Silicon Valley Job Revival Increases Competition for Tech Talent

Wall Street Journal: During the economic downturn, tech companies outside Silicon Valley found it easier to recruit workers. But now that hiring has picked up in the Valley, organizations are beginning to change their recruiting techniques.

Austin-based Convio has increased its efforts to get current employees to refer new recruits, including making it easier to send job openings to friends via social networking sites. The company has also hired more interns.

SailPoint Technologies expects that it will have to offer bigger bonuses, salaries, and perks to recruit staff. "The days of 'I'll take what I can get' are over," says chief executive Mark McClain. "As hiring improves in the Valley, I'd expect that we might have to start looking at bonuses, salaries, or options again as ways to attract people."

By contrast, Raleigh-based RedHat is training hiring managers to pitch the company as a more entrepreneurial place to work than Silicon Valley companies.