Fifty years ago, someone who changed positions frequently was considered an unsuitable job candidate. In the entrepreneurial boom of the late '90s, workers were looked down upon for spending too much time in a job or at one company. And IT workers were considered most valuable if they were thought to be in demand. Things have changed in just a few years.

InformationWeek's eighth annual National IT Salary Survey shows that job stability is very important to IT professionals. For many, it's the most important aspect of their employment. Perceived job security is driving IT professionals to stay on the job longer than they did years ago. In 2000, IT managers had, on average, spent three years at their companies. That average has doubled to six years. Five years ago, according to our 2000 survey, IT staffers spent an average of three years at their employers. This year, tenure among staffers averages five years.

In the past, IT workers made large jumps in salary and compensation by hopping jobs or companies. So when headhunters call, IT professionals listen. A third of IT staffers and 41% of managers report being contacted by headhunters or recruiters in the last 12 months. Approximately half of those people were contacted three or more times in that period. The old axiom, "Good people are hard to find" still holds true. Headhunters are looking for good people to fill staff and management positions in application development, networking, and general IT.

IT unemployment is dropping, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (see story, "Satisfied But Uncertain"). As many out-of-work IT professionals find positions, employed staffers and managers remain in a holding pattern. Some may be more selective in choosing new opportunities, especially as business heads into the summer months.

With skyrocketing gas prices and instability in corporate spending, it's difficult to say if the economy has turned a corner or if there's more uncertainty ahead. Do you believe it's time for IT professionals to start job hopping again? Let us know.

Lisa Smith
Managing Editor
Research
lcsmith@cmp.com

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Reasons For Leaving

Why are you looking for a new job?

Not only are headhunters looking for good IT people, IT pros are looking for good opportunities. Nearly half of the IT workers surveyed are looking for new jobs. After years of low or no salary increases, most staffers and managers are seeking larger compensation packages. Approximately two out of five want more interesting work or a change in management or company culture.

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Total Worth

What is your total annual cash compensation?

Whether you're a rookie or a veteran at your company, total compensation is equal for people at similar levels in the organization. According to more than 12,000 IT professionals surveyed in InformationWeek's National IT Salary Study, IT staff who've been on the job for less than a year garner compensation packages equal to IT staff veterans at their companies a year or more. The same is true for managers. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues if the economy picks up.

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Annual Increases

How large a raise in total cash compensation did you receive this year?

If increases in total compensation are any indicator, it appears that rookies' packages are growing at a rate double that of veterans. In fact, staff rookies saw an increase of 4.6% in total compensation in 2005, compared with 2.4% for staff veterans.

The difference for managers is even greater, with rookie managers raking in a 6.1% increase in compensation, compared with 3.4% for veterans.

At this rate, rookies should outpace veterans in overall compensation numbers in just one year.

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Settling For Less

What would influence you to accept a lesser position or title?

When IT professionals change jobs, they don't always switch for promotions or lateral titles. Some are open to accepting a lesser position or title to achieve other goals. Two out of five IT workers would take a lower position to gain more job satisfaction, while a third would make the change for a new location or a better company overall. Three out of 10 staffers and a quarter of managers would accept a step down to ensure greater job security.