When it comes to finding IT jobs or building a successful IT career, what worked ten or even five years ago does not work today, and it certainly won't work tomorrow. All bets are off, just look at the realities of today’s competitive environment:  

• IT jobs are more challenging, and require new skills and competencies
• Organizations demand better returns on their IT investments
• Downsizing and outsourcing trends continue to apply downward pressure on full-time salaries and contract rates
• Majority of staffing firms are overwhelmed with managing demands of their clients and supply of IT resources, and are not focused on helping candidates improve their chances in finding a suitable job. Every IT professional from novice and newcomers in Canada to seasoned professional and small outfits feel the pinch.  

Living in Greater Toronto Area, which has 4^th largest concentration of IT professionals in North America, makes the task of landing IT job even more challenging. Regardless, whether you are a full-timer thinking of changing jobs, contractor looking for a new gig, currently unemployed or planning your first IT career move, you need to discard old assumptions, develop new strategies, and employ new tools. To do this, you must first understand the dynamics of local IT job market. This knowledge is essential for building a successful job search strategy and career plan.  

What technical skills do I need now to get this job and what will it take to stay competitive? What are my strengths, weaknesses and interests? Do I have any self-imposed constraints, which stop me from considering a different career path? What about my communication, marketing, negotiation, personal effectiveness and leadership abilities? What job search techniques and tools should I employ? Which agency or agencies to use? These are just some of many important questions you should be prepared to answer when developing your career blueprint.  

So, whom do you turn to when you need assistance with job hunting or career planning? Most recruiting agencies fall short of providing career counseling assistance, and are not interested in investing their time and money in preparing better candidates for their clients. There are professional career counseling, resume-writing and other career management services, but the majority of them are expensive and not IT industry specific. Well, now you can come to us for help!

Our Career Matters services are intended to help you assess your career choices, evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and provide straightforward advice and support you in choosing or adjusting the career direction. Once an action plan is in place, we arm you with effective job search and market research tools. We monitor your progress by keeping in touch via private forums, which are designed to provide confidential and timely communication between you and ITDynamo advisor.  

Mastering a bestselling resume to get your foot in the door is one of our greatest strengths because all Dynamites are the industry insiders, and we know first hand what IT hiring managers are looking for.  The next obstacle in getting that job you badly want is an interview, which we all know can be unpredictable and stressful at times. We are planning to offer individual coaching in different types of interviews: in person, by phone, technical, behavioral, just to name the few.

Change is happening in IT job market at breakneck speed, and there is no slowdown in sight. You can either harness it to your advantage or stand on the sidelines as the parade passes you by. We hope you make the right choice.  Enjoy business!