Among the explanations for the stubbornly high U.S. unemployment rate, factors such as housing troubles and extended unemployment benefits have played a leading role. Increasingly, though, economists and job seekers are identifying another problem: Employers are being pickier, or not trying as hard as they usually do to fill the openings they have.

As IT roles move up the value chain, companies like Johnson & Johnson, State Street, W.W. Grainger, General Mills and Xerox are looking to hire smart, tech-savvy, collaborative business professionals for 20- or 30-year multifaceted careers, not for IT jobs.

The volatile job market of the past few years has hurt the pay scale for many IT professionals, but there's one IT certification that has remained in high demand through it all -- security.

Hiring for IT jobs continues on the upswing in the U.S. and Canada as recessionary gloom gives way to cautious optimism.

The House of Representatives approved extended jobless benefits for 2.5 million unemployed Americans, ending a long partisan battle.

Over the past year, federal and state governmental agencies have signaled their intent to more seriously investigate the misclassification of employees as independent contractors.

The number of information technology jobs continued to grow at a greater rate than in the overall job market, according to a monthly index of IT jobs developed and published by TechServe Alliance, a collaboration of IT services firms, clients, consultants and suppliers.

Cloud computing is still in its relative infancy, but the buzz from 828 poll respondents is about how it will change the way we work and do business.

Information technology isn't doing as badly as other professions in terms of employment. In fact, the IT profession is on a rebound.

The IT jobs market is likely to remain fickle and unpredictable in the coming months, based on the latest U.S. Department of Labor statistics, which indicate the IT employment picture could be impacted by a double dip in the current recession.

Pessimism over job prospects is at an all-time high.

If you've been laid off and your former employer is hiring again, it's important to consider whether returning is a good idea—and whether the skills you bring are what the company needs now.

The last thing someone who is unemployed needs to be told is that they shouldn't even apply for the limited number of job openings that are available. But some companies and recruiters are doing just that.

Workers with college experience have held up better during the current downturn, and new research suggests that demand for more educated employees may outstrip supply over the next decade.

IT salaries are set to escalate over the next 12 months, as companies aim to increase the number of permanent staff.

Although companies such as HP may be slashing their workforce, a survey finds the majority of HR heads are planning on making IT hires in the next six months.

New claims for unemployment insurance fell by 10,000 last week, the second consecutive drop and a sign the job market may be slowly improving.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed an eleventh-hour extension of jobless benefits Friday afternoon, but thousands of Californians could still see a delay in their check.

Increase in full-time hiring may be sign of long-term confidence, experts say

IT employment returned to the pattern of robust growth in April.

Employers add significantly more jobs than expected in broad-based gains, but unemployment rate still edges higher. 

L.A. labor and business leaders have launched an alliance to promote job creation.

If you don't provide serious experience and mentoring to your unpaid interns, you are probably breaking the law. The Feds may be calling shortly -- unless you meet these six requirements.

Cost-Cutting, Layoffs Create Opportunities to Move Up Quickly and Acquire Responsibilities

As smart grid technology takes off, the sector will offer IT veterans of every stripe increased opportunities to transfer their skills.

While hiring in many industries is just beginning to sputter back to life, some technology firms are rapidly building their staffs.

For the millions of unemployed Americans, the April 15 tax deadline can be especially painful — particularly if they didn't hold onto a portion of their benefit checks.

Getting a degree in down times can be a liability for some who can't find jobs and have massive loans.

Many students and recent graduates say they are changing their names on Facebook or tightening privacy settings to hide photos and wall posts from potential employers.  And with good reason.  A recent survey commissioned by Microsoft found that 70 percent of recruiters and hiring managers in the United States have rejected an applicant based on information they found online.

You probably cost your boss a lot more than you think you do.

The Los Angeles County jobs picture brightened slightly in February as the county gained 24,000 jobs and the unemployment rate dropped a tenth of a point to 12.4 percent.

The search for a summer job won't be any easier this year, despite nascent signs of a recovery.

More than $2.7 billion in federal stimulus money has been awarded to the major local government agencies in Los Angeles over the past year, but no one can say with any confidence how many jobs have been created with those funds.

This year’s survey definitely reflects the current economic climate and its impact on the IT profession.

These six points should absolutely be included in your resume, whether you're looking for your dream job, or just a temporary position.

About three-quarters of health IT executives plan to boost IT spending over the next two years, report shows.

An effective résumé is clear, concise and relevant to the job you want.

Leading economists are upbeat about the U.S. recovery, forecasting steady growth over the next two years as businesses grow and jobs return, according to a survey released Sunday night.

Modest growth is likely this year and next, but unemployment will remain high, according to the report from the Kyser Center for Economic Research.

To increase their odds of success, many job seekers have broadened their horizons, looking for opportunities in new fields or industries. While this may mean brushing up on job-specific skills, some universal skills will come in handy no matter what field you pursue.

There have been countless incidents in which professionals have lost their jobs, been evicted, or even been arrested for things they’ve done on social networks. There has never been a more important time to discuss the many ways you can sabotage your personal brand, and how you can prevent these mistakes before it’s too late.

SEEK Employment Index reports job ads up 7.1 percent across the board with IT help desk category receiving most candidates in January

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Leading U.S. economic indicators increased 1.1% in December and have risen for nine straight months, suggesting "that the pace of improvement could pick up this spring," according to a report released Thursday by the Conference Board.

Technology-related jobs have grown rapidly in the past 25 years. But the past two years have been tough on everyone, including technology workers. Not many new tech jobs are likely to emerge in 2010, but analysts expect to see a rebound by the middle of the decade.

More employers expect to hire new workers in 2010 than in 2009, a potential harbinger of a slowing recession, according to a study released today by online jobs site CareerBuilder.com.

In information technology, where pay has been even flatter than elsewhere lately, starting salaries in three areas are nevertheless on the rise:  network administrator, information systems security manager, and systems engineer.

For CIOs, 2010 will require new emphases on customers, revenue, external information, and a passion for rapid change.

The balance has shifted: More states reported declining unemployment in November than posted increases, according to a government report released Friday.

Policy makers don't 'create' IT and other jobs without introducing a ton of waste. They do best when they grease the skids of output and trade.

An end to job losses won't solve the unemployment problem. The U.S. economy needs to add more than 100,000 jobs per month just for the unemployment rate to stay even and more than that to get back to an economy that feels healthy.

IF there is one thing that most unemployed job seekers have in abundance, it is time. And yet many of them misuse it. 

More states report rising unemployment rates, though fewer report joblessness above the national average in October.

Employers have not stopped cutting jobs, and the unemployment rate soared to 10.2 percent last month.  With 2010 just around the corner, everyone is crossing their fingers for a better year. 

The unemployment rate spiked to its highest level since 1983, much worse than expected as employers continue to trim jobs despite other signs of growth.

California's unemployment rate is over 12 percent, higher than Ohio or West Virginia, but that can be a misleading figure. Since the 1970s, California's rate of unemployment has always been higher than the national average during recessions.

With an average of six job seekers for every job opening right now, how do you persuade a company to hire you if you are underqualified — or overqualified — for the job, and the laws of supply and demand are against you?

Do you have the right team in place? Are you continuing to train your team? Should you look to diversify going forward? How are you adjusting your strategy to long-term industry trends?

New search Technologies are advancing resume search beyond keywords to deliver results that are more human and relevant.

The economy shed 247,000 jobs in July, less than expected and lowest total of losses since last August. Unemployment rate inches down to 9.4%.

Bankruptcy filings spike in July as households are squeezed by unemployment.

Companies are looking to cut costs in any way they can - by buying less, cutting benefits and salaries, withdrawing company perks, negotiating lower prices with suppliers, instituting hiring freezes, and, alas, laying off workers.

"I'm not wanted in this state." "How many young women work here?" "I didn't steal it; I just borrowed it." "You touch somebody and they call it sexual harassment!" "I've never heard such a stupid question."

Mirroring the economy as a whole, layoffs among IT workers are accelerating this year, with almost half of all IT organizations reporting that they are budgeted for fewer staff members than last year.

Layoffs are finally catching up with IT workers. Last year, information technology (IT) departments were resisting layoffs and focusing on reducing spending but this year they’re cutting staff as well.

Demand for IT professionals with strong Linux skills will surge as a result of Google's upcoming release of the Chrome operating system, according to recruitment agency CV Screen.

Initial filings sink by 47,000 to 522,000, lowest level since first week of January.

As the national unemployment rate continues to creep up, the number of jobs cut in high-tech industries is also increasing across several IT segments tracked by Foote Partners.

The job picture shows IT jobs suffering along with the rest of the economy, but the hemorrhaging appears to have stopped in second quarter.

Jobless Rate Reaches 4.1%; 128K Exit IT Profession in Past Half Year.

Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia post unemployment rates rise in May, while only one state - Nebraska - registers a decrease.

Men lose jobs more than women. Only four states have higher unemployment rates than California. The national jobless rate is 9.4%.

Greater numbers of IT workers have found themselves unemployed late in the recession.

The decline in developer population reflects an overall shrinkage in the IT industry. Employment in technology occupations was at 4.058 million in November 2008, and has shrunk over the following five months. By the end of April of this year, the number was at 3.87 million.

Month-to-month declines have moderated since the horrific December and January reports.

Despite this drop, it was not until this past month that IT employment entered negative territory in a meaningful way on year-over-year basis declining 1.79% since March 2008.

Authorities give node to $422 million rescue attempt of troubled outsourcer.

Yes, compensation matters. But Employers need to remember that a healthy working environment can be just as valuable in keeping top talent on board.

The billions in spending included in the stimulus plan may be more effective than tax incentives in stemming the outsourcing of IT jobs.

There are still pockets of relative strength in IT employment in certain geographic regions, industries, and skill sets.

The unemployment rate of ITs is less than half that of the general unempoyment.

Good intentions don’t always lead to the desired favorable result. There are a lot of well-meaning folks from different backgrounds and philosophies who want to see the recession end, employment rise, and industrious and willing people getting back on track toward attaining the American Dream.

The number of IT jobs being posted to online job boards is shrinking as CIOs institute hiring freezes, former financial services giants eviscerate their IT staffs, and a steady stream of technology companies announce layoffs.

Athough IT job growth has slowed, it reached an all-time high in 3Q2008 of more than 3.9 million.

There has been some disagreement in the IT sector media about the growth of IT employment. This post both summarizes the issue as well as sets the situation right.

As this technological niche of virtualization gains critical mass, IT personnel with the necessary skill sets are in short supply.

IT research firm Gartner says, "The U.S.-led economic downturn shows no sign of causing a recession in IT spending ...Organizations [sic] are switching from company-owned hardware and software assets to per-use service-based models."

While there are fewer jobs then there were eight months, ago the climate for jobs is still very rich for both permanent and contract tech workers. 

Fallout from the company's abrupt closing stung entertainment industry workers suddenly holding worthless paychecks, as well as about 400 Axium employees who were fired.

Eighty-five percent of chief information officers (CIOs) see significant change coming over the next three years as they look to meet rising business expectations for IT to make the difference in their enterprise strategy, according to a worldwide survey of 1,500 CIOs by Gartner Executive Programs (EXP).