IT Job Outlook Improving

There are rays of sunshine on the job front -- and not a moment too soon.

First, this morning's report about the national unemployment rate -- with a job loss of "only" 11,000 jobs -- is surely great news. (Oh, how far we've fallen to feel happy about losing 11,000 jobs.)

But specifically in the IT job market, green shoots are also appearing. A first quarter Robert Half Technology IT Hiring and Skills Report indicated that 7 percent of technology execs plan on bring on new staffers in Q1, while (and this is the "good news") 89 percent plan on maintaining current staff levels. An unfortunate 4 percent foresee still more IT layoffs.

In the view of Dave Willmer, executive director of Robert Half Technology:

"After months of slow hiring activity, managers are beginning the year with new budgets and appear ready to carefully expand their IT departments," said Dave Willmer, executive director of Robert Half Technology. "Many firms are investing in technologies that improve efficiency and competitiveness, and there has been demand for additional professionals to implement these projects. The health services sector, for instance, needs IT talent to manage the conversion to electronic medical records."

I wouldn't call that jump-up-and-down good news by any stretch, but we'll take any sunshine where we can find it. Onward and upward.