DAC IS AROUND THE CORNER, WHAT TO EXPECT... SHOULD YOU BE LOOKING AT POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES NOW?

Hope you all had a nice long Thanksgiving weekend.

It is finally here…an IN-PERSON DAC and it is right around the corner. Personally, I could not be more excited to get out there and see my friends and associates of so-so many years, as this will be my 23rd DAC. With everyone wearing a mask, my famous trademarked WHITE SPORT JACKET will make me the only recognizable guy there…. will anyone know anyone?

In talking with a lot of my C-Level friends, they are mildly optimistic about the coming DAC, barring the news of the new variant. I suspect that will not have a huge impact as everyone is required to submit PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION as well as wear a mask inside. The exhibitor list is strong and while no one expects any records broken, everyone is ready to fit-bump old friends and customers. I have numerous meetings already planned with expectations of several new openings for me, from what I am told.

2021 has been a record year for the industry and for us, and as of now, no slowness is seen on the horizon. As for 2022, from all I have been told in the many conversations I have had, needs will be plentiful after the 1st, as new budgets role out. More importantly and finally, more and more companies are realizing that with a little time, coaching, and training, the right candidate does not have to check all the boxes. The reality for them is as long as they are smart, with a good understanding of the domain, shows potential, and with a little coaching, can be a contributor, they are certainly worthy of consideration. I have been saying exactly that for years; those that wait for the perfect candidate might be waiting a long time and those that make the candidate perfect can have someone helping build or support (etc.) product sooner rather than later, and not be stuck reading resumes interviewing and hoping to find someone, for who knows how long.

If you are thinking of a change, START NOW and get to the front of the line. Companies will wait for you, if you are the right fit and the process can take more than a month anyway. Clean up your resume and have all the right industry accepted buzz(key) words including a clear objective that also includes other interested-in other objectives. In other words, define your objective but do not lock it in as an absolute, so that you can be considered for other possibilities. The right KEY words are critical so when we are looking specific skills when we type in the search criteria, you actually appear in the search.

As an FYI, if you know someone who is looking, please let me know. If that person gets hired, I am glad to pay you a referral. I cannot tell you how many of you refer me your friends; it is perhaps the most rewarding part of doing this for nearly 25 years. I urge those of you that do not know me to look at my recommendations on LINKEDIN; that will tell you more than I ever could.

To my clients with needs for next year, start early, act fast…it is a difficult hiring market, and not likely to improve soon. While I have had a record year, I lost far too many placements due to lack of prompt execution and decision making. So many companies in need did not act fast enough to find talent. It is imperative to act when you see a decent resume and follow up promptly.

Remember, we work Globally, and place SW Developers, AE’s, Design and Verification Engineers, Sales, Marketing and Internet Developers and MORE. See you in my white coat at DAC, I hope.