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.

Jim O’Hagan from O’Hagan Career Coaching emphasizes this mindset: “Every hiring manager, is under dramatic pressure to hire the right person. They need to trust that when you’re assigned something, you’ll take it on and get it done, but also be willing to raise your hand when necessary. It’s not just about your resume; it’s about trust, feel, and making a genuine personal connection.”

With that in mind, this guide will give you insights into what hiring managers are really thinking when they’re considering you for a consulting position and how you can position yourself effectively.

1. “I’m Evaluating Your Fit for Our Current Needs”

What They’re Thinking: Hiring managers are focused on finding someone who can quickly integrate and deliver results. They’re assessing whether your skills and experience align directly with the project’s specific goals.

What You Should Do: Emphasize your ability to hit the ground running. Highlight previous consulting projects where you quickly adapted to a new environment and delivered successful outcomes.

2. “I’m Interested in Your Problem-Solving Approach”

What They’re Thinking: As a consultant, you’re expected to bring solutions to the table. The hiring manager wants to understand how you approach problem-solving and how you’ll handle challenges that arise during the project.

What You Should Do: Share examples of how you’ve solved complex problems in previous roles. Walk them through your thought process and how you’ve applied your expertise to deliver value to your clients.

3. “I’m Assessing Your Ability to Work Independently”

What They’re Thinking: Consultants often work with minimal supervision, so they’re gauging your ability to manage your time, stay organized, and deliver results independently.

What You Should Do: Demonstrate your self-sufficiency by discussing how you’ve managed projects from start to finish on your own. Highlight your time management skills and how you’ve successfully met deadlines without constant oversight.

4. “I’m Curious About Your Flexibility”

What They’re Thinking: Consulting roles often require flexibility—whether it’s adjusting to new client demands, working across different departments, or adapting to evolving project scopes.

What You Should Do: Showcase your adaptability by sharing experiences where you’ve successfully navigated changes in project direction or scope. Highlight your willingness to take on new challenges as they arise.

5. “I’m Considering How You Fit with Our Team (Even Temporarily)”

What They’re Thinking: Even though you’re a consultant, your ability to mesh well with the existing team is important. They want to know if you’ll work harmoniously with full-time employees, even if it’s just for the duration of the project.

What You Should Do: Talk about your experience working with different teams, especially in temporary or project-based roles. Emphasize your ability to build rapport quickly and collaborate effectively with various stakeholders.

Conclusion: As a consultant, understanding the specific concerns and expectations of hiring managers can help you stand out in the interview process. By addressing these key points, you’ll position yourself as the ideal candidate for the consulting role.

The post Insider’s Guide: What Hiring Managers Aren’t Telling You (But You Need to Know as a Consultant) 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.

In this episode of Tech Talent Today, I’m excited to be joined by Steve Watts. Steve is a manager of storage, data protection, and automation services for a super-regional insurance carrier. He rose through the ranks from network engineer to storage engineer to storage & data protection architect to manager. With the increased prevalence of ransomware attacks, data protection, storage, and backup are essential topics. Listen to Steve’s perspective to learn what companies can do to protect sensitive information.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

• What can you do about ransomware? [02:53]
• How did Steve gain an interest in computers? [10:47]
• Automation’s influence on storage [12:53]
• Desirable attributes for new team members [15:32]
• The pandemic’s effect on hiring [20:30]
• Managing work/life balance while working from home [27:15]

Defending against ransomware

There was a point when the main concern for an enterprise was if they would get a computer virus. Nowadays, companies have to look at ransomware as “when” rather than “if” it will happen. Ransomware threatens the potential of having intellectual property locked up without the ability to access it. After an attack, the company is faced with paying the ransom. Some companies who deliver the ransom never recover their data. So, the best option is to have a plan in motion before an attack begins.

There are several approaches to defending data. A lot of companies have taken to using air-gapped solutions. They move their regular backups to a secondary, or sometimes tertiary, storage device that’s not on the network. That adds a whole new level of cost and complexity because there has to be a temporary storage device to connect to the backup. Then that backup has to be isolated, so it can’t be accessible in the event of an attack, except by the company.

How has automation influenced storage?

IT is ripe for automation. The days of building servers by hand are gone. Rather than manually building equipment, we have processes that will build repeatedly. The storage space is in the same position. There can be some complex processes that have to be repeated each time storage is brought online. Rather than needing to put the document in someone’s hands, hoping they get it right, it’s a lot easier to automate those processes.

Automation certainly won’t eliminate the workforce. There still need to be people who specialize in automation. Those people make the processes more repeatable and actionable, then they couple that with the cloud. Even with utilizing the cloud, the same work has to be done. Engineers need to be employed to work with all the automation because of the scale the cloud allows. A business needs to be able to scale up and scale down to continue to meet demands. Automation is the solution to managing business fluctuation. 

Staying informed and prepared

If you’re in the IT industry and working in storage, think about the people writing malware. Spend some time with your management team and vendors so you can understand the capabilities of the platform you’re currently using. If the platforms don’t have any suitable mitigations, then do some research. Find out where the gaps are in your environment and what you can do. Storage and backup are the bedrock upon which the rest of the organization is built, whether people know it or not. Backup can be thankless work. But if you have a good plan, the day the organization is under threat, you’ll know you’ve done your job well. 

Companies have to look at ransomware as “when” rather than “if” it will happen. #Ransomware #Storage
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Resources & People Mentioned

• Pure Storage: A Modern Data Experience | Data Storage Company
• Bread: A Baker’s Book of Techniques and Recipes

Connect with Steve Watts

• On LinkedIn

Connect With Jodi Kulek Mayer

• https://clearmonttech.com/about/meet-the-team/ 
• Follow Jodi on LinkedIn

Subscribe to Tech Talent Today on
Apple Podcasts,Spotify , Google Podcasts

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https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

The post Defending Data and the Future of Storage with Steve Watts, Ep #3  appeared first on Clearmont Technologies.

In this episode of Tech Talent Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Juliette W. Samson, CIO and VP of Supply Chain at CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) – Food and Beverage. She’s responsible for implementing new technologies and optimizing the supply chain process to increase speed, service, and profitability. Juliette is a graduate of Cornell and Columbia Universities and speaks four languages. She is a determined mom who left no stone unturned when she had to find her daughter a kidney. You won’t want to miss Juliette’s amazing story of her journey of balancing her role as a mother with her journey into leadership in the technical world.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…

• • • Juliette W. Samson’s journey to CIO [01:45]
    • Life as a female engineer in the 80s [07:07]
    • The importance of mentors [10:32]
    • Juliette’s move into the financial world [14:56]
    • Raising a family as a businesswoman [19:48]
    • Managing difficult times and a career [22:55]
    • Career advice for those in IT [30:33]

Women in science

Juliette W. Samson was born in Eastern Europe, where having women in science was normal. Both her parents were physicists. When they moved to America, her mother had difficulty finding a job because she was overqualified for almost anything available. For Juliette, it was natural to become an engineer. When she started her career at Western Electric in manufacturing, her male supervisor questioned her about why she became an engineer. Her response was to ask why he became an engineer. When he responded that it was because he liked it, she caught him off guard by saying she did as well!

Choosing the right place for your career

When Juliette started her career, she chose to join AT&T because it was large enough for her to move around and learn everything. The benefit of a large company is that it provides many opportunities to learn different things which will help you with future positions. Juliette emphasizes the advantage of understanding your goals early in your career. That’s a hard thing to do, but it’s worth taking the time to dwell on the future. This sort of planning allows you to map out how to get where you want to go.

While at AT&T, Juliette was thrown a curveball; the telecom industry had started to shrink. With two young children, her income needed to be dependable, so she needed to choose between staying in the same field or trying something different. She decided to go into IT because she felt it was a close match to the telecom industry. Also, no matter the company, IT will be necessary. While searching for IT positions, Juliette was interviewed by Merrill Lynch for a financial role. The interviewer was very interested in how she was going to manage the transition of industries. She said she’s managed quite a lot of issues in her life, both personal and professional, and there’s nothing she can’t do; she just needs a chance. She got the job and really enjoyed her position there. She continued in the role for a year when Pfizer asked her to join the company. Because of Pfizer’s impact in the community and the world, she accepted the offer.

Using your career to impact the world

Juliette has been a CIO for seven years, however, she didn’t set out in her career to acquire a title. Her goal was to utilize technology and enable processes that affect people’s jobs and lives positively. That’s why she became an engineer. She was particular in the roles that she accepted by choosing companies that positively impacted the world. She advises everyone to take the assignments no one wants. If you take something difficult, you’ll build your career while accomplishing things no one else could.

Juliette W. Samson emphasizes the advantage of understanding your goals early in your career #goals #career
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Resources & People Mentioned

• • • The gap at the top – Korn Ferry
    • Lafayette student receives a kidney from a stranger
    • Renewal.org

Connect with Juliette W. Samson

• • • On LinkedIn

Connect With Jodi Kulek Mayer

• • • https://clearmonttech.com/about/meet-the-team/
    • Follow Jodi on LinkedIn

Subscribe to Tech Talent Today on
Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts

Audio Production and Show notes by
PODCAST FAST TRACK
https://www.podcastfasttrack.com

The post How One Woman Overcame Extreme Obstacles on the Path to CIO, with Juliette W. Samson, Ep #1 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.

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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.