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Newsletter Winter 2009

Identifying Good Positions for Career Growth and Job Satisfaction

By James E. Thompson
President/COO
The InSource Group
972.455.1037
jt@insourcegroup.com

It’s a good time to be a skilled IT Professional – there is not enough IT talent to meet existing and growing demand in the United States. Our colleges and universities are not graduating enough U.S. Citizens with strong science degrees, computer science or otherwise.   As a result, firms are struggling to hire full-time or contract staff for IT and engineering positions.

So how can IT professionals take advantage of this shortage? Competitive compensation might be the first thing that comes to mind, but there is much more to a good position than money.  Beyond wages, how can you turn the current shortage of IT talent into long-term career growth and job satisfaction? 

What to Look For In a Position

No matter how much money you make, you can end up in a position that doesn’t advance your career or provide satisfaction beyond a paycheck.  Savvy professionals consider additional aspects of a potential job. 

1. Is the company willing to train a person for the job?  On-the-job training programs provide you with the opportunity to learn a new skill without having to go back to school.  We all know the market can change quickly. Broader skill sets make you more marketable in good times and the not so good times.

2. Does the company offer opportunities for advancement? Once you have mastered the current position, is there room for incremental career progression? Working for a firm that offers opportunities for advancement may help you to achieve long-term career goals.  

3. Does the company work to retain current employees? This can be a big indicator of how satisfying a place is to work.  Look for longevity in current employees, rewards programs for job performance, flexibility in work schedules, and how closely management works with employees to help them achieve career goals.

In the short term, enjoy the current market environment, but use it for more than just a bigger paycheck.  Seek out companies with positions that will help you advance your career and ultimately ensure job satisfaction and long-term marketability.