay, and opportunities to learn new skills. Contract jobs can take the “ho-hum” out of the traditional office setting by providing more flexibility and job diversity.
6. Prove yourself and you’ll be rewarded. When you do a bang-up job for the client company, your IT recruiter will want to keep you happy by making sure there are future opportunities. It’s also likely your staffing firm will be able to place you in a perm position when the right one comes along.
7. Contracting is a terrific networking opportunity. Think of contracting as a very special networking event where you get to rub elbows with people who work with you and know how valuable you are. Take advantage and meet as many key people such as department heads, supervisors, executives, HR, and others with influence within the client company.
8. Take time off when you choose to. When you become a contractor, you typically know when a job begins and ends. Because of this, you have more flexibility and control over how much time to take off in between gigs. Imagine working on a six month project and then having the opportunity to relax on a beach for an entire month or two – depending on how well you’ve been able to save the extra money you made as a contractor!
9. Benefits. Despite the notion that only full-time employees receive benefits, staffing firms like Agile offer its contractors benefits like medical, dental, 401K and life insurance. If benefits are important, talk to your recruiter before beginning the job search to ensure the staffing firm has you covered.
10. When one door closes, another one opens. If you’re not offered a permanent job when your contract assignment ends…don’t worry; there will be more opportunities. Keep your recruiter in the loop and communicate with her on a regular basis. In the meantime, ask the client company for a reference. Leave the client company on good terms – you never know when an opportunity there might open up. And keep in touch with your boss. Remember, you can never network too much!

If you’re currently looking for an IT job, keep an open mind and consider working on a contract basis. Working on a contract basis can be exciting, rewarding, and educational. In fact, you may enjoy it so much that you won’t want to go back to the traditional “perm” job ever again.