DiceTV: Mobile App Development is Moving into Business Units

IT professionals have been marching out of the IT department and into business units for more than a decade. Now it looks like mobile app developers will be following in their footsteps.

I'm Cat Miller and this is Dice TV.

In 2011, corporate IT is expected to make significant investments in mobile technology because of the growing availability of 4G, smart phones and tablets. In fact Forrester Research is forecasting a shift to the "App Internet," where the network is more about apps than browsers. 

The biggest change may come as companies move away from rudimentary first-generation apps toward  sophisticated, highly customized mobile ones, geared toward the specific needs of customers and users.

Instead of developing apps quickly and throwing features into the enterprise, IT will need to conduct a thorough needs analysis before developing solutions.

This means that mobile jobs will move into business units and create new opportunities for developers with strong communications and engineering skills, as well as opportunities for project managers and analysts - who are already in-demand.

How can you prepare? Learn the supporting languages and platforms for iPod, Android and iPhone. Also, get yourself business and functional expertise. But most importantly, you need to observe how employees use mobile devices and understand their challenges. That way you can suggest improvements, features, or even new applications that create revenue or increase efficiencies.

I'm Cat Miller, and this has been DiceTV. We now return you to your regular desktop.

 

DiceTV: Mobile App Development is Moving into Business Units

Backlink: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/step_off_mobile_app_development

DiceTV Update: Machine-to-Machine Communications is Good News for Jobs

 

One reason for rising net traffic is the increasing use use of machine to machine communication. Which means more people are needed who can manage those, er, conversations. And, a special treat: Tips on how NOT to get the job.

 

DiceTV Update: Machine-to-Machine Communications is Good News for Jobs

Backlink: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/dicetv_update_why_machine_to

DiceTV Update: 10 Trends That Will Impact Your Job Next Year

Verizon predicts 10 business technology trends will help companies strengthen their business next year, and observers say Florida's economic success requires a shift away from construction and real estate, to high-tech.

Verizon predicts 10 business technology trends will help companies strengthen their business next year. And they are:

• Ultra-wideband capacity, "super" data centers for the cloud, and smart devices for anywhere, personalized apps will spur long-term innovation.  
• CIOs will install only the resources they need to power their business. They won't make large investments in capital equipment - or additional resources.
• IT will constantly monitor and tweak to safeguard an organization, and comply with increasingly strict government regulations.  
• Smarter, more portable devices - combined with fourth-generation wireless networks, increased demand for mobility, and advanced mobile platforms will make business apps more popular.  
• Video will take advantage of higher-capacity wireless for face-to face and even face-to-machine interaction. 
  
  
• More machines will initiate and respond to business matters on their own. Broken machines will call for service, inventory items will automatically be replenished, and mobile devices will be discoverable no matter where they are.  
• Unified communications and collaboration will allow smaller businesses to adopt new technologies. Larger businesses will figure out how to bring UC&C into their enterprise.
• IPv4, Goodbye. Hello, IPv6.
  
  
• Imagine a virtual world where you only need user name and password. Next year, the infrastructure to support this will begin appear around the world.
• Finally, CIOs will start to rethink the way they deliver value to their businesses.  Sounds squishy But the cloud, enhanced mobility and new ways of working, will inspire more strategic approaches to using technology. That's good news for developers.

Observers say Florida's economic success requires a shift away from construction and real estate, to high-tech. A report from TD Economics says the Sunshine State is well-positioned to make this transition. With help from supportive policies, its aerospace, medicine and IT sectors could breathe new life into the state's deflated economy. All by themselves, these sectors could account for 15 percent of the state's economic growth over the next five years. Two things already happening: Efforts to establish industrial clusters that create networks, lower costs and promote competition, and Florida's unique access to international trade markets.

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/dicetv_update_10_trends_that

DiceTV: Logical Responses to Illogical Questions

 

The Script

Cat: Has this ever happened to you? You're in the middle of an interview - and you're pumped - because you're acing the technical questions - when out of the blue the interviewer asks: "If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be?" Or, "what's your favorite color?"

You can sit there frozen, like a deer in headlights, or you can anticipate "wacky questions" and respond calmly and logically. I'm Cat Miller and this is DiceTV.

So why do interviewers ask off-the-wall questions?

Think of it as a pop quiz. The interviewer wants to catch you off guard because unforeseen events happen all the time in IT. He's looking to see if you can think on your feet and stay calm in stressful situations. Of course, just knowing that you might be asked a wacky question reduces the surprise and allows you to plan your response.

Second, stay calm and take a moment to think before you answer. Your behavior and explanation are critical, so don't stress out about whether your favorite color is red or yellow.

Explain your answer and link it to your personal brand. Allow me to demonstrate. If I were an animal I'd be a dolphin because they're intelligent and they travel in pods and I'm a great team player. Here's another example: I'd be an owl because they're wise and my co-workers always come to me for technical answers and advice.

Don't say you'd be a dominant animal like a lion or a gorilla if you've been an IT manager and you're applying for a programming job because it opposes your goal. Which leads me to lesson number fumph, ah ¿ five - anticipate and prepare.

Although you never know exactly what an interviewer might ask, wacky questions usually fall into a few categories. Interviewers often ask about your heroes, your favorite food, car or color and your least favorite subject in school. Just thinking about your answers before the interview will help you respond with confidence.

I'm Cat Miller and this has been Dice TV. We now return you to your regular desktop.

 

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/dicetv_logical_responses_to_illogical

DiceTV Update: Good Numbers in Silicon Valley and Seattle

The recovery has the legs of a wounded duck, but Silicon Valley keeps looking like it's making a comeback. The Business Forecasting Center at the University of the Pacific says Valley's likely to recover faster than the rest of Northern California. In fact, the center says the San Jose area is the only area in Northern California that's clearly recovering." It forecasts job growth of 3 percent next year and in 2012.  Meanwhile, the UC San Diego extension says four of the top ten most promising fields for new graduates are in IT. The four are healthcare IT, mobile media, data mining, and embedded engineering.

Let's go north. To Seattle. The business community there is feeling pretty good about 2011.That seems to have surprised a few people at the area's chamber of commerce, which conducted a survey of local businesses.But then some say Washington State has some reasons to be optimistic.For instance, while the state lost about 6 percent of its jobs during the recession, Idaho and Oregon lost 8.2 percent and California lost 9 percent. Forty one percent of Seattle's businesses expect to add employees next year.Only about 8 percent expect to let people go. And the new jobs - most of them will be with businesses with six to 100 employees. One of the most optimistic sectors is technology - in this case, IT and gaming. Others are human services, international trade, and  food/beverage/retail.

 

If you're one of the people who don't really want the iPad in the enterprise - well, sorry. The mobile services company BoxTone surveyed IT executives at 800 companies, the Baltimore Sun tells us. Roughly 75 percent expect to deploy iPads or similar devices within the next year. About 25 percent expect to do it almost immediately. And more than half plan to deploy an iPad app of their own within 12 months. Two words: Mobile applications. I just checked and there's 2000 jobs in that search result.

 

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/dicetv_update_good_numbers_in

DiceTV: Take Advantage of Demand for Network Administrators

The Script

Wow, just look at all these openings for network architects, engineers, systems admins and LAN admins! Right now, I see over two thousand opportunities for qualified network administrators.

So how can savvy IT professionals cash-in on this bounty of career opportunities? I¿ll give you the answers during a segment we like to call, "Ask Cat." I'm Cat Miller and this is DiceTV.

Here's the first question: Is there a shortage of network administrators?

Absolutely. In fact, experts estimate that there are currently 60,000 unfilled positions in the U.S. and by 2012, an estimated 14 percent of the IT professionals in North America will work on IP networks - why that's almost 780,000 workers!

What skills are in-demand?

Network administrators still need general skills like basic networking, active directory, mail applications, storage and security. And organizations still want administrators who can design, install, manage and secure a network infrastructure. But now there are so many types of networks and so many different levels that networking roles are becoming specialized.

How will specialization impact the role of network administrators?

Over the next five years, network administrators will need specialized skills and certifications in emerging areas such as risk management and business development. Currently, there are more than 11 different roles for network professionals in security alone.

Will network administrators need additional certifications?

To compete for these new-age networking jobs, IT professionals will need a bachelor's degree, Microsoft certifications like an MCSE and advanced users skills. But they¿ll also need specialized certifications designed around specific roles like a CWNA or CWNP to work on wireless networks or a CWSP to work on wireless security.

How can experienced IT professionals transition into the network field?

If you have some network experience and want to transition into an administration role, start with a small network that runs on familiar operating systems and hardware to get your feet wet while you earn additional certifications. And you¿ll need detail orientation, a curious nature and great communications skills to succeed no matter what role you select.

I'm Cat Miller and this has been Dice TV. We now return you to your regular desktop.

 

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/dicetv_take_advantage_of_demand

DiceTV Update: Can You Get Feedback When You Didn't Get the Job?

A couple of weeks ago, we ran a poll asking whether you seek feedback from HR or hiring managers after you've been turned down for a job. Only 18 percent either speak to HR or the hiring manager to ask why they didn't get the job. But another 30 percent don't try at all. And more than half of you - 52 percent - said you'd like to - except no one gets back to you when you try. That's too bad. A company gains when they return those calls. They help their reputation and their managers improve their reputation. Those are good things - and probably more important in the long run than the time and any legal worries they have.

Tech professionals can expect to see starting salaries increase an average of 3.4 percent next year. Robert Half Technology says base compensation should rise for those in high-demand career fields: Applications and Web development, data security and ERP. Plus, more social media and a need for customer-facing technologies have created additional demand. Industries who'll particularly need IT help: business services, transportation and healthcare. Half says an increasing focus on improving efficiency, managing assets and securing data has increased demand - which means pay goes up, too.

A new survey says IT managers may have more money to spend next year, and back-burnered projects may finally get some attention. The survey by Wedbush was published on ZDNet. So, what's on CIO's minds? Sixty six percent say implementation of new software platforms is critical. That's up from 47 percent in the second quarter. Network deployments in security, routing and switching, collaboration and performance management are all top priorities. Video and voice collaboration are also critical. And slightly more than half of the tech executives said shifting data warehouse projects to appliance deployments was a big priority. Remember - what CIOs are thinking of implementing is where they're probably thinking of hiring.

 

 

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/dicetv_update_can_you_get

DiceTV: Spice Up Your Resume with Power Words

Powerful words in your resume - verbs that describe your tasks, accomplishments and responsibilities, or adjectives and phrases that describe your characteristics and actions - are as important as what you say.

The Script

This resume is really bland, maybe I can spice it up by adding some action verbs like "achieved," "persuaded" and "delegated."


That's better, but it still needs something. How about a few adjectives like: "precise," "conscientious" and "enterprising." Magnifique! Adding those powerful words really did the trick.



Does your resume tantalize the reviewer? Will they keep reading or stop after the first section?



I'm Cat Miller and we're using power words to spice up your resume on this edition of DiceTV.

 

Powerful words can be colorful past tense verbs that describe your tasks, accomplishments and responsibilities or adjectives and phrases that describe your personality traits, characteristics or even your actions. How you say something is as important as what you say, so use descriptive language to paint a picture for the reviewer.



It's best to start with a broad list, then select power words that characterize your personality, work habits or work experience. If you don't have a robust vocabulary, download lists from the Internet or use a thesaurus to expand your repertoire. Remember to include descriptive phrases from the job posting like self-starter or cost conscious because mimicking its language and tone will entice the reviewer.



First, create a personal brand or opening statement using one or two adjectives from your list. For example maybe you're known as a tenacious problem-solver or a relentless pursuer of stealth security threats.



Next, support your brand by starting each experience bullet with a complementary past-tense action verb. Remember, don't use power words haphazardly. Your selections should work in concert to convey a cohesive message. For example a relentless security expert may have "abolished" or "thwarted" hundreds of incursions or "abated" network downtime through "persistent" and "deliberate" firewall testing.



Finally, sprinkle in a few adjectives and voila - a spicy resume. In fact this resume is so spicy; I can't wait to see what happens next. I'm Cat Miller and this has been Dice TV. We now return you to your regular desktop.

 

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/dicetv_spice_up_your_resume

DiceTV Update: Trends to Help You Plan Your Job Search

The top trends to keep an eye on in 2011- How IT people feel about the economy - Hey, kids, wake up: Employers don't like the way you act in the office.

Trends to keep an eye on. From Forrester Research:

• Business intelligence will combine real-time access with agility and self-service.
• Business rules will move to the mainstream.
• Software as a Service and cloud platforms will become standard.
• System management will enable continued virtualization.
• And collaboration platforms will become people-centric.

From Gartner, the areas to keep an eye on:

• Cloud computing
• Mobile apps and media tablets
• Next-generation analytics
• Social analytics
• Social communication and collaboration

Now a question for you: Are you positioned to take advantage of these?

More than half of the tech professionals surveyed say there are fewer jobs available. Forty three percent are confident of finding a new job. This is from a survey by Technisource, which found 38 percent of IT workers are likely to search for job opportunities in the next 12 months. That's up a point from the second quarter, and the highest since the fourth quarter of 2009. Only 20 percent think the economy is getting stronger; 47 percent say its staying the same. That's not surprising with all the headlines lately. But still, most feel good about their job security, and their ability to find a new job if they want to - or have to.

Researchers at York College of Pennsylvania say students need to improve their attitude. More than a third of the employers they surveyed say less than half of new graduates act like professionals at work. Nearly 25 percent say that professionalism has decreased.

Only 15 percent of respondents said it had increased. Where can you improve? Internet etiquette, taking responsibility, and getting used to constructive criticism - All things employers say are important. 

-- Mark Feffer

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com:80/articles/content/entry/dicetv_update_trends_to_help

DiceTV: Your Resume MUST Focus on Your Audience

The Script

Hello aspiring resume writers. Let me ask you a couple of questions. Would you expect to find a story about foreign affairs on a sports website? How about a stash of quick dinner recipes on a career site like Dice?

The obvious answer is no, because most publications have savvy editors who know their audience and keep them engaged by offering them customized content. I'm Cat Miller and this is DiceTV.

Your resume is a written document but is it employer-centric? That means, putting the focus on the employer.

Editors start by reviewing market research to get a feel for their audience. In this case, the audience for IT job seekers includes screeners, who quickly scan resumes to identify qualified candidates before passing them along to hiring managers. Within the audience are technical and non-technical personnel, so you have to write for the entire group.

You can create an emotional connection by reading the job description, researching the company and then mimicking their language and tone throughout the resume.

So how do you appeal to a diverse group of reviewers? By putting yourself in their shoes and offering each one a host of customized, relevant information that specifically addresses the requirements in the job description. Remember, relevant is in the eye of the beholder. You've got to create tightly focused copy and be disciplined enough to eliminate superfluous information.

Appeal to screeners by including a summary of your qualifications at the top. Then highlight your critical skills by using boldface type. Speak to technical reviewers by providing a detailed list of your technical qualifications in the same order as the job description.

Satisfy scrutinizers by providing examples - a lot of examples - of your skills and experience in your work history. Write to business managers and non-technical staff by spelling out acronyms on first reference and going beyond a litany of technical tasks and responsibilities to describe your business impact.

Remember, it's easy to write to your audience, if you place their needs above yours. I'm Cat miller and this is DiceTV. We now return you to your regular desktop.

 

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com:80/articles/content/entry/does_your_resume_speak_to