Times have changed...

Over the last four years, I have noticed significant changes in the socioeconomic climate of this country. The Great Housing Boom Crash is causing record numbers of foreclosures, which is driving housing prices back to what they were in the late 1990's (see It's all happened before). The Credit Crunch has all but crippled the credit markets, and at this point only those with the best credit scores can even attain mortgages (see The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly). But that's the obvious stuff, what I'd like to discuss today are the changes that have been more subtle.

So what's different?

Recently, it seems that companies have changed their view of what makes a good job candidate. This can be seen in a number of ways:

• Having a bachelor's degree are more important than ever, and as the number of candidates for any given position increases, so does the necessity to have what the other guy doesn't.
  
• For management positions, employers are increasingly insistent on managers that can act in a hands-on capacity if the situation calls for it.

For over a decade, I have been employed as an Information Technology professional, and I like to keep a close eye on what's happening in the employment market for my area of concentration. What I've noticed is that there is a growing trend for Software Engineering Managers and Directors of Technology to have recent hands-on experience developing software. Why is this significant? Because traditionally, at the manager level, and especially at the director level, there has not been a requirement for them to participate in the actual coding of an application, even at times when the company is short-staffed.

So what does this mean for you and me?

As the economy worsens, there will be fewer jobs available; meaning more competition for each available position. This means the better your educational background and experiences, the better your chances will be of getting the job. So, For those of you who don't have a Degree of any kind, you may want to consider one of the schools with accelerated degree programs for working adults. For those of you that have finished an Associates Degree, go back to school for two years, and finish your bachelors. Finally, for those of you who've completed a Bachelor's Degree, you may want to consider a Master's Degree if your circumstances allow it.

Just some food for thought...