Help workers develop other skills. Many leading employers are investing specifically in the development of their IT workers' soft skills. IT, once a behind-the-scenes function in most organizations, is now much more visible -- and much more vital to everyday operations. By sharpening their interpersonal skills, IT staffers will not only be able to work more effectively with others inside and outside of their department; they'll also put themselves in a better position to someday assume leadership roles.
For many small to midsize companies, having an in-house IT department is a fairly new concept. This is one reason why IT personnel are sometimes overlooked for growth opportunities that other employees are offered routinely. But like most professionals, IT workers want to continually expand their knowledge and skills -- and they want more control over their careers.
Next: Opinion: Attract talent by building the IT community at large
John Reed is senior executive director of Robert Half Technology ( www.rht.com), a provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from Web development to network security and technical support.
More on the 100 Best Places to Work in IT
- View the full 2012 special report
- View and sort the top 100 employers
- In the No. 1 spot: USAA scores a three-peat
- Slideshow: Employee perks at USAA
- Employer scorecard: Tops for training, benefits, more
- Employee scorecard: 33,000 IT workers have their say
- Opinion: Invest in your IT talent; it's the key to retention
- Opinion: Build the IT community at large to attract talent
- How we chose the Best Places
- Tell us about the worst place to work!
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