IT managers prepared for redundancy

CMI reveals one in four IT sector managers are updating CVs ready for a job hunt

One in four respondents admitted to updating their CVs

Against a backdrop of increasing job losses, managers across the IT sector have switched from being concerned about job security to preparing for a job hunt, according to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Figures from the CMI, compiled from calls to the organisation's redundancy hotline and a series of polls, has revealed managers in the IT sector have accepted their own redundancy as ‘inevitable’.

One in four respondents (24 per cent) admitted to currently updating their CVs in readiness for a job hunt and 84 per cent said they have worked in an organisation where others have been made redundant.

Industry research suggests that there have been 50,000 job losses since 5 January, with a total of 1.92 million unemployed.

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the CMI, said: “Quite clearly, any suggestion that there is already ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ is misplaced. However, if we can help people to dig deep and develop their skills this may enable them to move forwards as well as to move on.

“There is a worrying lack of concern about helping those who survive redundancy and unless these individuals are given a focus or sense of direction, the spiral of low productivity and morale will continue on a downward trend.”

The survey also revealed that 34 per cent are making extra efforts to develop business networks to uncover job opportunities.

Despite the doom and gloom results from managers, the survey did reveal some positive news.

The research indicated that 22 per cent of managers and leaders in the IT sector plan to develop transferable skills during the recession and build on their long-term careers.

During 2009, 28 per cent of respondents said they plan to complete a qualification and five per cent said they intend to start their own business.