Computerworld -
The recent recession hit the American workforce hard, and the IT industry wasn't spared. In 2009, U.S. technology companies cut almost 250,000 jobs, according to TechAmerica Foundation.
Out-of-work IT pros suddenly found themselves in a tough spot, as companies enacted hiring freezes to cut costs during the downturn. What's more, with each passing day, many unemployed workers' skills stagnated.
For many people, this scenario is still playing out. If you're one of the unemployed IT pros concerned about how you'll make your professional comeback, here are some tips on transitioning your skills, elevating your marketability and getting back into the workforce.
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Computerworld - The recent recession hit the American workforce hard, and the IT industry wasn't spared. In 2009, U.S. technology companies cut almost 250,000 jobs, according to TechAmerica Foundation.
Out-of-work IT pros suddenly found themselves in a tough spot, as companies enacted hiring freezes to cut costs during the downturn. What's more, with each passing day, many unemployed workers' skills stagnated.
For many people, this scenario is still playing out. If you're one of the unemployed IT pros concerned about how you'll make your professional comeback, here are some tips on transitioning your skills, elevating your marketability and getting back into the workforce.
Never stop learning
More so, perhaps, than any other industry, the technology sector can change radically at a moment's notice. New technologies arrive, and then soon must make way for yet another innovation. The skills you needed to succeed last year may not be enough to keep you relevant in the next.
High-profile degrees earned years ago depreciate in value as you progress in your career. Ultimately, your worth is determined by your response to the question, "What have you done lately?"
Fortunately, getting up to speed doesn't require additional years of study and student loans. Many schools and training companies offer online courses with certificates of completion or certifications. These can go a long way toward convincing a potential employer of your relevance and potential value to the IT organization.
To begin, evaluate the skills, experiences and strengths you already possess, then consider how they might be applied in new areas. For example, if you have a background in Web development, it might be relatively easy to transition to mobile application development by familiarizing yourself with emerging technologies such as Android and Windows Phone 7.
There are classes and certifications available for everyone willing to take the time to stretch their minds. Identify the major employers in your region of choice, determine which technology training and skills would make you most marketable, and start learning.
For example, if you're in San Diego, you might look at biotech, where at any given time there are 700 job openings; in San Francisco, look in health care and pharmaceuticals -- there are an astonishing 9,000 posted jobs for entry- and management-level positions; in Seattle, there are over 10,000 jobs posted for high tech, and 950 for gaming; and in Denver, engineering is back on the rise, with over 7,000 new jobs.
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