It's Harder to Poach
Robert Byron, principal consultant for the IT division at WinterWyman Search in Boston, says candidates are hesitant to make a move. “If they’re the last ones into a company, if there’s layoffs, a downturn in the business, they’re the first ones out of there,” he observes. For those who are looking around, candidates with in-demand skills tend to be more selective in offers they'll consider. They'll look carefully at a prospective employer's line of business, industry and technology. "If there’s something about [their existing] job they don’t like, they’ll consider a move," says Byron. "But they’re going to vet that company much more carefully." Sheila Robinson, technical recruiter for Atlanta staffing firm Agile, sees another dynamic at work: candidates being overwhelmed with multiple offers, especially .NET developers (who are in particular demand in her area), Java developers and experts in other technologies now seen as hot. “Sometimes what makes [a candidate] decide to take one offer over another is the technology they’re using," she says. "If they’re not on .NET 4.0 framework or MVC architecture, or the company has older legacy systems, candidates will turn up their nose." Candidates also might be looking for perks like flexible schedules or the option to work at home a couple of days a week.Increasing Clout
David Chie, chief operating officer at Palo Alto Staffing Services, sees candidates becoming more aware of their clout. He says some contractors are paid so handsomely -- especially those working with technologies such as Dynamic AX and GWT, for instance -- that they’re unwilling to take permanent positions. “In general, there’s so much opportunity, so many options," Chie says. “When you put a lot of choice in front of someone, it can be very difficult for them to make decisions. People are unsure which is the better opportunity." And because many offers are close when it comes to pay and benefits, things like equity and company culture are often keys to the candidate's decision. "That’s more important than it’s ever been," says Chie. "Decisions are being made on other factors than pay and such.” In the past 30 to 45 days, Chie's his company has had a huge influx of Java requirements, he says, and difficulty filling contract positions with Ruby on Rails.[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOHadF_ZIiM&wmode=window&h=315&w=560&h=315]