Looking for a Job? Keep These Silicon Valley Job Trends in Mind
Posted March 9th, 2015
Silicon Valley has long been the centerpiece of the tech industry in America. So it’s only predictable that the hiring trends that affect Silicon Valley eventually spread out into the broader tech landscape. The website CIO recently published a list of Silicon Valley tech job trends, and several are worth reviewing for what they reveal to job seekers about the present and future.
Huge Salaries for Elite Employees
Some of Silicon Valley’s biggest companies are paying multi-million dollar salaries to employees that have not yet cracked the upper echelon of executive management. This suggests that companies are more interested than ever in attracting and retaining top talent, and are willing to pay for professionals who can make an impact.
New Opportunities at Startups
Venture capital is once again flowing into Silicon Valley, leading to a wave of new startups. These fledgling companies may not be able to offer the same compensation as a Google or Apple, but they are eager to fill their ranks, and offer an appealing opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the next tech giant.
Unique Perks and Environments
Ever eager to attract promising talent, companies are turning to unique perks like apartment cleaning services and on-site climbing walls, and are looking to create more inviting office spaces with bright colors and open floor plans. Once again, this underscores how urgently major Silicon Valley companies are approaching recruiting these days.
In-Demand Skills for 2015
Not surprisingly, one of the most in-demand skills right now in Silicon Valley is mobile and social technology. If you have experience and expertise in either of these areas, expect a number of the area’s major players to be very interested in meeting you. Other hot skills right now include Windows administration, network administration, and desktop support.
Hiring Boom Throughout the Bay Area
A survey of CIOs from companies inside and outside the tech field revealed that 88 percent plan to hire in 2015, up 10 percent from last year. Other data confirms that the Bay Area is the place to be for IT job seekers. The average salary for IT professionals working in San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland is 25 percent higher than the national average.
Move Towards Youth
Companies are increasingly looking for cutting edge skills rather than years of steady experience. That has made it harder for older workers to enjoy the same perks and career mobility that millennials in Silicon Valley are being offered. Some companies have even announced in thinly coded language that they are actively cultivating a younger workforce.
Silicon Valley is clearly a great place to be in your are pursuing a tech career, but opportunities abound throughout Northern California and beyond. If you’re looking for a job, enhance your search by contacting us.
