An IT career for the long term

By VIKKI BLAND

Check the IT recruitment pages of any national newspaper and you'll see short-term IT job contracts are popular. They suit employers completing a temporary IT project; established IT workers looking for a challenge, and young people getting a feel for the industry.

While getting any IT job is a good start for a new graduate, if you're raising a family, paying off a mortgage, or have serious career goals, how much job security is there in the IT sector? Are some IT jobs more secure than others? And is it possible to work in the same job for several years?

It's possible, say IT recruitment firms and academic leaders, but it depends as much on whom you are as what you know.

Microsoft's Bill Gates probably has no such worries, but most other people have to keep their skill base up to date and have strong interpersonnel skills to keep working.

Tony Clare, academic leader for the faculty of computer information and sciences at the Auckland University of Technology, says the IT job market is difficult to second-guess, but New Zealand employers value IT people who are professional and have good interpersonal skills.

"They want IT staff with English as a first language [or an equivalent command of English]; that can problem solve; can present to a client and communicate well in professional situations," says Clare.

Laurel Gillan, joint director of IT recruitment firm IT Maniacs, says this is because modern IT roles involve regularly meeting with customers.

"Employers consistently ask for top communication skills and for IT staff to be able to adapt to changes within the IT industry and the business."

Scott McKee, managing director of IT recruitment firm Candle New Zealand, says about half of Candle's IT placements are permanent, and reiterates a familiar theme.

"There's a very high emphasis on how well an IT employee interfaces with colleagues and customers."

Of course, IT qualifications and experience are also important for securing long term IT positions.

Gillan says her firm keeps records of which skills are in demand.

"Presently, our permanent placements are in the areas of project management, development, helpdesk and desktop support."

Gillan warns the IT industry is not "seriously secure" because employment demands change with IT trends.

"We can't say 'go away, learn how to be an [IT] business analyst and you'll have job security'. We could tell you an area to pursue today and tomorrow the demand would be for something else."

McKee agrees. "I couldn't say whether one role in the IT sector was more secure than the next. My advice to people seeking job security is to keep their skills current, and stay marketable."

Gillan says employers expect their IT employees to have acquired relevant skills.

"IT workers are wise to analyse international trends and the local business market, try to predict what employers will want in a few years, and then ensure their qualifications match those requirements."

One area of relative job security may be in IT support roles. Considered the "bread and butter" of the IT job sector, Clare says support roles may be less challenging, but are likely to be more secure.

"People who can support networks and handle security and technical issues in a complex environment are always in demand. The scary thing is the number of people who sign up for product qualifications that are vendor specific. It's a costly, narrow focus and not the path to take [for long-term job security.]"

McKee isn't sure he agrees with that analysis.

"It really depends what you are doing. If you want to be a network engineer, those qualifications are valuable."

Gillan and Clare say compared to the international market, IT jobs in New Zealand are as secure as anywhere else because IT is a global industry.

"The same IT trends and opportunities seen here are seen in Holland, Hong Kong, Australia and the USA," says Clare.

He predicts demand for IT development and business analysis skills will grow over the next few years, with jobs in design, testing, project design, consulting, and programming becoming readily available.

Gillan says she would add Java skills, remote management and Microsoft.net expertise to the list.

"Above all, I say to candidates please realise that IT employers expect their staff to be flexible, to learn on the job, to be adaptable. Don't be precious and don't over-value the skills you presently have."