Jim Staats Posts

Within the corridors of one of Japan's top technical consulting firms, a new skills training program is producing whiplash-fast results for those involved. At the heart of this initiative is a core belief in the value of CompTIA A+ certification. In the past year, the client services division of MicroMates, which provides IT equipment support for Ricoh Technosystems, implemented the "skills map" program to boost staff knowledge through a four-pronged focus on practical skills, communication ...

Takeaway of the week is it's hard to know who, or what, to trust. The future is bright for the IT job market. No, it's not. Oh yes, it is. Wait, maybe some of it is sunny and other parts are cloudy. No wonder the weather reporter always takes a beating from the public. Survey Says: Sunny Days for IT Job Seekers If you're equipped with IT training and in need of employment, consider yourself luckier than most job seekers, according to a new survey. More than half of the respondents to Career ...

Takeaway of the week is in the form of a catch phrase from the old game show, "Family Feud," that goes, simply, "Survey says..." Yes, it's one survey after another coming out as we hit the midpoint of 2012, and most all indicators are that it's a good time to be a skilled IT professional on the hunt for a job. Depending on your skills and location, the growing job market just may find you first. Salary Survey: Good News for IT While not all is rosy in the IT job market, compensation in one a ...

Takeaway of the week is that the IT industry truly offers something for everyone, especially when it comes to today’s job seeker. Whether you’re fresh out of college with a bright future, but a lack of job-seeking acumen; a prospective technician with a hankering for something more challenging than a run-of-the-mill IT role; or a chance to influence your government’s public policy, IT has got it. Want a Challenge? If it’s not just a job in the IT industry you want, but one that gives you a tru ...

Takeaway of the week is it's still a "New York State of Mind" when it comes to the place to be for tech startups. In other news, well, let's just say the recent worldwide software market forecast wasn't as rosy as things are these days for techies looking for jobs in the Big Apple. The Big Tech Apple Hey, did you hear the one about New York being the hot destination for tech startups these days? If you need more proof, check out the recent piece in the Wall Street Journal, which highlights a ...

Takeaway of the week is the suggestion to view the current IT job market in the "glass is half-full" mode. Reports on the overall IT job market might not be glowing, but it's certainly doing a lot better than other industries in today's economy. IT prospects continue to grow at a steady pace. Let's just hope that forecasts of IT skills gaps are a thing of the past in the near future. Wanted: Cybersecurity Skills Amid a growing spate of cybersecurity attacks to both government and corporate netw ...

Takeaway of the week is that it remains good to be in the IT job market, if one has to be in a job market at all. Choices abound, given the right skills and aptitude. This goes for anywhere in the globe, given the right skills. Dice: Tech Job Market Rises Above Despite economic woes, the job market for IT pros remains hot, a new Dice hiring survey indicates. According to the survey, nearly three-quarters of IT-focused recruiters and hiring managers expected to build out tech staffs in the last ...

Takeaway of the week is a reminder to constantly maintain and expand your personal skill set. Otherwise, you might just take a long fall down that ever-growing "tech skills gap" separating you from that next great job. Widening Tech Skills Gap Signals Changing Jobs Market The growing space separating those IT job openings and the candidates with the necessary expertise is the clearest sign yet that this segment of the job market is in the midst of a veritable revolution, experts say. As tale ...

When it comes down to it, any professional accreditation is only as good as its relevance in the field. According to veteran security engineer Jeremy Hoel, the new CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certification covers the big picture for today’s needs. “It’s very useful,” said Hoel. “It seemed to be much more focused on the reality of what tools go where and why and how multiple parts fit together.” Hoel, a senior security engineer for global ...

When it comes down to it, any professional accreditation is only as good as its relevance in the field. According to veteran security engineer Jeremy Hoel, the new CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certification covers the big picture for today's needs. "It's very useful," said Hoel. "It seemed to be much more focused on the reality of what tools go where and why and how multiple parts fit together." Hoel, a senior security engineer for global IT services provider PE Systems Inc. ...