IT jobs are growing, but IT professionals are still facing challenges hunting for jobs.
But why is it so?

According to the National Association for Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) figures, both the IT and BPO sectors together have the potential to generate around 2.3 million jobs in India by 2010. have reached the mid-life crisis. The figure is not depressing, but it's a challenging situation for those IT professionals who are either stuck in their jobs or have reached the mid-life crisis.

While it is easy for a fresher to get a job, mid-rung technology workers find that though there is a high demand for their skill, they still face problem looking for jobs.

A notable issue is that most techies work in teams, with the more experienced staff mentoring younger colleagues. As mentors move up the career ladder, their proteges follow behind. But eventually most mentors' careers hit a roadblock, trapping talented team members behind them.

Manish Kumar, an experienced and a senior IT pro working in a leading IT company in Gurgaon, says, "I have been switching my jobs from one company to another from one position to another. But I haven't been able to climb higher up in my career. I ended up working as a 'senior' at certain level for couple of years, that's it? And now, I feel, I have stagnated and lost my career objectives somewhere."

Job-hopping is quite prevalent in the IT sector and many 'techies' lose track of their long-term career objectives. Who is responsible for such career suicide? To certain extent, techies themselves are, although the corporate cultures at high-tech companies also raise barriers to career advancement.

It is not impossible to make a successful career in IT. The technology sector attracts highly intelligent people, and IT pros should spare some time selling themselves rather working with machines all the time. To make positive career moves, they have to market themselves effectively.

I suggest that we manage our careers ourselves. No matter how beneficent and people-oriented you company may be, no one cares more about your future than yourself.

Here're nine guru mantras for IT pros to come out of mid-life crisis in their career growth.

Avoid Stagnation:

Avoid stagnation. It’s sad, pathetic, really, to read some resumes and see how an individual spent decades becoming expert at a very narrow, often non-transferable, skill. Technology workers should be in transition, internally or externally, every 24 months.

Make long-term career plan:

Businesses, careers, and the workplaces are rapidly changing, and the skills that you have or plan for today may not be in demand years from now. So develop a long-term career plan.

Long-range career planning should be more about identifying and developing core skills that employers will always value while developing your personal and career goals in broad strokes.

Be an extrovert:

In fact, the general perception in the industry is that techies are generally introverts, a trait which handicaps them in dealing with people. And many technology workers score as introverts in a personality test.

Introverts may need to make a conscious effort to overcome some of their introvert inclinations. These strategies include speaking up more (extroverts may stop listening when an introvert talks slowly and hesitantly); smiling at people; laughing; and volunteering to overcome excessive aloneness. And finally, try to be an extrovert during interviews.

Identify the things you love to do:

Finding projects they enjoy is often a top priority for technology workers. Many rank that as more important than other factors such as pay, working conditions, and plush offices.

Break the language barrier:

Avoid potentially confusing technical jargon when interviewing with lay people.

Practice on camera:

Tape mock interviews until you can comfortably provide 30-second answers to potential interview questions.

Art of Networking:

Master the art of networking with people. It may be the most effective way to get a job or get ahead. Developing contacts outside your work team may ultimately lead to your next job.

Don't be stigmatized as an independent contractor:

As the technology sector cools, independent contractors are often the first laid off. Without a record of company loyalty, it's crucial to communicate that you are now looking for a stable company where you can build a career.

Be realistic about your earnings potential:

The job market has changed dramatically from last few years. At the time of writing, salaries are plummeting for many technical jobs. Make sure that your salary expectations are on target.

Note: This article is from Economic Times