The problem does not only affect companies, however.  For instance, it is estimated that millions of computers were recently infected by the “Downadup worm,” which has effectively spread due to a flaw in Microsoft Windows.  These threats can not only affect business PCs, but can also attack those using the internet from home.  Over the past few years, there have been more and more issues with personal information being obtained by hackers who have gained access to personal PCs.  Social Security numbers, tax information and any other info stored on the PC can be at risk, and many non-technical users are still unaware of the threat. 

July 4^th, 2009, a series of cyberattacks began, which were aimed at the United States and South Korea.  Investigators have been ‘all around the world’ attempting to track down the hackers who put these attacks into motion.  And these types of attacks are only more likely to occur in the future.

There are many programs being developed with an aim at nurturing students in high school and college to develop cybersecurity skills.  Mischel Kwon, Director of the Homeland Security Department’s U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team, herself graduated from a Scholarship for Service program which was aimed at providing the best security training on scholarship, in exchange for a period of government service.

For those already out of school looking to add security skills to their resume, there are many other options for obtaining these sought after skills.  There are numerous courses and certifications offered which will help increase your marketability in the world of cybersecurity.  For further information, there are also many organizations dedicated to the pursuit of researching and understanding the skills needed to prevent cyberattacks.  One excellent source of detailed information, the Information Technology (IT) Security Essential Body of Knowledge (EBK), is published by the Homeland Security Department and can be found at http://www.us-cert.gov/ITSecurityEBK/EBK2008.pdf.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is a term used to describe the combination of computer and telecommunications.  There are a lot of devices used for ICT and numerous ways it can be useful.  It is a necessary and essential tool for national and international development and is crucial for socio-economic and technological growth.

According to a report by the World Economic Forum (in cooperation with INSEAD):

 “Focusing on the transformational opportunities posed by the global economic turmoil, leaders from industry, government and civil society attending the 2009 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland agreed that information and communications technologies (ICT) can play a vital role in the pathway to an economic recovery…leading academics, global organizations and industry analysts agree that there is a direct correlation between the use of ICT and positive macroeconomic growth.”

For further information, see the full report titled ICT for Economic Growth:  A Dynamic Ecosystem Driving The Global Recovery at http://www.weforum.org/pdf/ict/ICT%20for%20Growth.pdf.

The World Economic Forum, along with INSEAD, also produces an annual report on Networked Readiness.  The following information can be found at http://www.insead.edu/v1/gitr/wef/main/about.cfm.

(According to the INSEAD website)  Since it was first launched in 2001, the Global Information Technology Report has become a valuable and unique benchmarking tool to determine national ICT strengths and weaknesses, and to evaluate progress. It also highlights the continuing importance of ICT application and development for economic growth.

The Report uses the Networked Readiness Index (NRI), covering a total of 134 economies in 2008-2009, to measure the degree of preparation of a nation or community to participate in and benefit from ICT developments.
The NRI is composed of three component indexes which assess:

·         the environment for ICT offered by a given country or community

·         the readiness of the economy’s key stakeholders – individuals, business and governments

·         and the usage of ICT among these stakeholders

According to the report, Denmark, Sweden and the United States hold the top three ranks in Networked Readiness.  The full report can be found at http://www.weforum.org/pdf/gitr/2009/Rankings.pdf. 

In a Press Release published February, 26^th 2009, the US Census Bureau reported, “U.S. businesses spent $264.2 billion on information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and computer software in 2007, a 4.4 percent increase over 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.”  (http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/economic_surveys/013382.html)

An interesting side note…India, where the US outsources much of our IT these days, is ranked at number 54 in Networked Readiness.  I encourage everyone to learn more about how technological innovations in ICT are changing the world.  Another excellent source for information can be found at http://www.ictliteracy.info/.

Cloud computing is basically just the ability to leverage new platforms and resources that you don’t happen to own.  It goes hand-in-hand with SOA, which is laying the groundwork for a loosely coupled business that both creates and consumes services from an ever-growing selection of sources, both inside and outside the firewall. Web Oriented Architecture is another key term, and a more appropriate way to describe this, since more of these services are coming from outside providers.  Web 2.0, including sites like Linkedin and Facebook, is also a form of cloud computing.

Tight budgets and skills shortages are the main catalysts behind the growing interest in cloud computing.  With most of the major players involved and platforms already being introduced by Google (http://appengine.google.com/) and Amazon (http://aws.amazon.com/ec2/), there is no doubt cloud computing could become as big as the invention of the internet.

Although the technology is still evolving, companies large and small can see the advantages and abilities of cloud computing:

Reduced Cost

Increased Storage

Highly Automated

More Flexibility

More Mobility

More Time to Focus on Innovation in IT

So what kind of skills might be needed to obtain a new opportunity created by cloud computing?  These are just a few areas in which skills will be in high demand:

·         Open-source programming- typically JavaScript, J2EE, Flex, Ruby on Rails, Python, Perl, HTML, XML and tools like Hadoop

·         Technologies such as grid computing, utility computing and virtualization

·         Understanding of Linux operating system

·         Newest storage technologies

·         Platform as a service and SaaS (software as a service)

If you are looking to expand your career or obtain a new position, it is important to research the skills currently needed and sought after.  Cloud computing is just one of the many “hot” areas upcoming in IT.  So if you don’t want to be left behind, it might be a good time to hit the books and learn some of these in-demand skills.

Filetype-  Microsoft Word is probably the most universal.  Make sure the version that you are using is recent enough to be compatible with the newest versions.

Fonts-  Keep it simple.  Most fonts are not compatible in all file types.  Stick with Arial or Times New Roman to ensure your resume is always easy to read.

Borders-  It is best to stay away from using borders on your resume; however, if you must, stick with a single line border.  If a border is used, it is best to create it with the table feature, and not using frames or columns.

Tables-  Use tables instead of frames or columns in your resume.  Microsoft Word’s table feature is easy to use and more compatible than tabs or columns.

Tabs-  Using tabs or spaces in your resume can cause the formatting to jumble on the page when converted to other files.  The end effect is a disorganized listing of the neat columns you spent your time perfecting.  Use one of these other features in Word:  alignment features, indention features or tables.

Breaks-  If your document needs a break, use the line or page break features provided in Word.

Images-  If you choose to use any images, or even bullets, remember that it is possible that many sites and files will not support them.  Keep the use of these extras to a minimum to help ensure your resume displays as you want it to when it reaches the hiring official.

These are just a few things to keep in mind when building the most effective resume.  Remember, it doesn’t do any good to have the best looking resume out there if it doesn’t stay formatted or is not legible once you send it out!

After performing a simple Google search for employment, I kept noticing the names of major companies in the mix.  Just to mention a few companies that I found with a large number of openings:

·         Boeing- 94 jobs across the US in Software Engineering, Systems Engineering and Information Technology

·         IBM- 118 jobs across the US in Engineering (hardware), IT & Telecommunications (Nonconsulting) and Software Development

·         JP Morgan Chase- 125 jobs across the US in Technology

So, how do you go about finding a job with one of these growing companies?  First, remember be realistic about the positions which you qualify for, and don’t hold out for your dream job that you aren’t quite experienced enough for.  Also, keep relocation in mind if a good opportunity presents itself.

Most job openings aren’t advertised on the well known “job boards;” however, the corporate career sites will list many positions which might not be found elsewhere.  Make a list of companies that you would like to go to work for, or target organizations within industries that you have experience in.  Visit the website for these companies and search openings until you find positions of interest.  Once you have identified the roles that you might fit for, network with all recruiters you are working with, as well as, your peer network to determine if anyone can get you an inside track on the position.  You are more likely to get hired if you are presented by someone who already has a relationship built with the company or hiring official.  If you determine that you do not have any existing ties to the organization or manager, get your best resume tailored for the position and apply online.  If you get an interview, remember to do your research so that you are well prepared for the interview.

Remember, there are a lot of companies who are hiring, even in 2009.  Get aggressive with your job search and focus on finding these companies!  This tactic will help your odds of landing a new position with a great, growing company!

·         Life Insurance- It is feasible to reduce your policy for less coverage, or even drop your life insurance policy all together.  Are the benefits that you might like to have one day worth spending the extra money that you need to survive today?  It is always possible to renegotiate your policy later or pick up other coverage.

·         Car Insurance- Now might be a good time to do some shopping around.  Every company will quote you a different rate, and make sure you are aware of all of the discounts.  Let your current company and others know that you are shopping and call many companies to get the best deal possible.  Also, combining your insurance (home, car, etc.) will also help to get the best rate.

·         Energy Consumption- this is one area in which many people are aware that there can be abundant savings.  However, most are uninformed of all of the areas in which small changes can lead to big savings.  For further information on how to “green” your home, visit energystar.gov to discover where you might be overspending.  Big fixes are probably out of the question, but there are many inexpensive changes you can make to save big bucks on your utilities.

·         Credit Cards- You can call any of the three major credit bureaus and they can have a fraud alert put on your card for no fee.  Also, if your interest rate has soared, try for a reduction.  If that doesn’t work, shop around for a better rate and transfer the balance from one card to another.  Cutting interest rates can have a huge impact per month.

·         Mortgage- Obama’s Making Home Affordable program makes it possible for anyone to refinance, even without much equity.  If your rate is higher than the current average, you should look into refinancing.

·         Automobile Loans- If your current interest rate is higher than the average, you should be able to refinance for a small fee, and save large amounts over time.

·         Telephone/TV/Internet- Finding one carrier for all of these services can save you money.  You should also evaluate whether or not you really need the land line, if you have a cell, and if there are any other “extras” that you don’t really need.  You should also shop around for these services and let each company know that you are doing so.  This can result in deals being offered to get your business, which could save you money for a while.

There are many ways to save money, like looking for sales at the local grocery stores or driving less to conserve gas.  However, the most important thing is that you stay positive, keep track of your savings and continue to work towards reduction in expenses.  The more you work at it, the more savings you will see!

Many hiring officials will be more understanding about out-of-work gaps during economic times like we are currently experiencing.  But, if you fail to address on your resume what you have been doing during your time off, you will likely be quickly discarded.  Therefore, it is very important to stay active during this time and try to focus not only on finding a new job, but also on other activities which will increase your marketability.  This means undertaking such activities as volunteer work (in your field, if possible), project work, taking classes or certification training.  Instead of empty space on your resume, start your chronological resume with a brief statement or two which explains how you have kept your skills current and your mind sharp.   Coupled with having great references ready to go and continued networking, your probability for success will increase.

Here are some resources and ideas that might be helpful in finding volunteer opportunities:

·         Many newspapers have classified ads for volunteers needed

·         Contact your nearest volunteer center (where available) and ask for a list of volunteer opportunities

·         Utilize Twitter to network and find out about volunteer needs – e.g. #volunteer

·         Check out these great links to other resources for volunteer and Non-profit information

http://www.serve.gov/

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

http://www.unv.org/

http://www.getinvolved.gov/

www.1-800-volunteer.org/

http://www.christianvolunteering.org/

http://volunteer.united-e-way.org/

http://www.idealist.org/if/as/vol

http://www.voa.org/

http://ofcn.org/

http://www.seniornet.org/jsnet/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=42

http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/

http://www.melissadata.com/lookups/np.asp

http://www2.guidestar.org/

But what else can your company do to help fight against increasing energy costs and depleting energy supplies?  If you haven’t already, your IT staff should be looking into ways to green your Information Technology department.  With the increased power consumption of today’s advanced computer hardware and the growing quantity of discarded PCs and obsolete hardware, it is imperative for companies to show their customers what they are doing to better themselves and the communities around them.  Finding green alternatives in IT can actually help to lower a company’s costs, as well.

First, develop a strategy for going green.  This strategy can include simple changes, like reducing paper consumption, turning off all monitors and PCs at night and reducing travel with virtual conferences.  Further efforts can be made to find more energy-efficient equipment.  One good source for buying the most efficient desktops, laptops and monitors is the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool.  EPEAT is a system to help purchasers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes.  Another good source of information on measuring power efficiency can be found at The Green Grid, launched in 2007.  The Green Grid is a global consortium dedicated to developing and promoting energy efficiency for data centers and information service delivery.  The outcome of this non-profit organization’s work has been wide adoption of Green Grid-created metrics such as Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), Data center infrastructure Efficiency (DCiE), and others under development including Data Center Productivity (DCP).

In order to get your green projects underway, you will need to articulate the financial benefits to get funding for the plan.  One of the best ways to do this is to use the NPV (Net Present Value) approach.  NPV is used in capital budgeting to measure the difference between the present value of cash inflows and the present value of cash outflows, while being sensitive to the reliability of future cash inflows that an investment or project will yield.  NPV compares the value of a dollar today to the value of that same dollar in the future, taking inflation and returns into account.  For further information on selling your projects using NPV, Wikipedia actually has a very informative article which you can find here.

First off, if you can, take a little time off before starting the new job to relax, breath deeply and prepare.

When that first day arrives, you should have already done research to learn everything you can about your new environment.  The more familiar you are with your new company, the more confident you will feel walking in the door.  Also, talk to your friends and family to see if anyone you know is acquainted with someone already working there.  It could be very helpful to have a mutual acquaintance to meet you on your first day and help to show you the ropes.

Be sure you pick out your first clothing choices ahead of time.  Make sure you are comfortable; but remember to be careful in your choices at first, as you do not yet know what is acceptable.  Have everything cleaned and ironed ahead of time, which will give you one less thing to worry about your first week.

Before the first morning, plan and drive your route to work.  Time it, taking traffic differences into consideration, so that you can leave in plenty of time to be early for your first day.

Your first day is just as important as the interview.  Arrive with a smile, be polite to everyone (you could turn out to need their help) and introduce yourself to others.

Also, remember that your actions outside of work can also affect you.  If you are at the gas station down the street from work or in the parking lot…it is always possible to run into or be seen by a coworker.  Be mindful of your actions so that you don’t start off on the wrong foot before walking in the door.  In other words, don’t yell at the guy in front of you in line or show road rage on your way in, only to find out that it was your new boss you were yelling at or making lewd gestures to!

It is always a good idea to take a pen and pad on the first day.  You generally receive a lot of information in the first couple of weeks, so taking notes will help you to remember it all.  Take time to learn how your new company does things, and don’t argue how you could do it better…this will only cause negative attitudes toward you from the beginning.

Finally, make sure you ask plenty of questions.  The only stupid questions are the ones you don’t ask.  Trying to act like you know everything at a new job will only lead to mistakes and poor future performance.

Have fun and enjoy your exciting new career adventure!

So what happens to the flurry of attention bestowed upon a candidate after the deal is made?  At this point, it is important to remember that the recruiting and relationship building cannot stop here.  While you have spent a great deal of time getting your new employee on board, there is so much more the new hire needs to know.  It is important to support your new employee while he/she becomes a productive member of your staff.  It is not enough to simply get your candidate in the door.  The steps taken in the beginning to help a new employee learn the culture and procedures within the organization will help build a relationship and strengthen the candidate experience, which usually results in increased loyalty.

Next time you hire, develop a plan for getting your new employee acclimated to their environment.  You might consider greeting them yourself on their first few mornings, assigning them a coworker to show them the ropes or organizing a short office meeting for everyone to meet and greet their new associate.  Whatever tactics you choose, you need to make the new employee feel warm and fuzzy and at home within the company.  The return on investment for a few extra moments of your time will been seen in reduced turnover and a higher percentage of engaged, productive employees.