You've Been Fired! Now What?

It’s a sad truth and trend of our times – jobs are disappearing in virtually every industry. While we all hope that this will turn around, it is good to be prepared for a layoff or firing.

Career Builder has a good article on the subject that covers everything from severance packages to how to keep your spirits up. Hopefully you won’t need any of this advice, but it is good to keep in your back pocket.

The Best States for Jobs

With today’s recession, some places in the U.S. are more prone to feeling the full impact of a sinking job market.

However, Career Builder has put together a few states that have and will most likely remain strong. These rankings are based on unemployment rate, population, and mean annual wage. The top 15 states are:

1. South Dakota
2. Idaho
3. Wyoming
4. Nebraska
5. Utah
6. Hawaii
7. North Dakota
8. Virginia
9. Montana
10. New Hampshire
11. New Mexico
12. Delaware
13. Maryland
14. Iowa
15. Vermont

Five Tech Jobs for Career Changes

Interested in moving to a challenging field that pays better, but think that with today’s economy you should just be happy to have a job? Well, Hotjobs has listed five stable tech jobs that are actually growing. And you don’t have to go back for four more years of school to get them.

They are:

• Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MSDST)
• Computer-Aided Drafting Specialist
• Geographic Information Systems Analyst
• Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
• IT and Computer Support Specialists

Finding a Job in Troubling Times

If you watch the talking heads on the television, you would think that the apocalypse is on the horizon. If you’re looking for a job, current events might persuade you to give up before you start.

Well, nobody likes a Negative Nancy. Monster has a few tips that will help you land that job even in these uncertain times. They suggest the following:

• Expand your search
• Be a Problem Solver
• Keep Up with Business Trends
• Volunteer and Expand Your Network

Here at MetaTech, we are here to help. Give us a call today and let us assist you in finding your dream job.

How to Handle a Pay Cut

I know that I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but in name of keeping our readers up to speed on relevant topics in the job world, I’ll touch on the topic again – the economy.

Whether you’ve experienced this yourself or the idea is such a real possibility that you find yourself having night terrors because of it, a pay cut can be a major bummer to say the least.

So what do you do when your boss approaches you and lets you know that you have a pay cut coming? This article gives you some practical advice, and I’ll lay out the basics here for you.

1. Don’t accept anything right away.
2. Take the time to get the facts – talk to your boss, your boss’s boss, etc...
3. Negotiate
4. And if none of this works for you, consider looking for a new job.

Seven Tips for Job Hunting in an Unsteady Economy

Whether we’ve hit a recession or not, the fact remains that it’s getting harder to land a job. While we here at MetaTech are here to help you, there are seven tips to consider when looking for a job in today’s shaky economy.

1. Tailor your presentations; don't be generic.

2. Create a target list of companies. Send the list to 25 people, asking them if they can put you in touch with an employee at one of the listed companies.

3. Make yourself and your skills more visible. Post and refresh your resume in more places, such as online job boards, and going to job fairs.

4. Create an advisory board of smart and empathetic people and confer with them regularly about your job search.

5. Hone and utilize your 'elevator pitch' – a 30-second summary of your professional assets.

6. Keep your spirits high. Don't let the process overwhelm you or weigh you down.

One More Reason to Contact MetaTech

The reasons to contact MetaTech are apparent: access to great jobs, personal assistance along every step, and vast industry knowledge. So it’s no surprise that Business Week gives you one more reason to contact us. Jobs in the IT industry are flourishing and the leading city where these jobs continue to grow is right in MetaTech’s backyard – Seattle.

No other city matches the number and variety of IT careers that Seattle claims. So if you are lucky enough to already be a Seattleite or if your considering the move to this beautiful part of the country, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Think You're Underpaid? Good Luck Finding Out

You can’t talk about it. It’s extremely personal, awkward, and can severely damage relationships. No it’s not that. It’s how much money we make.

This topic has been taboo since I’m assuming the Stone Age (given that cavemen had water coolers in their offices to have such conversations around). However, if this topic is off limits, how do you know if you’re being underpaid at your current position? Sure, Ted started at the company when you did, has the same title, but how do you know that you’re making as much as him? If you ask, you risk creating some tension in an otherwise cordial relationship.

Well, Sam Grobart, senior editor at Money Magazine, has a few weapons to offer when it comes to confronting the situation of assessing the money issue. He suggests doing some online research into what the average income for your position is in your area – though he warns that these can be a bit inaccurate and shouldn’t be taken at face value.

He offers a few more pointers, but even then, I suggest navigating this minefield very carefully – and hopefully in the end all of your tip-toeing will pay off in your bank account.

Suffering from Commuter Shock?

We all know that nowadays going to fill up at the gas pump is the equivalent of grudgingly asking mixed-martial artist Randy Couture to punch you in the gut and then place you into a submission-inducing headlock. But if you have to commute to work, and carpooling and public transportation aren’t possible, you really have no other choice but to close your eyes and take the hit.

In a recent survey by the staffing firm Robert Half International (RHI), almost half of U.S. professionals (44%) said higher gas prices are affecting their commutes, up from 34% two years ago. However, employers, for the most part, aren’t turning a blind eye to the staggering fuel prices. The RHI report also states that companies are rolling out incentives that include a flexible work schedule (26%), telecommuting (18%), and public transit discounts (14%).

Are you thinking, “how do I get a job that does that?” Well, how about contacting MetaTech and letting us work to find a career that is perfect for you – both professionally and personally. However, if you are happy with your job for now, there are a few things you can do to convince your employer about adopt fuel-friendly policies:

• Check with Human Resources. "Ask your HR rep if there are existing [commuter assistance] policies, because there may well be, even if they aren't widely recognized," says Alexandra Levit, author of "How'd You Score That Gig? A Guide to the Coolest Careers and How to Get Them." Your request may also prompt HR to take action, as the business case for such incentives is strong, Levit says.
• Highlight the upside for the company. "You should put a positive spin on your request to the boss or to HR," says Liz Bywater, president of the Bywater Consulting Group, which helps improve organizational performance. "Companies that offer such incentives may be seen as environmentally conscious and employee-friendly. And remember that your employer would rather have you ask for this than ask for a raise or quit because you can't afford to commute," adds Levit.
• Check with your city. Local agencies may offer transportation incentive programs that employers can tap, according to Terry Pile, president of Career Advisors and author of "Working in Your Slippers: Is Telecommuting Right for You? Some cities require large employers to reduce the number of cars on their campuses by a certain percentage and provide them with assistance in putting together an alternative commuting program," she says.
• Make a proposal. "You could put together a cost analysis in support of telecommuting one or two days a week," Pile says, adding that studies have shown that telecommuting saves employers on parking and office space, productivity, and absentee costs. "If the employer can see a positive impact on the bottom line, you'll get better reception for a telecommuting program." Pile's advice may work for other programs, such as carpooling or flexible schedules.
• Control what you can. Even if your employer is not receptive to changing, find ways to increase your savings and efficiency. "Look at how you might save on gas outside of work by planning your errands efficiently, and walking or taking public transit when you can," says Pile. "You must find a way to live with the situation without anxiety," Levit concludes. "If you're strapped for cash, balance things out by taking away one expense you can tolerate -- such as dining out one meal per week. The increase in fuel costs is a hardship, no doubt, but it's not the same dire scenario as being unemployed or facing bankruptcy."

… And if none of these tips work you can always try your hand (or I guess it would be your feet) at commuting via roller shoes.

Economic Recession? Tell that to the IT Industry

It’s hard to go a day without hearing about how bad the economy is. Unemployment rates are up and the housing market is in the dumps. With all this negative news, it’s easy to consider moving into a cave and disconnecting from society.

But hold on a second all you hermit hopefuls. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2002 and 2016 jobs in the IT sector are projected to increase by over 35%. That’s right – increase! Not only that, but these occupations enjoy higher salaries compared to the national average.

Sounds pretty good, right? Why not let MetaTech help you get your IT career started.