Mobile retail market 'to be worth £8bn'

The mobile retail market is expected to see significant growth in the coming years, which could lead to the creation of new IT jobs.

A report from Juniper Research claimed that the worldwide industry is likely to be worth more than $12 billion (£8 billion) by 2014, driven by the growth of one-to-one marketing based on smartphones.

In addition, the expansion of mobile web services, the increased use of SMS marketing by companies and the availability of high-speed mobile broadband networks will contribute to the success of the market.

Howard Wilcox, the co-author of the research, commented: 'Retailers have recognised that, even ahead of their wallets, people will usually make sure they do not leave home without their mobile device.'

Last month, Juniper Research predicted that the market for mobile location-based services is predicted to grow to reach $12.7 billion during the next four years, fuelled by the proliferation of smartphones and developments in hybrid positioning technologies.

Outsourced contact centres 'could benefit firms'

Firms could use outsourced contact centres to create large and immediate savings, it has been claimed, which could make new IT jobs.

According to research from Datamonitor, enterprises can work with an outsourcer to run their own contact centre focused on improving their customer relationship management performance.

The report explained that this allows the firms to save money on infrastructure and human capital, as these are provided by the outsourcer, while reducing commercial risk and improving the quality of service delivered to customers.

Peter Ryan, lead analyst for call centres and business process outsourcing at Datamonitor, said: 'In light of escalating costs and service demands we are seeing a focus on new and innovative contact centre operating models.'

Jeff Smith, chairman and chief executive of Teleperformance UK, which commissioned the research, claimed that outsourced contact centres allow firms to balance reduce budgets with the need to access cutting-edge communications technology.

Earlier this year, Tink Taylor, managing director of online marketing agency dotMailer, claimed that email advertising will be integrated more with social networking over the coming year.

Body language 'important during interviews'

IT job applicants should bear a few simple body language tips in mind when interviewing for a position, an expert has claimed.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, author James Borg claimed that many interviewers make up their mind about a candidate within the first five minutes of meeting them, often because of body language which they have unconsciously observed.

'Employers are usually looking for people who are confident and outgoing - nothing says 'don't employ me' more than a candidate who is timid and shy of making their points,' he explained.

Mr Borg recommended that IT job applicants pay attention to how they sit, as a slumped posture creates an appearance of submissiveness and can restrict clear speech.

In addition, the expert advised people to make eye contact when being addressed to show that they are paying attention and said appropriate head nods and hand signals can back up their answers when replying to questions.

Careers expert Karen Burns recently wrote on usnews.com that people being interviewed for IT jobs should prepare themselves for tricky questions, such as being asked to speak about themselves and if they can work under pressure.

Superfast internet 'will benefit all UK'

The rollout of superfast broadband across the UK could have benefits for all consumers and business, which may create new IT jobs.

Last week, the government announced that Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) has started work to ensure every home in the country has access to 2Mbps connection speeds by 2012.

In addition, it will manage the £1 billion Next Generation Fund, which is intended to make sure 90 per cent of the UK can use next-generation broadband by 2017.

Commenting on the news, Shane Wright, technical director for eDigitalResearch, said: 'Pervasive access to the internet through fast connections benefits everyone. For rural people it aids local communication and enables internet-based provision of services, information and delivery.'

The expert also pointed out that increased access to superfast internet is beneficial to businesses across the country, as it allows them to offer online sales services and provide their customers with ways to easily find information on their goods and services.

Figures from broadband.co.uk showed the average internet speed in the UK increased from 3.667Mbps at the start of 2009 to 4.478Mbps by the end.

Degree 'does not always show candidate's ability'

Recruiters should look at considerations other than an IT job applicant's university qualifications, it has been suggested.

Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters, told Personnel Today restricting candidates to those that have a 2:1 degree classification is a 'very crude' way of assessing their abilities.

'The difficulty is that particular criteria is flawed and you will be missing out on some very good talent by using an arbitrary degree classification cut-off point,' he explained.

Mr Gilleard also told the news provider that companies should instead concentrate on finding IT workers who are likely to stay with them for a long period of time, as this will mean that any investment in their training and development is not wasted.

Recently, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) JobsOutlook survey found that 94 per cent of companies expect to maintain or expand their permanent workforces in the coming year.

IT recruitment 'continues to improve'

Conditions in the IT recruitment sector are beginning to improve, providing good news to those considering new positions.

Employment expert Alex Farrell said that 'real growth' is starting to be seen in the IT jobs market, with more positions being advertised over the past few months.

He pointed out that companies are seeing their confidence increase as the UK emerges from the recession, which is leading to them looking forward to resuming growth rather than just survival.

'The economic climate has resulted in a strategy shift for many businesses. IT is a pivotal structure within any organisation, it is the bedrock for business globally,' the expert commented.

Mr Farrell also claimed that the IT sector is especially attractive to employees, because it offers them a wide range of roles and working patterns.

Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, recently pointed out that the overall jobs market is improving in the UK and singled out the IT industry as performing particularly well.

IT candidates 'should prepare for difficult questions'

Those going for a new IT job should prepare themselves for tricky questions at the interview stage, it has been recommended.

Writing on usnews.com, careers expert Karen Burns explained that when an interviewer asks the candidate about themselves, he or she is looking for reasons why the applicant is suited to the role.

'Impress your interviewer with how much you know about the company's requirements and then describe how you are the best person to meet those requirements,' she added.

Ms Burns recommended that people provide a specific example when asked if they can work under pressure, rather than just making a vague, unsupported statement.

The expert also said that candidates should have a five-year plan which they can explain to a potential employer when asked about their future plans.

Last month, Annie Stevens, a managing partner at executive coaching firm ClearRock, told CNNMoney.com that it is still important to prepare thoroughly for phone interviews, as companies are increasingly using them to screen applicants.