Unemployment for IT occupations is less than half the national unemployment rate of 10.2%, according to The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). With more than 203,000 positions added during the pandemic, talent management for technology consultants remains a critical function for companies and agencies worldwide.

In this article, we explain: ‘How technology consultants can identify good talent management — and the value it provides’. Additionally, by the end of the article, you will ask yourself, “Where can I find a genuine talent manager to help find my next project?”

As an IT Consultant, are you Prepared for New Workforce Trends?

Long before COIVD, workforce priorities shifted, paving the way for remote work and flexible arrangements. Before the pandemic, remote work grew 44% over five years, according to a FlexJobs report. After COVID, that number will be higher. However, this time, the number of remote-friendly companies will increase as well — Siemens, Twitter, Google, Pinterest, Salesforce, to name a few. …

The way we work changed in response to COVID-19. The “new normal” is here to stay. Today, ensuring security for remote workers is more critical than ever. Organizations across the globe must rely on the IT department for technology solutions, especially as they relate to remote work.

During a recent virtual forum hosted by SIM San Diego, four CISOs and one Director of Cybersecurity discussed how their organizations are ensuring security for remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group revealed trends in cybersecurity best practices and compliance among technology teams. You can use their feedback to gauge how your team is handling its response to business continuity concerns in this new-normal world of virtual collaboration. …

Overnight, companies moved to videoconference and Microsoft Teams, among other virtual collaboration tools. Some ordered tens of thousands of laptops for employees. COVID-19 forced companies to make unimaginable changes in a matter of weeks, not years. Many haven’t looked back. However, to understand how technology executives define the new normal and redefine IT organizations, we must look to the past and learn from previous events.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment stabilized (4%-5% unemployment) about four years after 9/11 and the dot com bust. In comparison, it took eight years to recover from the 2008 credit crisis. Unlike these two events, COVID-19 led to an immediate economic shutdown, leaving businesses closed and workers unemployed for months. …

Where do up and coming IT professionals go to have their career-related questions answered? The Carrera Agency and UC San Diego Career Services Center joined forces to host an informational video call for computer sciences majors looking to break into the IT field. On the call, talent manager Gayle Steuckrath and Director of Talent Management Kari Cipriani discussed job search strategies for information technology positions. Additionally, students received answers to questions about LinkedIn, resumes, interviews, and how to prepare for the working world post-graduation.

We recorded answers to the six most-asked questions for you to review and share with others. Whether you are planning to begin a career in IT or a similar technical field, read through the following information provided by seasoned professionals. …

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Within the modern IT organization, everyone needs to be a cybersecurity professional. Plain and simple. Every technology worker needs to serve as the first line of defense against threats to data, networks, infrastructure, and, most importantly, people. Though adopting this mindset and remaining open-minded about your consulting career, you can capitalize on the many opportunities that currently exist in cybersecurity.

A Bright Future for IT Workers in Cybersecurity

No, we are not suggesting that a company needs a 1:1 ratio for dedicated security specialists and employees. Still, in a time when cyberattacks are common, consultants should understand what the threat looks like and how to handle it. …

San Diego companies helped the global community manage the COVID-19 crisis. Medical technology companies ramped up production, while leaders in biotechnology, communications, and computer technology opened supply chains and fast-tracked solutions for scientists and patients. Their quick action and definitive stance in the crisis proved one simple truth about successful organizations today: purpose-driven leadership matters.

Information technology professionals aren’t surprised to hear that 90% of the nation’s innovation sector employment growth in the last 15 years was generated in five major coastal cities, including San Diego, CA. The weather isn’t the only factor that contributes to the region’s attractiveness for employers and job seekers. …

Information technology consultants are the solution to the IT talent gap that organizational leaders face. Who else will help drive the completion of digital transformation projects?

Additionally, Information technology consultants are in the crosshairs of the technology industry’s most influential decision-makers — CIOs, CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers), CTOs, etc. Today, good leaders view contingent workers as essential players in the daily operations of the business, especially since they care to know everything about their workforce — who is included, what they do, and where they get it done.

When the demand for project-based work increases in a region, so, too, does the competition among consultants. So, finding and securing the right projects requires the assistance of IT talent managers, especially in competitive job markets such as San Diego, CA, and San Francisco. …