In most cases, a candidate will do very little evaluation on a prospective employer beyond some moderate research to prepare for an interview. However, in limiting their research, a candidate may be preventing themselves from making fully informed career decisions. Instead, a candidate should view a prospective employer as they do any unknown entity, and conduct a well thought out evaluation before making any decisions.

Evaluation Steps for Candidates

Contact Your Network

Contacting first and second-degree connections can be an excellent way to find either current or former employees of a prospective employer. Utilizing this approach, a candidate can get first-hand information directly from people familiar with a potential employer.

Review the Company’s Website Carefully

The second place to go for information on a prospective employer is their website. However, when doing this research, go beyond the superficial. Don’t gloss over their site but take an in-depth look. Study the biographies of company officers, current, and past work projects, and company blogs. Gather information and take notes in preparation for your next step, more in-depth research.

Research their Clients and Subcontractors, along with their Top Competitors

With your research gathered from a prospective employer’s website, it’s time to add more sources. Head to sites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor to research company officers, clients, and subcontractors.

While looking at a prospective employer’s overall business, it’s essential to include top competitors. Evaluating competitors allows a candidate to better gauge the actual market of their potential employer. This information can help a candidate feel assured that they are making a sound decision.

Use Social Media

When researching a prospective employer, social media is an invaluable resource. In a social media search, look not only at an employer’s official accounts but also to platforms run by current and former employees (found via LinkedIn). When browsing the official accounts of a prospective employer, how do they interact with followers and what is the tone of their comments? Are they respectful, cold, or superficial? Concerning accounts run by current or former employees, zero in on reviews, complaints, and workplace concerns. However, keep in mind to not read too much into negative reviews by former employees since these can be biased and come from a place of resentment.

Contact a Professional Recruiter

The best way to get honest, in-depth information on a prospective employer is to contact a recruiter. A professional recruiter knows industry employers in their market. A recruiter can best gauge if a potential employer is a good match for a candidate and may even be able to connect a candidate with a current employee of a prospective employer.

Moving Forward

For candidates to make informed career decisions, it is essential that candidates research, review, and evaluate all prospective employers. By doing in-depth research, a candidate can begin a relationship with a potential employer with their eyes open. If a candidate still has questions regarding a prospective employer, it’s best to reach out to a professional recruiter. At Open Systems, we have the market knowledge and industry connections to help our candidates succeed in their job searches. Contact us today to learn more.

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Though the main benefit of a good mentoring program is it allows more senior professionals to share their unique skill sets that can bridge skills gaps in more junior employees. Bridging these skill gaps can create a more productive workforce that can drive organizational improvements.

What Successful Mentoring Programs Have Mastered: Matching

Mentoring programs are only as strong as the relationships they help foster. Here are several ways to create positive, long-term mentor and newbie relationships.

Identify Skills Gaps Before Making a Match

Identify the gaps you are trying to fill in your mentees skill sets and match the mentees with executives who can help fill those areas. For example, if an employee needs to improve in reporting or presentations, ensure they are matched with a mentor that excels in those areas.

Ensuring mentor and newbie aren’t in the same management chain

When a relationship exists outside the bounds of a management relationship, there is a higher probability the relationship will be more productive. The chance for open, honest dialogue dramatically increases when the mentee does not have to worry about repercussions to either them or their boss. On the other hand, mentors can also provide more direct feedback when the mentee isn’t their employee which could strain their professional relationship.

Match newbies with mentors who are in roles they aim for  

Asking newbies what career goals they foresee for themselves in the future can help make mentor matches. For example, if a junior IT professional wants to be more security-focused, setting them up with a mentor who is a cybersecurity expert would work best.

Try to find some common ground for the match   

Relationships that start out with some common ground tend to be more successful. For example, matching employees who have attended the same college or have similar interests outside of the office is highly beneficial in yielding a robust and productive relationship. This common ground can help bridge the initial awkwardness and create the beginning of a positive relationship.

Moving Forward

Mentoring programs are only as strong as the matches they make. By producing successful mentoring partnerships, many companies can bridge skills gaps that exist in their organization. When the time comes to add these new employees and future mentees, it’s best to reach out to industry experts, professional recruiters. A professional recruiter will be able to identify top industry talent whose involvement will be able to enrich your mentoring program.

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The Top 5 Programming Languages

1. Java

Over two decades old, Java is still a dominant language. Java is the underlying platform for all Android apps, accounting for much of its modern popularity. Java is reportedly used by 90% of the Fortune 500. However, it appears Java may be experiencing a decline in demand in 2018 as the number of job postings for Java has decreased from 2017.

2. Python

The popularity of Python has been growing rapidly over the last five years. It’s most significant portion of growth comes from an increase in the number of Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects that include data mining and other scientific computing applications that utilize Python.

3. JavaScript

One of the older languages, JavaScript is still a favorite. Currently, over 80% of developers use JavaScript. Furthermore, 95% of websites utilize it as well. Due to its popularity in website development, this language is critical for web developers.

4. C++

C++ is a general-purpose language used by many large companies, especially with enterprise software. A highly versatile language, C++ powers both Google Chrome and Microsoft Windows as well as the backend of Amazon.com.

5. C#

C# is designed to run on the Microsoft. NET platform so, it is behind many web-based enterprise software platforms. It’s also widely used by game developers and has applications in mobile environments as well.

Programming Languages of Honorable Mention

While not in the top five, languages such as Swift, R, and PHP are also highly relevant and have their place in the programming language ecosystem.

Swift

Swift was developed by Apple in 2014 to run on their iOS-based devices. It is open source, user-friendly, and easy to learn. Considering the worldwide popularity of Apple products, it can be a valuable skill if you’re looking to expand your horizons.

R

An open source programming language, R is primarily used in data science and machine learning. R is widely used, including by companies like Facebook, Google, Trulia, and the National Weather Service.

PHP

The oldest language on the list, PHP is still widely used in server-side scripting for websites. It also forms the basis of many custom created languages such as ‘Hack’ from Facebook.

Planning Ahead

When considering expanding your programming skill set, it’s important to know which languages are used in your practice area. Additionally, it is helpful to know which languages are most in demand. When in doubt, it’s best to consult a professional recruiter who can provide you with advice and guidance on where to focus your efforts.

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Ensure Salary and Benefits Are Competitive

To retain top talent, employers must provide pay and benefits that are competitive. In some cases, it may require employers to go a little beyond what they usually would. However, in the long run, this investment will pay off. For example, when coming up with a compensation package, factor what finding, hiring, and training a new employee will cost. How much will a recruiter run? Will much productivity time be lost training a new hire?

Provide Educational and Training Opportunities

Keeping a top performer at the top of their skills is an investment in them that also pays dividends for your organization. While training can take away from work hours, it can pay for itself down the road. Typically, allowing opportunities for education and training makes the top performer feel valued and appreciated. This leads them to stay with the company longer and incentivizes them to work harder.

Make Sure Work Is Recognized

Often the work of elite performers can go unnoticed; this is a classic case of “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Make sure that good work is always acknowledged. Spot bonuses or awards can be a good way to achieve this. Even something as simple as an email saying “job well done” to a top performer goes a long way.

Ensure Work Stays Challenging

If a top performer keeps delivering on time and above expectations, it may be time to tweak the strategy for that employee. It is all too easy to want to keep in place employees who are doing a job well. However, too much time in any job can easily lead to burn out and boredom. If an employee doesn’t feel challenged in their current role, it can cause them to start looking for other, more exciting opportunities.

Make Sure Mentoring is in Place

While it may not seem a top performer needs mentoring, it can be a useful tool for both the employee and the organization. Mentoring not only helps the employee to grow but also helps keep them connected to the firm. This connection will decrease the risk of the employee not feeling attached or valued.

Ensure the Top Performer Sees a Future In Your Organization

Finally, the main reason an employee leaves an employer is the lack of a future. The best way to fight against this is to make sure that your top performer sees a path of progression within the firm. Providing a clear career path with goals and objectives clearly outlined makes it more likely that your top performers will stick around.

Moving Forward

Retaining top performers is a vital part of running any business. If you need help in recruiting top talent or in developing strategies for retaining top talent, its best to reach out to the professionals at Open Systems.

The post How Much Are You Actually Focusing On Your Top Performers? appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

The Year Ahead: The Top Jobs for 2018

Per a CIO.com article regarding the Robert Half Technology 2018 IT salary report these are the top IT positions for the year ahead.

1: Database Developer (Range $97,750 to $175,750)

For Database Developers, a bachelors’ degree in Computer Science or related field is usually preferred. Experience with Oracle and SQL are required. Certifications can also be of great value especially Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDA).

2: Help/Support Desk Technician (Range $32,000 to $81,500)

General requirements vary greatly depending on the level of the role. For entry-level roles, a few years work experience, or an associate’s degree is passable. More senior roles require a bachelor’s degree. Certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) can also be useful and will often lead to higher pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12% increase in computer support specialists from 2014 to 2024. There will be 88,000 net new jobs during this period.

3: Network Administrator (Range $55,000 to $104, 750)

For network administrators, a bachelor’s degree is preferred. However, in lieu of a degree, significant years of related work experience or certifications can often substitute. The most sought-after certifications include Comp TIA A+ certification, Cisco CCNA certification, and the MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate).

4: Data Security Administrator (Range $100,000 to $168, 750)

Data Security Administrator is the highest paying role on the list for 2018. It’s no wonder with all the breaches and hacks plastering the news in 2017. However, this role also often requires the most experience and advanced certification. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field is often required, and certifications such as MCSA (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) and CISSP are either required or a great plus.

5: System Administrator (Range $65,500 to $102,500)

For system administrators, candidates with certifications such as MCSA and MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) are highly sought after. Also, in many cases, a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field is preferred.

Looking Beyond 2018: Future Predictions for the IT

When planning for a long-term career, it’s valuable to be aware of future trends that extend beyond the next twelve months. Per Gartner’s Top Ten Predictions for IT in 2018 and Beyond:

• In 2020, AI (Artificial Intelligence) will become a positive net job motivator, creating 2.3 million jobs while eliminating 1.8 million jobs
• By 2021, 40% of IT Staff will be versalists, holding multiple roles, most of which will be business rather than technology related.

Ensuring You Make the Most of out of 2018

In conclusion, if you are a job seeker who is brushing off the resume and starting to look toward the future, it’s important to do a little legwork to determine what roles are the best fit for your background and experience level. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to consult a professional recruiter to create a plan to move forward with your goal of future employment.

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1: Skills Enhancement and Development of New Skills

Temporary assignments can expose job seekers to new skills and help enhance their existing skills. For example, if a job seeker is pursuing an IT certification (CISM, CISSP, etc.) and doesn’t meet some of the requirements such as time in a certain role or specific skills a temporary assignment can offer such exposure.

2: Networking

Like it or not, networking is a vital activity for a job seeker at any stage of their career. A temporary assignment can provide a job seeker with greater access to new connections that can then broaden their reach. This is especially true when talking about forming “loose” connections with other peers. Studies show that in most cases, it’s these loose connections that lead people to their next jobs.

3: Moving to a Different Practice Area

If a job seeker is looking to transition to another role but doesn’t have the necessary experience to catch the eye of a recruiter for a full-time position, temporary assignments may be to their benefit.

An example of this type of transition would be a data administrator who is looking to transition to information security taking on a temp position in a Security Operations Center. A temporary placement like this allows the job seeker to expand their skill set and get exposed to the industry while getting paid at the same time!

4: Business Specific Experience

In some cases, job seekers wish to make lateral movements within different industries. For example, an information security professional decides to go from a retail organization to a financial institution. While there are some similarities in these verticals, there are also huge differences. For example, in retail, aspects around ERP and supply chain management vary greatly from a financial institution. In a financial institution, there are many government banking regulations and rules that a very specific and don’t apply to other environments.

5: Experience with A New Technology

Finally, temporary assignments offer the ability to work for various companies all doing things in different ways utilizing different tools. Temporary placements allow a job seeker to gain exposure to new technology and tools that might not have been possible by having pursued a more traditional role.

Thinking Ahead

In conclusion, temporary assignments may not be ideal for everyone, but they can benefit a job seeker in numerous ways. They can provide many advantages such as networking and development of new skills. If a job seeker is interested in learning more about temporary assignments, its best to consult a professional recruiter. A recruiter can assist a job seeker in developing a career plan and find the best temporary assignment for them and their career.

 

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1: It’s All About the Cloud

Cloud computing has brought a major shift to ERP systems. With the advent of cloud computing, companies no longer need to make enormous investments in architecture, multi-year licenses, and operations and maintenance. Today’s ERP systems are moving towards a Software as a Service model. This allows smaller companies to purchase only what they need and offload all of the heavy lifting to firms that have the required expertise to manage these complex systems.

2: Mobile

More and more firms use mobile devices and apps to do business. As a result, it’s imperative that ERP systems can be viewed on small screens and on compatible mobile technology platforms (Andriod, iOs). It’s also necessary that certain mobile workforce apps can be utilized and can integrate with an ERP system.

3: Internet of Things

IoT is an emerging field that needs to be considered when planning for a new ERP system. Every device your ERP system interacts with should be evaluated to ensure tighter integration. Furthermore, if an ERP system can’t fully integrate with all of an organization’s various devices, including IoT, it may be time to upgrade.

4: Security

Information security is making headlines every day with things like ransomware attacks freezing critical ERP systems (like the recent NotPetya outbreak that impacted Maersk and other large global logistics companies among others.) If an ERP system lacks security awareness and enhanced security measures, the system may be vulnerable to attack. Thus, newer ERP systems are better positioned to guard against new threats.

5: Integration

An ERP system is only as strong as its ability to integrate with other applications or software. If an ERP system can’t fully support certain modern-day applications (such as CRM software, new PoS implementations such as Square or other mobile PoS platforms, etc.) or software, it may be time to re-think the existing system.

Implementation Concerns: Learn from Under Armour

The above notwithstanding, an organization needs to thoroughly think about implementation when considering a new system. In October 2017, Under Armour reported less than desired earnings. They blamed their poor numbers on the implementation of a new ERP system. Due to issues with deployment, their ERP system negatively affected change management. This caused ripples through their supply chain and severely impacting their bottom line.

A Critical Assessment: Room for Improvement

When in doubt, consult a solutions provider for an assessment to determine if it’s time to invest in a new ERP system.  They will be able to provide guidance on the best fit for your organization. In addition, a solutions provider will also craft a successful implementation strategy. This will assure the most cost-effective and best solution for your situation.

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The Top Jobs

In the current market, tech jobs are hot and in-demand. As a result, In March 2017, Business Insider listed the ten highest paid IT jobs in the market right now. The top ten salaries range from $95,167 to $112,045.

1. Applications Development Manager: $112,045
2. Software Engineering Manager: $109,350
3. Information-technology Architect: $105,303
4. Software Architect: $104,754
5. Solutions Architect: $102,678
6. Data Architect: $102,091
7. Information-technology (IT) Program Manager: $98,883
8. User Experience (UX) Manager: $98,353
9. Systems Architect: $97,873
10. Scrum Master: $95,167

Location, Location, Location!

In addition, it’s important to remember that these are median averages and as with real estate, compensation is all about location, location, location. New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC all have a very high cost of living, so salaries tend to be higher in these areas to compensate.

Any Room in the Cubicle? Is there a Vacancy?

Finally, among the top jobs, available positions vary greatly. As a rule, vacancy drives demand. Therefore, higher demand typically means higher compensation. Business Insider listed the number of open positions for the top ten tech jobs.

1. Applications Development Manager: 516
2. Software Engineering Manager: 1,011
3. Information-technology Architect: 250
4. Software Architect: 1,147
5. Solutions Architect: 4,174
6. Data Architect: 1,438
7. Information-technology (IT) Program Manager: 250
8. User Experience (UX) Manager: 263
9. Systems Architect: 1,167
10. Scrum Master: 2,072

Moving Forward – A Plan to Ensure Top Dollar  

Most of all, when looking at the top IT positions, a job seeker must devise a game plan to secure one of these high paying positions successfully. Can a job seeker benefit from adding a certification to their resume? Should a potential candidate re-work their resume to highlight applicable job experience?

A job seeker who finds themselves unsure of the best plan forward should team up with a professional recruiter. A professional recruiter can guide the job seeker in the best direction for their career and make sure that they are set to achieve the highest salary possible.

The post Do You Know The Highest Paying Jobs in IT Right Now? appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

It’s All About Planning Ahead

Managers should start the vacation conversation with employee’s months to weeks in advance. Managers should ask employees what, if any, vacation they plan on taking over the holiday season. Once Managers have an idea of the days and duration of employees requested vacation they can start planning a fair leave schedule.

Even with prior planning, there can still be challenges. It’s best to come up with alternative work arrangements or incentives to aid in this stressful time. Work arrangements such as temporary supplemental staffing, telecommuting, and other creative ideas can ensure productivity remains stable through the weeks of festive celebration. Here are the top 5 Holiday Staffing Strategies:

Holiday Staffing Strategy #1: Temporary Supplemental Staffing

Even with the best planning, it can be necessary to add temporary staff to an organization’s roster. Adding temporary staff will allow permanent employees flexibility in the time they can take off. This will also prevent conflicts between employees on the same teams. It’s best to reach out to a professional recruiter well in advance to ensure that your organization can obtain highly qualified candidates.

Holiday Staffing Strategy # 2: Telecommuting

Telecommuting can be an attractive option for both employers and employees. Allowing employees to telework their full work day or even half day can prevent work from going unfinished. Telework also provides employees with much-needed flexibility as they deal with family holiday obligations.

Holiday Staffing Strategy # 3: Changing Work Hours  

Allowing employees to start their workday earlier or work later in the day can make sure productivity stays consistent.

Holiday Staffing Strategy # 4: Offering Holiday Work Incentives

Offering employees added pay or other perks (free lunches or dinners) can keep your staff numbers high even during the busiest times of the season. Gift cards to restaurants, retail establishments (help with holiday gift giving!), and movie theaters are also greatly appreciated by employees.

Holiday Staffing Strategy # 5: Deferring Vacation Till After the Holiday

Provide employees with the option to defer their vacation to another time of year. This strategy is especially appreciated by employees who may value other times of the year to celebrate with family and friends.

Ensuring Happy Holidays for All!

In closing, staffing during the holidays will always be challenging. The key to success during the holiday season is good planning and flexibility which will make the situation easier for everyone. If supplemental staffing is required, it’s best to reach out to a professional recruiter to ensure access to vetted, qualified candidates. Following these strategies will ensure a happy holiday season for all!

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The Controversy Regarding IT Certifications

The importance of IT certifications depends on who you talk to. Organizations that provide training and conduct exams will tell you that they are absolutely necessary. HR professionals will tell you that certifications make their jobs easier by being a tool to validate candidate skillsets. Finally, technical professionals will say that while certifications can help, they are not a good gauge of a candidate’s knowledge base and that hands-on experience will always be more vital. So, what is a job seeker to do?

Employer Opinion: By the Numbers

First, it’s important to look at the numbers regarding IT certifications and employer value.

• 72% of employers require IT certifications for certain job openings.
• 67% of employers use certifications to measure a candidate’s willingness to work hard and meet a goal
• 60% of employers use certifications to confirm subject matter expertise.

Source: CompTIA 5 Reasons Why Employers Look for IT Certifications

In looking at the numbers, it’s important to point out that not only are certifications being used to validate skills but they are also used to determine a candidate’s drive.

IT Certifications: Let’s Get Personal

Secondly, IT certifications and their value are dependent on the person obtaining them. For example, if you are a low-level security professional and you obtain a CISSP it may be a huge benefit since it demonstrates capability. In certain parts of the IT industry, such as the security arena, certifications are quickly becoming essential.

Return on Investment (ROI)

When deciding on whether to pursue a certification, a job seeker must think about the ROI associated with the certification in question. Since certifications can run thousands of dollars, it’s important to determine if the investment will be able to be recouped in a reasonable time frame through salary improvement or increased opportunity. This greatly depends on your industry, your experience, your geographic location, and future career goals.

Planning Ahead

Finally, when deciding if a certification is best for you, research is key. One good practice is to look at the LinkedIn profiles. View the profiles of professionals who have the jobs you are aiming for and see what their certifications are. View open job postings to help you get a better idea of required certifications versus desired or preferred certifications. When in doubt, consult a recruiter, preferably one that specializes in your field, to get an idea of what certifications are setting candidates apart in the current market.

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