Political Politics and Hiring in the Tech Industry
In his recent State of the Union address, President Obama discussed the need for the next “Sputnik moment.” This referred to the fact that the Russians were the first in space with their Sputnik rocket. At that time, the United States was […]
In his recent State of the Union address, President Obama discussed the need for the next “Sputnik moment.” This referred to the fact that the Russians were the first in space with their Sputnik rocket. At that time, the United States was trying to overcome everything that the Russians achieved. President Kennedy set himself the challenge of going to the moon in a decade.
That call to action caused an entire industry to rise to the challenge. What’s amazing is that the exact same level of computer software used to launch the Apollo rockets to the moon and back can now be found on our cell phones.
Computers used to take up entire office floors to manage the simplest calculations. Today, we can carry that same power in an iPad. We have come a long way in the technology industry.
If the United States is really going to take on the next “Sputnik challenge,” then there will be a greater need for hiring in the tech industry. Translation: if you are a recruiter specialized in this sector, you will be ahead of the rest. The best way to control how administrative policy will affect jobs in the tech industry is to follow the money. Which company has received federal grants to develop a new fuel cell technology? Who just got a big loan to expand solar panel installation operations? Which American business is building wind turbines? All of those examples can be traced directly to new federal grant and loan programs. Understanding where the money is going can help you identify the types of recruits these companies will be looking for.
You can probably find much of this information on the White House website. Bookmarking that site or setting up a Google alert for tech industry news is a great way to stay on top of recent developments. As soon as a company receives this kind of funding, what’s the first thing it’s going to do? Hire workers!
Just because you’re recruiting in the tech industry doesn’t mean you have to become an IT expert. However, it will help to understand the basics. There are many fields of study in the field of technology. Computer science, programming, database management, and Internet technology top the list of areas you’ll find many prospective college graduates studying. Setting up recruiting opportunities at college job fairs is a perfect proactive approach. If you decide to travel around the country or hire your own staff for road trips, you will need to ensure that the information collected can be properly filed with your recruiting software program.
A robust applicant tracking package should allow you to customize your own database in whatever format works for you. You might find training and education important to prospective employers. Or it could be that real hands-on experience in the tech industry is what’s required for new hires. Either way, your recruiting software should allow you to keep up with changes in the industry and with your candidates.