Semiconductor News

Study after study (after study!) have shown which attributes companies value most in leaders and new hires. The results are clear: soft skills matter.

Devin Fidler, research director at the Institute for the Future, predicted, “As basic automation and machine learning move toward becoming commodities, uniquely human skills will become more valuable.” Most modern engineering jobs will require unique and specialized skills, but having technical chops are only half the battle. In the eyes of recruiters, engineers with a healthy mix of technical abilities and soft skills stand out from the crowd.

Let's look at how these four soft skills can give you a competitive edge in the job market:

The realm of semiconductor jobs is big and diverse. Engineers of all disciplines and experiences play a role in creating the next generation of electronics. But an innovator needs the right resources to stay ahead of the game. Whether you’re a budding engineer or a specialist looking to make a switch, having the necessary tools of the trade is as important as knowing the technical know-how of the craft.

The best leaders and managers are always looking for ways to sharpen their skills and gain fresh perspectives. Aside from attending conferences, workshops or exploring the internet, there’s another channel of discovery and education that’s popular with passionate learners: podcasts.

Whether you’re commuting to work, working out, or taking a lunch break, podcasts are an incredibly economical and convenient way to invest in yourself and transform your day. With hundreds of topics from popular culture, comedy, education, politics, sports, technology, and more, there’s no limit to what you can learn as an avid listener—or as a professional hiring manager.

The fifth generation wireless network (5G) made its international debut at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang with driverless shuttle buses, 360-degree video footage, and SmartSuits that send vibrating signals to wearable devices.

But the future of wireless technology isn’t reserved just for world-class events. It’s finding use cases around the globe—even in remote villages. While South Korea witnessed 5G capabilities at the Olympic Games, they have also seen it used to ward off pests that roam the mountainous regions. With systems that shoot rays, spew gases, and emit tiger roars, farmers benefit from smart 5G gear that repels wild boars in the villages. The coming innovation is both humbling and grand. Tested at 20 times faster than 4G, 5G capabilities inspired new use cases amid the era of machines.

With all the hype, what exactly is 5G? How will it impact future technology? And what are the implications in the industry? Let’s take a look at where 5G will take us and how industry leaders are exploring it in real-time.

We’ve discussed how engineers stay relevant in the industry, but what about companies? How do organizations stay competitive in today’s semiconductor industry? Managing the talent market, nurturing leadership, and refining execution is always an evolving practice. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, it’s a good idea to establish best practices with room to deviate and mature.

Let’s explore three ways for leaders and managers to stay ahead of the competition in today’s semiconductor industry.

In this edition of semiconductor news to know, summer is now in full swing with stronger semiconductor sales and expected growth gains throughout the year. In the semiconductor space, the global market has experienced year-to-year growth of greater than 20 percent for 13 consecutive months as announced by John Neuffer, president and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

The wave of new regulations and policy proposals forecasts a stronger focus towards lucrative industry initiatives and better internal organizational practices. We expect continued development in global collaboration to benefit industry security customs, uphold ethical standards, and better workforce development. Further dialogue in organization behavior and goals marks a signal towards responsible action and a commitment to doing good in the world.

There’s a lot to glean from this quarter's industry news. Read on to explore the latest semiconductor news and technology trends in the second quarter of 2018.

Engineers, developers, and designers must keep up with technology for the same reason any professional keeps up with technology—to stay relevant in the job market. But with the fast-paced world of advancements and competitive labor markets, it can certainly be a challenge to keep up.

In this article, let's explore three simple ways for engineers to take advantage of growth opportunities and sharpen their skills in the world of work.

If you found yourself on the job hunt, would your qualifications today hold up for a new job tomorrow? With the lightning pace of technology breakthroughs that inhibit our role in the office and the changing faces of the workforce DNA, many worry about the impending “skills gap.”

As the advent of AI, machine learning, and automation pushes the baseline standard for qualified candidates, companies are transforming their own talent and technical capabilities. After assessing the fastest growing, in-demand gigs in the semiconductor space, the implications for future positions call for skilled workers in sectors like cybersecurity, healthcare, and finance. As jobs become harder to fill, the strain of the skills gap is felt across multiple industries.

Another year, another set of hiring changes abound. Despite headwinds in 2017, the outlook for employment looks bright with a projected increase of 11.5 million new jobs in the next few years. While we expect a stunning hiring boom, changes and challenges still cut deep across industries.

According to DHI hiring indicators in the technology sectors, labor markets are tight for employers, but not for job seekers. In technology, engineering, and software sectors, most vacancy postings for skill-intensive jobs attract few applicants, while many job seekers apply for the popular, desired positions. The numbers are out there, but the hiring process is too fraught with extensive assessments, generalized job postings, consensus-driven decision making, and the chase for the “perfect” candidate. Among other elements, the hiring holdup continues to affect the bottom line for many companies and keeps operations from performing at full speed.

Amid the hiring trends and disruptions coming in 2018, hiring managers may have more on their plate than they think. Today’s labor market is changing rapidly; it’s becoming more flexible, transparent, and skills-oriented. With tech advancements impacting the future of work, job markets transform the job profiles and descriptions themselves. Coupled with scarce highly-skilled candidates, shorthanded teams, and a competitive landscape, the hiring process becomes a tricky space for hiring managers. As the average lead time to hire an engineer ranges between 28 and 100 days, there’s no formula to determine how fast or slow it takes to fill an open position.

With hiring changes ahead, there’s much to unfold in 2018. Let’s look at tech hiring trends and disruptions to expect this year and what it means for hiring managers in tech.