Be aware of the salary squeeze
Starting salaries have dropped in the last six months, but they seem to have stabilized with the economy. Peter provides this insight:

Look at your present employer, you'll probably be getting a two to five percent raise, this year. Don't expect a 10-15% increase, as salaries have dropped. If you change employers, look for a 5% increase, if you're employed. This is realistic in today's economy. If unemployed, look for a lateral move or 5% less than your last position.

When will the job market open up?
Both Peter and I have seen some improvement in the job market in the last few weeks, but this will continue to be a slow recovery that will take all summer. We anticipate things to significantly improve in autumn. This change however will not be the hot market we saw in 2000. The pendulum swung from a candidate market to an employer market in the spring of 2001. We don't expect it to get back to those circumstances until late 2003 or 2004, if then.

Final thoughts
Early this year I placed a Lotus Notes Instructor. She had originally sent me her resume in November of 2000, and we touched base a few times since then. She was looking to leave instruction and go into a more hands on role. When an instructor position that would roll into a system administrator job in her location became available, I didn't have to run a search, post a job, or scan the Web for the right candidate. I knew who to call and how to reach her. In a few short days she had the position she wanted, the money she desired, and a new challenge. See how staying in touch and following the program can work? Follow these tips and let it work for you.

Bain McKay is Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist of CIRI Lab Inc. where he and his research team build advanced Knowledge Management technology using the latest methods in Cognitive Science and computing technology. Bain can be reached at bmckay@cirilab.com or at http://www.cirilab.com.