Recruiting for a Junior/Mid-level J2EE Software Engineer – learn Groovy/Grails – Waltham, MA

For a long-time startup client in the greater Waltham, MA area – we are conducting a search for a “high horsepower” Junior with strong CS fundamentals – with Java/J2EE . More details here - http://bit.ly/WalthamJuniorJ2EEBiviumGroup

With two days until May, we had a nice taste of Summer, and the Sox were on a nice roll until last night – although April was a reasonably busy month,  the two trends to note – layoffs have slowed significantly, but new job growth has been just a trickle. Those clients hiring are finding it tough to find “excellent” talent.

HOT NEW Job – VP of Software Engineering/CTO – C#/.NET – music/composition/blog/media world

I’m partnering with a really cool new contact (you know who you are!) , to assist in their existing search for a strong VP Engineering/CTO – specific traits I seek – C#/.NET hands-on skills (architecture minimally), startup prowess (been there, done that), and experience/passion/love for the music/media space. We’re already talking with some top talent, so the bar is set high. Need to read a full job description? http://bit.ly/VPEngineeringTheBiviumGroup

Drop me a line – scott@biviumgroup.com

March Unemployment rate in Mass up to 7.8%, trails US average

According to the recent press release http://bit.ly/MarchMassUnemployment – the Mass. unemployment rate has risen to 7.8%, still less than the 8.5% national average.

Of course, in March 2008 the rate was an incredibly low 4.7%…. the silver lining is that the rate “only” went up from 7.7% to 7.8% from Feb ro March… in line with what we see in general – that it’s not great out there in general, but the “mass layoffs” of some firms may have already passed. In technology, I dare say the unemployment rate is LOWER at this stage of the recession than during the .COM recession.

Again, it’s not easy out there, but as a lifelong entrepreneur, I’m still an optimist at heart. You should be too.

Possible Facebook IPO reminds me of Google in 2004 – inflection point of tech market turn – Boston software job market improving

With the ground being laid by Facebook for a possible IPO - http://bit.ly/facebookIPO – it’s eerily reminiscent of the market back in 2004 – IPOs were way down (in fact 2008 was the worst IPO market in an entire generation) – but along came a big-name, and after a successful IPO (in doubt leading up to that point remember, some didn’t want to pay the~ $80 price), the market psychology shifted along with a rockin IPO.

I firmly believe the tech market will be one of the leading edges of this next market recovery – and a high profile IPO like Facebook could be the fuel that ignites the nascent market forces. There are by some accounts several trillion in capital on the sidelines.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been seeing and hearing a lot of laid-off candidates getting rehired on contract to their old employers, and wisely so! Foolish firms that think they can post a job online and have the best talent flock to them, have been sorely surprised during the entire downturn, at least here in Boston.

HOT NEW Job – Junior Release Engineer/web apps engineer – Cambridge, MA

For a long-time private, profitable software client in Cambridge, MA – salary from 60-75k – our target is a 1-8 year experienced release/build engineer + some QA/IT/web apps/livesite – good generalist role – see http://bit.ly/releaseengineer for more info.

Drop me a line scott@biviumgroup.com if you’re interested.

HOT NEW Job – Product Manager/Director – Cambridge, MA – Mobile or consumer-facing

Another hot new job today – for a Product Manager/Director in Cambridge, MA – this client requires someone with either extensive Mobile experience or ideally, large-scale consumer-facing web apps experience.

Full job description is here http://bit.ly/34axJp -

This week has been decidedly busy, and although we continue bump along bottom, here in Boston, we are much better off that many other technology centers (yes, I know it doesn’t feel that way to most).

HOT NEW Job – Lead/Manager SQA – virtualization, Windows system

Hot new job – in Natick, MA area - Hands on, 6 in team (including this position), 4 offshore, 2 here, virtualization, windows system and security, linux understanding, strong technical and scripting capabilities a must.

$90 to 110k target range, could stretch to 115k-120k for “star”. Equity. Tier 1 VCs behind this opportunity

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Get in touch if you’re a fit – scott@biviumgroup.com

Mass Tech layoffs – Molecular, and candidates resistive to cover letters

First, another mass tech layoff to report – www.molecular.com has trimmed some of the Boston office – have seen a least a dozen or so resumes in the past few days – not sure how many were affected, but that’s a very sharp shop, so it’s likely they are reigning in headcount to realign with projected workflow – anyone affected, let me know the details…

On another front, I’ve ALWAYS found that a well-written and strong/targeted cover letter to a client gets a much better response rate. What I have found strange in this recession is the complete lack of skill that most people have in their ability to read a job description and formulate their succint response as to why they are a fit for the job. That simple exercise can really help you sell yourself… if you want to break through the clutter out there, this is just one of the ‘best practices’ required to land the job you want.

Mass tech layoffs – Juniper Networks lays off Network Management group in Westford, MA

I heard that Juniper Networks closed down the  network management group in Westford, MA. Unsure of how many affected, but appears the office is still open, from several other engineers have said.  With several macroeconomic signs starting to point to us bouncing along bottom and billions and trillions of worldwide stimulus setting a foundation beneath the economy — it’s my belief that the local layoff picture and job market is pretty much at bottom. That said, the last recession’s recovery was a “jobless” recovery — it’s likely unemployment will continue to rise until this time next year, before slowly coming down.

new Mass Tech Layoff – CIDC – Cambridge Interactive Development Corp, Cambridge, MA

A reliable has told me that some layoffs have and are occurring at www.cidc.com – Cambridge, MA based online gaming firm – a very strong player that has been quite profitable. When firms that are making strong profits layoff, it’s always a challenge. Clearly with an 8:1 ratio or more of seekers to jobs, the calculus is difficult these days, and only worsens when strong, solid companies cut to preserve profitability. Not sure of the number laid off … if anyone knows, drop me a line