Some of the hottest IT skills in demand these days include Java/J2EE development, mobile development (iOS, Android, and Windows), .NET, cloud computing, front-end development, PHP, C#, and anything else to do with “Big Data”. As an example, here are the ‘2013: Repeat Priorities’ from Dice, the leading career site for technology and engineering professionals, highlighting the industry’s top-requested talents. These, and many other skills, are necessary to fill the increasing amount of software developer, infrastructure, program and project management, database management, and quality assurance roles.
The common theme around all new IT roles is the need for open source, mobile, cloud or big data technologies experience. BridgePoint Technologies, a premier full service IT consulting and staffing firm providing unmatched, custom solutions for their clients, has extensive experience and success procuring these very skillsets for customers. IT staffing is a competitive industry with many players, but with a large variety of competence among the providers. Many staffing and recruiting firms recruit for a wide variety of disciplines. BridgePoint Technologies hones their specialization solely in the Information Technology field.
Some of the fastest growing roles in the new IT world have to do with infrastructure. Titles such as Infrastructure Engineer, Infrastructure Manager, and Infrastructure Architect are becoming more and more common. Generally, these positions require significant and diverse IT experience. These roles are typically right for someone who is responsible for an organization’s data centers, storage networks, backup and recovery, network architecture, and disaster recovery planning, and execution. Good experience with security, various operating systems and servers (Linux, AIX, Solaris, Windows), IT audits, and lifecycle management are helpful, as well as communication and people skills of working with vendors, customers, and management.
Other major IT roles are ones that involve Program Management. The Program Manager oversees the development and implementation processes of a company’s services, often involving many different departments. He or she is usually responsible for assembling project teams and assigning individual responsibilities and resources. Often, the Program Manager manages vendors and tracks deliverables. Their role includes many tasks of a “Project Manager” title.
The Project Manager is a major IT role that is needed in every industry vertical. There is great need for effective Project Managers who are responsible for overseeing whole IT project lifecycles. Project Managers are also accountable for the overall success of a project, the project team, and time and budget management. Top skills of a Project Manager include, but are not limited to, team management, project workflow management, client interaction, business analysis, and UAT, and usually require an engineering or computer science background. Other skill requirements may include Agile/Scrum methodology experience, on-site/offshore management, web and mobile technologies, project tracking tools such as Microsoft Project, and QA – all depending on the type of opportunity. Also, while not essential to all placements, the ScrumMaster (CSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) Certifications present an experienced and successful, Project Manager. The CSM and PMP credentials are the most widely recognized certification for Project Managers.
Database Managers are also in demand. Typically, a Database Analyst/Manager/Programmer is deeply involved with managing clients’ existing records management databases, including office file planning, records holding, backup and recovery processes and procedures, and creation of technical documentation for Systems Administrators and users on the design, functionality and administration of the Database Management Systems (DBMS) tools. Key projects may include the conversion of Microsoft Access database systems from desktop to web-based systems using SQL Server, Oracle, or other products. Experience with T-SQL and SQL Server, or PL/SQL and Oracle development tools is usually critical.
Quality Assurance (QA) professionals are another key requirement for any complex IT project. Typical titles include Software Quality Assurance Engineer, Master Quality Assurance Specialist, or Quality Assurance Manager. The QA professional is responsible for the product or service living up to its expectations and promises. Developing test plans and test cases, execution of plans for verification, interfacing with the QA team in developing automated API tests and SQL scripts for testing, and bug testing triage are some of the major tasks required of a QA role.
Matching the right professional to the right IT opportunity is a key advantage to any staffing firm. BridgePoint Technologies’ IT Staffing team has just that expertise. BridgePoint maintains IT consultants of all backgrounds and skillsets. The company’s extensive list of IT experts from their proprietary applicant database with over 5,000 consultants is where they draw and match expertise to the right opportunity. Be sure to include BridgePoint Technologies in your next search for the “right” IT consultant.
For more information about BridgePoint Technologies staffing, visit www.mybridgepoint.com/IT_Staffing.