That’s one of the questions I’m hearing most often.

Here’s what I’m hearing from candidates.

Many are saying:

• “I’m getting interviews but no offers.”
• “I keep finishing second.”
• “The process just feels harder than it used to.”

Strong candidates with solid experience are finding it takes more interviews and more time to land a role.

Recent TechServe Alliance State of the Industry data reflects what many recruiters (and candidates) are experiencing: more interviews per hire and longer time-to-fill across the technology staffing market. Companies are filling roles, but often after comparing more candidates and moving more deliberately through the process.

Why it feels this way

According to TechServe Alliance’s February 2026 State of the Industry report:

• Job postings in technology, finance, and professional services are down more than 20%
• Hiring rate: 3.3%
• Quit rate: 2.0%
• Layoff rate: 1.1%

Together, these numbers describe a labor market with less movement overall.

Fewer people are leaving jobs, and companies are expanding headcount more cautiously, especially in technology-related roles. When mobility slows, hiring becomes more selective and timelines stretch.

That’s why the job market can feel challenging even for highly qualified candidates.

Early signs of improvement

Industry leaders are describing the outlook as cautious optimism.

Some companies are beginning to reopen budgets and restart projects that were paused in 2024 and 2025. Early-2026 hiring activity appears modestly stronger than last year, though still uneven across industries.

Where hiring is strongest

Demand remains steadier in:

• engineering
• utilities
• healthcare
• life sciences

Large enterprise technology hiring continues to be cautious.

AI and hiring

AI is a frequent topic in hiring conversations, but the impact looks different than many people expect.

Companies aren’t broadly hiring “AI engineers” yet. Instead, they’re hiring people to prepare systems, data, and infrastructure so AI can be used later, work like improving data governance, migrating systems to the cloud, and modernizing legacy applications.

So AI is influencing what work exists, not how many jobs exist, at least for now.

A wrong hire is costly, financially, operationally, and for team morale. When markets feel uncertain, companies naturally become more cautious about hiring decisions.

That often results in more interviews, more comparison, and longer hiring timelines. Markets move in cycles, and there are early signs we may be entering a better phase.

The post How’s the Job Market in Early 2026? appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.

Mindset Shift: From Permanent to Project-Based As a consultant, you’ll need to adjust your mindset from a permanent, long-term role to a project-based approach. Instead of settling into a single company’s culture, you’ll need to be adaptable and open to working with various clients, each with their unique environments, processes, and expectations.

Understanding Billable Hours One of the significant differences between being an employee and a consultant is the concept of billable hours. As a consultant, you’ll need to track your time meticulously and ensure that you’re accurately billing your clients for the work you’ve done. Familiarize yourself with the billing practices and expectations of your consulting firm or client.

Benefits and Perks As an employee, you likely enjoyed a range of benefits and perks, such as paid time off, health insurance, and company-sponsored events. As a consultant, these may not be automatically provided. It’s essential to understand what benefits and perks, if any, are included in your consulting agreement and plan accordingly.

Building Your Network Networking is crucial in the consulting world. While you may have relied on your employer’s reputation in the past, as a consultant, you’ll need to actively cultivate your professional network. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and leverage social media to expand your reach and visibility.

Continuous Learning The IT industry is ever-evolving, and as a consultant, you’ll need to stay ahead of the curve. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and be prepared to invest time and resources into professional development. Keep your skills sharp and stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in your field.

Making the transition from a full-time employee to an IT consultant can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. By understanding the nuances of this new role and adopting the right mindset, you can navigate this career shift successfully and unlock new opportunities for growth and success.

The post Making the Transition: From Employee to IT Consultant appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.

IT Job Growth a Mere Trickle in November Due to Ongoing Supply Shortages

IT Hiring Challenging and Projects Impacted Because of Talent Scarcity, says TechServe Alliance

Alexandria, VA, December 8, 2021 – After a strong recovery in IT employment since last August, employment growth in the IT sector slowed down to a trickle in November. The sector added 2,200 workers last month, a sequential increase of 0.04% to 5,385,400 jobs, according to TechServe Alliance, the national trade association of the IT & Engineering Staffing and Solutions Industry. On a year-over-year basis, IT employment was up 3.17% since November 2020, adding 165,600 IT workers.

Growth in Engineering employment also slowed down significantly to 0.16% sequentially, adding 4,200 workers to end the month at 2,658,800. On a year-over-year basis, engineering employment increased by 3.38% since November 2020, adding 86,900 engineering workers.

“While uncertainty about the impact of the Omicron variant did somewhat impact the IT sector, the slowdown in IT jobs market is more related to the supply squeeze on available talent rather than demand,” said Mark Roberts, CEO of TechServe Alliance. “Our members are telling us that their clients’ IT hiring needs are still unmet and projects are getting delayed because of lack of qualified IT professionals. “At this point, there is little likelihood the domestic talent pipeline will significantly expand in the foreseeable future. This is causing not only strong wage growth but also a need to offer a flexible work environment. In this tight labor market, what candidates want really matters and could make or break the success of IT initiatives,” Roberts added.

The following table presents information about the total number of jobs in certain sectors that provide a significant amount of employment for IT and engineering professionals.

Technical note: TechServe Alliance’s IT Employment Index and Engineering Employment Index are the first specific measurements of IT and engineering employment. These unique measurements of total IT and engineering employment are created monthly by studying the ongoing staffing patterns of a dozen IT and computer related occupations in 22 industries and industry sectors employing significant numbers of IT workers and nearly two dozen engineering occupations in 30 select industries and industry sectors employing significant numbers of engineering workers. Both the monthly IT Employment and Engineering Employment Indices are based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, which is subject to monthly revisions, and is revised accordingly. Both indices are also subject to periodic revisions and annual rebenchmarking that includes revisions to several years of employment data, which also may incorporate new occupational definitions. Both indices were re-benchmarked going back several years through January 2021 data. In addition, both indices are subject to minor revisions to March and April data. The next major revision will be published in February 2022.

ABOUT TechServe Alliance
TechServe Alliance is the national trade association of the IT & Engineering staffing and solutions industry. IT & Engineering staffing and solutions firms count on TechServe Alliance to keep their leadership informed, engaged, and connected. TechServe Alliance serves as the voice of the industry before the policymakers and the national and trade press. By providing access to the knowledge and best practices of an entire ndustry and tapping the “collective scale” of its members, TechServe Alliance supports its members in the efficient delivery of best-in-class IT & Engineering staffing and solutions for clients and exceptional professional opportunities for every consultant.

The post IT Job Growth a Mere Trickle in November Due to Ongoing Supply Shortages appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.

What about the last 4 digits of your social security number?

Last week when onboarding a new consultant, he asked me if it is illegal for a recruiter to ask for his date of birth to submit his resume to a job. He said recruiters he didn’t know were asking and it concerned him.

In the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), it is technically not illegal to ask date of birth. However, it is risky to the recruiter who asked. This type of question may indicate an intent to discriminate and is closely scrutinized.

Unfortunately, some companies use date of birth as an ATS field. Usually, they only require the month and day and not the year. So, I would recommend only giving out the month and day in this part of the process.

The post Is it Illegal for a Recruiter to Ask for Your Date of Birth? appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.

The post Your Resume- What’s it Actually For? appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.

The post Smile More, Talk Less appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.

Recently lost your job?

Download our free “Job Transition Checklist” to stay on top of everything you should do as you move into the next step of your career.

Finding yourself without a job can be one of the most unsettling and anxiety-provoking times in your life. Take a deep breath and use our handy checklist to stay on top of everything you should do as you move into the next step in your career.

Develop a clear vision of what you want to do next

• Take a notebook and pen or grab your computer and write out the following:
  • What you loved about your job
  • What you did not like about your job
  • Have you considered a career change?
  • What role would you like to see yourself in for your next job
  • What are your strengths you can bring to a new company?
  • What are your weaknesses? What can you do to improve these areas?

Getting clear on this will allow you to reposition yourself as you present yourself to potential new employers.

Your Separation or Severance Package

• Review all of the documentation you receive from your employer carefully, including:
  • Severance pay
  • Unpaid bonuses or commission
  • Unused vacation time or PTO
  • Health insurance options
  • Retirement Accounts
  • Gather all pertinent account information, such as account numbers and passwords for your health benefits, life insurance, retirement accounts, and other benefit plans.

• Clarify your termination date so that you can be ready to file for unemployment benefits.
• Check to see if your company provides outplacement services. These services provide help with updating your resume, searching for jobs, training on how to interview.
• Request a letter of recommendation from your current manager, as well as copies of any performance reviews.
• Update your email address for benefit providers to ensure you are receiving important communication from them.
• File for Unemployment Benefits right away.

Preparing for the Search

• Check yourself on Google. Search your name and see what comes up. If you have anything that you would not want a new employer to see, take the necessary steps to remove that information.
• Check your social media. Are your posts appropriate for a new employer to see? Many employers now make a practice of checking potential hires social media accounts. Clean these up and check your privacy settings.
• Update your LinkedIn profile.

Your Resume

• Before you start to re-do your resume, take some time to write down:
  • Your job skills and any accomplishments at this job.
  • Do you have any measurable accomplishments that resulted in saving your employer money or bringing in larger sales, revenues, customers, or accounts?
• Make sure everything on your resume matches your LinkedIn profile, since most employers review LinkedIn profiles for all job applicants.

The job search

• Create a list of people that you know in the industry to reach out to for help in finding a new job. Many times having a personal connection is the difference between who gets an offer and who does not. Add to this list people NOT in the industry you work in, but people that know you well and would be able to connect you to others that could help you. What other groups are you involved in?
  • Community based organizations
  • Religious groups
  • Sports programs
  • Alumni network
  • PTA, Book Clubs, Scholastic groups
• Develop a list of companies you want to connect with and reach out directly to hiring managers in these organizations.
• Review job listings, starting with job search engines like Indeed.com, CareerBuilder.com, Glassdoor.com for a better variety of open job listings.
• Apply only to jobs that are a good fit for you. Job hunting can be an exhausting job in itself. Use your energy wisely.
• Check potential employer’s reviews before applying using sites like Glassdoor.com.
• Customize your cover letter! Your cover letter should be tailored to every job you apply to and provide clear, compelling reasons why you are the perfect fit for the job.

Before the Interviews

• Compare salaries in the field for the positions that you are applying for. Know in advance what the average salary range is and what you can afford to accept. Be ready to negotiate on this and don’t take less than you’re comfortable with. Payscale.com is a great resource for comparing salaries.
• Have your interview outfits ready. Many initial interviews are done over the phone or video conference. You still need to look professional in a video interview. In any interview you do, remember that first impressions matter. The person you’re meeting with should feel that you have put your best effort into presenting yourself as a professional that wants to join their team.
• Review common interview questions so that you’re ready to answer any questions presented to you.
• Be ready to answer questions about why you left your previous employer.

After you begin applying for jobs

• Be patient.
• Many companies will not respond at all to your application. This is not unusual.
• Be prepared for multiple interviews with one company before they make a decision on who to hire.
• Don’t wait on one company for a response – continue your job search efforts, reaching out and applying for any jobs that you’re truly interested in.

To improve your chances of getting a new job quickly we recommend that you connect with a Job Coach such as Bonnie Brill. Specially trained to provide all of the above services and assist you in finding your ideal job, these professionals can be the most valuable step you take for your future.

The post Job Transition Checklist appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.

There are some simple and effective strategies to help you get through this challenging time and come out feeling more confident.

First Things First

Don’t panic. Take a deep breath and be gentle with yourself. Even people that know their job is in jeopardy can feel a sense of disbelief when it happens. This is completely normal.

Take a Break

After you’ve found out that your position has been eliminated, the very best thing to do is pause and take a few days, even a couple of weeks if you are in a financial position to do so. This is not a luxury everyone has when they lose their job, but if the option is available to you, it’s a good idea to take it. You’ve left one enormous part of your life behind and you will need to figure out what you want to do next. Giving yourself some space can help you clear your mind and really identify what you want to do.

Your natural impulse when you first lose your job might be to jump in and start looking for another one. However, it’s best to let things settle and develop a clear vision of what you want to do next. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to rush out and tell everyone you know that you need a job. Letting your contacts know that you’re looking is something that is best done once you are crystal clear about your goals and how others can help.

Some things to consider: have you been thinking about a career change recently? What do you need to do to position yourself for that? What did you love about your job? What did you dislike? Take some time to write these things down and narrow in on what you truly love to do and what you do well. Getting clear on this will allow you to reposition yourself as you present yourself to potential new employers. In many instances the job you will go to next will be even better than the last job, provided you are clear on what you do and don’t want to do and what you need in terms of a compensation package.

Connect with Your Support System

It’s important to have a robust support system in your corner. That may be your spouse, other family members, sympathetic friends, or any other community organization that you may be a part of. Find someone you can share your concerns with and that can help keep your spirits lifted.
If you don’t feel that you have a good support system around you, this could be a great time to enlist the help of a therapist.

Shift Your Focus

Losing your job provides a perfect opportunity to tackle all of those projects you’ve been putting off. Have a home DIY project? Now’s the time. It’s also a great opportunity to read those books you’ve been wanting to read, spend time with your family, get more exercise and maybe even learn a new skill you’ve been wanting to learn.

If you’ve got insurance coverage paid for by your employer and you still have preventative visits to schedule, this is also an opportune time to check those off of your to-do list.

Balance Your Time

Once you embark on the new job search, it’s important to make sure you’re balancing job search time with other activities in your life. Searching for a new job can be a full-time job. Set up a daily routine and incorporate activities that you enjoy into your day. Perhaps you can dedicate your mornings to job searches and writing cover letters, then spend your afternoon working on home projects. Once you’re clear on what you want to do, incorporate some networking time into your week so you can continue to meet more people and make new connections that could lead to your next job.

In the meantime, focus on the positive wherever you can. Grab a journal and make a gratitude list on the days you’re struggling. Some professionals that are in between jobs find doing a daily gratitude list is a helpful practice to keep them in a positive mindset. Do the things you enjoy and cherish this time. Before you know it, you’ll be back to working again.

If you need extra help narrowing down the next steps to take in your job search, contact our Job Coach, Bonnie Brill and find out about our Job Search Consulting services.

The post Managing the Stress of a Job Loss appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.

But when you’re in the middle of looking for a new job or considering changing jobs, wondering whether you can still take that much-anticipated vacation can be a source of stress.

Here are some tips on how to handle the vacation dilemma.

Tell your recruiter right away

As soon as you begin working with a recruiter, you should let them know about your vacation plans. Your recruiter is familiar with the culture of the company that you’re considering working for and will likely know right away if it’s going to be a problem or not.

Let the employer know during the negotiation phase

There’s no need to discuss vacation plans in your initial interview.  However, it should be brought up if you get an offer during the negotiation process. Suzanne Lucas, a writer with TheBalance.com Career channel, shares, “When you have received a job offer, but before you’ve accepted it, you can ask if you can take those days off. In most cases, your new boss won’t have a problem with such a request – although some may inform you that the leave is unpaid time.”

Lucas continues by saying, “Keep in mind that a lot of jobs have high learning curves and taking time off at the beginning can set you behind. You don’t want your boss judging your long-term performance in a negative light because you took time off in the first couple of months at work.”

The key is to approach your new boss with the attitude that you know it’s a lot to ask, and you completely understand that it may not be possible. Framing the conversation in this manner will garner more respect from the manager and will be more likely to result in a positive outcome.

The Three Month Rule

Lynze Wardle Lenio, a writer for The Muse.com, has a different viewpoint on vacations for new employees.  She shares, “After I graduated from college, someone gave me a piece of advice I always abide by – Don’t ask for any time off during the first three months of your job. Think of it as a probationary period in which you’re trying to prove your worth.”

Many employers do consider the first three months (or 90-days) to be a probationary period where you are being evaluated to determine if you are a fit for the company. This is more likely to apply if you’re an entry-level employee and not at management level. However, it’s a good rule of thumb to gauge your request on.  If your job starts on June 1, your 90 days will end at the end of August. Consider taking a vacation in September instead of during the peak summer months. You’ll have fewer crowds to fight and can relax knowing that your job is secure.

The post Summer Vacations and New Jobs: Are They Compatible? appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.

How to Handle Medical Gaps on Your Resume

In an ideal world, most people prefer to maintain their employment without gaps. However, life doesn’t always work out this way, and many people may find that they have to take extended time off from work due to an illness or health condition. The big question, as someone preparing for a job interview, is how to address such a gap on your resume.

Your resume is your prime marketing tool in your job search. It needs to reflect your experience and education in a concise and easy-to-read manner, yet still catch the attention of hiring managers, who sometimes see hundreds of these at a time. There is a very fine line to balance when presenting this time off to a potential employer.

What are the downsides to the gap in employment?

Taking time off to care for yourself during a health crisis is nothing to be ashamed about or to hide. While honesty is always the best policy, favorably presenting the gap on your resume is challenging on many levels. Potential employers may wonder if you’re fully recuperated and can handle the rigors of a full-time job.

When preparing your resume, remember that it’s not important to include every detail or even every job you’ve had. You want to focus on the skills and qualities that will apply to this particular job. Your resume does not have to boldly state or show that there is a gap in your employment. There’s no reason to hide the fact that you took time off of work, but there’s also no reason to highlight it and call attention to it. Do be prepared to answer questions about it, though.

One tool to consider when you have a gap in your resume is using a functional resume instead of a chronological one. When using a chronological resume, it’s easy to see the gaps in employment at a glance and may catch a hiring manager’s attention. Using a functional resume presents your skills and experience in an easy-to-read format without giving as much weight to the dates or timeline. Instead, it focuses on your skill sets and attributes.

Focus on the positive

When asked about a gap in your employment, let the interviewer know why you took time off, then quickly move on to focus on your skills and what you can bring to the organization. Do not go into a lengthy explanation or extraneous details. Simply move the conversation towards the value you can bring them.

Additionally, if the interviewer continues to question this, you can highlight the fact that your time off gave you an appreciation for your work skills and for being in the workforce and that you’re eager to get back to working as part of a team again. Even though you may have been taking care of your health, some people decide to volunteer or pick up freelance work when they’re not physically able to work full-time. Be sure to mention this. It shows that you are resourceful and can make the most of your circumstances.

One other important thing to remember as you start the interviewing process: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was designed to prevent employers from discriminating against anyone with a medical condition.  You don’t have to provide details of your medical situation and, because of the ADA employers are not allowed to ask any questions that pertain to your medical history. Keep this in mind as you go into the interview and remember what you decide to share is totally up to you.

While the ADA may protect you from discrimination, it does not mean that the company hiring you will overlook your time off, especially if they’re a small company that may be concerned about issues such as insurance premiums or paying money on training you then having you leave due to a recurrence of your illness.

While it can be a challenge to present your time off from a medical issue during an interview, it does not need to hold you back from pursuing the job you want. Remember the tips above – be as positive as you can, don’t focus on your time off, and always take the opportunity to turn the conversation towards your strengths and why the company would benefit from hiring you.

The post How to Handle a Medical Gap on Your Resume appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.