PRA Insights
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American Jobs: The Skills Gap and Immigration
- September 19, 2023
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Immigration & H-1B visa, Job Market Update
No CommentsAmerican Jobs: The Skills Gap and Immigration The United States workforce is shrinking, and is expected to get worse. It stems from a demographic issue: the number of people aging out of the job market is much larger than the number aging into it. Thanks to a steep decline in the birth rate over the
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3 Reasons for a Power Electronics Career
- March 13, 2023
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Power Electronics
3 Reasons for a Power Electronics Career I’ve spent 25 years recruiting engineers, and have been on a hunt for power electronics engineers for a majority of that time. The engineers I place work on everything from cars to phones, computers, lighting systems, air conditioners, battery packs, charging systems, or any other product with electrons
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Bringing Big Tech Talent to Automotive – 2 Hurdles
- February 10, 2023
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Career Advice
Bringing Big Tech Talent to Automotive – 2 Hurdles When I first started as a recruiter, back in the late 90s, I had a hard time convincing engineers to work in the automotive sector. I remember pitching developing airbag controls to embedded software engineers, who told me they’d rather work in a more exciting industry.
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Top 5 Reasons Engineers Leave – Embedded Software/Hardware Jobs Edition
- November 7, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Engineering Job Market
Top 5 Reasons Engineers Leave – Embedded Software/Hardware Jobs Edition While The Great Resignation no longer dominates headlines, even the best employers struggle with retention. Those with Embedded Software/Hardware jobs are no exception. With so many great openings on the job market, being a good employer is no guarantee of keeping top people. So, what
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Embedded Engineering and the Unemployment Rate
- September 22, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Engineering Job Market
Embedded Engineering and the Unemployment Rate The unemployment rate is a key indicator for economic health, including for the Electronics and Embedded Software Engineer job market. While independent agencies have calculated it since the 1930s, the government didn’t begin tracking it until the 1950s. There’s a lot of disagreement on the number’s implications, but it’s
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Embedded Software Engineers and H-1B Visa
- July 29, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Embedded Jobs & Careers
Embedded Software Engineers and H-1B Visa Like all professionals in the United States tech market, many embedded software engineers work in the United States via the H1B visa. While the government doesn’t often release H1B numbers (they last did it in 2019), anyone who works in the field knows how pervasive they are. Numerous visa
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The Ultimate Guide to Automotive Embedded Jobs
- April 28, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Career Advice, Job Market Update
The Ultimate Guide to Automotive Embedded Jobs In my earliest days recruiting for automotive embedded jobs (around 1998-2000) I had a hard time finding engineers interested in the field. The industry still had a “rust belt” image they found unappealing. Ten years later, coming out of The Great Recession, I was getting a multitude of
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3 Keys to a Successful Embedded Software Engineer Career
- April 8, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Embedded Jobs & Careers
3 Keys to a Successful Embedded Software Engineer Career Embedded software engineer is the driving force behind the world’s most important new technologies. Those in the field can point to some of the most exciting technology in the world (autonomous cars, robotic surgery, smart grids, etc.) and say, “I did that”. That said, much of
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Four Trends for Engineering Job Market in 2022
- March 31, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Engineering Job Market
Four Trends for Engineering Jobs Market in 2022 Another crazy, unpredictable year is coming to a close. The engineering jobs market is going full steam again, giving job seekers more options than ever before. On the employer side, the candidate shortage makes finding good people an even greater challenge. 2022 is sure to throw some
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In Hiring, Speed is of the Essence
- March 31, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Hiring Advice
In Hiring, Speed is of the Essence Potential job seekers are feeling more comfortable with the direction of the economy. It goes to reason those who have been in “survival mode” will start looking for new positions. While this creates a window of opportunity, recruiting teams will need to move fast to take advantage of
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Increasing Salaries – Here to Stay
- March 31, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Job Market Update
Increasing Salaries – Here to Stay Over the last decade, we’ve seen a marked increase in demand for candidates in the electronics, embedded, and controls development fields. At the same time, the pool of available candidates has shrunk. There were a lot of questions about the effects of Covid on these trends, and in 2021
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Four Keys to Increase Accepted Offers
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Hiring Advice
Getting offers accepted has always been a complicated job, but worker shortages have made it worse. This is especially true in specialized fields, such as engineering. The lack of qualified candidates has pushed up salaries at a higher rate in the last two years. It doesn’t end with compensation. Candidates are also looking for better hours, benefits, work-life balance,
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Hot Jobs for 2021
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Job Market Update
Hot Jobs for 2021 As 2020 fades into the rearview, the hot jobs market picture is beginning to clear for 2021. The Covid crisis has upended expectations, with some clear winners and losers. Entire sectors of the economy have shut down, while others went into hyperdrive. This leaves us with a direct question: what are
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Biden’s Plans for H1Bs
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Immigration & H-1B visa
Biden’s Plans for H1Bs 2020 was another contentious year for the U.S. immigration debate. This was no surprise, given the Covid crisis, its related economic downturn, and the election. The result was more uncertainty about the H1B visa program, especially for those in it. We’ll have a new administration this upcoming January. We’ve read Joe
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3 Steps to Begin Your 2021 Today
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Job Market Update
3 Steps to Begin Your 2021 Today We’re entering the final days of 2020, a year that’s brought frustration to people, especially when it comes to their careers. It can be difficult to move ahead when it feels like the entire world is against you. People have lost their positions, had their plans dashed, or
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5G and Autonomous Driving: A New Partnership
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Technology Market Update
5G and Autonomous Driving: A New Partnership 5G and autonomous driving are two emerging technologies tied together in their growth. While 5G is much further along in its development, it will create opportunities to make autonomous driving a full reality in the future. The two technologies are integrated in three main areas. Infotainment Infotainment is
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Interview Follow Up – Get the Offer!
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Interview Advices
Interview Follow Up – Get the Offer! Smart job candidates put a lot of effort into gettingready for an interview. Amateur interviewers assume mission accomplished once they shake hands and leave. Those serious about getting an offer to know their work isn’t done. A solid follow-up could be the missing ingredient to put you over the top.
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Connectedness – The Key to Remote Work Success
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Remote Work Tips
Connectedness – The Key to Remote Work Success The Covid crisis has reconfigured the global workplace in ways no one could’ve predicted beforehand. The biggest, and most discussed, change has been in remote work. A shift to more work-from-home positions was already underway before the pandemic hit. The quarantines that came down forced organizations to move positions
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Advice for H1Bs – 3 Keys
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Immigration & H-1B visa
Advice for H1Bs – 3 Keys The American immigration process can be daunting and intimidating, especially for those going through the H1B visa program. Uncertainties follow you every step of the way. Getting picked in the lottery alone remains a challenge. That said, H1B holders, and those looking to become one, can take steps to give them the
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3 Keys to Quit Like a Pro!
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Career Advice
3 Keys to Quit Like a Pro! You’ve had it. You weighed the pros and cons of leaving your current position, and have decided to head for the door. Now it’s a question of how to handle the resignation professionally. Here are three keys to do it. 1. Stay positive and professional This can be
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Crushing Your Interview with Success Stories
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Interview Advices
Crushing Your Interview with Success Stories When you’re interviewing for a new position, chances are you’re up against other candidates with resumes that read much like yours. They’ll have worked in similar positions, with matching responsibilities and skills. How can you stand out? Your accomplishments are unique to you and show you’ll succeed under tough circumstances. If
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The 3 R’s to Ace Your Interview
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Interview Advices
The 3 R’s to Ace Your Interview Interviewing is a challenging, complex process. Your success depends on your ability to communicate. Miscommunication leads to mistakes that will lose your offers. In our 30+ years in the recruiting field, we’ve worked with candidates who left an interview thinking they’d nailed it, only to find out their answers
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3 Recent H-1B Visa Controversy Updates
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Immigration & H-1B visa
3 Recent H-1B Visa Controversy Updates H1B visas were a controversial topic coming into 2020. The COVID crisis has made them even more so, leading to new discussions about the visa and its effect on tech sector employment. These discussions are often based on myths and misconceptions we’ve discussedbefore. Significant developments over recent months will have
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Do Not Make This Mistake!
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Interview Advices
Do Not Make This Mistake! There exists an age-old rule of interviewing almost every professional knows. It’s something we’ve advised candidates against for the 30+ years we’ve been in business. Despite this, we’ve seen an uptick in candidates making this mistake and torpedoing an opportunity in the process. What is this mistake? Talking about politics
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3 Interview Mistakes to Avoid
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Interview Advices
3 Interview Mistakes to Avoid PRA USA has been in business for 30+ years, and in that time we’ve seen candidates make a multitude of mistakes in their interviews. You can never say “we’ve seen everything,” because there’s often a new surprise right around the corner. That said, certain errors keep rearing their ugly heads. No matter
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Should I Quit?
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Career Advice
Should I Quit? Almost everyone has experienced a bad work situation. It could be anything from a disrespectful boss to a negative work environment, low pay, or the company’s financial instability. Any of these could make you feel like quitting. Is that the right decision? You can’t know if you’re deciding on emotion alone. Some
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Detroit and Silicon Valley: A New Partnership
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Technology Market Update
Detroit and Silicon Valley: A New Partnership It’s difficult to think of two areas more different than Detroit and Silicon Valley. One is regarded as a relic of a bygone era and the other the home of tomorrow’s innovations. Even as automotive technologies advance into new, high-tech spaces, Detroit can’t seem to shake its rust-belt
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4 Keys to a 2020 Job Search
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Job Search Advice
4 Keys to a 2020 Job Search We’ve now passed the halfway point of 2020, and a quick bounce from the COVID-19 crisis is not in sight. As the year moves forward, more and more people will be finding themselves having to do a job search in less-than-ideal circumstances. While parts of the country have
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H1Bs and the American Skills Shortage
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Immigration & H-1B visa
H1Bs and the American Skills Shortage The recent attention on H1B visas has brought renewed public attention to the topic of the perceived shortage of skilled talent in the American job market. It’s the issue driving the entire debate. The two points of view are: There is a severe shortage of candidates with the technical
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3 H1B Visa Myths (and the Reality)
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Immigration & H-1B visa
3 H1B Visa Myths (and the Reality) It seems every aspect of U.S. immigration is controversial, and the H1B visa is no exception. Political organizations and interest groups have been arguing for years it’s being used to drive out American workers, replacing them with cheaper foreign labor. Some quick facts about the H1B: Designed for
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Set-Up a Winning Video Interview – 5 Tips
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Interview Advices
Set-Up a Winning Video Interview – 5 Tips Remote work is on the rise, kicked off by the COVID crisis. It follows that video interviewing is increasing as well. A successful set up is key to being successful in this space. The image interviewers see when you come up on the screen has the same significance
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Salary Negotiating – Tips from an Expert
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Interview Advices
Salary Negotiating – Tips from an Expert Job seekers are often intimidated by the idea of negotiating a salary. Money is an uncomfortable topic for a lot of people, especially when it comes to how much you’ll be making for at least the next year. There’s a wide variety of theories, articles, videos, and other
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5 Ingredients to Writing a Follow-Up Note
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Interview Advices
5 Ingredients to Writing a Follow-Up Note I was talking to an engineer this past week looking to keep in touch with a company he’d interviewed with right before the quarantine. I suggested dropping them a quick note to make sure they were keeping him in mind. He asked me what he should put into
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5 Keys to Recruiting During Covid-19
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Hiring Advice
5 Keys to Recruiting During Covid19 All economic downturns are challenging for both job seekers and employers. This one, however, is presenting unique challenges. In previous recessions, there were always employers with critical needs actively hiring select talent. The current quarantine has thrown a wrench in that for most. That said, if you have critical business
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3 Keys for Finding Transferable Skills
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Career Advice
3 Keys for Finding Transferable Skills All too often, we lose promising candidates from being too hung up on finding someone who can “hit the ground running.” With such a tight candidate market, you can’t afford to wait until you find someone who is a 100% technical match. Transferable skills need to be considered when looking
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4 Embedded Industry Trends from Covid19
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Engineering Job Market
4 Embedded Industry Trends from Covid19 In the 30 years PRA has been in operation, we’ve worked through booming and shrinking economies. While all downturns have common trends, they also feature key elements that set them apart. This current one is no different. Using our experience from earlier downturns, our ongoing conversations with employers and
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4 Keys To Finding The Right Employee
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Hiring Advice
4 Keys To Finding The Right Employee The United States’ talent shortage is real and becoming more acute. Employers are reporting difficulty recruiting the right talent as the quality of applicants continues to drop. You have to be pragmatic in this environment to get the people you need. Too often, recruiting efforts focus on skill matching
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3 Big Tips On Nailing Your Interview
- March 5, 2022
- Posted by: PRA USA
- Category: Interview Advices
3 Big Tips On Nailing Your Interview We’ve been in the recruiting business for thirty years, which means we long ago lost count of the number of people we’ve coached through the interviewing process. Most of them regarded interviewing as a test they must pass. They believed the main objective was to communicate how their