The global economic crisis is changing how organizations plan and execute their projects. Like every industry, IT project cancelations and layoffs are common. There are bight spots in the IT sector - these tips might help you cope with the current economic conditions.

Software Architecture and Engineering are Safe Career Choices

While the current global economic crisis is resulting in layoffs by the thousands, the IT sector is still a safe career choice. While the overall unemployment rate in the US  during the fourth quarter of 2008 is  6.1% (with a high of 7.1% in December 2008), unemployment in software engineering was just 1.9%.

Demand for top-skilled people is up, however, hiring decisions are taking longer, often due to more stringent approval processes.

Full article: Surprise! Tech is a safe career choice today

Update (March 4, 2009): The outlook for information technology hiring is positive for the second quarter, the Canadian arm of staffing company Robert Half International said Wednesday. Full article at cbc.ca

Update (March 20, 2009):

Becoming an IT consultant: Do's, don'ts and disasters to avoid - although this article discusses US tax issues, it is relevant to many transitioning into contract work from a full-time position.

Rates are Up in Several Areas

A recent study revels six areas in IT where pay rates are increasing in six areas:

• Management/Methodology/Process pay rates up 5.6%
• Database rates pay up 2.9%
• Messaging and Communications pay rates up 2.9%
• Architecture
• Security
• Networking

Full Article: Update: Study finds IT pay up in six areas, down elsewhere

Improve Your Resume

Like most skills, writing an effective resume is one that you need to both practice and adapt to changing conditions. The article discusses five tips for writing an outstanding resume:

• Drop the detail
• Abolish your objective
• Improve your resume’s search-ability and relevance
• Highlight relevant certifications
• Balance Technology and Business

Full article: Five Tips For an Outstanding IT Resume

Interview Smarter

Interviewing is a perishable skill, meaning that the skill deteriorates when you don’t practice it. Even if you change jobs often (because you are independent, for example), you should keep abreast of changes in interviewing techniques.

There are still plenty of companies hiring, so brush up on your interview skills described in this article.

Full Article: How to Land Interviews for IT Jobs in a Tough Market