Skills are necessary, but highly skilled individuals with bad attitudes are definitely a major drain on overall team efficiency and effectiveness. Learn how to interview for attitude. It takes a lot of questions and listening for answers and spotting trends. Again, it’s all about the attitude.
To be or not to be in 2014…that is the question for sequestration. How soon can lawmakers address the budget? Expect a continuing resolution that keeps the doors open October 1. Here’s hoping Senator Cardin’s optimistic prediction is correct; otherwise, the civilian and contractor job market could be dismal for another year…or more.
Who’s Hiring
It all comes down to the 4th quarter…and no, this isn’t a sports comment. Federal contractors all know how crucial the end of the fiscal year can be for their company. Despite sequestration concerns, the prediction is pointing towards IT spending. IT hiring could surge in October, after all the contracts hit the books by September 30.
It could get a little easier for companies to track active contracts. GovTribe has created an app for contracting data – providing activity feeds to track and follow. Of course, the application is only as good as the data that is added to it.
Who’s Firing
Dyn-Corp, a Fort Hood defense contractor has laid off 83 employees. The contractor works on aircraft systems for the Department of Defense and has indicated the customer’s reduced needs as the reasoning for the layoffs.
In Springboro, Ohio, General Dynamics is planning to layoff 31 workers. This layoff comes after the plant already laid off 29 workers in February. The plant makes rocket motor tubes for the Army. Company representatives cite a decline in work from the Army.
Who’s Moving
The Army may relocate two Reserve helicopter units from St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport to MacDill Air Force Base, which could bring $50 million in military construction to the base. The move could bring 150 personnel to the Tampa base and area and reinforce the base against an installation closure.
Who’s Acquiring
Rockwell Collins has acquired Arinc. Rockwell Collins is a communications and electronics contractor based in Iowa. Annapolis, MD based Arinc rounds out Rockwell Collins with bringing more commercial work to the table, making the company less defense-heavy.
It hasn’t happened yet, but maybe a buyout of Blackberry could save the floundering smartphone. Despite its corner on the federal employee market for so long, Blackberry has not been able to retain its favored federal status. The buyout would have to help Blackberry combine security, email, and a better user experience.
