And are the job openings mentioned above in S/W actual openings, or just some classifieds placed so they can keep looking for some future opening? What is the actual change in software engineer positions over the last few months? Do you think they are having a hard time finding people to move here, as we discussed with Qualcomm?
Most of them are actual openings. The hot market right now is for developers using newer Microsoft technologies, and also wireless and video stuff.
I’m looking for a higher level position – i.e. management/techical architecture. This is much harder to get into in this town right now, partly because there are just less of these positions, and partly because when S/W booms and gets hot, developers are the first in the door, and *then* they’ll hire management later when it gets insane and they’re missing all their deadlines. (BTW – looks like I’ll have two offers within the next week – fingers crossed!)
I’m not sure of the actual increase in number of positions. I don’t track it, just mentally note the increase and desire of employers. I had one company try and convince me to get back into programming for a salary of $120,000! They were desperate to find someone.
Yes, I do think they’re finding it hard to get people to move here, but not so much in the higher paying jobs. If I was on anything near a median salary I would NEVER have moved to San Diego. But don’t underestimate how attractive San Diego (or SoCal in general) is in terms of climate. I know several people in Seattle that are busy plotting how to get to SoCal. A household salary of $200K can go a long way, even in silly-expensive San Diego. Instead of a wonderful 3000sq ft house by a lake, we’ll buy a very nice 2000 sq ft house in Encinitas. It may be annoying in terms of value for money, but it’s certainly livable.
