Monday, October 02, 2006

Boston Market -- 4th Quarter, 2006

"Online Job Demand" in Boston rose to its highest level in August following two months of seasonally reduced activity according to the Monster Local Employment Index (pdf). "Double-digit year-over-year growth rates in online job activity for management, business and financial operations, creative, IT and science occupations suggest that the Boston metropolitan area remains a hot market for professional jobseekers," according to a company press release.

An analysis of the Boston area Web technology job market reveals the following:
  • High demand -- database skills (SQL)
  • Moderate demand -- programming skills (ASP, JavaScript & ASP.NET)
  • Low demand -- design skills (XHTML, CSS & Flash)
Let me explain how I arrived at this conclusion:

Beantown Web monitors IT jobs (Web-related jobs to be specific) on a monthly basis via the "Boston Market" series of postings. At the beginning of every quarter Beantown Web conducts a more thorough TACK analysis. TACK stands for Tools, Acronyms, Containers, and Knowledge:
  • Tools -- software programs used in Web design and development
  • Acronyms -- languages used in Web design and development
  • Containers -- database programs used to store information
  • Knowledge -- certifications that indicate proficiency in a specific technology area
One way to gauge the current job demand is through a keyword search on specific technology skills at selective online job sites. Beantown Web monitors two sites: BostonWorks and Monster. Keywords are then grouped into one of the four TACK categories.

A few of the common keywords associated with Web design and Web development jobs are included in the listings below. The numbers in parentheses indicate the number of job postings that list that keyword in the job description. [ First number: BostonWorks.com ][ Second number: Monster.com ]:

Tools (software)

  • Photoshop [ 76 ][ 236 ]
  • Flash [ 55 ][ 54 ]
  • Dreamweaver [ 49 ][ 75 ]
  • Visual Studio [ 39 ][ 95 ]

Acronyms (languages)

Containers (databases)

Knowledge (certifications)

  • The demand for certified professionals varies by discipline. All things being equal certification helps to distinguish you from your competition. Microsoft Salary Survey reveals that a certification can help get your foot in the door, but advancement depends on experience. An appropriate certification entry point for Web design and Web development professionals is Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW).
Here are a few additional observations from this quarter's analysis:
  • HTML listings are 20 times more prevalent than XHTML listings
  • XML listings are 10 times more prevalent that XHTML listings
  • Closed-source database listings (Oracle & SQL Server) are at least five times more prevalent than open-source database listings (MySQL)

To maneuver your career for future success (TACK through the winds of constant technology change) consider the following four suggestions:

  • HTML -- list HTML on your resume, as well as, XHTML
  • XML -- upgrade your skill set to include XML (XHTML's parent language)
  • SQL -- develop a solid understanding how to access data from a database
  • JavaScript -- develop a solid understanding of basic programming skills

Here are two recommended training courses for October:

Both courses are available for FREE compliments of the HP Learning Center. Classes begin Thursday, October 12.
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