IT professionals concerned about their job being outsourced or offshored should take a business-focused approach to their position and demonstrate their value in terms of the practical benefits they deliver to the organisation, according to a guide by www.theitjobboard.com.

The online recruitment specialist’s new ‘Outsourcing Survival Guide’ advises technologists to be rational about the current situation, which is not as threatening as many may fear – citing recent research by management consultants McKinsey and Co. that only $45bn has been spent to date on offshoring globally.

Ray Duggins, managing director of www.theitjobboard.com, says: “We are not in any way suggesting IT professionals should be complacent about their position being outsourced. However, although outsourcing and offshoring are a stark reality, we refuse to be swayed by sensationalist news stories, and aim to put some perspective on the issue. If you keep ahead of the market, recognise that there is an increasing need for techies to understand business and use this knowledge to enhance your career, there is no need for a knee-jerk reaction now.  It’s likely that you are perceived as an asset which makes taking your position outside the organisation less tenable.”

Copies of The IT Job Board ‘Outsourcing Survival Guide’ are available at http://www.theitjobboard.com/Outsourcing_Survival_Guide/it.php.