The Project Management team worked closely with Jesse for several weeks, building a close relationship and getting a better understanding of where his background would be a good fit.  He was always honest with his feedback and prompt with communication.  Working with accessible, straightforward, and affable candidates always makes our job so much easier.

One company we were working with, Offerpop, had been searching months to find someone just like him.  They wanted someone who had his industry experience, but more importantly- his demonstrated interest and passion for their product.  After meeting with managers at Offerpop, it was clear that this was a perfect match on both sides.  The company immediately put out an offer, and Jesse couldn’t have been happier to accept.  He will be their Director of Product, a critical position in helping the growing company expand.

We wish Jesse the best, and can’t wait to see how Offerpop evolves in the coming months.  Check out Offerpop at www.offerpop.com, and Jesse’s self-penned book The Secret Peace: Exposing the Positive Trend of World Events.

• NYC was $16,933
• LA was $16,143
• SF was $27,416

That means that the average salary for candidates:

• NYC was $84,665
• LA was $80,715
• SF was $137,080

If I were a Software, Web, Mobile, JAVA, Microsoft, Open-Source Developer, Architect or Manager, I’d sure want to check out what’s going on in Silicon Valley.

Sorry NYC and LA.

Question 1: What do you consider to be the top three, in terms of job market, salary, etc?

-          1) Object Oriented Java-Script

-          2) Ruby on Rails

-          3) Mobile Development- Android, Objective C, Cocoa

-          Salary ranges: Mid-Level $75,000 to $100,000, Sr. Level $110,000-  $140,000

Question 2: What do companies look for when they’re hiring tech professionals?

-          Proven track record of career development

-          How the candidates got started in technology

-          Outside interests, side projects

Question 3: What is causing the talent shortage in technology, lack of IT Professionals or that there are not enough whose skill sets are up-to-date?

-          Since 2000/2001 College Graduate levels have been cut in half.

-          2007 was the bottom, 12,000 vs, 24,000

-          2012 levels are increasing, but only to 14,000

-          Every industry complains about a lack of quality, not the quantity

Question 4: What makes a good IT professional? How can students or aspiring IT professionals decide which concentration, such as computer support, database administration or software engineering, is right for them?

-          Logical, Math-focused, Problem solver, slightly introverted

-          Software engineering departments are directly interacting with Business Units now, more than ever

-          DBA- the highest paying support type of role

-          Computer Support- a good entry level role

Questions 5: What’s rewarding about a career in IT?  What’s challenging?

-          Rewarding: Cross Industry and Cross Country, Constantly Changing, much more visible career than ever before (Apple Effect), High Paying Career, Adds a lot of value

-          Challenging: knowing that you are at the right company to advance and stay current with technology, to keep up with all of the latest and greatest technology (Staying Current), hours can be long and sporadic

Question 6: Have you seen a recent increase in people entering the field?  So you think the number of tech students and experts to continue to grow?

-      Yes and Yes 

Question 7: Because it’s such a fast-changing field, how can continuing education affect someone’s IT career long-term?

-          A career in technology is not all about the degree, more about the on the job experience and solving real-world problems

-          Technology is a passion and not always a perfect science, lots of moving parts, Server, Client, Hardware, Software, Service Provider, Data, etc.

-          Advanced careers and training are more relevant for MGMT, Leadership and career switches

Check it out here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tech-career-guide-20120130,0,7208981.story

And feel free to share it.  Enjoy!