IT Jobs & Job Seekers - Where we at?

2010 Moster Information Technology Job Market Report (Sponsored by Kelly IT Resources)


Half of the IT survey respondents were employed. Of those, 82% were employed full-time, 6% part-time, and 12% with either contract or temporary work. This group has been employed, on average, for 20 years and has had over six employers, showing that the days of staying at one company for an entire career are well-over.

A remarkable 54% of employed IT respondents are either “unlikely” or “neither likely nor unlikely” to stay at their current employer for the next year. This high number shows the steep frustration that current employees are feeling, as they have stuck with their employer through pay cuts and extra work during the past tumultuous year.

Employers need to listen closely. We asked those employees who intend to leave their job in the next 12 months what their employer could do to keep them. A notable 41% of respondents detailed non-cash incentives and changes that they desired, 21% wanted to be hired from contract to a full-time position or given a promotion or role change, and 19% said nothing – they were leaving their job no matter what their employer did.

What do you think of this report?  On target?  In a previous blog discussion it was noted that we lost much of the human element of our jobs these days.  Have companies burned valuable bridges these days under the cloak of poor economy?  Have companies exploited the hard times as a way to move the dial on what they offer for benefits, salary and work environment?  Is it an easy out to say "all the other companies are doing it" - but is that really true?  Shouldn't your company be a leader? 
 
I remember 20 years ago when a company wanted to fight to be the leader, encouraged employees to grow and get all the training you could.  What changed?  Global economy?  What role did our GE Jack ole boy play in this as we moved jobs oversees?  What about the performance process and metrics we use today to evaluate employees - helpful?  Terminate the bottom 10% of your performers - accomplishes?
 
I propose to you that the job market has changed, as has the job seekers.  I think companies have changed, keeping in mind companies are nothing but people.  So we have humans doing this to humans - the company is nothing more than people.  I do think the race for global presence has changed us, the leaders that bought into Jack Welch nonsense has hurt Corporate America, and we seek to say we are a global company.  We lost some vision along the way, we lost some compassion and innovation between the spreadsheet cells.
 
I have colleagues email me asking what they should do as a job seeker, stay or go? Find a new career?  My recommendation is to find that which makes you happy, and keep in mind jobs will come and go.  Family first, work to live, enjoy life and make the best of it.  Stay positive, focused and worry about that which you can change.  Work hard - but don't work all the time.  Life is very short, and don't miss it by working around the clock. 
 
Good luck!