1. Remember digital space: Introvert isn’t synonymous with shy or anxious. Introverts are energized by time alone and feel depleted by large groups of people, making it harder for them to engage in common business situations like conference meetings. Making space for introverts to join the conversation can look like following up with meeting attendees after the meeting and requesting feedback.
2. Create recharge spaces: Introverts may find the very act of being in a busy workplace draining, so it can be beneficial for employers to provide quiet spaces for employees to take a break and recharge so they can feel more energized during times of collaboration.
3. Look for other signs of engagement: Introverts might not engage best by leading group conversations and brainstorms. They might feel more comfortable in one on one conversations or get more thinking done by taking notes or sketching. If you’re concerned that your introverted employees aren’t as engaged in their work, make sure to look for and encourage signs besides outward collaboration.

Introverts are valuable members of every work team. Learning how to better relate to and encourage them will help them feel more included and result in higher employee engagement. A little planning on the employer’s part can go a long way towards fostering the kind of workspace where everyone can thrive.

If you’re looking to add the next talented member of your team, we can help. Our industry experience can help you connect with the right person for your open role. Call us today to get started.

The post The Best Ways to Include Your IT Staff’s Introverts into the Discussion appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

1. Take advantage of office perks: Don’t let things like on-site gyms, stipends for fitness classes, or mental health benefits like employee assistance programs (EAP) go to waste. Many employers offer these benefits to help you prioritize your health, so try to make time to get the most of out of them.
2. Try a standing desk: Sitting all day can not only lead to fatigue and distraction, it can have an effect on your health over time. Using a sit-stand desk to move more and sit less can not only help you burn more calories, it can also increase focus and clarity and reduce the risk of disease.
3. Take your PTO: One of the best ways to stay healthy in the office is to take a break from the office. Busy schedules and expectations can make it difficult to consistently take time off, but prioritizing it can help you reset, so you can feel refreshed and recharged.
4. Hydrate: You spend a good amount of time at the office every day and between meetings and emails, it can be hard to remember to take a water break. Set a timer on your desktop or phone to remind you to refill your water bottle – taking a few minutes to walk to the water cooler can also get you moving more throughout the day, which is an additional health bonus.
5. Manage stress: Your mental health is every bit as important as your physical health. Stress can take a toll on your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Everyone has their own way of dealing with stress, so find what works for you. Yoga, meditation, exercise, and journaling are all effective ways to manage in-office and other life stressors, as well as building good relationships with your co-workers and peers.

If you want your career to be healthy, you have to keep yourself healthy. Reducing your risk of illness and burnout can help you stay effective and productive at work and increase your overall engagement and enjoyment at work.

If your employer doesn’t prioritize your wellness or you’re looking for a healthier workplace, give us a call. We can help match you with an opportunity that can help you feel your best and do your best work.

The post 5 Tips to Stay Healthy at the Office appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

1. Identify goals: First things first – you want to understand and outline the task in front of you. It’s not enough to say your goal is “IoT implementation,” because that’s going to mean something different in every business. The process starts, then, with identifying what a successful implementation will involve. Who needs to be involved? What departments does this affect? What IoT products are being integrated? What is a reasonable timeline? Who will need to be trained on new processes? Asking the right questions can help you understand what needs to be addressed in the process ahead of you.
2. Identify gaps: Gaps can be anything – hardware, software, manpower, etc. Gaps are the things that are going to stand in the way of making progress. Do you have enough staff to successfully manage implementation? Do you know if your legacy programs will handle data from IoT products? Do you need additional hardware, like data collecting sensors, to bridge the gap between IoT and your programs?
3. Measure progress and plan for the future: If your team has checked off every implementation to-do, it’s time to review the process and see how it went, so you can prepare for updates in the future. It’s likely you’ll need to integrate additional IoT products onto your platform at some point and assessing how the initial integration went is key to future success.

IoT continues to grow, and it’s important your business can keep up. Do you have the staff it takes to succeed? If you need knowledgeable IT employees to help manage integrations, we can help you find the right talent. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can assist in your IT staffing search.

The post Are You Ready for IoT Implementation? appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

1. Dust off your resume

Even in the age of LinkedIn, resumes are still your primary tool to communicate skills and experience to potential employers. Make sure your resume is up to date with your most important achievements and contributions, and take time to optimize it to match the keywords in job postings you apply for. This is an investment that can help your resume gets noticed.

2. Know your network

Being recommended for a job by someone you know is still a powerful job search tool. Who in your circle might be able to point you in the direction of an interesting opportunity? Ask around on LinkedIn or attend an in-person networking event for professionals in your area or industry. Meetup is a free source for discovering events in your area, including professional development opportunities. Eventbrite can also connect you with events and classes in your area.

3. Consider a class

Certificate programs, online courses, and even community college classes can help bolster your resume and position you as an ambitious, experienced, and knowledgeable applicant.

4. Find the right jobs

While networking can be a huge help in your job search, looking through online job boards can also help you connect to opportunities. Most job boards will send you email alerts regarding jobs that match your experience and interests, saving you some time

Connecting with a recruiting company that specializes in your industry can also help you find a new job faster.

Let us help you meet your goal of new employment in the new year. Get in touch today, so we can help you find the job that’s right for you.

The post A New Year, a New Job? appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

Bad behavior is always at the top of the list of killer project behaviors. It could be poor communication, passive-aggressive behavior or an unwillingness to accept change. Whatever it is, project managers need to be equipped to handle any type of situation, including bad behavior from team members. Start with consulting with your human resource department on what employee tools you have available, such as an employee handbook, documentation and even disciplinary action.

Poor project timelines happen when project managers are not realistic about tasks as well as not adding contingency time to projects. Unexpected surprises happen. It’s the project managers job to anticipate this with backup vendors, staffing, equipment, etc.

Ignoring Problems. It’s never the problem that kills a project. It’s how the problem is handled that is the killer. Don’t put issues and red flags off until later. Instead, work through each problem as it arises. This will keep the team moving ahead and keep your project on time. You’re likely to learn valuable insight along the way when addressing problems head on.

Miscommunications – or no communication – it doesn’t matter who it’s between: you and your team, or you and your boss. Frequent communication in a variety of forms is critical. With today’s project management software such as Trello, JIRA, etc., there is no reason not to have everyone working on the same page.

Don’t over promise if you can’t deliver. Never promise deliverables without checking with your team. It’s better to turn down a project or delay the start until you have time to gather and review all the facts.

By being able to identify these common project killers, you’ll be able to anticipate issues and avoid potential pitfalls.

Move Your Projects Forward

As your company starts planning for its upcoming projects, reach out to OSI to consult on the best workforce solution for your project. Whether it is permanent, short- or long-term contract work or anything in between, Open Systems will streamline the hiring process, allowing your company to work on its growth. Give us a call today.

The post 5 Hard-to-Spot IT Project Killers appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

Strategies to Prepare Your Staff for Temp Employees

Notify Your Staff Ahead of Time

When adding temporary employees to the roster, it is critical to notify permanent staff ahead of time. Notification can be in the form of a memo, an all-hands meeting, or an email. Make sure to lay out the reasoning behind the addition of temporary employees and provide your staff with a timeline for their arrival and departure. Also, explain what business areas temp employees will be supporting within your organization.

Talk to Your Project Teams to Get Their Input

Once you have notified your staff about the addition of temp employees, it is now time to build these employees into your organization. Assign temp employees to your project teams. Speak with the receiving project teams directly to provide them with information on how the temp employees will support them. Also, ask for input from your project teams on their thoughts regarding the role of temp employees on current tasks. Furthermore, share with your project teams the backgrounds of assigned temp employees and show them where the skills of the temp employees can be helpful.

Designate Supervisors for Temp Employees

Once temp employees are placed, designate some of your staff to serve as supervisors. Share with your supervisors what the expectations are for your temp employees. Items such as working hours and specific deliverables must be clearly outlined. Also, let your supervisors know who to reach out to should there be an issue with the work product or behavior of your temp employees.

Reassure Staff that Their Jobs Are Safe

When temp employees come on board, it can make staff feel threatened. With this in mind, it’s best to assure your staff that the arrival of temp employees is not a threat. Assure your staff that their jobs or positions within your organization are safe. This helps eliminate unnecessary fear and worry allowing your staff to be more welcoming to temp employees.

Moving Forward

Temporary staffing can be a great support to any business. However, the potential exists for disruption to existing staff if they are not prepared for the arrival of temp employees. It is best to plan for the arrival of temp employees by notifying your staff ahead of time. Specifically, define the roles and functions of temp employees in your organization. Also, make sure to let your staff know that these new temp employees are just that, temporary, and not a threat to their jobs.

At Open Systems, we are experts in temporary staffing. Want to learn more about the possibilities of temp staffing for your organization? Contact Open Systems today!

The post How to Prepare Your Staff for Temp Employees appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

Know What Jobs Are In-Demand

For tech professionals, preparation is critical. Tech workers should be aware of current market trends such as in-demand jobs and coveted skill sets. Once a tech professional knows where the market is going, they can prepare themselves to meet these future demands and set themselves apart from the competition.

The Top Tech Jobs of 2018

Top Tech Job # 1 – Business Intelligence Analyst

Range from $83,750 to $175,750

Business Intelligence (BI) is on fire. Many companies, across multiple industries, are embracing this crucial business tool. Furthermore, tech professionals who wish to be BI analysts should have knowledge of data models and experience in structured language queries such as SQL.

Top Tech Job # 2 – Data Scientist

Range $100,000 to $168,000

The demand for data scientists is due in large part to the emphasis on Artificial Intelligence. Many AI platforms and tools require an in-depth knowledge of data manipulation and data mining to operate. Tech professionals who would like to pursue data scientist positions should have excellent analytic skills and knowledge in some programming languages. Additionally, graduate-level education is also required.

Top Tech Job # 3 – Database Developer

Range $97, 750 to $175, 750

For database developers, employers are looking for experience with enterprise databases. Thus, hiring managers tend to put weight on certifications such as the Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional or the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator.

Top Tech Job # 4 – Help/Support Desk Technician

Range $32,000 to $81,500

Help desk support roles can range from very junior to senior positions. Based on the level of the help desk position, job requirements can vary from customer support to troubleshooting and problem-solving.

Top Tech Job # 5 – Network Administrator

Range $55,000 to $104,750

With such a focus on network design and an understanding of underlying security protocols, network administrators are also on a recruiter’s watch list. For this role, experience with troubleshooting and in-depth knowledge of network configurations is required. Most employers require a bachelor’s degree plus relevant certifications.

Top Tech Job # 6 – Data Security Administrator

Range $100,000 to $168,750

With businesses so influenced by security concerns, many employers and recruiters are actively looking for data security administrators. Hiring managers are looking for data security admins to have both programming and engineering experience. A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science as are security certifications.

Top Tech Job # 7 – System Administrator

Range $64,500 to $102,500

For system admins, experience with both hardware and software is necessary. Also, employers look for system admins who have excellent problems solving skills. Experience in large enterprise environments is a huge plus. Also, system admins who hold certifications are sure to stand out among their peers.

Moving Forward

Currently, the tech industry is experiencing substantial growth. Coupled with new employment models and record levels of employment, it can be a challenge to navigate the job market, especially for tech professionals. Successful tech professionals are aware of market trends and stay on top of in-demand jobs and sought-after skills. When it comes time to evaluate your professional path, its best to consult a recruiter. At Open Systems, we work with tech professionals who are looking to move their careers forward. Let us put our connections, knowledge, and expertise to work for you!

The post What Jobs are in High Demand in the Tech Industry? appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

What are the top IT certifications?

When looking at the top IT certifications it’s important to remember that certifications are not only time consuming to obtain, they are also expensive, so before making the commitment to earn one, make sure you are making a sound investment.

The Top 6 IT Certifications for 2018

1. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Average Salary: $127,507

2. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Average Salary: $122,448

3. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Average Salary: $119,085

4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Average Salary: $118,179

5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Average Salary: $110,634

6. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Average Salary: $105,324

The Industry Trends for the Top 6 IT Certifications: It’s All About Security and Risk 

When looking at the top six IT Certifications, it’s not hard to spot a trend: Security and risk management is in high demand, and it’s no wonder why. With headlines detailing the latest breaches of company and personal data, security spending is at the highest level in history. Furthermore, it is fair to say this trend will continue in the years ahead. Thus, IT certifications in information security would be a good investment.

Another trend that can be found on the list is the emphasis placed on management as the PMP certification appears in the top six. While not an IT certification itself, it does hold high value for employers since it speaks to a candidate having knowledge of fundamental project management principles.

How Do I Know if a Certification is Right for Me?

Looking at trends is useful, but one should make sure a certification aligns with their career objectives. For example, a PMP, while a great certification, may not provide immediate benefit for a junior IT professional. However, a more senior IT professional may benefit greatly from a PMP certification as they look to move into a management position.

Something else you must consider is that many of the listed certifications require professionals to have a minimum number of years of work experience. For example, the CISM and CISSP both require candidates to possess at least five years of work experience in the area covered by the certification. This criterion may rule out these certifications for most junior IT professionals.

Moving Forward

When in doubt about what certification may be best for you and your career, it’s best to contact an industry expert, a professional recruiter. A recruiter will be able to advise you on the best certification for your current situation and for your future.

The post Will a Certification Earn You More Money in Your IT Role? appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

Moving Forward: Keep Learning and Growing

IT professionals should be utilizing a blend of training, certifications, and mentorship to reach their goals. While these actions require work, they are an investment in the future.

Training

Training is arguably more critical in the IT field than any other field given the pace at which technology changes. IT training can stem from both online and in-person training programs. It’s best to look for programs that will not only strengthen current skills but also broaden skill sets for future applications.  Additionally, learning new programming languages or hardware types is crucial. Technical training is not cheap. When deciding on which training to take, it’s best to think about the future and look at the skills that people in your desired job possess. Also, looking to trends is vital. For example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a considerable force in IT so one should consider brushing up on data mining and analytics which are at the heart of AI.

Certifications

Depending on the role, certifications may be essential for some IT professionals. For example, for IT security professionals the CISSP and CISM are practically required for most positions. If an IT professional seeks a management position within the IT world a PMP (Program Management Professional) may be a worthwhile certification to obtain. While certifications are time-consuming and expensive, they can pay out in the long run. However, it’s important to note that preparing for certification exams is like any other test and people should stick with the method that works best for them and this can include lesser expensive tools such as books, podcasts, and YouTube videos.

Seek Out a Mentor

Professionals who seek out mentors do better than those who don’t. When looking for a mentor, it’s best to look for someone who occupies your desired future role. This formula allows for career modeling. Having a mentor also provides a professional with a great industry resource, one with whom they can confer on difficult situations. When looking for a mentor, keep in mind that many companies have in-place mentoring programs that will make a match and introduction among employees.

Keeping Up to Date on Industry Practices

In order to advance in IT, one must possess the most up-to-date industry knowledge possible. Attending industry conferences is a great way to stay connected to the latest developments in the industry and is also a great networking opportunity. In addition to industry conferences, spending some time reading publications and blogs can help sharpen any professional’s skills and keep them abreast of future trends.

Career Assessment – A Look Toward the Future

IT professionals must always know where they want to go in the future. Where do they see themselves in the next 5, 10, 15 years? In addition to regular promotions, consider lateral moves and possible industry transitions (going from retail to financial) in the future to maximize your possibilities.

Planning Ahead

When in doubt about outlining the path ahead, it’s a great idea to consult a professional recruiter.  Industry-specialized recruiters are well-positioned to see the future of your practice area. By sharing your career goals and objectives, recruiters can take your career path plan and set you on the right course for long-term success.

The post How to Advance Your IT Career appeared first on Open Systems Inc..

Before starting to circulate the resume and hit the job boards, it’s best to do a self-inventory on strengths and weakness not only with your resume but your overall career and profile.

Networking

Like it or not, networking is critical in professional development. Activities can include attending seminars and conferences. Also, social functions, such as happy hours and mixers, can also be valuable. If a job seeker isn’t a natural at networking, there are several books available to help an introvert job seeker tap their full networking potential.

Adding Certifications to Your Resume

While adding certifications to your resume isn’t easy or inexpensive it can add significantly to a resume. Look at job openings in your field to get a better idea of required versus preferred certifications for your next role. This research will go a long way when looking at the time and financial investment that certifications require.

Establishing Your Online Brand and Cleaning-up Your Online Profile

LinkedIn, whether you love it or loathe it, is a tool widely used in business today. Ensuring your profile puts your best foot forward is crucial when navigating the waters of social media. First, invest in a professional headshot. Your profile photo is one of the first things recruiters see and leaves a lasting impression. Also, spend some time cleaning up your profile and ensure that it is free of typos or grammatical errors. Finally, doing a quick google search of yourself isn’t a bad idea either. Make sure that your social media identity doesn’t contain anything that can be offensive or polarizing. Remember, if you can find it, so can employers and recruiters!

Using LinkedIn to Make a Competition Comparison

Another great way to use LinkedIn is to compare your resume with peers and with people in the jobs that you aspire to. Spend some time researching profiles and getting a good idea how people in your industry mapped their own careers. Use their experience as inspiration for your own career path.

Volunteering Your Time to the Greater Good (and improving skills too!)

In today’s business world, there is an emphasis on giving back to the greater good. If a candidate has existing volunteer experience, this is a huge plus. This is especially true since many corporations encourage their employees to volunteer their time and have well-established programs to ensure this. Also, if this volunteer work expands a candidate’s skill set all the better!

Brush Up on Skills and Read Industry Journals to Stay Current

Self-study is inexpensive and can be done around your daily life. If you are a programmer, take some time to improve your existing language skills or learn others. Stay on top of current developments in your field by using your daily commute to listen to podcasts or read blogs or other trusted online publications if your commute allows it. Not only will this serve as a valuable resource in your current role, but it is excellent preparation for future job interviews.

Establish a Relationship with a Professional Recruiter

For every professional in today’s business world, it’s best to establish a relationship with a professional recruiter. Even if a job search isn’t in the plan in the near term, a recruiter can help prepare a future candidate for when the time comes to consider new opportunities. It’s best to reach out to a recruiter who has experience in your industry and/or job role.

Moving Forward

Staying ahead of other candidates can feel like a full-time job. Spending a little time each day to brush up on skills or stay current with industry news can be a huge help. Also,  teaming up with a professional recruiter can be one of the best strategies for staying ahead of the pack.

The post Here Are the Keys to Staying Ahead of Other Candidates appeared first on Open Systems Inc..