The Top Tech Skills

When looking at the most desired tech skills by recruiters and employers, there are a few trends that stand out. The first is the importance of new tech in the marketplace. Practice areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data are really starting to take hold. At the same time, while new tech areas are emerging, more established practice areas such as Cloud and Security are continuing to grow and evolve.

It’s all about the data: Big Data Experience

Data is king in 2018. Companies have always had to deal with vast amounts of data but until recently were unable to easily put their data to work for them. Now, with Business Intelligence (BI) and Business Analytics (BA), organizations are harnessing their data and using the information to make predictions about the future and enhance their bottom lines.

Hiring managers are looking for professionals who have experience with both BI and BA as well as experience with data mining, modeling, and visual analytics.

Security: the vital and essential business requirement

Security is at the forefront of the minds of business leaders in 2018. No company is safe from a cyber-attack whether you are a corporate giant or a small business. Because of this, employers are looking for professionals with strong security backgrounds. Sought after skill sets include offensive and defensive security, vulnerability assessment, and incident response. Tech professionals can enhance their security bona fides through certifications such as the CISSP (Certified Information Security Systems Professional) and the CISM (Certified Information Security Manager).

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Taking the Impossible and Making It Possible

AI is becoming an essential part of emerging technology. Once a purely theoretical idea, AI is now becoming a vital business tool. Businesses are using AI and AI driven tools to improve many business functions. These functional areas include human resources and business strategy (BI and BA). Professionals should be familiar with data analytics, coding, and machine learning.

Everything is in the Cloud

Everywhere you go today, everyone talks about the Cloud. As more companies move to a cloud-first strategy, changes in cloud platforms are occurring rapidly. Most of these changes are to support AI and machine learning. Hiring managers are looking for professionals with cloud skills such as applications design, devops, and security architecture.

Moving Forward

2018 will be a year of significant advancements in the tech industry. Professionals who keep an eye on current trends can better position themselves for the market and their future. If a tech professional is uncertain how these current market trends affect them, they should reach out to a professional recruiter. At Open Systems, we leverage our up-to-date industry knowledge to help our candidates plan for the future. Contact us today to start your career moving forward.

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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.

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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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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.

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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: 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.

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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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