Hot IT Skills

Part 2

Check crystal-ball skills forecasts.
Computerworld releases IT hiring forecast and skills surveys each year. While it's nice of Computerworld, do keep in mind that these types of long-term forecasts are notoriously inaccurate. Publishers have a deadline to make, and obviously can't take technological advances, economic conditions and other future unknowns into account. Employers are constantly shifting hiring trends based on their economic health, internal staffing needs, and the needs of their customers, to name only a few. But, at least these types of surveys give you a clue about the skills in demand at the time they are released. While the numbers may not be entirely accurate, the gist that IT skills are in high demand is.

Do your own research.
One of the best ways to find out which computer skills are hot and assess the skills you already have, is to conduct your own survey. Research the IT jobs employers are offering these days and the skills they require, by performing a real or mock job search at computer job sites and job newsgroups. Read computer trade publications and career articles. Browse professional organizations' Web sites and consider joining one or two. The Internet is great for researching IT trends and careers, so get your mouse pointer on everything "IT" that you can.

Part 1 • Part 3

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Copyright © 1999, J. Steven Niznik. All Rights Reserved.