Obviously technology is changing and it’s given rise to a myriad of new job searching techniques. We see these all the time in our business.
If there is one rule of thumb we can point to it’s that while social networking, text messaging, and other emerging digital platforms are valid and important, they’re still not as good as professionalism when it comes to securing a new position.
For more on this topic check out Rachel Zupek’s article on Careerbuilder.com.
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A healthy work environment is built on a foundation of trust. Nothing derails work environments and relationships faster than unanswered questions and skepticism. Unfortunately, in the IT staffing industry, these are common problems. We regularly see individuals who have been abused by the system. They feel their wellbeing comes second to a companies need. Instead of taking the time to understand the need of both consultant and company, staffing firms often choose speed. That’s how you lose trust and that’s how you lose good people. It just doesn’t make good business sense. Here are a few of the best practices we’ve identified for building a healthy and trustworthy IT work environment…
· Take the time to understand an individuals strengths. It will help you place them in the right situation that benefits everyone – consultant, client and yourself.
· Show appreciation through action. Kind words are great but backing them up with necessary support and benefits is key.
· Provide resources for professional development that help individuals continue to advance their career.
· Be transparent in company announcements. Communicate with employees and consultants directly as situations arise.
· Once placed, don’t leave a consultant hanging. That’s the most important time to continue communication with both client and consultant to make sure each is thriving.
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Building employee loyalty is the most important thing a company can do. It obviously fosters a healthy work environment but having loyal employees makes everyone look good and ultimately increases your bottom line. But building employee loyalty is a process, especially in the IT industry where so many have been abused over the years. Just hiring someone doesn’t mean they’ll trust you and buy in to what you’re selling. Here are three things to ask as an employer or an employee that will lead to immediate satisfaction and long-term loyalty:
1.) Support begins once the hire is made – Everyone feels good in a new hire situation but those feelings can quickly disappear if you’re not supporting your new hire. Show that you’re there for them, back them up, be a resource for questions and concerns and you’ll foster a sense of trust and commitment that will go a long way for both sides.
2.) Make sure payment arrives on time – It seems obvious but no issue looms larger over the IT industry and can be more damaging than not getting paid on time. It should be obvious – you put in the time, you get paid on time. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Do whatever you have to do to ensure all of your employees are paid on time. Usually it’s a simple step. Take it, and you’ll be appreciated.
3.) Keep working past the first assignment – When an employee starts an assignment that’s the perfect time to start thinking about the next one. Show them that you’re looking out for their future and you’ll build the kind of credibility and trust that leads to a great reputation.
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Since we opened in 2000 a lot has changed. The IT industry is constantly evolving and new trends and developments seem to pop up everyday. We have the privilege of being directly involved with the moving landscape and it’s always exciting to see the changes from our vantage point.
Right now we’re in the midst of one of those moments in the IT industry where things are changing. As new methods of communication and development continue to evolve, we thought we’d outline a few of the directions we see the IT industry going.
Mobile Device Development
Cell phones, smart phones, PDA’s. These things are no longer a luxury, they’re critical mass. That’s opened up a whole new world to developers who now have a platform to create their own programs and applications. The key was monetizing the trend, something Apple has done quite effectively. Even though they take a portion, developers finally have the opportunity to put their craft to work and get paid for it.
Open Source Development
The open source movement is alive and well for business and developer’s alike. Companies are more often likely to reach for a free, open source solution, rather than an off-the-shelf piece of software with a price tag.
Mashups
Now more than ever developers and IT professionals are finding ways to piggy back off each other. It’s creating some astounding developments and Mashups seem to be one of those. Taking code written by another and integrating it into your program is one area of growth we don’t see slowing down anytime soon.
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A member of my staff recently forwarded me an article that really grabbed my attention and I thought I’d share it with all of you. John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized author, speaker and expert on leadership. He’s written over 50 books on the subject and the guy really knows what he’s talking about.
Recently, he wrote a piece that was featured on GIANT Impact’s website, a leadership development organization. In the article, Dr. Maxwell talks about how we’re all destined to fail at some point and it’s how you react at the moment that is what will truly define you.
Instead of me paraphrasing, read Dr. Maxwell’s article here. It’s definitely worth the read.
To continue this discussion, and leave a comment, visit the INT forum.