Can't Find a Job? Here's Why...

Computerworld - The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a jump of more than 11% in IT employment from April to May of this year. And research conducted by Robert Half Technology supports the notion that job growth will remain fairly robust: Our most recent IT Hiring Index and Skills Report indicates that 13% of U.S. CIOs plan to add technology staffers over the next three months, while only 3% anticipate cutbacks. The net 10% increase is up two percentage points from the previous forecast. It seems all signs point to brisk hiring in the IT field.

But are you still having trouble finding a job?

I recently received an e-mail from a job seeker with nearly a decade of database administration experience who had been successful in a number of roles with various companies. Based on this brief description, he seemed like a desirable candidate. However, he had been on the hunt for months and had yet to receive any significant inquiries from prospective employers. He wanted to know why finding a job was so challenging for him, especially given the signs of a healthy employment market.

If you're in the same situation, consider the following reasons why you might be having trouble finding a new position, as well as the simple fixes that could put you back on the right track.

You're not as marketable as you think. While the demand for IT talent is strong, companies are not adding staffers at the same frenetic pace they were a few years ago, when people with little experience and few demonstrated skills could command multiple employment offers. Today's hiring managers have learned their lesson and are seeking only the most talented individuals -- those with strong soft skills and knowledge of business fundamentals, familiarity with the latest developments, on-the-job experience, track records of successful projects, and the ability to make immediate contributions to an employer's bottom line.

Unfortunately, the job seeker I mentioned previously was seeking a position as a database administrator but had no hands-on experience with the latest version of Oracle, which most of the hiring managers he met with considered essential.

My advice to him -- and to you: Take a look at your qualifications and determine whether they are truly marketable in the current environment. According to the Robert Half Technology Hiring Index and Skills Report, the strongest demand exists for people with Windows administration (Server 2000/2003), network administration (Cisco, Nortel, Novell) and database management (Oracle, SQL Server, DB2) skills. Think about what employers in your area seek, and then evaluate where gaps exist in your skills or experience and how you can fill them.