We are at the intersection of technology and humanities. Understanding how technology and creativity impacts our career options will be crucial to maintaining employment. No industry is immune as technology and the Internet has changed our economy and careers.
Big Data and 3-D Printers are opening up a whole new world of possibilities for established companies and startups. Talented professionals who are both technically savvy and creative will see their opportunities increase as companies seek to improve their competitive edge.
I visited with Scott Ewert[www.lucasgroup.com/scott-ewert/] (Managing Partner for the Lucas Group) last week to learn more about how technology and design were impacting employment. Scott is a Dallas based IT executive recruiter who has a passion for technology, startups and social media. He works closely with top tier Fortune 500 companies to locate and secure IT professionals for top positions.
We talked about the tech industry and how Big Data, the Internet, Mobile Apps and Social Media is changing our industries and professions. When I asked him what sectors of the tech industry were growing, he said that it was hard to put your finger on any one sector as technology is part of every business. I have summarized our conversation and added a few points of my own.
Big Data
He stated that the need for IT professionals will continue increase. The demand for individuals who can understand big data, extract the data, act upon the data and then build a strategy increases each month. Companies are seeking talented individuals who can make sense of the information. To drive innovation, I believe we must understand how to connect these dots across multiple unrelated platforms.
Scott mentioned that all companies big and small understand the importance of business intelligence and big data. He believes that big data will continue to be a significant driver for companies that seek to improve internal and external logistics. Before big data, companies focused on B2B now businesses can understand at a greater level the B2C component.
Last week, Advertising Ad 2013 Review mentioned a potential problem for big data – a shortage of scientists. Companies are seeking a data quant, yet there are not enough qualified computer scientists, mathematicians and engineers to meet the demand.
We both believe that technology is siphoning talent from other industries. More college students are pursuing tech degrees instead of accounting. The demand for computer scientist and mathematicians will continue to increase in the future as our world becomes digitized.
Securing big data is driving another demand – IT security experts. Scott has noted an increase in request from clients for IT security experts. I believe the need for IT security experts will continue to increase through 2013. Companies will need creative IT security professionals to think three and four steps ahead of the hackers.
Mobile and Social Media
Mobile Apps and Social Media will continue to change the economy and how we obtain information from the Internet. Everything is going mobile and companies are spending more money each month to develop mobile apps. Scott constantly seeks creative app developers for clients which drives demand for talented user experience front end developers.
Mobile Apps is still the buzz at this year’s 2013 CES Conference. Our devices are now powerful enough to run what we want on them which generate strong demand from consumers. Consumers and businesses want an App for everything!
Creativity
Creativity and design differentiates. The company with the coolest, best designed device, app or online service wins. Generation Y expects great design. The Millennials grew up with Apple products and Starbuck’s. Creativity is the foundation for great design.
Scott is receiving an increase in requests from companies for highly creative developers, individuals who can create something no one else has in the market. Professionals with strong problem solving skills are also in great demand from top tier companies. Creativity and problem solving skills are closely related as individuals must see multiple pathways to finding a solution. He noted that problem solving skills are key requirements in today’s talent market.
Scott stressed that individuals must include on their resumes what they accomplished and the results. All too often individuals list their job responsibilities and fail to include what they have achieved.
Created a new process – what were the results? Think not like a factory worker.
Yes, LinkedIn Is Important to Your Career
Eighty percent of the professionals that Scott contacts are passive employees. They are happy at their current position, compensated well and are not actively looking to change positions. Most of these professionals do not have resumes. He rarely if ever uses online job search websites like Monster.com to find candidates.
Scott spends four to five hours a day on LinkedIn searching for talent and creative developers. We are all individual brands on the long tail of the new economy.
Scott’s Top Five Employment Tips:
- Professionals in all industries must embrace change.
- Avoid “keeping your head in the sand” spend time learning new technologies (social media).
- Professionals must stay relevant; create a LinkedIn profile while you’re employed not when you suddenly need to find a new job.
- The world is now transparent and having a social media profile is important (profiles are the new business card and resume).
Social Media can provide a career advantage. To learn how to improve your career profile – check out Scott’s blog on leveraging your social media.