What is the Tech Jobs Situation in Late 2004?

CareerConfused asks: "Today I came across an ad in the NY Times, put out by Microsoft, Micron, Level 3 (among others) that claimed that the H-1B visa quota for FY2005 has already expired (it claims the quota expired the first day of FY2005, which started just about a month back). OK. On the one hand, we have stories of techies not finding jobs; and on the other, we have stories from businesses which claim that lack of H1s is killing their business, as well as public advocacy (like that ad in NYT). So, what is it? Are we in another boom, with jobs going a-begging and companies requiring more H1s to fill them? How come I haven't noticed this in the form of a fatter paycheck (or an Aeron chair, or a fooseball table in the cubicle)?" What have you experienced in your searches for technology-based jobs? Is it still hard to sell your hard-earned skills or are things looking up? While its one thing to claim that the lack of H1Bs is killing your business because Americans don't want to move to Fort Wayne, Indiana. It's quite another to say that you can't find a job in Silicon Valley. What's needed is an overall view of how tech jobs are doing across the country. What areas are in desperate need of technical skills and what areas are suffering from a shortage of jobs?

Comments

Cynicism

[ph1ll]

Gee, maybe M$ want more techies so the rates techies charge will go down (cf. supply and demand curves).

And maybe, just maybe, M$ aren't telling the whole truth about not being able to find people...

Either that, or they they genuinely can't find coders with 10 years experience who will accept $50k/year.

Ok, I'm cynical. So, sue me.

In the US or in India?

[Anita Coney]

Because we know that's a BIG difference.

I think YOU are deluded

[melted]

We don't require any certifications. What we want is excellent design and coding skills (C# and C++), solid experience with ASP.NET and COM and experience shipping at least one product. The latter is not required, but rather preferred.

I'm telling you, we're struggling to fill the open positions. You gotta understand that nationality of the worker doesn't make a difference for the employer. What does make difference is whether or not the guy/gal can do the job and do it well. If you want to force them to hire US workers, they'll just move their entire development teams overseas where the law climate is more friendly.

Now this will be a major win for US workers, wouldn't it?

There's another facet to the issue - offshore outsourcing. But there companies hire whoever they can for the lowest price. I think this bubble will eventually burst, because I've seen several projects done for our company in India (by employees, no less) that sucked major hairy balls and had to be redone. My experience with outsourcing is that quite often folks in India will do just enough to barely get by. If this means cut&paste all over the place - that's fine by their standards. You pretend you pay them well, they pretend they do a good job.

Re:Submitter new here (to America)?

[maximilln]

So... you're saying that managers are educated to advocate human rights abuses, slavery, and taking advantage of anyone in a weaker position than themselves? So much for fair labor laws.

Not that I'm surprised or disappointed. The world is not a nice place, plain and simple.

Mostly I'm wondering WTF is up with all the IT people whining about their job market. They were lucky to have that market and, if they spent it all rather than saving it, that's their own damned fault. My industry hasn't seen double digit raises, ever, that I'm aware of. My industry has never hired (the equivalent of) people who program a few lines of some script kiddie language (html + all of it's illegitimate children) for $80k, give them 35 hour workweeks, and 4 weeks of vacation.

I have no sympathy for the IT field. Finally you guys can start hanging on by your fingernails like the rest of us do.

tax H1B's

[slapmesilly]

Since they are not citizens, they should be taxed at a higher rate for the privilege of working here. The employers would have to pay them higher wages to compensate for the higher tax bracket, thus leveling the playing field for US citizens competing for the same job. This would increase the tax base in the US, still allow employers to hire the highest quality candidates, and force the employers to pay for this "top talent" appropriately.