At least one I.T. subsector, the surviving Internet-based operations, are benefiting from the temporary abundance of dotcom workers. Sandra Lam, executive vice-president of Hong Kong's Campus Online, which develops software for online schools, recently placed an ad for Java programmers. She got 60 applications per week. Other companies have cut back on perks like champagne in the pantry and domestic helpers to clean programmers' flats. This is where most Asian companies have to hustle for fresh talent.
Universities are good first stops.
He and his employees regularly appear at university seminars and job fairs to drum up interest in the company. MyBiz prefers to train up new graduates rather than hire mid-career workers, who want more money and are not in plentiful supply to begin with. When the talent shortage bites particularly hard, however, Cheong hires people from India and China. We find that not all are bright and experienced. It appears the contractors throw in a few duds in each group, but we quickly weed them out.