IT Graduate Market 2009

The UK economy is clearly a long way from recovery with Analysts stating that we are in the middle of the biggest slump since the 1940’s. This can be quite a daunting fact, if for the first time, like many, you are about to step into the job market. We know that the IT graduate market has become increasingly competitive over the years with everyone fighting for the same jobs. IT Jobs for Graduates conducted some research into current IT trends and what the future holds so you are in the ‘know’ when it comes to your future career.

Being on top of your game…

It’s not all doom and gloom for potential techies. Despite the downturn, IT recruitment in the graduate sector is still experiencing demand. 61% of the UK’s top 100 employers are planning to recruit graduates for IT positions in 2009, coming second only to finance at 62%. However, be prepared, according to research conducted by ‘Highflyers’, of the 720 graduate IT positions that were planned for 2009 this has dropped to 530, so you need to make sure you are doing all you can to stand out from the crowd.

Skills in Demand…

In general, when starting out as a graduate looking to get into the IT sector, your career path may typically start with development or IT service type roles and with experience may advance to more strategic or management positions. Below we have detailed some of the areas that are in demand now and will be in the future.

‘Development’

On the programming and development front it is important to note that developers with experience in open source will also increase in demand – as it is believed that 40% of IT jobs will be linked with open source by 2020.

Whilst on the web development front, many companies will see a shift in their online digital spending (expected to rise from 10-15% to 33% in 2009). This will increase demand for web and online game developers. Investment in technologies like XML and RSS is also likely to increase, as well as old favourites such as Java, .Net and PHP.

Jobs in Service provision

Infrastructure roles will see an increased demand as there is a growing trend towards SaaS (Service Orientated Architecture) as well as ‘Green computing’ which will directly impact infrastructure departments.  As businesses face increasing pressure to lower emission of data centres they will be forced to adopt high-end technologies such as server virtualisation and teleconferencing software.
As a graduate looking for a position in this field will put you in an advantageous position for the future.

IT Security is, without doubt, emerging as one of the most important areas in IT planning and implementation. Companies are being bombarded with more, and more devastating, attacks than ever before – and many are not winning the fight against today’s new breed of
IT criminals.

Businesses are now more then ever taking IT security measures more seriously as a loss mitigation measure which has created great opportunity for graduates looking to get into this area. According to a global study conducted by Computer Weekly about the skills in demand for 2009 and beyond, IT security was ranked 6th demonstrating great opportunity for graduates looking to break into IT security. 

Salaries

As a graduate getting the salary you want can often be tough. Our advice would be to look at the experience the job is offering as this can be priceless. Don’t always focus on getting the highest salary possible, the key is to make sure the role is offering significant development opportunities, the quicker you acquire the experience the sooner you will qualify for a pay rise. 

A report conducted by Highfliers indicated that the average salary for IT graduates is £26,000, which is up by 4.0% since 2008. So despite the state of the current market IT graduates don’t appear to be losing out.

It is important to know what to aim for when IT graduates are looking for their position so below you will find the latest average salaries:

Skill  Salary
Graduate Developer – £26,113
Graduate Software Developer –  £24,528
Graduate Java Developer - £25,739
Graduate .NET Developer - £24,115
Graduate Software Engineer - £25,800
Graduate Support Analyst - £23,081
Graduate C# Developer - £26,825
Graduate Web Developer - £25,421
Graduate Programmer - £22,158
Graduate C++ Developer - £30,132
Graduate Business Analyst - £22,708
Graduate Implementation Consultant - £23,500
Graduate Java Engineer - £23,000
IT Graduate - £23,367
Averages were compiled using www.itjobswatch.com

Location, location, location

There is no doubt that London is the place to be to kick-start your career in any industry, and IT is no different. Many large company headquarters are located in London so by being mobile and willing to relocate to the ‘big smoke’ you can increase your chances of landing a job that pays what you deserve.

That is not to say that you will struggle to find a graduate IT job outside London. There a number of large companies that recruit IT graduates on a national scale as they have offices across the UK, IT jobs for Graduates advertises Graduate position with Vodafone, RM, Nationwide, Redgate and Bank of England whom are recruiting for IT graduates outside London.  

Conclusion

IT graduates have less to fear then they thought when it comes to entering the job market. Although there are less internship and graduate available compared to 2008 the quality of the position remains the same with companies offering superb training and development programmes. The key is to be on top of your game and stay focused.

Five Simple Steps for Successful Communication

As a new generation IT graduate it is almost certain that you will be bursting at the seams with computer know how and technical prowess, but how would you rate your communication skills?

Communication is an essential requirement of employers, but is something many IT students are often lacking, and this can be a huge downfall when it comes to job hunting. 

Effective communication is all about conveying messages, ideas and thoughts to other people clearly and is essential to build a successful career in IT. This is because as the IT industry is evolving and becoming more business facing by the day, IT professionals need to be able to communicate with key business stakeholders. 

Potential employees must be prepared for the fact that they will not just be sitting behind a computer all day.  Collaboration with other areas of the business will mean communication with colleagues, employers and clients. 

IT Jobs for Graduates have put together five simple steps to help you on your quest to make your communication skills fit for a business environment.

1. Communication begins in the interview

Before you apply these steps to your communication in the workplace you have to get the job first!  When meeting with potential employers one word answers are a no go. Knowing about what is happening in the IT market is a minimum requirement so try to impress the interviewer with your knowledge of the market and the job which will also enable you to demonstrate you are a good communicator. It should also be noted that not everyone who interviews you will be an IT professional, a HR representative may also be present so remember that your language needs to be jargon free.

2. Understand your message 

Before you communicate with anyone it is essential that you are clear on what you want to tell them and how you are going to do this.  You should be clear, concise to ensure there are no misunderstandings.  If you usually find it difficult to get your message across write down the key points you want to make so you are clear in your mind about what you want to say.

3. Understand your audience

You must be aware of whom you are communicating with. As you work your way up the ranks you will have to communicate with people from all functions of the business. When speaking with fellow IT professionals you can use ‘tech talk’ and jargon, as they will understand what you are trying to say. If you try and use the same language when speaking to someone in the Marketing department chances are they won’t have a clue what you’re talking about. Always be aware of whom you are communicating with and adapt your communication accordingly.  

4. Be sociable yet professional 

Interaction with others is key in the workplace.  As an IT professional up to 95% of your day may be sitting behind a computer screen but don’t use this as an excuse to avoid contact with others. Move around the office and take the opportunity get acquainted with other colleagues and don’t hide behind your email. The more face to face practice you get the more your communication will improve.

5. Practise makes perfect 

practise speaking in front of friends, family or work colleagues to perfect your communication techniques.  You should speak clearly, control your fear and be aware of your tone and pace.
 

As well as our 5 simple steps to improving your communication keep an eye out for university or industry events, hobbies, courses and internships that interest you.  Getting involved is an effective way of developing your interpersonal skills whilst doing something you enjoy.  Also putting yourself forward for interviews or even practising in front of the mirror will all contribute to improving your communication skills and that could make all the difference.

Below you can find some useful courses that universities are running to help IT Students improve their communication skills:

University of Nottingham

1 day course on how to improve your communication skills:
Thursday, 29 October 2009 AM, 0930 – 1230
Thursday, 21 January 2010 PM, 1400 – 1700

University of Hull

10 week part time evening classes to improve communication skills:
Wednesdays 19.00-21.00 for 10 weeks contact the university for further information on start dates (www.hull.ac.uk)

Edinburgh University

Afternoon workshops for communication skills:
Contact Emma Quinn, Admin Asst for further details on any of EUSA’s Skills workshops 0131 650 2650

University of Bath

Downloadable a handbook on key skills, including communication:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/library/subjects/keyskills/

University of Manchester

Offer advice on their website about communication skills:
http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/

University of Staffordshire

Communication skills workshop
Contact professional.development@staffs.ac.uk for more information

University of Bristol

Free effective communication skills session:
Contact the communications and campaigns officer at ubu-communications@bristol.ac.uk for more information

University of Aberdeen

4 week business writing and communication skills course:
The course runs for a total of 4 weeks from Monday August 24 – Friday September 18, 2009

University of Bradford

2 part course on  presentation and communication skills:
contact info-admin@bradford.ac.uk

 

 

Visit our London office and get first hand advice

IT Jobs for Graduates will be hosting a presentation on how you can ‘market yourself through the recession’ at our central London office on the 24th of June, at 2.30pm. 

This invitation is open to all students and graduates from all universities.  So if you are interested in a career in IT, and have studied Computer Science, Maths, Physics or Economics, then we would like to see you there. 

Secure your place at this event today by filling out your details on the form below:

 http://www.keysurvey.com/survey/261702/2da7/

Sussex University Visit

 

Sussex University

Yesterday we were on the road again and off to Sussex University to present a wealth of advice to students looking to move into the IT profession.

Many of the students that attended felt that the presentation gave them a list of new ideas to help to launch their careers in IT and really stand out from the competition. 

The feedback from students was so positive, that we are excited to announce a new roadshow presentation – but this time it is not at a university. 

IT Jobs for Graduates will be hosting a presentation at our central London office on the 24th of June, at 2.30pm. 

This invitation is open to all students and graduates from all universities.  So if you are interested in a career in IT, and have studied Computer Science, Maths, Physics or Economics, then we would like to see you there. 

Secure your place at this event today by filling out your details on the form below:

 http://www.keysurvey.com/survey/261702/2da7/

If you are still not convinced, below is some of the feedback received at our Sussex event;

“I thought the presentation today was truly excellent. It contained a plethora of information I never thought of finding or even looking for in the first place, yet it is precisely the sort of information that will help me get a job because it breaks me out of routine job-hunting habits. Particularly for me, with a Law instead of an IT degree and no IT certifications or qualifications to my name, it is slightly more difficult to prove my worth for a company than someone with provable qualifications. The presentation helped me realise that there are other options than merely
applying willy-nilly for jobs and hoping for the best! I can safely say it is the one thing in the past 6 months that has helped me develop most in terms of knowing how I want to develop, where I want to be, and how I can
realistically get there. Thank you”!

Adrian O-Callaghan, Law Graduate, Sussex University

“I thought it was useful and it helped me focus my efforts in my job
search. I now have a better idea on the kind of skills employers are
looking for thanks to the advice that was given”.

Hon Ng, Physics Graduate, Sussex University

Standing out from the crowd

No matter how good your results are, competing for a job with hundreds of other IT graduates is hard work. With so many candidates all vying for the same roles, it can be very difficult for your application to stand out.  There are, however, a few things that you can do to differentiate yourself and improve your chances.

Work Experience

This will instantly bump you up in the rankings, as it’s perhaps the main thing that employers look for.  Whilst internships offer a great way of gaining hands on experience and form a vital part of your CV it is not the only way of gaining experience.
 
There are many sites available that offer small one off projects that you can bid for.  Some of these include;
- eLance.com
- iFreelance.com
- PeoplePerHour.com and a host of others.

These sites offer opportunities for small web development projects, through to programming and sometimes even hardware.  Opportunities are not only confined to the UK as often they can be completed remotely.

Volunteering

Another way to gain valuable experience is through volunteering for charity organisations within their IT function. This is a great way to build experience in a business environment.  Many charities welcome graduate help and can often provide a perfect setting to acquire and develop skills and experience.

Certifications

Additional certifications or training are a good way to add industry “know-how” to your CV.  Extra qualifications can help prove your dedication, knowledge which can certainly give you that vital edge in the job market. Of course the type of certification depends entirely on the area of IT.  Some of the more popular certifications in the market include MCSE and A+ (for hardware) and ITIL and CISSP (for software) to name a few.

Interview Preparation

The interview stage also offers another opportunity for you to stand out and be remembered.  You obviously want to make a lasting positive impression so the interview is perhaps your final chance to do this before the recruiter makes a decision.  Asking relevant questions about the company and their standing within the IT industry can be very advantageous.  John Gillard, manager of the Business Technology Consulting programme for Capgemini UK said, “Being up to date on various industry trends, especially ones that a company is involved in, will enable you to appear both knowledgeable and passionate about the IT industry and also show you are interested in the company.”

ComputerWeekly, Silicon & ZDNet are just a few of the leading IT sites that provide up-to-date industry news and trends.  These are great sources of information that IT graduates should be visiting regularly to keep abreast of what’s happening in the world of IT.

In addition to gathering knowledge, many graduate interviews – particularly for graduate schemes will use behavioural based questions to determine examples of behaviour in certain scenarios

The following site http://www.hr-esources.com/11/21/fifty-behavior-based-interview-questions/ provides 50 behaviour based interview questions. Not all of these courses are relevant to graduate roles however you should focus on question related to communication, varying work conditions, priority setting and effectively working with others.

In addition to assist you to practice interview questions related to an area of expertise within the IT field try  www.geekinterview.com.

Royal Holloway University Visit

Royal Holloway University

Royal Holloway

We had a great time at the Royal Holloway University careers fair yesterday speaking with many students who attended the event. Now that exams are coming to a close we found that most students were in ‘full-blown’ job hunting mode!

Through our discussions we learnt that students had some pressing questions which they needed answered to make decisions related to their future. So we felt it appropriate to share some of these with you.  The top 3 questions were;

Student Question 1; If I have not studied computer science, can I still pursue a career in IT?

Our Response: Contrary to belief, many organisations are looking for students who have come from a many different degree disciplines.  Our research shows that many of the larger employers are interested in students who have studied Engineering, Physics, Maths and Economics as well as Computer Science.   

Student Question 2: Are there many opportunities for women in the IT field?

Our Response: Despite IT being a predominately male dominated environment, the IT industry and employers in particular are looking to ensure their IT workforce contains a good mix of both male and female talent.  As a result, females graduating and considering a career in IT are in a better position than ever to pursue a career in this field.

Student Question 3: Are all IT roles technical?

Our Response:  Although many roles in IT such as developers, architects and roles in infrastructure are predominately technical, some IT functions such as Business Analysts are more business facing.  A Business Analyst role requires IT professionals to work with business stakeholders to understand the functional needs of the business to ensure that new systems are built inline with stakeholder requirements.

Additional Certifications

Additional IT certifications are not normally a prerequisite to qualify for a job, but they can make the difference between an offer and a rejection. 

As one Graduate Recruitment Manager for a top automotive company said, “Professional accreditation’s are not essential but we may consider them as a factor during the selection process”.

In addition 75% of IT recruiters stated in a recent survey that candidates with additional certifications stand a better chance at securing a role.  As a result IT graduates can increase their employability and even their market value with professional accreditations to back up their degree.

What to look for…
With the vast number of different certifications and training qualifications available, it is important to know which ones will be most useful for your career.  You must realise that any additional training completed will only act as a ‘top-up’ to your degree and shouldn’t be solely depended on.

Current Certifications…
The only way to really gain the most out of certifications is to ensure that they are recognised in the IT industry. Certifications that are relevant in today’s market are an absolute must, as there’s no point in spending time and money on out-dated training that won’t add value to your CV.

IT Jobs For Graduates recently carried out a survey of over 150 IT professionals to find out what particular certifications were seen as most valuable in the IT industry.  We bring you the top 3 most recommended as voted for the following areas;
In the hardware category;

• Microsoft (e.g. MCSE, MCSA, MCT)   -  42%
• Cisco (e.g. CCNA, CCNP)    -  29%
• CompTIA (e.g. A+, Network+, CTT+) -  5%

 
For the software category;

Prince2 Certification   -  25%

ITIL Certification    -  22%

IT Security (CISSP) & MS Office Specialist Certification  -  10%

You should bear in mind that the above is only a guide to some popular certifications and it is by no means an exhausted list.  You should further research your particular area of IT to find specific qualifications more suited to your field.

Building your online network

Networking is all about developing contacts and maintaining relationships with people that may be able to help your career.  Online networking can help you to identify exactly what it is that you wish to do, share industry knowledge and can put you in a strong position when pursuing possible job leads.  Online networking also provides many ways for you to establish an online profile that will help you attract the right type of contacts and to be seen as knowledgeable in your area of interest.

- Social networking sites: 

The vast array of sites available including Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and Hi5 make keeping in touch with contacts very easy. It is however important to ensure if you are using these networks for professional use, that you do not blur your professional life with personal; you don’t want a newly acquired business contact to see all your weekend exploits.  Our advice is to keep business and other formal contacts separate, perhaps on a professional networking site like some of the ones listed below.

-  Professional networking sites: 

This is the area where you will perhaps gain your most valuable industry knowledge and forge your most useful career development leads.  Sites including LinkedIn and Xing offer a great platform to connect with IT professionals. You should strive to be an active member of the network by participating in groups/forums and discussions.  Offering answers to posted questions is a very good way of demonstrating your knowledge, but if you disagree be sure to put forth your opinion in a non offensive manner.

Some of the largest groups on LinkedIn include;
Information Security Community – Over 30,000 members
OpenSource – Over 20,000 members
IT Architect Network – Over 7,000 members

For IT recruitment discussions refer to The IT Job Board group on linkedIn which is newly established with over 800 members already engaging in discussion.

Some of the largest groups on Xing include;
Freelance Projects Exchange – Over 90,000 members
Information Security – Over 10,000 members

For IT recruitment discussions refer to The IT Job Board group on Xing which is newly established with over 500 members already engaging in discussion.

Also bear in mind, your profile on a professional networking site can make or break you as it is your virtual business card. It is the first port of call for many members to get to know you so ensure that you invest ample time into developing a comprehensive profile for yourself.

- Blogging: 

An excellent way to find out what’s happening in the industry and contribute in the online IT community.  Keeping your own blog or contributing to others can tremendously boost your networking potential, as it promotes knowledge and gives others a taste of what you can offer.  However, as with all online networking, you should be very careful with what you write.  Blogging etiquette should be followed to avoid misunderstandings that could hinder your online efforts.  If you disagree on certain topics, provide constructive criticism rather than commenting with negative opinions to ensure you are perceived in a helpful manner.

Some of the most popular IT blogs as voted by IT professionals in a survey conducted by The IT Job Board in 2008 are:
• Slashdot.org
• newscientist.com/blog/technology
• Techcrunch.com

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Building your offline network

Networking is the art of developing contacts and maintaining relationships with people that may be able to help your career. The benefits of offline networking are not just limited to job offers offline networking can also help you identify career alternatives and build a network to exchange ideas.

Offline networking is very much action oriented and involves numerous ways of making contact with people that are potentially very useful throughout your career.

- General contacts:
Putting the word out to friends and acquaintances can have its rewards. Research suggests 27% of candidates find their role through referrals thus to maximise the effectiveness of your network you should let your contacts know that you are actively job hunting. Keep your network up to date with your progress so they are aware if you are still actively looking as they are more likely to pass on any information about potential vacancies they may be privy to. However, an important point to note is that networking is a two-way street; the relationship should benefit both parties in order for it to work, so be sure to reciprocate any assistance received.

- Work placements:
Perhaps one of the more important areas to make contacts is through any work placements or internships. These provide a great setting to establish connections with colleagues or even managers, as you will be able to show your work ethic and commitment. Keep in communication with past managers and work colleagues, as they may be aware of possible job openings or industry events before they are made public knowledge.

- University events & grad fairs:
These can prove very useful when attempting to forge new contacts whilst at university. However, it is vital to remember that this may be your first contact with potential employers and so first impressions are of utmost importance. Your appearance and the manner in which you present yourself can determine exactly how successful you are in making good contacts.

John Gillard (Manager of the Business Technology Consulting grad scheme at Capgemini) said, “At any event people meet people, exchange ideas and possibly contact details. Take advantage of any event happening at the university in which employers are visiting. Practice talking with employers. Build a rapport. Exchange ideas. Then when you get home ‘Google’ the employer representative and surprise them by contacting them with a specific question through social networking tools/email.”

Some important technology fairs and events that you should not miss are listed below;

The Engineering, Science and Technology Fair in Manchester
No of companies attending: Over 70 recruiters
Date: 21 October 2009
Open To: All UK students
Click Here For More Information.

The City of London Engineering, Science & Technology Fair
Date: 14 October 2009
Open To: All UK students
Click Here For More Information.

UCL IT and Technology Fair
Date: 22 October 2009
Open To: Targeted at UCL students, primarily for final and penultimate year students.
Click Here For More Information.

Technology Careers Fair 2010
Date: March 2010
Open To: Imperial College Students & Alumni.
Click Here For More Information.

W-Tech 2009
Date: 24th June 2009
For women looking to move into IT, womenintechnology.co.uk plus the BSC have combined to offer an all day networking event that includes workshops and seminars.
Open To: Networking Event For Women – Both Students & Current IT Professionals.
Click Here For More Information.

If we have missed any other important events please add a comment below.

Our Final Words of Wisdom
One final piece of advice, offline networking goes hand in hand with online networking. With social media fostering relationships, take advantage of these tools by inviting contacts you have met offline to join you on networking sites. For more information on networking, look out for our next instalment that is focussed on building your online network.

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Welcome to ‘be your best’…

What is ‘be your best’?

Be your best has been created to help you market yourself through the recession.

We have created a knowledge centre to help IT students and graduates like you to work in the IT industry. Over the coming weeks we will be releasing a series of articles containing tips and advice on how you can really stand out from the crowd and best market yourself.

What kind of tips and advice will I find?

All of the advice you will find on this site has been created with the IT market in mind. We have spoken to IT managers and recruiters about some of the recruitment struggles that young IT professionals face in today’s market.  Some of the topics include:

• How to make the most of networking opportunities within the IT industry
• What IT certifications can make you more marketable
• How you can manage your own brand
• What’s really going on in the IT internship/graduate recruitment market
   

What else will I find on the ‘be your best’ site?

IT Jobs for Graduates will be visiting some universities to give seminars on how to market yourself through the recession. Check out the schedule by clicking on the ‘University Visits’ link.

Share your experiences…

We want you to share your experiences with us.

The ‘been your best’ section of the site has been created so students in the market can share their experiences on how they have been their best.  Send us your stories or videos and we will upload it to the be your best site.  

For more information, visit the ‘been your best’ section of the site. If you already know what you’re doing send your story to r.Ibarguen@theitjobboard.com.

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