The Positives of A Social Media Presence Driven by Employees

Branding and Messaging

Having employees add organizational content to social media can be a great way to increase brand recognition. For example, if employees post photos from a recent company volunteer project, the world can now see the importance that the company puts on giving back. It also allows for the public to see what charities and projects a firm promotes which can provide a window into a company’s values.

Advertising Employee Perks and Work Environment

If employees talk about their great work environment and corporate perks, this can enable recruiting. Most social media users are friends with people of similar backgrounds. These social media connections allow companies to tap into a significant group of potential candidates when trying to fill new roles. Allowing employees to discuss things like parental leave, vacation policies, and work from home protocols can make a business very enticing to prospective employees. As a result, this “subliminal” advertising technique can become a powerful tool for recruiters and HR teams.

Driving Sales

Employees posting corporate news items on social media can often drive unexpected sales. Allowing employees to post about new platforms, products, or service offerings can influence and broaden corporate reach and drive interest. For example, if an employee posts about a new service offering, it organically increases the visibility of the offering to a wider range of eyes. This increased profile can make a significant impact on sales numbers.

Considerations Before Recruiting your “Social Media Army”

Clear Guidelines on What Material is Acceptable

While social media can be a great tool, it can also be a headache if not properly managed. Making sure that employees know the rules and regulations regarding corporate social media policy are critical. Having clear and specific procedures are necessary for a positive experience for both the employee and company. Ensure that employees don’t post polarizing or offensive material to maintain a healthy social media program.

Establishing a Social Media Program & Training

Companies like Starbucks, Zappos, and Twitter have active social media programs in place. For example, Zappos has a specific training program just for Twitter. When employees are appropriately trained on the use of social media the company can ensure proper use of this vital marketing asset.

Moving Forward

When looking to embrace a corporate social media strategy its best to recruit the right social media army and that starts with a professional recruiter. Using a professional recruiter ensures an excellent foundation for a successful social media 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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Soft Skills for 2018

Recruiters will be looking for candidates who excel in communication and cross-team functionality. While these soft skills aren’t an area where certifications can demonstrate expertise (with the possible exception of the Program Management Professional (PMP) certification), candidates can provide relevant examples of these soft skills when interviewing.

Communication

The skills to interface and interact with others will always be necessary, no matter the industry. Those candidates who can effectively and efficiently communicate ideas and processes will stand out. Not only must a candidate express ideas well, but they must also listen.

Cross-Team Functionality

In today’s tech industry, much work is done across an entire organization. Now more than ever, tech professionals are engaging with divisions outside the IT department. Tech professionals who have some basic familiarity with other business disciplines like HR, marketing, finance, and operations are highly valued.

Technical Skills for 2018

For 2018 and beyond, employers are looking for high tech skills that range from AI, Cloud, and SaaS to unique programming languages. These skills can be demonstrated with certifications but, in many cases, hands-on experience is also required.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is all the rage in 2018. Experience with data analytics, machine learning, coding, mobile app development, and innovation are critical. For example, in Silicon Valley, currently, there is an intense “arms battle” for top “engineering talent with a focus on AI and machine learning.”

Cyber Security

Following another year of high profile breaches, security will stay front and center for 2018. Candidates that are well versed in information security principles and protocols are in high demand. Knowledge of network security, firewalls, and penetration testing are key. In this area, certifications such as the CISSP and CISM are useful. Also, the area of offensive security is becoming a more significant part of the practice. As such, one of the most sought-after certifications is the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). The expected employer search rate for OSCP professionals in 2018 is expected at 34%.

Cloud Computing and SaaS

Cloud computing and software as a service (SaaS) will continue their growth into 2018. Jeremy Williams from Vyudu, of the Forbes Technology Council, states that “virtualization skills in Amazon AWS, Microsoft Hyper-V, and VMware for private cloud hosting will, without a doubt, help you stand out from the crowd. Experience with DevOps, containers, the entire cloud stack, and IPv6 will also benefit your chances for a top job tremendously.”

Programming Knowledge

Popular programming languages are influenced by the latest trending frameworks and platforms. For example, Spark is an open source cluster computing platform that is used by industry leaders such as Netflix and eBay. Languages such as Java, Scala, Python, and R are used on the Spark platform. R is an open source programming language that supports statistical work and is used extensively in the areas of data mining.

Coding and Engineering Experience

Experience with engineering principles and hands-on experience with coding is crucial going into 2018. According to Chalmers Brown, from Due, of the Forbes Technology Council “an engineering mind and coding skills are now essential for the high-tech industry. Everything is about new ways to build and use products and services that are more intuitive.”

Mobile Application Development

The demand for mobile application development in 2018 will continue to rise. Scott Stiner, of UM Technologies, states that “successful developers should be fluent in multiple programming languages including Java, HTML5, Objective-C, C++, C#, Python, and Swift. Also, app developers with UX and UI design skills can offer much more value for project management.”

Moving Forward

As job seekers find themselves preparing for 2018 and possible job searches in the new year, it’s best to consult a professional recruiter. Furthermore, a professional recruiter can use their expertise and connections to help guide a potential candidate and provide advice on how to best present the top skills a candidate possesses.

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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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