I remember the good ole days back in the mid 90’s when Telecom was booming! Job orders were plentiful and candidates were climbing over each other. I was fortunate to be assigned as a Telecommunications Recruiter with one of the largest Staffing companies in the world out of college.
Telecom wasn’t the sexiest division and line of business for a Recruiter and Staffing Sales Executive back then and I can’t say much has changed. In many ways, this is a good thing! One of the best ways to become successful in Staffing is to carve out a niche. Learn about an industry and segment sub categories within. Become an authority figure.
I dipped my toe into the IT staffing market a few years back, and as much as I tried to enjoy this pursuit I couldn’t find the passion. No doubt, IT Recruiting is a lucrative business model and plenty of recruiters and sales executives have been incredibly successful! It just wasn’t for me. The competition was fierce, the opportunities seemed saturated, and our service offering was one of many.
Oh Telecom, I just can’t quit you!
As I jump back into Telecommunications recruiting, I have realized the landscape and technology has changed dramatically. You see, back in the hay day, I was the PBX King! If my clients needed a SL1 Meridian Technician or a NEC 2400 Engineer, I was their go-to-guy.
The terms commonly used back then included:
-Switch Technician
-Cable Puller
-Key System Technician
-Central Office Technician
-OSP Engineer
-NOC Engineer/Manager
While some of these terms and technologies still exist, it’s no longer the demand nor flavor of the day.
WIRELESS…
I’m learning quickly that Wireless is the here and now. I feel like a 24 year old again starting out in the business. I’m learning a tremendous amount about the Wireless industry, trends, skill-sets, and emerging technologies. It’s incredibly exciting to be back.
Nowadays, to speak the Wireless Telecommunications lingo one must become familiar with these few terms:
-DAS
-Small Cell
-Backhaul
-LTE
-UMTS
Everything I’m reading and learning in conversation with Wireless industry experts point to growth and dollar signs over next 5+ years. It’s exciting to be part of a renaissance of sorts within an industry made up of genuine people. My best relationships were always developed within the Telecom vertical.
Telecom, you can talk about us, but you can’t talk without us!
