What Should an I.T. Professional Do in this Economy?

By Frazer Donaldson

You may have heard or read that we are in the midst of a down economy! But seriously though, what does this mean to an I.T. professional, and how should he or she react in this uncertain market (those who are currently employed)?

Great question. Let's break the answer into sections:

Resume: Update it! Now. Technology professionals should have this document current in case of an unexpected layoff, or an unexpected call from a recruiter (yes, a lot of Chicago firms are still hiring!). This will also help the individual perform a self assessment upon reviewing their updated resume: are they up-to-date technology-wise; have they shown progression in their career; and how "marketable" are they versus their peers?

Personal and Professional Network: Maintain it, and make an effort to expand it. Stay in touch more regularly with people with whom you have had good relationships in your career, be they your former managers, your former team members, or technology-related professionals you have met but never worked with.

This will also help directly in keeping your professional references up to date.

Should these relationships be quid pro quo? Of course! Offer your assistance readily. Can you help them with their career in any way, or give advice on their resume or career path? To stay ahead of your peers in a down market, this is an excellent strategy that can only aid your cause.

Relationships with Recruiters: Make some! The smart I.T. professional will not fall into the common trap of only returning a recruiter's call or email if they have been downsized and need a new job immediately. The career-focused individual will already have a few technology recruiters with whom they have a good relationship.

Forging such relationships gives tremendous advantages in a few different ways. The selected recruiters will have an updated resume from that individual, and will already be keeping an eye out for potential job opportunities based on the individual's career goals, salary level, etc. Or if the individual is laid off suddenly, they will already have a few recruiters who know their strengths and skills, and who can begin working on their job search immediately.

The bottom line? Be proactive and not reactive. Take control of your job search before it even becomes a job search! Be ready for the unexpected.

And finally (and this can be difficult), try to recognize perceived weaknesses in your skills and experience, and make an effort to improve upon them. This will help both your resume and your in-person portrayal of your background and strengths in future interviews.